15 Reasons To Not Overlook Robot Vac
Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum can keep the floors clean enough to cut down on the frequency with which you have to manually vacuum. Look for one that offers good navigation, can clean stairs and corners and has a huge dust bin that needs emptying only once in a while.
There are models that clean and charge themselves which can be beneficial for those with pets or kids. The top performers in our tests offer decent obstacle-avoiding capabilities.
1. Roomba iRobot i3+ from iRobot EVO
The i3+ EVO is identical to its sibling, the i3 EVO. They differ only in that the i3+ comes with self-emptying capabilities. This makes the i3+ a good option for those who want a hands-off, fully automated cleaning experience but don't mind taking the time to empty their robot's trash bin as it gets full.
Both robots are adept at picking up surface dirt on carpets and hard floors and are able to maneuver around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes a smart map of your home to assist the i3+ to navigate and clean efficiently. The i3+ isn't able to have obstacle avoidance capabilities like the i7+ or any other top-rated robots we have test. It may get stuck on power cords and socks and have trouble moving between surfaces, such as rug and hardwood.
iRobot suggests cleaning up the area where the i3+ EVO vacuums prior to using it. This includes getting rid of any toys or clutter it might encounter. You should also keep the dustbin and filters clean to prevent them from becoming clogged. If the i3+ EVO's internal bin is full or the battery is low, it returns to its docking station, automatically emptying its debris into the station's external dustbin, and then continues cleaning where it left off. The i3+ EVO's batteries last for approximately an hour and a half of continuous use, and it takes around three hours to recharge.
2. iRobot i7+ Roomba
The iRobot i7+ is the top model in iRobot's flagship line, and it comes with the most recent features. It's self-charging and self-navigating. the most important feature of all -- it comes with an auto-emptying dustbin, which eliminates one of the primary sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.
The Roomba i7+ is able to remember up to 10 floor 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 works with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning tasks, and it can control your robot via the app or via voice.
In our testing, the i7+ was more agile and faster than our top choice which was the eufy RoboVac G30, and it removed large chunks of pet hair from all surface kinds, including carpeting. Its greatest advantage over the Eufy is the self-emptying bin which eliminates major sources of maintenance and reduces recurring cost.
We were also impressed by the i7+'s compatibility Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services that we used to instruct the robot to start, stop or pause its cleaning session, move itself around the room, and even vacuum the area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ with these services. After being connected, to give voice commands to the i7+, 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 that is amidst a sea of cordless vacuums that feel like minivans and buses. It's got the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum for many households and can fit perfectly next to the coffee table or shelves where you can wave it around like the magic wand.
The V10 is powered with seven cells of energy-dense Lithium-ion batteries, which produces power without fading for 60 minutes. The advanced whole-machine filtering system captures allergens, and then lets cleaner air into your home. The specially designed head utilizes stiff nylon bristles to drive deep into carpets and collect large crumbs or fine dust. self cleaning vacuum has three suction modes that can be adjusted to suit the task. It quickly converts from floor vac to handheld vacuum and back again.
This model has a dock which charges the Dyson to 100 percent in 3.5 hours. It also provides an easy access to two attachments and the wand. This is a major improvement over previous Dysons that require a lengthy charge and are difficult to store.
The main issue with the V10 is its limited run time. The claims of its marketing that it can provide up to 60 minutes of running time are not true as CR's tests show. 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 spot. (A second time generally works). This model has its own advantages, however: it's lighter and more mobile than previous Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is noticeable superior for carpet floors with low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694"
One of the most well-known robot vacuums, the 694 is an affordable model that's a good option for those who don't want to spend too much on a robotic. It could pick up most types of debris in our tests and would often go over the same area multiple times for an extensive 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 advanced models like our top choices, the i3+ EVO and the j7+ series. It may get stuck on phone cords or furniture and is often unable to supply power before returning to its base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot is superior in many ways over the Roomba 694 in that it has less parts that require regular cleaning, comes with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtering system, incurs lower costs for recurring expenses, is more sophisticated in its automation capabilities and can better navigate its own. It also has a larger 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 better battery life, has the ability to alter its suction power mode manually and has physical boundary strips, and can be operated by your phone's voice assistant. It also feels more sturdy and has a stronger motor, and performs notably better on bare floors and low-pile carpet, while providing a wider array of automation options.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a name that you see on all sorts of electronic gadgets for your home, so it comes as no surprise that they're one of the most popular robotic vacuum and mop makers. Jet Bot AI+ has an advanced onboard technology that allows to navigate and avoid obstacles.
The app offers a wide range of customization options for your robotic cleaner. These include mopping levels, virtual barriers and behavior adjustments docking frequency settings and much more. The app is easy to navigate and use similar to other Samsung devices.
In our tests of the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors, and also handled dog hair (on carpet) very well, picking up 86% of it. However, it wasn't particularly well in avoiding larger objects, like cords and socks, which was disappointing. It's priced higher than other models that we tested, and this could be a deterrent for some buyers.
The smart vacuum comes with an onboard camera that you can access through the app, and you can also set up a live streaming from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you to keep track of your pets or kids when you're away from home. The dustbin and the filter can be cleaned to ensure a quick, painless clean-up. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean and tidy station that's self-emptying, which helps keep the robot's dustbin clean and optimizes its suction power for each cleaning.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Black and Decker robots have been developed specifically for hard flooring. The robots have an extra-wide cleaning path, as well as a dustbin that is 2X larger than the competition. This allows them to keep the area clean for longer. Plus, they include two side sweepers that clean along edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES model comes with AutoSense, which automatically adjusts the power level according to whether it's cleaning up dirt that is on the surface or embedded. The vacuum also has an app that allows you to view the virtual map, manage functions, and create schedules. You can also check the status of the vacuum and connect it to the dock for charging with the press of a single button. The app lets you customize the LED lights on the top of the vacuum so that you can determine where it is focused or if it's stuck.
The app makes it possible to manually steer the robot in the event of need. My living room rug for example is darkly colored which could cause a problem for other robots. However the HRV 425BL kept moving across the border without registering it as a cliff. The ability to program a cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving benefit.