Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum will keep floors clean enough to reduce the frequency you have to manually vacuum. Find one that has good navigation, can sweep corners and stairs and also has a large dust bin that needs emptying only once in a while.
There are also models that mop and charge on their own, a feature that may be beneficial for those with children or pets. Many of the top performers in our tests offer decent obstacle-avoiding capabilities.
1. Roomba iRobot i3+ from iRobot EVO
The i3+ EVO and its sibling, the i3 EVO are the same robots that differ only in that the i3+ has self-emptying features. This makes the i3+ a good option for those looking for a hands-off, fully automated cleaning experience but don't mind manually emptying their robot's dustbin when it is full.
Both robots do well picking up surface debris off carpets and hard floors, and they're excellent in getting around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes smart maps of your home that help the i3+ EVO to navigate and clean in a manner that maximizes efficiency. The i3+ does not feature obstacle avoidance features like the i7+ or any other top-rated robots that we test. It may be stuck on power cords and socks and have trouble moving between surfaces, such as hardwood and rug.
iRobot suggests that you clean up the area where the i3+ EVO vacuums prior to using it. This includes getting rid of any toys or other items it might come across. It's also recommended to keep the bin and filter clean so they don't become clogged with dirt. If the i3+'s internal bin is empty or the battery is not fully charged, it returns to the docking station, and it automatically takes the dirt out of the docking station’s external dustbin. It then continues cleaning from where it began. The battery's lifespan is around an hour-and-a-half of continuous use. It takes about three hours to fully charge.
2. IRobot Roomba i7+
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the top model in the iRobot flagship line and comes with all the latest features. It's self-charging and self-navigating. -- the most important feature of all -- it comes with self-emptying bins that eliminate one of the most important sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.
robot vacuum cleaner sale i7+ is able to remember up to 10 floor plans and their names with Imprint Smart Mapping, a system that lets it identify rooms to clean them more efficiently. It also works with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning tasks and direct your robot by voice or via the app.
In our tests the i7+ performed more agile and faster than our runner-up, the eufy RoboVac G30, and it took large pieces of pet hair from all surfaces kinds including carpeting. Its biggest advantage over the eufy, is its self-emptying dustbin that eliminates a major cause of maintenance and cuts down on recurring costs.
We were also awestruck by the i7+’s compatibility with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We utilized these services to instruct the robot on how to start or stop cleaning sessions as well as move around the room and even vacuum a specific area. The process of connecting the i7+ to these services was easy and straightforward using the iRobot Home app. After connecting to these services, we were able use the i7+'s voice commands, such as "Hey Alexa, vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home app also provides options for managing the i7+'s settings and monitoring its performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
This tiny Dyson model is an athletic car in a sea of vacuums with cords that feel like minivans and buses. It's got the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum for the majority of households, but it also fits nicely on the table for a coffee or the bookshelf, that you can spin around like an enchanted wand.
The V10 is powered by a 7-cell, high-energy lithium-ion battery that can provide fade-free power for 60 minutes. The sophisticated whole-machine filter system captures allergens, and then lets cleaner air into your home. The specially designed head utilizes stiff nylon bristles to penetrate into carpets and collect large crumbs or fine dust. It comes with three suction modes that can be adapted to suit the task. It is able to quickly switch between handheld and floor vacuum, and vice versa.
This model also has docks that charge to 100% in around 3.5 hours and offers easy access to two attachments and an Wand clip. This is a big improvement over earlier Dysons, which require a lengthy charge and are difficult to store.
The main issue with the V10 is its short running time. The tests conducted by CR show that its marketing claims of up to 60 minutes are misleading. This is an average, not an exceptional, time to run an electric cordless vacuum powered by batteries. It's still enough time to clean most of a typical-sized home however, it's not enough to get every single spot (though an additional run-through often can be effective). This model has its own advantages however: it's light and more mobile than previous Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is significantly better on low-pile floor carpet.
4. iRobot Roomba 694
The 694 is a basic robot vacuum that's a great choice for those who don't have lots of money to invest in a robot. It was able to remove all kinds of debris in our testing and often went over the same area many times for an efficient clean. Its flat front allows it to reach corners and edges of walls.
Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt technology to steer clear of obstacles and guide you through your home. It's not equipped with the ability to map that is found in more advanced models, such as our top picks, i3+EVO and j7+ Series. As a result, it is sometimes stuck on things like phone cords and furniture that isn't as sturdy, and often will run out of battery before making it back to its home base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in all aspects, as it has fewer parts that require regular maintenance It also comes with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower costs for recurring maintenance, has more advanced automation capabilities and is better at moving itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and charges faster.
The RoboVac X8 is a slick RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 for a variety of purposes, as it has a better battery life, the ability to change its suction power mode manually and comes with physical boundary strips, and is controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It is also more robust, has a more powerful motor, and is more effective on floors with low pile and bare.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a well-known brand in home electronics. It's not a surprise, then, that they are also among the top producers of robot vacuums and mop. Jet Bot AI+ has an advanced onboard technology that allows for navigation and obstacle avoidance.
The app offers a wide range of options for customizing your robotic cleaner. This includes virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior modifications, docking frequency settings and much more. It's simple to comprehend and easy to use, just as is the case with other Samsung devices.
In our tests in our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and it removed 86% of dog hair (on carpet). However, it wasn't particularly well with taller objects like cords and socks which was disappointing. It's priced higher than other models we've tested, and this could be a deal breaker for some buyers.
The app lets you access the camera onboard of the smart vacuum. You can also set up live streaming from the robot's area of cleaning. This feature allows you to check in on pets or the kids if you're away from home. The dustbin and the filter can be washed for an easy, quick clean-up. The Jet Bot AI+ also has a clean station that's self-emptying and helps keep the robot's dustbin clear and maximizes suction power for each cleaning.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for flooring made of hard wood. They have a wider cleaning path and a larger dust bin that can hold 2X more debris than competitors to keep the cleaning area free of debris for the longest period of time. Plus, they include two side sweepers that clean around edges and corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also includes AutoSense technology, which senses the presence of dirt or debris on the surface and then automatically adjusts the power level. It also includes a smart application that lets you browse the virtual map and control the functions and schedules. You can also check the status of the vacuum and then send it to the dock for charging at the click of a button. The app also lets you to personalize the LED lights on the top of the vacuum using different colors, so you can easily identify what areas it's focusing on or where it's gotten stuck.
The app also makes it easy to manually steer the robot should you need to. My living room rug, for instance, has a darkly-colored border that can trip up some other robots. The HRV 425BL, however, continued to move across the border, without notifying the cliff. Also, the ability to program weekly cleaning schedules is a fantastic time-saving feature.