Why We Are In Love With Robot Vac (And You Should Also!)
Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum can keep your floors tidy enough to reduce the frequency of manual hoovering. Select a vacuum that has good navigation, is able to clean corners and stairs and has a large bin that will need to be cleaned out every now and then.
There are models that can mop and charge themselves this is an option essential for families with pets or children. A majority of the top performers in our tests have good obstacle avoidance.
1. Roomba iRobot i3+ from iRobot 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 an excellent 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 excel at picking up surface debris on carpets and hard floors and they're very adept in maneuvering around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates smart maps of your home, which help the i3+ EVO to navigate and clean in a way that maximizes efficiency. However, unlike the i7+ or other top-rated robots we test the i3+ does not have a feature for avoiding obstacles which means it can get stuck on things like power cords or socks, and it can have difficulty in navigating through transitions between surfaces like from hardwood to rug.
iRobot suggests that you clear areas in which the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, including clearing out any toys or clutter it may encounter. It's also a good idea to keep the dustbin and filter clean so they aren't clogged by dirt. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is filled or the battery is empty it goes back to its docking station, automatically emptying its trash into the station's external dustbin, and then continues cleaning where it started. The i3+ EVO's battery can last for approximately an hour and a half continuous use, and takes about three hours to recharge.
2. Roomba from iRobot
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the top model in iRobot's flagship line and comes with all the latest features. It is self-charging and self-navigating. However, the most significant feature is its self-emptying bin. This removes the need for routine maintenance.
The Roomba i7+ is able to remember up to 10 floor plans and their names using Imprint Smart Mapping, which lets it identify rooms to clean them more efficiently. It also integrates with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning tasks, and you can control your robot through the app or via voice.
In our tests, the i7+ was quicker and more maneuverable than our runner-up, the eufy RoboVac G30, and it took large pieces of pet hair from all surface types including carpeting. Its biggest advantage over the eufy 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 or Google Assistant AI services. We utilized these services to instruct the robot to start, stop, or pause 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. When connected, we were able to communicate with the i7+ using 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
In a world of vacuums with cords that look like minivans or buses, this tiny Dyson model is an old-fashioned sports car. It's powerful enough to replace a traditional stand-up vacuum in a majority of homes, but also small enough to fit on a coffee table or bookcase.
The V10 is powered by seven cells of energy-dense Lithium-ion batteries, which produces energy that lasts for 60 minutes. Its advanced whole-machine filter system removes allergens, and then releases clean air back into your home. The specialized head uses rigid nylon bristles to penetrate into carpets and collect large particles or fine dust. It comes with three suction settings to match the task that is being completed. It swiftly switches from floor vac to handheld vacuum and back.
This model comes with an attached dock that charges the Dyson to 100 percent within 3.5 hours. It also provides easy access to 2 attachments as well as an Wand. This is a big improvement over older Dysons, which take a long time to charge and are difficult to store.
The V10's biggest drawback is its limited run time. As CR's tests show, its claims to run up to 60 minutes are misleading. This is a typical battery-powered cordless vacuum's run time. It's enough time to sweep the typical home, but not enough to reach every spot. (A second pass usually works). However, this model doesn't have its advantages: It's lighter and mobile than the older cordless Dysons and its vacuuming performance is noticeably better on carpets with low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694
The 694 is a basic robotic vacuum that's an excellent choice for those who don't have a lot of money to invest in an expensive robot. It was able to remove most types of debris in our tests, and frequently went over the same area multiple times to ensure a thorough clean. Its flat front makes it possible to reach the corners and the edges of walls.
Its intelligent navigation system makes use of iAdapt to avoid obstacles and navigate your home, but it's not equipped with the mapping capability of more sophisticated models such as our top choices and the i3+ EVO and the j7+ series. It can get stuck on cords for phones or furniture that is low and is often unable to supply power before returning to its base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot is superior in many ways to the Roomba 694 in that it has fewer parts that require regular cleaning, comes with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtering system, incurs lower recurring cost, has more advanced automation abilities and is able to better maneuver itself. It also has a bigger dustbin, and charges more quickly.
The RoboVac X8 is a slick RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 in most reasons, since it has a longer battery life, has the ability to alter its suction power mode on its own, comes with physical boundary strips, and is controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It also feels more sturdy and has a stronger motor, and performs notably better on floors that are bare and carpets with a low pile, as well as offering a wider range of automation options.
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 an advanced onboard technology that allows for navigation and obstacle avoidance.
The app gives you plenty of options to customize your robotic cleaner, including virtual barriers, mopping water levels and behavior customization docking frequency settings and much more. It's easy to comprehend and user-friendly, as is the case with other Samsung devices.
In vacuum robot , the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and it cleaned up 86% of dog hair (on carpet). However, it didn't do particularly well with larger objects, like cords and socks which was a disappointment. It's also more expensive than the other models that we tested, and this could be a deal breaker for certain shoppers.
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 to monitor your children or pets when you are away. The dustbin and the filter can be washed for a quick, painless clean-up. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with a self-emptying clean station, which helps to keep the bin clean and maximizes suction power.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for flooring made of hard wood. They have an extra-wide cleaning path, and a dustbin that is 2X larger than the competition. This lets them clean the area for a longer period of time. They also come with two side sweepers that can be used to clean around corners and edges. The POWERSERIES model comes with AutoSense that automatically adjusts the power level based on whether it is collecting dirt on the surface or embedded dirt. The vacuum also has an app that allows users to see an interactive map, control functions, and create schedules. You can also track the vacuum's status and send it to its dock for charging with the click of a button. The app allows you to customize the LED lights on the top of the vacuum so that you can discern where it is focusing or if it has gotten stuck.
The app makes it possible to manually steer the robot in the event of need. For instance my living room rug has a darkly colored border that can trip up some of the other robots I've tried. The HRV 425BL, however, continued to move across the border without registering the high point. The ability to program a daily cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving advantage.