10 Myths Your Boss Is Spreading About Robot Vac
Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum can keep your floors tidy enough to reduce the frequency of hoovering manually. Choose a robot vacuum that has good navigation, has the ability to clean corners and stairs and also has large bins that will need to be emptied periodically.
You can also find models that can mop and charge themselves, a feature that may be essential for those who have pets or children. A majority of the top performers in our tests have great obstacles to avoid.
1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO and its i3 EVO sibling the i3 EVO are both identical robots that differ only in that the i3+ has self-emptying capabilities. This makes the i3+ an excellent choice for people who want an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience but don't mind manually emptying their robot's dustbin as it gets full.
Both robots are adept at picking up surface debris off hard floors and carpets, and they're very adept at maneuvering around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates intelligent maps of your home that help the i3+ EVO to navigate and clean in a way that maximizes efficiency. The i3+ does not have the same obstacle avoidance capabilities as the i7+ or other top-rated robots we have test. It can get stuck on power cords or socks and have difficulty navigating between different surfaces, like hardwood and rug.
iRobot recommends clearing areas that the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, including clearing out any clutter or toys it might encounter. It is also recommended to keep the filters and dust bin free of dirt to prevent them from getting blocked. If the i3+ EVO's internal bin is filled or the battery is depleted it goes back to its docking station, automatically empties its debris into the station's external dustbin and continues cleaning where it started. Battery life is about an hour-and-a-half of continuous use. It takes three hours to fully charge.
2. IRobot Roomba i7+
The iRobot i7+ is the Top rated robot vacuum model in iRobot's flagship line and is packed with the most recent features. It's self-charging, self-navigating and -- the most important feature of all -- it comes with an auto-emptying dustbin, which eliminates one of the primary sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.
The Roomba I7+ is able to better map rooms with Imprint Smart Mapping. It also works with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning tasks, and it can control your robot via the app or via voice.
The i7+ is more efficient and more maneuverable in our tests compared to the eufy RoboVac G30. It also picked up large pet hair pieces from any surface including carpeting. Its main advantage over the eufy, though the dust bin is self-emptying, which eliminates a major source of maintenance and lowers the amount of time spent cleaning.
We were also impressed with the i7+'s compatibility Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We utilized these services to instruct the robot on how to begin, stop, or pause cleaning sessions, as well as to move around the room and even vacuum a specific area. Connecting the i7+ to these services was easy and straightforward using the iRobot Home app. After connecting to these services, we were able give the i7+ voice commands such as "Hey Alexa, vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options for managing i7+ settings and monitoring performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
In a world filled with vacuums that are cordless and feel like minivans or buses, this tiny Dyson model is a sports car. It's got the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum for most households, but it also fits perfectly next to a coffee table or on the bookshelf, where you can wave it around like an enchanted tool.
The V10 is powered by a 7-cell, energy-dense lithium-ion battery which produces continuous, non-fading power for 60 minutes. The sophisticated whole-machine filter system is able to trap allergens and then releases cleaner air into your home. The specially designed head utilizes stiff nylon bristles that penetrate deep into carpets and collect large particles or fine dust. It comes with three suction modes to meet the task being performed. It can quickly switch from floor vacuum to handheld vacuum and vice versa.
This model has an attached dock that charges the Dyson to 100 percent within 3.5 hours. It also provides the ability to connect two attachments and a wand. This is a huge improvement over the older Dysons, that require a long charge and are a pain to store.
The V10's biggest drawback is its limited run time. The tests conducted by CR show that its advertising claims of up to 60 minutes are misleading. This is a common battery-powered vacuum's run time. This is enough time to vacuum a typical-sized home but not enough to get into every corner. (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 noticeably superior on low-pile floor carpet.
4. iRobot Roomba 694
One of iRobot's most adored robot vacuums, the 694 is an affordable robot vacuum model that's a great choice for people who don't wish to spend too much on a robot. It's capable of sucking up all types of debris and sizes during our testing, and it often passes over the same areas several times to get a really thorough clean. Its flat front allows it to reach corners and edges of walls.
Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt technology to stay clear of obstacles and help you navigate your home. However, it lacks the mapping capabilities of more advanced models, such as our top picks, i3+EVO and j7+ Series. Because of this, it can sometimes get stuck on things like phone cords or furniture that isn't as sturdy, and often runs out of battery power before making it back to its base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in all aspects, as it has fewer parts that require regular cleaning It also comes with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower recurring costs, comes with more advanced automation capabilities and is more efficient in moving itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and charges faster.
The eufy RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 for a variety of purposes, because it has a better battery life, has the ability to alter its suction power mode manually and comes with physical boundary strips, and can be controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It's 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 a surprise, then, that they are also among the top manufacturers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is packed with cutting-edge onboard tech for navigation and obstacles avoidance.
The app provides plenty of options to personalize your robotic vacuum cleaners cleaner, such as virtual barriers mopping water levels, behavior modification docking frequency settings and more. The app is easy to learn and use, just like other Samsung devices.
In our tests our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors and dealt with dog hair (on carpet) quite well, cleaning up 86% of it. It did not do well in avoiding taller items like socks or cords. This was disappointing. It's also a little more expensive than the other models we've tested, which might be a deal-breaker for some shoppers.
The app lets you access the camera onboard of the smart vacuum. You can also create live streaming from the robot's area of cleaning. This feature lets you keep track of your pets or kids when you're away from home. The filter and the dust bin can be washed to make cleanup quick and easy. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean station that's self cleaning vacuum-emptying to keep the robot's dustbin clean and optimizes its suction power for each cleaning.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Contrary to other robotic vacuums that are made for hard floors and carpets, Black and Decker robots are specifically designed for hard floors. The robots have an extra-wide cleaning path, as well as dust bins that are 2 times larger than other models. This allows them to clean the area for a longer period of time. In addition, they have two side sweepers to clean along edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model comes with AutoSense technology, which can tell the presence of dirt or debris on the surface and automatically adjusts the power level. It also has a smart app that lets you see the virtual map and manage functions and schedules. Additionally, you can track the status of the vacuum's battery and then return it to its dock for charging at the push of one button. The app lets you modify the LEDs on the top of the vacuum to determine where it is focused or if it's stuck.
The app also makes it easy to steer the robot manually should you need to. My living room rug, for instance, has a darkly-colored border which could cause a problem for other robots. However, the HRV 425BL kept moving across the border, but it didn't register it as an incline. The ability to program a daily cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving benefit.
