If You ve Just Purchased Robot Vac ... Now What
Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum is able to keep floors clean enough to reduce the frequency with which you need to manually vacuum. Select a vacuum that has good navigation, has the ability to clean corners and stairs and has an enormous bin that will need to be emptied periodically.
There are also models that can mop and charge on their own, a feature that may be beneficial for those with pets or kids. Many of the best combo vacuum performers in our tests have great obstacle avoidance.
1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO and its sibling, the i3 EVO are the same robots, but they differ in that the i3+ comes with self-emptying features. That makes the i3+ a good option for those who want a hands-off, fully automated cleaning experience, but don't mind manually emptying their robot's dustbin when it is full.
Both robots are adept at picking up surface debris on hard floors and carpets, and they are very good in getting around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates smart maps of your home that help the i3+ navigate and clean efficiently. The i3+ does not have the same obstacle avoidance capabilities as the i7+ or any other top-rated robots that we tested. It can be stuck on power cords or socks and have difficulty navigating between different surfaces, like carpet and hardwood.
iRobot suggests that you clear areas in which the i3+ EVO will vacuum prior to when you use it, including clearing out any clutter or toys it may come across. You should also keep the filters and dust bin free of dirt to prevent them from becoming clogged. When the i3+ EVO’s internal bin is empty or the battery is low it returns to the docking station and automatically emptys the dirt into the docking station's dust bin. It then continues cleaning from where it began. The battery's lifespan is around an hour-and-a-half of continuous usage. It takes three hours to charge.
2. iRobot i7+ Roomba
The iRobot i7+ is a top model from iRobot’s flagship line and is packed with the latest features. It is 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+ can keep up to 10 floor vacuum robot plans and their names with Imprint Smart Mapping, an application that lets it create maps of rooms so that it can clean them more efficiently. It also integrates with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning jobs and control your robot vacuum deals using voice or via the app.
The i7+ is faster and more maneuverable in our tests compared to the eufy RoboVac G30. It also picked up large pet hair pieces from all surfaces, including carpeting. Its biggest advantage over the eufy, though, is its self-emptying dustbin, which removes a major source of maintenance and lowers the amount of time spent cleaning.
We were also impressed with the i7+'s compatibility with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We used these services to instruct the robot to start, stop, or pause cleaning sessions, as well as to move around the room and to vacuum a particular area. Connecting the i7+ to these services was easy and easy with the iRobot Home app. Once connected we were able to give the i7+ voice commands, such as "Hey Alexa, vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home app also provides options for managing the i7+'s settings and monitoring its performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
This tiny Dyson model is an athletic car in a world of vacuums powered by cordless that resemble minivans and buses. It has the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum for the majority of households and can fit perfectly next to the coffee table or the bookshelf, where you can wave it around like an enchanted wand.
The V10 is powered by a 7-cell energy-dense Lithium-ion battery that produces power without fading for 60 minutes. The sophisticated whole-machine filter system captures allergens, and then releases cleaner air into your home. The specialized head uses rigid nylon bristles to penetrate into carpets, and then pick up large crumbs or fine dust. It has three suction modes to meet the task that is being completed. It swiftly switches from handheld to floor vacuum and back.
This model also has docks that charge to 100% in around 3.5 hours, and gives users an easy access to two attachments and the clip for a wand. This is a significant improvement over earlier Dysons which require a long charge and are difficult to store.
The biggest issue with the V10 is its sluggish run time. Its marketing claims that it has up to 60 minutes of run time are a bit misleading as CR's tests have shown. This is an average not an extraordinary time to run the battery-powered cordless auto vacuum cleaner. This is still enough to get rid of the majority of a home that's average size however, it's not enough to clean every spot (though a second run-through usually does the trick). This model has its own advantages however: it's lighter and more maneuverable than older Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is noticeably superior for carpet floors with low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694
One of iRobot's most popular best robot vacuum under 200 vacuums the 694 is an affordable model that's an excellent option for those who don't wish to spend too much on a robot. It could pick up most types of debris in our tests, and frequently went over the same area several times for a thorough clean. The flat front of the unit allows it reach into corners and along the edges of walls which is a nice touch.
Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt to stay clear of obstacles and navigate your home, but it lacks the mapping capabilities of more sophisticated models such as our top choices and the i3+ EVO and the j7+ series. Because of this, it can sometimes get stuck on things like phone cords and furniture that isn't in good condition, and often is power-depleted before making it back to its base.
The Xiaomi Mi Robot Cleaner Commercial is superior in many ways to the Roomba 694 in that it has fewer components that require regular cleaning, is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtering system, has a lower cost of recurring costs, has more advanced automation abilities and is able to better maneuver its own. It also has a larger dustbin, and charges more quickly.
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's also more durable, has a stronger motor, and is more effective on low-pile and bare floors.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a well-known brand in home electronics. It's not a surprise that they are also among the top producers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is loaded with cutting-edge onboard intelligence tech for navigation and obstacle avoidance.
The app provides plenty of options to customize your robotic cleaner, such as virtual barriers mopping water levels, behavior adjustments docking frequency settings and more. The app is simple to learn and use similar to other Samsung devices.
In our tests during our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and it cleaned up 86% of dog hair (on carpet). However, it wasn't particularly well in avoiding higher-up objects like cords or socks, which was disappointing. It's also more expensive than some of the other models we tried and could be a deterrent for some buyers.
The app lets you access the camera onboard of the smart vacuum. You can also set up live streaming from the robot's area of cleaning. This feature lets you check in on your children or pets when you are away. The filter and the dustbin can be cleaned for the quick and easy cleaning. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean and tidy station that's self-emptying to keep the robot's trash bin clean and maximizes suction power for each cleaning.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
In contrast to other robotic vacuums which are designed for both hard floors and carpets, Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for hard floors. They come with a wide cleaning path and an extra-large dustbin that holds twice as much debris than other models to keep the area clean for the longest time. They also include two side sweepers that can be used to clean around corners and edges. The POWERSERIES Extreme model comes with AutoSense technology, which senses if it's picking up surface litter or embedded dirt and automatically adjusts its power level. It also has a smart app that lets you view the virtual map, and control functions and schedules. Plus, you can monitor the battery's status and return it to its dock to charge at the push of the button. The app also allows you to personalize the LED lights on top of the vacuum with different colors so you can easily identify the areas where it's focused or where it's stuck.
The app also makes it simple to steer the robot manually if needed. For example my living room rug has a darkly-colored border that has a tendency to make it difficult for other robots I've tried. The HRV 425BL however, continued to move across the border, without notifying the edge. The ability to program weekly cleaning schedules is a fantastic time-saving feature.