15 Shocking Facts About Robot Vac

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum can keep your floors clean enough to reduce the frequency of hoovering manually. Find one that has excellent navigation, is able to clean stairs and corners, and has a large dust bin that has to be emptied only once in a while.

There are models that mop and charge themselves, which is a feature important for families with pets or children. A majority of the top performers in our tests have great obstacles to avoid.

1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO

The i3+ EVO is identical to its sibling i3 EVO. They differ only in that the i3+ has self-emptying capabilities. This makes the i3+ a good option for those who want an automated, hands-free cleaning experience but don't mind having to empty their dust bin manually when it fills up.

Both robots excel at cleaning up surface debris from carpets and hard floors, and they are very good in maneuvering around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates smart maps of your home that aid the i3+ EVO navigate and clean in a manner that maximizes efficiency. However, unlike the i7+ or other top rated robots we test the i3+ does not have obstacle-avoidance capabilities, so it may be stuck on things like power cords or socks, and it may have trouble traversing transitions across surfaces like from hardwood to rug.

iRobot recommends that you tidy the area around the i3+ EVO vacuums before using it. This includes getting rid of any toys or other clutter it might come across. It's also a good idea to keep the bin and filter clear so they do not become blocked by dirt. If the i3+'s internal bin is empty or the battery is not fully charged, it returns to the docking station and automatically empties the dirt into the station's dust bin. It then continues cleaning where it left off. The battery's life span is approximately an hour and a half of continuous usage. It takes about three hours to fully charge.

2. Roomba by iRobot

The iRobot i7+ is an excellent model from iRobot's flagship line and comes with the latest technology. It's self-charging, self-navigating, and -- the most important feature of all -- it comes with 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, a system that allows it to create maps of rooms so that it can clean them more efficiently. It also works with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule house cleaning robot tasks and control your robot with voice or via the app.

In our testing the i7+ performed faster and more maneuverable than our top rated robot vacuum choice, the eufy RoboVac G30, and it removed large chunks of pet hair from all surfaces kinds including carpeting. Its main advantage over the eufy, is its self-emptying dustbin that removes a major source of maintenance and lowers recurring costs.

We were also impressed by the i7+'s compatibility Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We used these services to instruct the robot on how to start or stop cleaning sessions and also to move around the room and to vacuum a particular area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ with these services. Once connected to these services, we were able give the i7+ 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 full of vacuums that are cordless and feel like minivans or buses, this small Dyson model feels like a sports car. It's powerful enough to replace a traditional stand-up best auto vacuum in most homes, but it is also compact 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. The advanced whole-machine filtering system is able to trap allergens and then lets cleaner air into your home. The cleaning head is specially designed to drive stiff nylon bristles deep into carpet to collect large crumbs and fine dust. It has three suction modes that can be adjusted to the task. It quickly switches from handheld vacuum to automatic floor cleaning machine vacuum and back.

This model also has an accessory dock that can charge to 100% in around 3.5 hours, and gives users easy access to two attachments and the Wand clip. This is a huge improvement over earlier Dysons, that require a long charge and are a pain to store.

The biggest issue with the V10 is its sluggish run time. Its marketing claims that it can last up to 60 minutes of running time are a bit misleading, as CR's testing shows. This is an average, not an exceptional, time for an electric cordless vacuum powered by batteries. This is enough time to clean the average-sized home, but not enough to reach every spot. (A second time usually works). However, this model doesn't have its advantages: It's lighter and mobile than the older cordless Dysons and its vacuuming efficiency is better on carpets with low pile.

4. iRobot Roomba 694

One of the most well-known robot vacuums the 694 is an entry-level model that's a great option for those who don't wish to spend too much on a robotic. It was able to remove most types of debris and sizes during our tests and would often go over the same area multiple times for an efficient clean. Its flat front design allows it to reach the corners and the edges of walls.

Its smart navigation system uses 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 selections, the i3+ EVO and the j7+ series. It can get stuck on cords for phones or furniture that is low and will often run out of power before returning to its home base.

The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in many ways, as it has fewer components that require regular maintenance and is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, has lower recurring costs, has more advanced automation capabilities and does a better job maneuvering itself. It also has a bigger dustbin, and charges more quickly.

The sleek RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba 694. It also comes with physical boundaries strips and can be controlled using the voice assistant on your smartphone. It's also more robust, has a larger motor, and is more effective on floors with low pile and bare.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a household name in home electronics. It's no surprise that they are also among the top manufacturers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is packed with cutting-edge onboard tech for navigation and obstacles avoidance.

The app offers a variety of options for customizing your robotic cleaner. These include mopping levels, virtual barriers and behavior modifications, docking frequency settings and more. It's easy to comprehend and easy to use, just as is the case with other Samsung devices.

In our tests during our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors. It removed 86 percent of dog hair (on carpet). It did not do well in avoiding taller items like socks or cords. This was disappointing. It's also more expensive than the other models we tried and could be a deal-breaker for some shoppers.

The smart vacuum has an onboard camera that is accessible via the app. You can also create a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature lets you to check in on your children or pets when you're away. The dustbin and filter can be cleaned to make cleanup quick and easy. The Jet Bot AI+ also has a clean station that self-empties, which helps keep the robot's dustbin clean and optimizes its suction power for each cleaning run.

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 dust bins that are 2 times larger than other models. This allows them to clean the area for a longer period of time. In addition, they have two side sweepers that clean up around edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES model includes AutoSense that automatically adjusts the power level depending on whether it's collecting dirt that is on the surface or embedded. The vacuum also comes with an app that allows users to see the virtual map, manage functions, and schedules. You can also monitor the status of the vacuum and connect it to the dock for charging with the press of a single button. the best robot vacuum cleaner app allows you to alter the LED lights on the top of the vacuum to discern where it is focusing or if it's stuck.

The app allows you to steer the robot manually when needed. For example my living room rug has a darkly-colored border that tends to cause confusion for other robots I've tested. However, the HRV 425BL kept moving across the border, but it didn't register it as an incline. The ability to program a daily cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving convenience.