Terence Kay

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum will keep your floors tidy enough to cut down on the frequency of hoovering manually. Pick a robot vacuum that has good navigation, has the ability to clean corners and stairs, and that has an enormous bin that needs to be emptied periodically.

There are models that clean and charge themselves which can be beneficial for those with children or pets. A majority of the top performers in our tests have good obstacles to avoid.

1. IRobot Roomba i3+ EVO

The i3+ EVO is identical to its sibling the i3 EVO. They differ only in the fact that the i3+ has self-emptying capabilities. The i3+ is an excellent option for those who want an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but are willing to manually empty the dust bin after it has filled up.

Both robots are good at removing surface dirt on floors and carpets and are able to move around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates intelligent maps of your home, which help the i3+ EVO to navigate and clean in a way that maximizes efficiency. However, unlike the i7+ and other top best rated robot vacuum robots we tested the i3+ doesn't have any obstacle-avoidance features and therefore it could be stuck on things like socks or power cords, and it can have difficulty navigating across surface transitions like from hardwood to rug.

iRobot suggests that you clear areas where the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, including getting rid of any clutter or toys it may come across. It is also recommended to keep the dustbin and filter free of dirt to prevent them from becoming clogged. If the i3+'s internal bin is empty or the battery is depleted, it returns to the docking station, and it automatically emptys the dirt into the docking station's dust bin. It then continues cleaning from where it began. The i3+ EVO's battery lasts for approximately an hour and a half of continuous use, and it takes about three hours to fully recharge.

2. iRobot Roomba i7+

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

The Roomba I7+ is able to make rooms more efficient maps using Imprint Smart Mapping. It also integrates with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning jobs and direct your robot by voice or via the app.

In our testing the i7+ was faster and more maneuverable than our second-placed model and the eufy RoboVac G30, and it removed large chunks of pet hair from all surface kinds including carpeting. The biggest benefit over the eufy it self-empties its dust bin, which eliminates a major cause of maintenance and lowers recurring costs.

We were also awestruck by the i7+'s compatibility best amazon vacuum Alexa and Google Assistant AI services, which we used to instruct the robot to start, stop or pause its cleaning session and to move around the room, and even best combo vacuum an area. Connecting the i7+ to these services was simple and easy with the iRobot Home app. Once connected, we were able to give the i7+ voice commands, such as "Hey Alexa, vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options to manage i7+ settings and monitoring performance.

3. Dyson Cyclone V10

This tiny Dyson model is an all-sports car in a world of vacuums with cords that feel like minivans and buses. It is powerful enough to replace a traditional stand-up vacuum in a majority of homes, but it is also compact enough to fit on the bookcase or coffee table.

The V10 is powered by a 7-cell energy-dense Lithium-ion battery that can provide energy that lasts for 60 minutes. The advanced whole-machine filtering system captures allergens, and then releases cleaner air into your home. The cleaning head is specially designed to drive bristles made of nylon that are stiff into carpet to suck up large particles and fine dust. It comes with three suction modes that can be adjusted to suit the task. It swiftly switches from handheld to floor vacuum and back.

This model has a dock which charges the Dyson to 100% within 3.5 hours. It also offers the ability to connect two attachments as well as an wand. 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. As CR's tests have shown, its advertising claims of up to 60 minutes are not true. This is a common, not exceptional, battery-powered vacuum's run time. It's still enough time to clean most of a typical-sized home however, it's not enough to clean every spot (though a second run-through usually can be effective). This doesn't mean that this model doesn't have its benefits: It's lighter and agile than older cordless Dysons and its vacuuming performance is noticeably better on carpets with low pile.

4. iRobot Roomba 694"

One of iRobot's most adored robot vacuums the 694 is an entry-level model that's a great option for those who don't want to spend too much money on a robot. It could pick up the majority of types of debris and sizes in our testing and often went over the same area several times to ensure an extensive clean. The flat front of the unit allows it to reach into corners and along the walls' edges, which is a nice touch.

Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt technology to stay clear of obstacles and navigate your home. However, it isn't equipped with the ability to map that is found in more advanced models, like our top picks, the i3+EVO and j7+ Series. It is prone to getting stuck on cords for phones or furniture that is low and is often unable to supply power before returning to its original location.

The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in all aspects in that it has fewer parts that require regular cleaning It also comes with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower recurring costs, has more advanced automation capabilities and is better at maneuvering itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and can charge faster.

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

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a brand is found on all kinds of electronic gadgets for your home So it's no surprise that they're also one of the top robotic vacuum and mop makers. Jet Bot AI+ has the most advanced onboard technology for navigation and obstacle avoidance.

The app provides plenty of options to customize your robotic cleaner, including virtual barriers mopping water levels, behavior modification, docking frequency settings, and more. The app is simple to learn and use similar to other Samsung devices.

In our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors. It removed 86% of dog hair (on carpet). However, it wasn't particularly well with higher-up objects like cords or socks, which was disappointing. It's priced higher than other models we've tested and this could be a deterrent for certain shoppers.

The app allows you to access the camera onboard of the smart vacuum. You can also set up live streaming from the best robot Vacuum for vinyl plank floors's cleaning area. This feature allows you to check in on pets or the kids if you're away from home. The dustbin and filter are washable to make cleanup quick and easy. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean and tidy station that self-empties and helps keep the robot's trash bin clean and optimizes its suction power for each cleaning run.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

In contrast to other robotic vacuums which are designed for both hard floors and carpets, Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for hard floors. They have a wider cleaning path and a larger dust bin that can hold 2X more debris than competitors to keep the area free of debris for the longest period of time. Plus, they include two side sweepers that clean along edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model comes with AutoSense technology, which senses the presence of surface litter or embedded dirt and then automatically adjusts the power level. 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 and then send it to its dock for charging with the touch of a single button. The app lets you alter the LED lights on the top of the best combo vacuum to determine where it is focused or if it has gotten stuck.

The app makes it possible to manually steer the best budget robot vacuum when needed. For instance, my living room rug has a darkly-colored border that tends to make it difficult for other robots I've tried. However, the HRV 425BL continued to move across the border without registering it as a cliff. The ability to program a daily cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving advantage.