cleaning robots will keep the floors clean enough to cut down on the frequency at which you have to manually vacuum. Find one that has good navigation, can clean corners and stairs and also has a large dust bin that requires emptying only once in a while.
There are also models that can mop and charge themselves which can be important for people with pets or children. Many of the best performers in our tests have great obstacles to avoid.
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 choice for people who want a hands-off, fully automated cleaning experience, but aren't afraid of taking the time to empty their robot's trash bin when it fills up.
Both robots are adept at picking up surface dirt on floors and carpets and can maneuver around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates intelligent maps of your home, which help the i3+ EVO to navigate and clean in a way that maximizes efficiency. The i3+ isn't able to have the same obstacle avoidance capabilities as the i7+ or any other top-rated robots we have tested. It may be stuck on power cords and socks and have difficulty navigating between different surfaces, like carpet and hardwood.
iRobot suggests that you clear areas where the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, including clearing out any clutter or toys it may encounter. Also, keep the filters and dust bin clear to avoid becoming clogged. When the i3+ EVO’s internal bin is empty or the battery is low it returns to the docking station and emptys the dirt into the docking station's external dustbin. Then it continues cleaning where it began. The battery's lifespan is around an hour and a half of continuous use. It takes 3 hours to fully charge.
2. iRobot Roomba i7+
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 comes with self-emptying bins that eliminate one of the most important sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.
The Roomba I7+ is able to better map rooms with Imprint Smart Mapping. It also works with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning jobs, and you can control your robot through the app or by voice.
In our testing the i7+ performed quicker and more maneuverable than our runner-up, the eufy RoboVac G30, and it removed large chunks of pet hair from all surface types, including carpeting. The main advantage it has over the Eufy is its self-emptying garbage bin which removes major maintenance sources and reduces the cost of maintenance.
We were also impressed by the i7+'s integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services that we used to instruct the robot to start, stop or pause its cleaning session and move around the room and sweep an area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ to these services. We were able, once connected, to give voice commands to the i7+ for example "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 cordless vacs that are like minivans and buses, this small Dyson model is an old-fashioned sports car. It's powerful enough to replace a traditional stand-up vacuum in most homes, yet it is also small enough to fit on the bookcase or coffee table.
The V10 is powered by seven cells of energy-dense Lithium-ion batteries that produces power without fading for 60 minutes. The advanced whole-machine filtering 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 pick up large crumbs or fine dust. It comes with three suction modes that can be adjusted to the specific task. It is able to swiftly change between handheld and floor vacuum, and vice versa.
The model comes with a dock which charges the Dyson to 100 percent in 3.5 hours. It also offers the ability to connect two attachments as well as the handheld. This is a huge improvement over older Dysons models, that require a long charge and are difficult to store.
The biggest issue with the V10 is its short run time. Its marketing claims that it can last up to 60 minutes of run time are misleading as CR's tests show. This is a common battery-powered vacuum's run time. That's still enough run time to clean most of a typical-sized home but not long enough to clean every spot (though the second time around usually does the trick). This model has its own advantages however: it's light and more mobile than previous Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is noticeable superior on low-pile floor carpet.
4. iRobot Roomba 694
The 694 is a standard robot vacuum that's a great choice for those who don't have lots of money to invest in a robot. It's capable of sucking up most debris types and sizes during our tests, and often goes over the same areas several times to give a thorough clean. The flat front of the unit allows to get into corners and along the edges of walls which is a nice feature.
Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt technology to stay clear of obstacles and help you navigate your home. It's not equipped with the mapping capabilities of more advanced models, such as our top picks, i3+EVO and J7+ Series. It is prone to getting stuck on phone cords or low furniture and will often run out of power before returning to its original location.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in many ways because it has fewer parts that need regular cleaning, is fitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, has lower recurring costs, comes with more advanced automation capabilities and is more efficient in maneuvering itself. It also has a larger dustbin and can charge faster.
The sleek RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba 694. It also comes with physical boundaries and can be controlled using your smartphone's voice assistance. It also feels more sturdy, has a more powerful motor, and performs notably better on both bare floors and low-pile carpet, while providing a greater variety of automation options.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a well-known brand in the field of home electronics. It's not surprising that they are also among the top producers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is packed with cutting-edge onboard tech for navigation and obstacle avoidance.
The app provides a range of options to customize your robotic cleaner. These include virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior customizations docking frequency settings and many more. robot vacuum cleaner for sale is simple to learn and use as are other Samsung devices.
In our tests during our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and removed 86% of dog hair (on carpet). However, it wasn't particularly well with larger objects, like cords and socks which was a disappointment. It's also more expensive than other models we've tested, and this could be a deterrent for some buyers.
The smart vacuum comes with an onboard camera that you can access via the app, and you can also create a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature lets you keep track of your pets or children when you're away from home. The filter and the dust bin can be washed for quick, easy cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ also has a clean station that self-empties to keep the robot's dustbin clean and optimizes its suction power for each cleaning run.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
In contrast to other robotic vacuums that are specifically designed for carpets and hard floors, Black and Decker robots are specifically designed for hard floors. The robots have an extra-wide cleaning path, as well as dust bins that are 2 times larger than other models. This lets them keep the area clean for longer. Plus, they include two side sweepers to clean up around edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES model also comes with AutoSense which adjusts the power level according to whether it's picking up surface dirt or embedded dirt. It also includes a smart application that lets you see the virtual map, and control the functions and schedules. You can also track the vacuum's status and send it to the dock for charging with the touch of a single button. The app also lets you to personalize the LED lights on top of the vacuum using different colors so you can easily identify which areas it's focused on or where it's got stuck.
The app also makes it easy to steer the robot manually should you need to. For instance, my living room rug has a darkly colored border that has a tendency to trip up some of the other robots I've tested. However, the HRV 425BL continued to move across the border without registering it as a cliff. And the ability to program a weekly cleaning schedule is a wonderful time-saving benefit.