GitLab

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum can keep your floors tidy enough to cut down on the frequency of hoovering manually. Select a vacuum that has good navigation, is able to clean corners and stairs and has a large bin that only needs to be cleaned out every now and then.

There are also models that clean and charge themselves which can be beneficial for those with pets or kids. A majority of the top performers in our tests have excellent obstacle avoidance.

1. IRobot Roomba i3+ EVO

The i3+ EVO and its sibling the i3 EVO are the same robots that differ only in that the i3+ comes with self-emptying features. The i3+ is an excellent alternative for those who want a a fully automated, hands-off cleaning experience, but are willing to manually empty the robot's dustbin when it is full.

Both robots are proficient at removing surface dirt on hard floors and carpets and are able to maneuver 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+ and other top-rated robots that we evaluated the i3+ doesn't have any obstacle-avoidance features, so it may get stuck on things such as power cords or socks, and it can have difficulty traversing transitions across surfaces like from hardwood to rug.

iRobot recommends you clear out areas in which the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, which includes getting rid of any clutter or toys it may encounter. It's also a good idea to keep the dust bin and filter clean so that they don't become clogged with dirt. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is empty or the battery is depleted, it returns to the docking station and emptys the dirt into the docking station's dust bin. Then it continues cleaning where it left off. The i3+ EVO's battery can last for about an hour and a half continuous use. It takes around three hours to fully recharge.

2. IRobot Roomba i7+

The iRobot i7+ is the top model in iRobot's flagship line and is packed with the most recent features. It's self-charging, self-navigating and -- the most important feature of all -- it comes with an auto-emptying dustbin, which eliminates one of the main sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.

The Roomba i7+ can keep up to 10 floor plans and their names with Imprint Smart Mapping, a system that lets it map rooms so it can clean them more efficiently. It also works with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning tasks and control your robot with voice or through the app.

In our testing, the i7+ was 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 kinds including carpeting. Its biggest advantage over the eufy, though it self-empties its dust bin which removes a major source of maintenance and cuts down on the cost of maintenance.

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 or stop cleaning sessions as well as move around the room and even vacuum a specific area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ to these services. Once connected, we were able to give the i7+ voice commands like "Hey Alexa, vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home app also provides options to manage the i7+'s preferences and monitoring its performance.

3. Dyson Cyclone V10

In a world filled with vacuums that are cordless and look like minivans or buses, this tiny Dyson model is an automobile. It has the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum for most households and can fit nicely on the coffee table or the bookshelf, where you can wave it around like the magic tool.

The V10 is powered by a seven-cell, energy-dense lithium-ion battery that produces continuous, non-fading power for 60 minutes. Its advanced whole-machine filtration system captures allergens and expels clean air back into your home. Its specialized cleaning head drives bristles of nylon that are stiff and deep into carpet to suck up large dust and crumbs. It comes with three suction settings to match the task being performed. It can quickly switch from handheld to floor vacuum, and vice versa.

The model also comes with a dock that charges to 100% in around 3.5 hours, and gives users easy access to two attachments as well as the wand clip. This is a huge improvement over earlier Dysons, which require a lengthy 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 misleading. This is a common battery-powered vacuum's run time. This is enough time to sweep the average-sized home but not enough to reach every area. (A second run is usually sufficient). This model has its own advantages however: it's light and more maneuverable than earlier Dysons cordless models and its ability to vacuum is noticeable superior for carpet floors with low pile.

4. iRobot Roomba 694

One of iRobot's most adored robot vacuums, the 694 is a basic model that's an excellent choice for people who don't wish to spend too much on a robotic. It's capable of sucking up all kinds of debris in our tests, and it often passes over the same areas many times to get a really thorough clean. Its flat front end helps it to reach into corners and along the walls' edges which is a nice touch.

Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt technology to stay clear of obstacles and guide you through your home. However, it lacks the mapping capabilities of more advanced models, like our top picks, i3+EVO and the j7+ Series. Because of this, it can sometimes get stuck on things like phone cords and furniture that isn't as sturdy, and frequently runs out of battery power before making it back to its home base.

The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in most respects in that it has fewer components that require regular cleaning, is fitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, has lower costs for recurring maintenance, has more advanced automation capabilities and does a better job moving itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and is charged faster.

The eufy RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba. It also has physical boundaries strips that can be controlled by your smartphone's voice assistance. It also feels more sturdy and has a stronger motor, and performs notably better on bare floors and carpets with a low pile, as well as providing a greater variety of features for automation.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a name is found on all kinds of home electronics So it's no surprise that they're one of the most popular mop and robot vacuum manufacturers. Jet Bot AI+ has a cutting-edge onboard technology to navigate and avoid obstacles.

The app offers a wide range of options for customizing your robotic cleaner. These include virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior adjustments, docking frequency settings and more. The app is simple to learn and use similar to other Samsung devices.

In our testing our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors and handled dog hair (on carpet) quite well, clearing up 86% of it. However, it did not do particularly well with taller objects like cords and socks which was a disappointment. It's priced higher than other models we've tested, and this could be a deterrent for some shoppers.

The smart vacuum has an onboard camera that can be accessed through the app, and you can also set up a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you to monitor your pets or children when you're away from home. The filter and the dustbin can be cleaned to ensure a quick, painless clean-up. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with an automatic clean station which helps keep the robot's bin clear and optimizes suction power.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Black and Decker robots have been designed specifically for flooring made of hard wood. They have a wider cleaning path as well as a large dust bin that can hold 2X more debris than other models to keep the cleaning area clean for the longest time. In addition, they have two side sweepers that clean along edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also includes AutoSense technology, which detects if it's picking up dirt or debris on the surface and then automatically adjusts the power level. The vacuum also has an app that allows users to see a virtual map, control functions, and create schedules. You can also check the status of the vacuum and connect it to its dock for charging at the touch of a single button. The app also allows you to personalize the LED lights on top rated robot vacuum of the vacuum using different colors, so that you can easily tell what areas it's focusing on or where it's stuck.

The application also allows you to steer the robot manually in the event of need. For instance my living room rug has a darkly-colored border that tends to make it difficult for other robots I've tested. The HRV 425BL, however was able to continue to move across the border without ever registering the cliff. The ability to program a daily cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving advantage.