So You ve Bought Robot Vac ... Now What

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum can keep your floors tidy enough to decrease the frequency of hoovering manually. Look for one that offers an easy navigation, can sweep corners and stairs and has a huge dust bin that requires emptying only every few times.

There are also models that can mop and charge themselves, a feature that may be important for people with children or pets. Many of the best floor vacuum robot performers in our tests have excellent obstacle avoidance.

1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO

The i3+ EVO and its i3 EVO sibling the i3 EVO are the same robots, but they differ in that the i3+ has self-emptying capabilities. That makes the i3+ a good choice for people who want an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but aren't afraid of manually emptying their robot's dustbin when it is full.

Both robots are good at removing surface dirt on hard floors and carpets and are able to navigate around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes smart maps of your home that help the i3+ EVO navigate and clean in a way that maximizes efficiency. However, unlike the i7+ or other Top Rated Robot Vacuum (Peatix.Com)-rated robots we tested the i3+ does not have any obstacle-avoidance features and therefore it could get stuck on things like power cords or socks, and it can have difficulty in navigating through transitions between surfaces like hardwood to carpet.

iRobot recommends clearing areas where the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, which includes putting away any toys or clutter it may come across. It's also a good idea to keep the dustbin and filter clean so they don't become clogged with dirt. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is empty or the battery is depleted, it returns to the docking station and empties the dirt into the station’s external dustbin. It then continues cleaning where it began. The battery's lifespan is around an hour and a half of continuous usage. It takes three hours to charge.

2. Roomba by iRobot

The iRobot i7+ is an excellent model from iRobot's flagship line and is packed with the latest technology. It's self-charging and self-navigating. However, the most important feature is the self-emptying bin. This will eliminate the need for regular maintenance.

The Roomba I7+ is able to better map rooms with Imprint Smart Mapping. It also works with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning jobs, and you can control your budget robot vacuum through the app or via voice.

The i7+ is quicker and more maneuverable in our tests compared to the eufy RoboVac G30. It also removed large pet hair pieces from all surfaces including carpeting. Its main advantage over the eufy, though, is its self-emptying dustbin that eliminates a major cause of maintenance and cuts down on recurring costs.

We were also impressed by the i7+'s compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services, which we used to instruct the robot to begin, stop or pause its cleaning session and move around the room, and even vacuum a specific space. Connecting the i7+ to these services was easy and straightforward using the iRobot Home app. When connected, we were able to give the i7+ 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

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

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 traps allergens, then lets cleaner air into your home. The cleaning head is specially designed to drive bristles of nylon that are stiff and deep into carpets to trap large crumbs and fine dust. It comes with three suction modes that can be adjusted to the specific task. It is able to swiftly change from floor vacuum to handheld vacuum, and vice versa.

The model comes with an attached dock that charges the Dyson to 100% in 3.5 hours. It also provides the ability to connect two attachments and a Wand. This is a huge improvement over the older Dysons models, which require a lengthy charge and are difficult to store.

The biggest issue with the V10 is its sluggish run time. The claims of its marketing that it has up to 60 minutes of run time are a bit misleading as CR's tests show. This is a typical not an extraordinary time to run an electric cordless vacuum powered by batteries. This is enough time to clean the typical home however, it's not enough time to reach every spot. (A second pass generally works). However, this model doesn't have its advantages: It's lighter and maneuverable than older cordless Dysons, and its vacuuming performance is significantly better on low-pile carpet.

4. iRobot Roomba 694"

One of the most well-known robot vacuums the 694 is an entry-level model that's an excellent option for those who don't want to spend too much on a robot. It's capable of sucking up all kinds of debris in our testing, and it often passes over the same areas several times to get a really thorough clean. Its flat front makes it possible to reach the corners and the edges of walls.

Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt to avoid obstacles and navigate around your home, but it isn't equipped with the mapping capability of more sophisticated models such as our top picks, the i3+ EVO and j7+ series. Because of this, it is sometimes stuck on things like phone cords and furniture that isn't as sturdy, and frequently will run out of battery before returning to its base.

The Xiaomi Mi robot is superior in many ways to the Roomba 694 in that it has less parts that require regular cleaning robot price, is outfitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtering system, has a lower cost of recurring costs, has more advanced automation capabilities and is better able to move itself. It also has a larger dustbin and can charge faster.

The eufy RoboVac X8 has a superior battery longevity than the Roomba 694. It also has physical boundaries strips that can be controlled with the voice assistant on your smartphone. It also feels more sturdy and has a stronger motor, and works better on floors that are bare and low-pile carpet, while offering a wider range of features for automation.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

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

The app provides a range of customization options for your robotic cleaner. These include virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior modifications docking frequency settings, and more. It's easy to comprehend and user-friendly, as is the case with other Samsung devices.

In our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors and handled dog hair (on carpet) very well, picking up 86% of it. However, it wasn't particularly well at avoiding higher-up objects like cords or socks which was a disappointment. It's also more expensive than other models we've tested and this could be a problem for some buyers.

The smart vacuum has an onboard camera that you can access through the app, and you can also create a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you to monitor your pets or children when you're away from home. The dustbin and filter can be washed for quick, painless cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean station that's self-emptying, which 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 carpets and hard floors, Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for hard floors. The robots come with an extra wide cleaning path, as well as a dustbin that is 2X bigger than the competitors. This lets them clean the area for longer. They also come with two side sweepers to clean along edges and corners. The POWERSERIES model includes AutoSense, which automatically adjusts the power level according to whether it's cleaning up surface dirt or embedded dirt. The vacuum also comes with an app that lets you to view the virtual map, manage functions, and schedules. You can also monitor the status of the vacuum's battery and return it to its dock for charging at the push of the button. The app lets you alter the LED lights on the top of the vacuum to determine where it is focused or if it's stuck.

The app allows you to steer the budget robot vacuum manually, if necessary. For example, my living room rug has a darkly colored border that has a tendency to cause confusion for other robots I've tested. However, the HRV 425BL continued to move 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.