The History Of Robot Vac

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum will keep floors clean enough to decrease the frequency you have to manually vacuum. Look for one that offers good navigation, can clean stairs and corners and has a huge dust bin that requires emptying only once in a while.

You can also find models that clean and charge on their own which can be important for people with pets or kids. Many of the best robot vacuum deals performers in our tests have great obstacle avoidance.

1. IRobot Roomba i3+ EVO

The i3+ EVO is similar to its sibling i3 EVO. They differ only in that the i3+ comes with self-emptying capabilities. The i3+ is a good option for those looking for a a fully automated, hands-off cleaning experience but are willing to manually empty the robot's dustbin once it gets full.

Both robots are proficient at picking up surface dirt on carpets and hard floors and are able to navigate around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates smart maps of your home that aid the i3+ EVO to navigate and clean in a manner that maximizes efficiency. The i3+ does not feature obstacle avoidance features like the i7+ or any other top-rated robots we have tested. It could get stuck on power cords and socks, and may have trouble navigating between different surfaces, like carpet and hardwood.

iRobot suggests that you clean up the area where the i3+ EVO vacuums prior to using it. This includes putting away any toys or clutter it might come across. Also, keep the dustbin and filter clear to avoid becoming clogged. When the i3+ EVO’s internal bin is empty or the battery is low it returns to the docking station, and it automatically emptys the dirt into the docking station's dust bin. Then it continues cleaning from where it left off. The battery's lifespan is around an hour and a half of continuous use. It takes three hours to fully charge.

2. iRobot Roomba i7+

The iRobot i7+ is an excellent model from iRobot's flagship line and is packed with the latest 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+ can remember up to 10 floor plans and their names with Imprint Smart Mapping, an application that allows it to map rooms so it can clean them more efficiently. It also integrates with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning tasks, and you can control your robot via the app or voice.

In our tests, the i7+ was quicker and more maneuverable than our top choice and the eufy RoboVac G30, and it removed large chunks of pet hair from all surfaces kinds including carpeting. The biggest benefit over the eufy, though the dust bin is self-emptying, which eliminates a major cause of maintenance and reduces the cost of maintenance.

We were also awestruck 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 to move around the room, and even vacuum the area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ with these services. After being connected, to speak commands to the i7+, such as "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

In a world full of vacuums that are cordless and look like minivans or buses, this tiny Dyson model is an old-fashioned sports car. It's powerful enough to replace a stand-up vacuum in the 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 advanced whole-machine filter system traps allergens, then lets cleaner air into your home. Its cleaning head is specially designed and drives stiff nylon bristles deep into carpet to collect large particles and fine dust. It has three suction modes to suit the task that is being completed. It swiftly switches from automatic floor cleaners vac to handheld vacuum and back again.

The model comes with a dock which charges the Dyson to 100% within 3.5 hours. It also gives the ability to connect two attachments as well as the handheld. This is a big improvement over earlier Dysons models, that require a long charge and are difficult to store.

The V10's biggest drawback is its limited run time. Its claims on the market that it can last up to 60 minutes of running time are misleading as CR's tests show. This is a typical, not exceptional, battery-powered cordless vacuum's running time. It's still enough time to vacuum the majority of a home that's average size however, it's not enough to cover every spot (though an additional run-through often does the trick). This model has its own advantages however: it's light and more maneuverable than earlier Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is noticeably superior for carpet floors with low pile.

4. iRobot Roomba 694

The 694 is a standard robot vacuum that's a great choice for those who don't have a lot of money to invest in a robot. It's capable of sucking up all types of debris and sizes during our tests, and often goes over the same areas many times to ensure a thorough clean. Its flat front end helps it reach into corners and along the edges of walls, which is a nice touch.

Its intelligent navigation system makes use of iAdapt technology to avoid obstacles and help you navigate your home. However, it isn't equipped with the capabilities for mapping of more advanced models, like our top picks, i3+EVO and J7+ Series. This means that it is sometimes stuck on things like phone cords or furniture that isn't in good condition, and often runs out of battery power before returning to its home base.

The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in most respects, as it has fewer components that need regular cleaning, is fitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, has lower costs for recurring maintenance, has more advanced automation capabilities and is more efficient in maneuvering itself. It also has a larger dustbin and is charged faster.

The eufy RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba. It also comes with physical boundaries and can be controlled using the voice assistant on your smartphone. It is also more durable, has a stronger motor, and performs better on low-pile and bare floors.

5. Samsung Jet bot cleaner AI+

Samsung is a household name in home electronics. It's not surprising that they are also among the top manufacturers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is loaded with cutting-edge onboard intelligence technology for navigation and obstacle avoidance.

The app provides plenty of options to customize your robotic cleaner, such as virtual barriers, mopping water levels and behavior modification docking frequency settings and more. It's easy to understand and user-friendly, as is the case with other Samsung devices.

In our tests during our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and cleaned up 86 percent of dog hair (on carpet). It didn't do very well in avoiding taller items like socks or cords. This was disappointing. It's also more expensive than the other models we tested which could be a problem for some shoppers.

The app allows you to access the camera onboard of the smart vacuum. You can also create live streaming from the robot's cleaning zone. This feature allows you to monitor your pets or children when you're away from home. The dustbin and filter can be washed to make cleanup quick and easy. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean and tidy station that's self-emptying and helps keep the robot's dustbin clear and optimizes suction power for each cleaning run.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Black and Decker robots have been developed specifically for flooring made of hard wood. They have a wider cleaning path as well as a large dustbin that holds 2X more debris than other models to keep the cleaning area clean for the longest time. They also include two side sweepers to clean around corners and edges. The POWERSERIES model 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 has a smart app that lets you see the virtual map and manage the functions and schedules. Plus, you can monitor the status of the vacuum's battery and then return it to its dock to charge by pressing one button. The app lets you modify the LEDs on the top rated robot Vacuum of the vacuum so that you can determine where it is focused or if it has gotten stuck.

The application also allows you to manually steer the best robot vacuum for vinyl plank floors if needed. For example my living room rug has a darkly-colored border that can trip up some of the other robots I've tested. The HRV 425BL however was able to continue to move across the border, without notifying the edge. The ability to program a weekly cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving advantage.