A robot vacuum can keep your floors clean enough to cut down on the frequency of manual hoovering. Look for one that offers an easy navigation, can sweep corners and stairs and also has a large dust bin that has to be emptied only periodically.
There are models that mop and charge themselves, which is a feature essential for families with pets or children. The top performers in our tests have good obstacle avoidance.
1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO is identical to its sibling i3 EVO. They differ only in the fact that the i3+ comes with self-emptying capabilities. This makes the i3+ a great option for those who want an automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but aren't afraid of having to empty their dust bin manually as it gets full.
Both robots are adept at picking up surface debris on carpets and hard floors and they are very good at moving around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes smart maps of your home, which help the i3+ EVO to navigate and clean in a manner that maximizes efficiency. The i3+ does not have obstacle avoidance capabilities like the i7+ or any other top-rated robots we test. It may be stuck on power cords and socks and have trouble moving between surfaces, such as rug and hardwood.
iRobot recommends you clear out areas that the i3+ EVO will best automatic vacuum cleaner prior to when you use it, and include clearing out any toys or clutter it may encounter. It is also recommended to keep the filters and dust bin clear to avoid getting blocked. If the i3+'s internal bin is empty or the battery is low 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 left off. The battery's life span is approximately an hour and a half of constant use. It takes three hours to fully charge.
2. Roomba from iRobot
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the top model in iRobot's flagship line, and it has the most up-to-date features. It's self-charging and self-navigating. the most crucial feature of all -- it has self-emptying bins that eliminate one of the primary sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.
The Roomba i7+ can remember up to 10 floor plans and their names thanks to Imprint Smart Mapping, a system that allows it to create maps of rooms so that it can clean them more efficiently. It also works with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning jobs, and you can direct your robot using the app or via voice.
In our testing, the i7+ was more agile and faster than our top choice and the eufy RoboVac G30, and it picked up large pieces of pet hair from all surface kinds, including carpeting. Its biggest advantage over the eufy, though the dust bin is self-emptying which removes a major source of maintenance and cuts down on the amount of time spent cleaning.
We were also impressed by the i7+'s integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services, which we used to instruct the robot to begin, stop or pause its cleaning sessions, move itself around the room and sweep a specific space. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ to these services. Once connected, we were able to 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 preferences and monitoring its performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
This tiny Dyson model is a sports car that is amidst a sea 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, yet it is also small enough to fit on a bookcase or coffee table.
The V10 is powered by a seven-cell, high-energy lithium-ion battery that can provide continuous, non-fading power for 60 minutes. The sophisticated whole-machine filter system traps allergens, then releases cleaner air into your home. Its specialized head uses stiff nylon bristles that penetrate deep into carpets, and then pick up large particles or fine dust. It has three suction modes that can be adapted to suit the task. It quickly switches from handheld vacuum to floor vacuum and back.
The model also comes with a dock that charges to 100% in about 3.5 hours, and gives users easy access to two attachments as well as an clip for a wand. This is a huge improvement over previous Dysons that require a long charge and are difficult to store.
The V10's biggest drawback is its sluggish run time. Its claims on the market that it has up to 60 minutes of running time are a bit misleading, as CR's testing shows. This is a typical not an extraordinary time for a battery-powered cordless vac. This is enough time to vacuum the average-sized home, but not enough to reach every area. (A second time generally works). This model has its own advantages however: it's light 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 basic robot vacuum that's a great option for those who don't have a lot of money to spend on the latest model of robot vacuum cleaner cheap. It was able to remove all kinds of debris and sizes in our testing and often went over the same area multiple times to give an extensive clean. Its flat front end helps to get into corners and along the edges of walls, which is a nice touch.
Its intelligent navigation system makes use of iAdapt to stay clear of obstacles and navigate your home, but it's not equipped with the mapping capability of more sophisticated models such as our top selections and the i3+ EVO and j7+ series. Because of this, it may get stuck on things like phone cords or low furniture, and it often runs out of battery power before making it back to its original location.
The Xiaomi Mi robot broom vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in all aspects, as it has fewer components that require regular cleaning, is fitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower recurring costs, has more advanced automation capabilities and does a better job maneuvering itself. It also has a larger dustbin and is charged faster.
The sleek RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba 694. It also comes with physical boundaries and can be controlled by the voice assistant on your smartphone. It is also more robust, has a more powerful motor, and can perform better on floors with bare or low-pile.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a household name in the field of home electronics. It's not surprising, then, that they are one of the top makers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is equipped with cutting-edge onboard technology to aid in navigation and obstacles avoidance.
The app offers a wide range of customization options for your robotic cleaner. This includes virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior customizations docking frequency settings and much more. The app is simple to use and understand similar to other Samsung devices.
In our tests of the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors and handled dog hair (on carpet) quite well, cleaning up 86 percent of it. It was not as successful in avoiding taller items like socks or cords. This was disappointing. It's also more expensive than the other models we tried which could be a deal-breaker for certain shoppers.
The smart vacuum comes with an onboard camera that can be accessed through the app. You can also set up a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you to monitor your pets or children while you are away. The dustbin and the filter can be cleaned for a quick, painless clean-up. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with self-emptying clean stations, which helps keep the robot's bin clear and improves suction power.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Black and Decker robots have been designed specifically for flooring made of hard wood. The robots have an extra wide cleaning path and a dustbin that is 2X bigger than the competitors. This lets them clean the area for longer. They also include two side sweepers to clean along edges and corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model comes with AutoSense technology, which senses the presence of dirt or debris on the surface and automatically adjusts its power level. It also has a smart app that lets you browse the virtual map, and control functions and schedules. You can also check the status of the vacuum and connect it to the dock for charging with the touch of a single button. The app also lets you to customize the LED lights on Top 5 Robot Vacuum of the vacuum by using different colors, so that you can easily identify which areas it's focused 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 example is darkly colored that could cause trouble for other robots. The HRV 425BL however continued to travel across the border without ever registering the edge. The ability to program a cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving advantage.