A robot vacuum can keep your floors clean enough to cut down on the frequency of manual hoovering. Pick a robot vacuum that has good navigation, is able to clean stairs and corners and has large bins that needs to be cleaned out every now and then.
There are also models that can mop and charge themselves, a feature that may be essential for those who have pets or kids. The top performers in our tests have great ability to overcome obstacles.
1. IRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO is similar to its sibling the i3 EVO. They differ only in the fact that the i3+ comes with self-emptying capabilities. That makes the i3+ a great 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 excel at picking up surface debris on hard floors and carpets, 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 navigate and clean in a manner that maximizes efficiency. The i3+ isn't able to feature obstacle avoidance features like the i7+ or other top-rated robots that we test. It can get stuck on power cords and socks and have difficulty navigating between different surfaces like rug and hardwood.
iRobot recommends that you tidy the area in which the i3+ EVO vacuums before using it. This includes getting rid of any toys or other items it might encounter. Also, keep the filters and dust bin free of dirt to prevent them from becoming clogged. If the i3+ EVO's internal bin is filled or the battery is low it goes back to its docking station, automatically empties its debris into the station's dust bin and continues cleaning the area where it left off. The i3+ EVO's batteries last for approximately an hour and a half continuous use, and takes about three hours to recharge.
2. IRobot Roomba i7+
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the top model in iRobot's flagship line, and it has the most up-to-date features. It has self-charging and self-navigating. But the most significant feature is its self-emptying bin. This eliminates the need for routine maintenance.
The Roomba i7+ can keep up to 10 floor plans and their names with Imprint Smart Mapping, an application that allows it to map rooms so it can clean them more efficiently. It also works with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning tasks, and it can control your robot through the app or via voice.
The i7+ is faster and more maneuverable in our tests than the eufy RoboVac G30. It also removed large pet hair pieces from all surfaces, including carpeting. Its greatest advantage over the Eufy is its self-emptying bin which removes major maintenance sources and lowers the cost of recurring maintenance.
We were also impressed by the i7+'s compatibility Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services that we used to instruct the robot to start, stop or pause its cleaning routines, move itself around the room and sweep the area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ to these services. Once connected to these services, we were able communicate with the i7+ using voice commands like "Hey Alexa, vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home app also provides options to manage the i7+'s settings and monitoring its performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
In a world full of vacuums with cords that are like minivans and buses, this tiny Dyson model is a sports car. It's powerful enough to replace a traditional stand-up vacuum in most homes, yet it is also small enough to fit on a bookcase or coffee table.
The V10 is powered by a 7-cell energy-dense Lithium-ion battery, which produces power that is not fading for 60 minutes. Its advanced whole-machine filtration system traps allergens and releases clean air back into your home. The cleaning head is specially designed to drive bristles made of nylon that are stiff into carpet to collect large crumbs and fine dust. It has three suction modes that can be adapted to the task. It quickly converts from floor vac to handheld vacuum, and then back to floor.
The model also comes with an accessory dock that can charge to 100% in about 3.5 hours and offers an easy access to two attachments as well as the Wand clip. This is a huge improvement over older Dysons, that require a long charge and are difficult to store.
The main drawback of the V10 is its limited run time. Its claims on the market that it can last up to 60 minutes of run time are a bit misleading, as CR's testing shows. This is a standard battery-powered cordless vacuum's running time. It's enough time to clean the typical home, but not enough to reach every area. (A second time is usually sufficient). This model has its own advantages, however: it's lighter and more maneuverable than earlier Dysons cordless models and its ability to vacuum is significantly better on carpets with low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694"
The 694 is a basic robot vacuum that's an excellent choice for those who don't have lots of money to spend on a robot. It could pick up most types of debris in our tests and would often go over the same area many times to give a thorough clean. Its flat front makes it possible to reach corners and edges of walls.
Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt technology to stay clear of obstacles and navigate your home. However, it isn't equipped with the mapping capabilities of more advanced models, such as our top picks, the i3+EVO and J7+ Series. It may get stuck on phone cords or low furniture and will often run out of power before returning to its base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in all aspects in that it has fewer components that need regular cleaning and is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, has lower recurring costs, comes with more advanced automation capabilities and is more efficient in maneuvering itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and is charged faster.
The eufy RoboVac X8 has a superior battery longevity than the Roomba 694. It also has physical boundaries strips and can be controlled using your smartphone's voice assistant. It is also more durable and has a more powerful motor, and works better on bare floors and carpets with low pile, while providing a wider array of automation options.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+Samsung is a name is seen on a variety of home electronics So it's no surprise that they're one of the most reputable robot vacuum and mop manufacturers. Their Jet Bot AI+ is packed with cutting-edge onboard tech for navigation and obstacles avoidance.
The app offers a wide range of options to customize your robotic cleaner. This includes virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior adjustments, docking frequency settings and many more. The app is easy to navigate and use, just like other Samsung devices.
In our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors. It cleaned up 86% of dog hair (on carpet). It did not do well in avoiding taller objects like socks or cords. This was disappointing. It's also a little more expensive than some of the other models we tried which could be a problem for certain shoppers.
The smart vacuum comes with an onboard camera that is accessible through the app, and you can also create a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you check in on your children or pets when you're away. The dustbin and the filter can be cleaned for an easy, quick clean-up. The Jet Bot AI+ also has a clean station that self-empties, which helps keep the robot cleaner commercial's dustbin clear and optimizes its 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 dustbin that holds twice as much debris than competitors to keep the area clear for maximum runtime. Plus, they include two side sweepers that clean around edges and corners. The POWERSERIES model comes with AutoSense which adjusts the power level depending on whether it's picking up dirt that is on the surface or embedded. The vacuum also comes with an app that allows users to see the virtual map, manage functions, and schedules. You can also monitor the battery's status and return it to its dock for charging by pressing the button. The app also allows 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 got stuck.
The app allows you to manually steer the robot, if necessary. For example my living room rug has a darkly-colored border that can cause confusion for other robots I've tried. The HRV 425BL however was able to continue to move across the border without ever registering the high point. The ability to program a daily cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving convenience.
