A robot vacuum will keep the floors clean enough to cut down on the frequency with which you have to manually vacuum. Find one that has good navigation, can clean corners and stairs and has a huge dust bin that requires emptying only periodically.
There are models that mop and charge themselves, which is a feature important for families with pets or children. The top performers in our tests have good obstacles to avoid.
1. Roomba iRobot i3+ from iRobot EVO
The i3+ EVO and its i3 EVO sibling the i3 EVO are the same robots, but they differ in that the i3+ comes with self-emptying features. The i3+ is a good alternative for those who want a a fully automated, hands-off cleaning experience, but want to manually empty the robot's dustbin once it gets full.
Both robots are good at picking up surface dirt on floors and carpets and are able to move around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes a smart maps of your home that help the i3+ navigate and clean efficiently. The i3+ does not feature obstacle avoidance features like the i7+ or any other top-rated robots that we tested. It can get stuck on power cords and socks, and may have trouble navigating between different surfaces like rug and hardwood.
iRobot recommends that you tidy the area around the i3+ EVO vacuums prior to using it. This includes getting rid of any toys or other clutter it might encounter. It is also recommended to keep the filters and dust bin clear to avoid becoming clogged. When the i3+ EVO'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 dust bin. Then it continues cleaning from where it left off. The battery's life span is approximately an hour-and-a-half of continuous use. It takes 3 hours to charge.
2. Roomba by iRobot
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the top model in iRobot's flagship line and has the most up-to-date features. It's self-charging, self-navigating and the most crucial feature of all -- it has self-emptying bins that eliminate one of the main sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.
The Roomba i7+ is able to remember up to 10 floor plans and their names using Imprint Smart Mapping, an application that lets it map rooms so it can clean them more efficiently. It also integrates with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning tasks and control your robot using voice or via the app.
In our tests the i7+ performed faster and more maneuverable than our runner-up which was the eufy RoboVac G30, and it took large pieces of pet hair from all surfaces kinds, including carpeting. Its biggest advantage over the eufy the dust bin is self-emptying that removes a major source of maintenance and cuts down on the amount of time spent cleaning.We were also awestruck by the i7+'s compatibility Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We utilized these services to instruct the robot to begin or stop cleaning sessions, as well as to move around the room, and even vacuum a specific area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ to these services. After connecting we were able to use the i7+'s voice commands, such as "Hey Alexa, vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options to manage i7+ settings and monitoring the performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
This tiny Dyson model is an all-sports car in a sea of cordless vacuums 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 with seven cells of energy-dense Lithium-ion batteries that produces energy that lasts for 60 minutes. The advanced whole-machine filter system captures allergens, and then releases fresh air into your home. The specially designed head utilizes stiff nylon bristles to drive deep into carpets, and then pick up large crumbs or fine dust. It has three suction modes that can be adjusted to suit the task. It is able to quickly change between handheld and floor vacuum, and vice versa.
The model also comes with a dock that charges to 100% in 3.5 hours, and gives users easy access to two attachments and an clip for a wand. This is a significant improvement over previous Dysons that require a long charge and are difficult to store.
The main drawback of the V10 is its sluggish run time. The tests conducted by CR show that its marketing 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 vacuum a typical-sized home, but not enough to reach every area. (A second time is usually sufficient). This model has its own advantages however: it's light and more maneuverable than earlier Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is significantly better for carpet floors with low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694
One of iRobot's most popular robot vacuums The 694 is a basic model that's an excellent choice for people who don't want to invest too much on a robotic. It's capable of sucking up all kinds of debris in our testing, and it often goes over the same areas many times to give a thorough clean. Its flat front design allows it to reach the corners and edges of walls.
Its intelligent navigation system makes use of iAdapt to avoid obstacles and navigate around your home, but it's not equipped with the mapping capabilities of more sophisticated models like our top Rated Robot vacuum choices such as the i3+ EVO and the j7+ series. Because of this, it may get stuck on things like phone cords and low furniture, and it often will run out of battery before making it back to its base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in many ways because it has fewer parts that require regular maintenance, is fitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower recurring costs, has more advanced automation capabilities and is better at moving itself. It also has a bigger dustbin, and charges more quickly.
The eufy RoboVac X8 has a superior battery longevity than the Roomba 694. It also comes with physical boundaries strips and can be controlled by the voice assistant on your smartphone. It's also more durable, has a stronger motor, and performs better on floors with bare or low-pile.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a well-known brand in the field of home electronics. It's no surprise that they are also among the top manufacturers of robot vacuums and mop. Jet Bot AI+ has the most advanced onboard technology for navigation and obstacle avoidance.
The app offers a wide range of options for customizing your robotic cleaner. These include mopping levels, virtual barriers and behavior modifications docking frequency settings and many more. The app is simple to learn and use, just like other Samsung devices.In our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors and dealt with dog hair (on carpet) quite well, clearing up 86 percent of it. It didn't do very well in avoiding taller items such as socks or cords. This was disappointing. It's also a bit more expensive than some of the other models we tested and could be a deterrent for some shoppers.
The smart vacuum comes with an onboard camera that can be accessed via the app, and you can also create a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you check in on your children or pets when you are away. The filter and the dustbin can be cleaned to ensure the quick and easy cleaning. The Jet Bot AI+ also has a clean station that's self-emptying, which helps keep the robot's trash bin clean and optimizes suction power for each cleaning run.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for hard flooring. The robots come with an extra-wide cleaning path, and dust bins that are 2X bigger than the competitors. This allows them to keep the area clean 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 picking up dirt on the surface or embedded dirt. The vacuum also comes with an app that lets users to see an interactive map, control functions, and set schedules. Additionally, you can track the vacuum's battery status and then return it to its dock to charge at the push of a button. The app lets you modify the LEDs on the top of the vacuum to tell where it is focused or if it has gotten stuck.
The app makes it possible to manually steer the robot, if necessary. My living room rug for example, has a darkly-colored border that could cause trouble for other robots. However the HRV 425BL kept moving across the border without registering it as an incline. The ability to program a daily cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving benefit.
