How To Save Money On Robot Vac

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum will keep your floors tidy enough to reduce the frequency of hoovering manually. Choose one that has excellent navigation, is able to sweep corners and stairs and also has a large dust bin that requires emptying only once in a while.

There are also models that clean and charge themselves which can be essential for those who have children or pets. Many of the top performers in our tests have good obstacle avoidance.

1. Roomba iRobot i3+ from iRobot EVO

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

Both robots do well picking up surface debris off carpets and hard floors, and they're very adept in getting around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates a smart maps of your home to help the i3+ navigate and clean up efficiently. The i3+ isn't able to have the same obstacle avoidance capabilities as the i7+ or any other top rated robot vacuum-rated robots we test. It could be stuck on power cords or socks and have trouble moving between different surfaces like rug and hardwood.

iRobot suggests cleaning the area around the i3+ EVO vacuums before using it. This includes getting rid of any toys or clutter it might encounter. It's also a good robot vacuum idea to keep the dust bin and filter clean so they don't become clogged with dirt. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is full or the battery is low it goes back to its docking station, automatically empties its trash into the station's external dustbin and then resumes cleaning the area where it began. The i3+ EVO's battery can last for about an hour and a half continuous use, and it takes around three hours to fully recharge.

2. Roomba by iRobot

The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the most powerful model of the flagship line from iRobot and is equipped with the most recent features. It's self-charging, self-navigating, and the most important feature of all -- it has self-emptying bins that eliminate one of the most important sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.

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

In our tests the i7+ performed more agile and faster than our runner-up and the eufy RoboVac G30, and it removed large chunks of pet hair from all surfaces kinds including carpeting. The main advantage it has over the Eufy is the self-emptying bin, which eliminates major sources of maintenance and lowers the cost of recurring maintenance.

We were also impressed by the i7+'s compatibility with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We used these services to instruct the robot on how to begin or stop cleaning sessions, as well as to move around the room and vacuum a particular area. Connecting the i7+ to these services was easy and straightforward through the iRobot Home app. After connecting, we were able to communicate with the i7+ using voice commands, such as "Hey Alexa, vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options for managing i7+ settings and monitoring the performance.

3. Dyson Cyclone V10

This tiny Dyson model is a sports car in a world of vacuums powered by cordless that resemble minivans and buses. It is powerful enough to replace a stand-up vacuum in most homes, but also small enough to fit on the 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. Its advanced whole-machine filter system traps allergens and releases cleaner air back 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 comes with three suction settings to meet the task that is being completed. It swiftly switches from floor vac to handheld vacuum and back again.

The model comes with a dock which charges the Dyson to 100 percent within 3.5 hours. It also gives easy access to 2 attachments as well as an Wand. This is a huge improvement over older Dysons models, which take a long time to charge and are a pain to store.

The V10's main drawback is its limited running time. The tests conducted by CR show that its marketing claims of up to 60 minutes are a bit misleading. This is a common battery-powered vacuum's run time. It's still enough time to clean most of an average-sized house but not long enough to cover every spot (though an additional run-through often does the trick). This model has its own advantages, however: it's lighter and more maneuverable than older Dysons cordless models and its ability to vacuum is noticeable superior on carpets with low pile.

4. iRobot Roomba 694"

The 694 is a standard 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. It's capable of sucking up all debris types and sizes during our tests, and it often passes over the same areas multiple times to ensure a thorough clean. Its flat front makes it possible to reach corners and the edges of walls.

Its intelligent navigation system makes use of iAdapt to stay clear of obstacles and navigate your home, but it lacks the ability to map that comes with more advanced models like our top rated robot vacuum picks and the i3+ EVO and the j7+ series. It is prone to getting stuck on phone cords or low furniture and often runs out of power before returning to its original location.

The Xiaomi Mi robot is superior in many ways over the Roomba 694, as it has fewer parts that require regular cleaning, is outfitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtering system, incurs lower costs for recurring expenses, is more sophisticated in its automation capabilities and is able to better move itself. It also has a larger dustbin and is charged faster.

The eufy RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 for a variety of purposes, as it has a longer battery life, can change its suction power mode on its own, comes with physical boundary strips, and is controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It is also more robust, has a more powerful motor, and is more effective on low-pile and bare floors.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a well-known brand in the field of home electronics. It's not surprising, then, that they are also among the top manufacturers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is equipped with cutting-edge onboard technology to aid in navigation and obstacle avoidance.

The app offers a variety of options for customizing your robotic cleaner. This includes mopping levels, virtual barriers and behavior adjustments, docking frequency settings and much more. The app is easy to navigate and use, just like other Samsung devices.

In our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors, and also handled dog hair (on carpet) quite well, clearing up 86 percent of it. However, it wasn't particularly well at avoiding taller objects like cords and 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 lets you access the onboard camera of the smart robot vacuums vacuum. You can also create live streaming from the robot's cleaning area. This feature allows you to check in on pets or kids when you're away from home. The filter and dustbin are washable to make cleanup quick and easy. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with a self-emptying clean station, which helps to keep the bin clean and optimizes suction power.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Unlike other robotic vacuums, which are designed for both carpets and hard floors, Black and Decker robots are specifically designed for hard floors. They feature an extra-wide cleaning path as well as a large dustbin that holds 2X more debris than other models to keep the cleaning area free of debris for the longest period of time. In addition, they have two side sweepers that clean along edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES model comes with AutoSense which adjusts the power level depending on whether it's collecting dirt that is on the surface or embedded. The vacuum also has an app that allows you to view the virtual map, manage functions, and schedules. You can also check the status of the vacuum and connect it to its dock for charging with the touch of a single button. The app allows you to personalize the LED lights on top of the vacuum using different colors, so that you can clearly see which areas it's focused on or where it's got stuck.

The app allows you to steer the robot manually, if necessary. My living room rug for instance has a dark-colored border that can trip up some other robots. However the HRV 425BL continued to move across the border without registering it as an incline. Also, the ability to set up a weekly cleaning schedule is a great time-saving convenience.