14 Common Misconceptions About Robot Vac

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum can keep floors clean enough to reduce the frequency at which you need to manually vacuum. Find one that has an easy navigation, can clean corners and stairs and has a huge dust bin that needs emptying only periodically.

You can also find models that clean and charge themselves, a feature that may be essential for those who have pets or children. 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+ has self-emptying capabilities. That makes the i3+ an excellent choice for people who want an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but don't mind manually emptying their robot vacuum cleaner on sale's dustbin as it gets full.

Both robots excel at cleaning up surface debris from carpets and hard floors and they are very good at maneuvering around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates smart maps of your home to assist the i3+ to navigate and clean efficiently. The i3+ doesn't have the same obstacle avoidance capabilities as the i7+ or any other top-rated robots that we test. It could get stuck on power cords and socks, and may have trouble navigating between different surfaces like carpet and hardwood.

iRobot recommends that you tidy the area around the i3+ EVO vacuums prior to using it. This includes getting rid of any toys or other clutter it might come across. It is also recommended to keep the filters and dust bin clean to prevent them from becoming clogged. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is empty or the battery is not fully charged, it returns to the docking station and emptys the dirt into the docking station's dust bin. Then it continues cleaning from where it started. The i3+ EVO's battery lasts for about an hour and a half of continuous use, and takes around three hours to fully recharge.

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 has self-charging and self-navigating. However, the most significant feature is its auto vacuum cleaner-emptying bin. This will eliminate the need for regular maintenance.

The Roomba i7+ can keep 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 it can control your robot via the app or by voice.

In our tests, the i7+ was faster and more maneuverable than our second-placed model and the eufy RoboVac G30, and it picked up large pieces of pet hair from all surface types including carpeting. The biggest benefit over the eufy, though, is its self-emptying dustbin which eliminates a major source of maintenance and cuts down on the amount of time spent cleaning.

We were also awestruck by the i7+'s compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services which we used to instruct the robot to begin, stop or pause its automatic cleaning robot sessions and to move around the room and vacuum a specific space. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ with these services. Once connected we were able to use the i7+'s voice commands, such as "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 feels like a sports car. It is powerful enough to replace a traditional stand-up vacuum in the majority of homes, but also small enough to fit on the bookcase or coffee table.

The V10 is powered with a Lithium-ion battery with 7 cells of energy that can provide power without fading for 60 minutes. Its advanced whole-machine filtration system traps allergens and releases cleaner air back into your home. The specially designed head utilizes stiff nylon bristles to drive deep into carpets and collect large dust or crumbs. It comes with three suction settings to meet the task that is being completed. 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 easy access to 2 attachments and the wand. This is a significant improvement over older Dysons models, which require a lengthy charge and are difficult to store.

The biggest issue with the V10 is its short run time. The claims of its marketing that it can provide up to 60 minutes of run time are not true, as CR's testing shows. This is an average, not an exceptional, time to run the battery-powered cordless vacuum. That's still enough run time to vacuum the majority of a typical-sized home however, it's not enough to clean every spot (though the second time around usually will suffice). This model has its own advantages however: it's lighter and more maneuverable than earlier Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is significantly better on low-pile floor carpet.

4. iRobot Roomba 694

One of iRobot's most popular robot vacuums, the 694 is an entry-level model that's an excellent option for those who don't want to spend too much money on a robot. It was able to remove the majority of types of debris in our tests, and frequently went over the same area several times to give a thorough clean smart robot. The flat front of the unit allows it to reach into corners and along the walls' edges which is a nice touch.

Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt to avoid obstacles and navigate around your home, but it's not equipped with the mapping capability of more sophisticated models like our top choices and the i3+ EVO and j7+ series. As a result, it is sometimes stuck on things like phone cords or furniture that isn't as sturdy, and often 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 parts that require regular maintenance and is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, incurs lower costs for recurring maintenance, has more advanced automation capabilities and is better at moving itself. It also has a larger dustbin and charges faster.

The eufy RoboVac X8 has a superior battery longevity than the Roomba 694. It also has physical boundaries and can be controlled by the voice assistant on your smartphone. It also feels more sturdy, has a more powerful motor, and is able to perform better on both bare floors and carpets with low pile, while offering a wider range of automation options.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a brand you see on all sorts of home electronics So it's no surprise that they're one of the most popular robot vacuum and mop manufacturers. Jet Bot AI+ has the most advanced onboard technology to navigate and avoid obstacles.

The app offers a wide range of customization options for your robotic cleaner. These include virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior customizations, docking frequency settings and much more. It's easy to comprehend and user-friendly, as is the case with other Samsung devices.

In our testing, the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors and handled dog hair (on carpet) very well, picking up 86 percent of it. It didn't do very well in avoiding taller objects like cords or socks. This was disappointing. It's also more expensive than some of the other models we tested, which might be a deterrent for certain shoppers.

The app lets you access the camera onboard of the smart vacuum. You can also create live streaming from the robot's cleaning zone. This feature allows you check in on your children or pets when you are away. The filter and dustbin can be cleaned to make cleanup quick and easy. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with a self-emptying clean station, which helps keep the robot's bin clear and maximizes suction power.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

In contrast to other robotic vacuums that are specifically designed for hard floors and carpets, Black and Decker robots are specifically designed for hard floors. The robots have an extra-wide cleaning path, and dust bins that are 2X larger than the competition. This allows them to clean the area for longer. They also have two side sweepers that can be used to clean around corners and edges. The POWERSERIES model includes AutoSense that automatically adjusts the power level depending on whether it's picking up dirt that is on the surface or embedded. The vacuum also has an app that allows users to see a virtual map, control functions, and create schedules. You can also monitor the status of the vacuum's battery and send it back to its dock to charge by pressing one button. The app allows you to customize the LED lights on the top rated cheap robot vacuum vacuum (timeoftheworld.date) of the vacuum to determine where it is focused or if it has gotten stuck.

The app also makes it easy to manually steer the robot in the event of need. My living room rug, for example is darkly colored that could cause trouble for other robots. However, the HRV 425BL continued to move across the border, without registering it as a cliff. The ability to program a daily cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving advantage.