The History Of Robot Vac

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum can keep floors clean enough to reduce the frequency you need to manually vacuum. Pick a robot vacuum that is well-trained in navigation, can clean stairs and corners and also has an enormous bin that will need to be emptying every so often.

There are models that mop and charge themselves, which is a feature important for families with children or pets. Many of the best combo vacuum performers in our tests have good obstacle avoidance.

1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO

The i3+ EVO and its sibling, the i3 EVO, are identical robots that differ only in that the i3+ comes with self-emptying features. This makes the i3+ a good choice for people who want an automated, hands-free cleaning experience but don't mind taking the time to empty their robot's trash bin as it gets full.

Both robots excel at picking up surface debris on hard floors and carpets, and they're excellent at maneuvering around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates smart map of your home to help the i3+ navigate and clean up efficiently. However unlike the i7+ or other top-rated robots we evaluated, the i3+ doesn't have a feature for avoiding obstacles and therefore it could be stuck on things like socks or power cords, and it may have trouble in navigating through transitions between surfaces like hardwood to rug.

iRobot recommends that you tidy up the area where the i3+ EVO vacuums before using it. This includes getting rid of any toys or other items it might encounter. It is also recommended to keep the filters and dust bin clean to prevent them from becoming clogged. If the i3+'s internal bin is empty or the battery is not fully charged, it returns to the docking station and takes the dirt out of the docking station’s external dustbin. Then it continues cleaning where it left off. The battery's lifespan is around an hour and a half of constant usage. It takes about three hours to fully charge.

2. iRobot Roomba i7+

The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the top model in iRobot's flagship line, and it has the most up-to-date features. It's self-charging, self-navigating and -- the most important feature of all -- it comes with self-emptying bins that eliminate one of the primary sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.

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

In our testing the i7+ performed faster and more maneuverable than our runner-up and the eufy RoboVac G30, and it picked up large pieces of pet hair from all surface types, including carpeting. The biggest advantage over the Eufy is the self-emptying bin which eliminates major sources of maintenance and reduces the cost of maintenance.

We were also impressed by the i7+'s integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services, which we used to instruct the robot to begin, stop or pause its cleaning sessions and to move around the room and vacuum an area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ to these services. Once connected we were able to communicate with the i7+ using voice commands like "Hey Alexa, vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options to manage i7+ settings and monitoring performance.

3. Dyson Cyclone V10

In a world full of cordless vacs that feel like minivans or buses, this small Dyson model feels like an old-fashioned sports car. It's powerful and has features to replace a stand-up vacuum in most households and can fit perfectly next to a coffee table or on shelves that you can spin around like the magic wand.

The V10 is powered by a 7-cell energy-dense Lithium-ion battery that can provide power that is not fading for 60 minutes. Its advanced whole-machine filtration system traps allergens and releases clean air back into your home. The specially designed head utilizes stiff nylon bristles to penetrate into carpets, and then pick up large dust or crumbs. It has three suction modes to match the task that is being completed. It swiftly switches from floor vac to handheld vacuum and back.

The model comes with a dock which charges the Dyson to 100% in 3.5 hours. It also provides an easy access to two attachments and a wand. This is a significant improvement over the older Dysons, which require a lengthy charge and are a pain to store.

The biggest issue with the V10 is its sluggish run time. As CR's tests have shown, its advertising claims of up to 60 minutes are a bit misleading. This is a standard battery-powered cordless vacuum's run time. It's enough time to sweep a typical-sized home but not enough to reach every area. (A second pass usually works). This model has its own advantages, however: it's lighter and more maneuverable than older Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is noticeable superior for carpet floors with low pile.

4. iRobot Roomba 694

The 694 is a basic robot vacuum that's a great choice for those who don't have lots of money to invest in an expensive robot. It was able to pick up most types of debris in our testing and often went over the same area many times to ensure an efficient clean. Its flat front end helps to get into corners and along the walls' edges and walls, which is a nice feature.

Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt technology to steer clear of obstacles and guide you through your home. It's not equipped with the mapping capabilities of more advanced models, like our top rated robot vacuum picks, i3+EVO and J7+ Series. As a result, it is sometimes stuck on things like phone cords or furniture that isn't as sturdy, and frequently will run out of battery before returning to its base.

The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in most respects because it has fewer components that need regular cleaning and is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower recurring costs, has more advanced automation capabilities and is better at maneuvering itself. It also has a larger dustbin and can charge faster.

The elegant RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 for a variety of purposes, because it has a longer battery life, has the ability to alter its suction power mode on its own and comes with physical boundary strips, and can be operated by your phone's voice assistant. It is also more robust, has a more powerful motor, and is more effective on floors with low pile and bare.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a well-known brand in home electronics. It's not a surprise, then, that they are one of the top makers of robot vacuums and mop. Jet Bot AI+ has the most advanced onboard technology to navigate and avoid obstacles.

The app offers a wide range of options for customizing your robotic floor scrubber cleaner. This includes mopping levels, virtual barriers and behavior modifications docking frequency settings and much more. It's simple to comprehend and is user-friendly, which is the case with other Samsung devices.

In our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and it cleaned up 86% of dog hair (on carpet). It was not as successful in avoiding taller objects like cords or socks. This was disappointing. It's also more expensive than other models we've tested and this could be a problem for some shoppers.

The smart vacuum comes with an onboard camera that can be accessed via the app. You can also create a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you check in on your children or pets while you are away. The filter and dustbin can be washed for quick, easy cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with a self-emptying clean station, which helps to keep the robot's bin clear and optimizes suction power.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Unlike other robotic vacuums, that are specifically designed for carpets and hard floors, Black and Decker robots are specifically designed for hard floors. The robots come with an extra wide cleaning path and a dustbin that is 2X larger than the competition. This lets them clean the area for longer. Plus, they include two side sweepers to clean around edges and corners. The POWERSERIES model also comes with AutoSense that automatically adjusts the power level depending on whether it's cleaning up dirt that is on the surface or embedded. The vacuum also has an app that lets you to view a virtual map, control functions, and schedules. You can also check the status of the vacuum and then send it to the dock for charging with the touch of a single button. The app also allows you to customize the LED lights on the top of the vacuum using different colors, so that you can easily tell the areas where it's focused or where it's stuck.

The app also makes it easy to steer the robot manually in the event of need. My living room rug, for instance, has a darkly-colored border that can trip up some other robots. The HRV 425BL however, continued to move across the border without registering the high point. The ability to program a cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving advantage.