Aja Angwin

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum can keep your floors tidy enough to cut down on the frequency of manual hoovering. Choose a robot vacuum that has good navigation, can clean corners and stairs, and that has an enormous bin that will need to be cleaned out every now and then.

There are models that mop and charge themselves, which is a feature that is essential for families with pets or children. Many of the best performers in our tests have good ability to overcome obstacles.

1. Roomba iRobot i3+ from iRobot EVO

The i3+ EVO and its i3 EVO sibling, the i3 EVO are the same robots that differ only in that the i3+ has self-emptying features. This makes the i3+ a great option for those looking for an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but don't mind having to empty their dust bin manually as it gets full.

Both robots excel at picking up surface debris on carpets and hard floors, and they are very good in moving around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates a smart maps of your home to assist the i3+ to navigate and clean up efficiently. However, unlike the i7+ or other top 5 robot vacuum rated robots we tested the i3+ doesn't have obstacle-avoidance capabilities, so it may get stuck on things like socks or power cords and may have issues navigating across surface transitions like from hardwood to carpet.

iRobot recommends clearing areas in which the i3+ EVO will vacuum prior to when you use it, including clearing out any toys or clutter it may come across. You should also keep the dustbin and filters clear to avoid getting blocked. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is empty or the battery is not fully charged, it returns to the docking station, and it automatically emptys the dirt into the docking station's dust bin. Then it continues cleaning where it started. The i3+ EVO's batteries last for approximately an hour and a half continuous use. It takes about three hours to fully recharge.

2. IRobot Roomba i7+

The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the most powerful model in iRobot's flagship line, and it is equipped with the most recent features. It's self-charging and self-navigating. the most crucial feature of all -- it has an auto-emptying dustbin, which eliminates one of the main sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.

The Roomba i7+ can keep up to 10 floor plans and their names thanks to Imprint Smart Mapping, a system that lets it create maps of rooms so that it can clean them more efficiently. It also works with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning tasks and control your robot using voice or through the app.

In our tests the i7+ performed quicker and more maneuverable than our runner-up and the eufy RoboVac G30, and it picked up large pieces of pet hair from all surfaces types, including carpeting. The main advantage it has over the Eufy is its self-emptying bin which eliminates major sources of maintenance and reduces the cost of maintenance.

We were also awestruck by the i7+'s compatibility Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services that we used to instruct the robot to begin, stop or pause its cleaning routines and to move around the room, and even vacuum a specific space. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ with these services. We were able, once connected, to voice commands to the i7+, such as "Hey Alexa vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options for managing i7+ settings and evaluating the performance.

3. Dyson Cyclone V10

In a world of vacuums that are cordless and are like minivans and buses, this small Dyson model feels like an old-fashioned sports car. It has the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum for the majority of households and can fit perfectly next to the coffee table or shelves where you can wave it around like the magic wand.

The V10 is powered by a seven-cell, energy-dense lithium-ion battery that produces fade-free power for 60 minutes. Its advanced whole-machine filter system removes allergens, and then releases clean air back into your home. The specially designed head utilizes stiff nylon bristles to drive deep into carpets, and then pick up large dust or crumbs. It has three suction modes to match the task that is being completed. It quickly converts from handheld to floor vacuum and back.

The model also comes with a dock that charges to 100% in about 3.5 hours, and gives users an easy access to two attachments and a wand clip. This is a huge improvement over the older Dysons models, which require a lengthy charge and are difficult to store.

The main issue with the V10 is its short running time. As CR's tests have shown, its marketing claims of up to 60 minutes are not true. This is a common battery-powered cordless vacuum's run time. This is enough time to sweep the average-sized home, but not enough to reach every area. (A second pass generally works). This model has its own advantages however: it's lighter and more maneuverable than older Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is noticeable superior on carpets with low pile.

4. iRobot Roomba 694"

The 694 is a standard robot vacuum that's an excellent choice for those who don't have lots of money to invest in an expensive robot. It's capable of sucking up all types of debris and sizes during our testing, and it often goes over the same areas many times to give a thorough clean. Its flat front allows it 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 lacks the mapping capabilities of more advanced models, including our top robot vacuum picks, 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 parts 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 better at moving itself. It also has a larger dustbin, and charges more quickly.

The sleek RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba 694. It also comes with physical boundaries strips and can be controlled with the voice assistant on your smartphone. It also feels better-built and has a stronger motor, and performs notably better on floors that are bare and low-pile carpet, while providing a greater variety of automation features.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a brand is seen on a variety of electronic gadgets for your home, so it comes as no surprise that they're one of the top rated robot vacuum robotic floor vacuums vacuum and mop makers. Their Jet Bot AI+ is packed with cutting-edge onboard tech for navigation and obstacle avoidance.

The app offers a variety of customization options for your robotic cleaner. This includes virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior adjustments 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 during our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and it removed 86% of dog hair (on carpet). It didn't do very well in avoiding taller items such as cords or socks. This was disappointing. It's also more expensive than the other models we've tested, and this could be a deterrent for some buyers.

The app lets you access the onboard camera of the smart vacuum. You can also create live streaming from the robot's area of cleaning. This feature lets you check in on your children or pets while you are away. 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 to keep the robot's dustbin clear and optimizes its suction power for each cleaning run.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for flooring made of hard wood. The robots come with an extra wide cleaning path, and a dustbin that is 2X bigger than the competitors. This lets them keep the area clean for longer. Additionally, they come with two side sweepers that clean around edges and corners. The POWERSERIES model also comes with AutoSense, which automatically adjusts the power level based on whether it is collecting dirt that is on the surface or embedded. It also includes a smart application that lets you see the virtual map and control functions and schedules. You can also monitor the status of the vacuum's battery and then return it to its dock to charge at the push of a button. The app allows you to customize the LED lights on top of the vacuum by using different colors, so you can easily identify what areas it's focusing on or where it's stuck.

The app allows you to steer the robot manually in the event of need. My living room rug for instance, has a darkly-colored border that could cause trouble for other robots. However, the HRV 425BL kept moving across the border without registering it as an incline. The ability to program a weekly cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving convenience.