10 Real Reasons People Hate Robot Vac

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum is able to keep floors clean enough to decrease the frequency at which you have to manually vacuum. Look for one that offers excellent navigation, is able to sweep corners and stairs and also has a large dust bin that has to be emptied only periodically.

There are models that can mop and charge themselves, which is a feature important for families with children or pets. The top rated robot vacuum performers in our tests have decent obstacle avoidance.

1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO

The i3+ EVO is identical to its sibling i3 EVO. They differ only in the fact that the i3+ comes with self-emptying capabilities. That makes the i3+ an excellent choice for people who want an automated, hands-free cleaning experience but don't mind taking the time to empty their robot's trash bin when it is full.

Both robots are adept at picking up surface dirt on carpets and hard floors and can maneuver around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates smart maps of your home, which help the i3+ EVO navigate and clean in a way that maximizes efficiency. The i3+ isn't able to feature obstacle avoidance features like the i7+ or other top-rated robots we test. It may get stuck on power cords or socks, and may have trouble navigating between different surfaces, like hardwood and rug.

iRobot recommends that you tidy the area around the i3+ EVO vacuums before using it. This includes putting away any toys or other clutter it may encounter. It's also recommended to keep the dustbin and filter clean so they do not become blocked by dirt. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is empty or the battery is depleted, it returns to the docking station, and it automatically emptys the dirt into the docking station's dust bin. Then it continues cleaning where it began. Battery life is about an hour and a half of constant usage. It takes about three hours to fully charge.

2. Roomba from iRobot

The iRobot i7+ is an excellent model from iRobot's flagship line, and it comes with the latest technology. It has self-charging and self-navigating. But the most important feature is its auto-emptying bin. This removes the need for routine maintenance.

The Roomba i7+ can remember up to 10 floor plans and their names with Imprint Smart Mapping, an application that allows it to map rooms so it can clean them more efficiently. It also works with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning jobs, and you can control your robot via the app or voice.

In our tests the i7+ was faster and more maneuverable than our runner-up which was the eufy RoboVac G30, and it removed large chunks of pet hair from all surface types including carpeting. Its biggest advantage over the eufy, though, is its self-emptying dustbin which removes a major source of maintenance and reduces the cost of maintenance.

We were also awestruck by the i7+'s compatibility with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We used these services to instruct the robot to start, stop, or pause 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+ with these services. Once connected we were able to give the i7+ voice commands such as "Hey Alexa, best roborock 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 full of vacuums that are cordless and are like minivans and buses, this small Dyson model feels like an old-fashioned sports car. It's powerful and has features to replace a stand-up vacuum for most households however, it can also fit nicely on a coffee table or on shelves where you can wave it around like a magic wand.

The V10 is powered by a 7-cell, high-energy lithium-ion battery that can provide fade-free power for 60 minutes. Its advanced whole-machine filtration system captures allergens and expels cleaner air back into your home. The specially designed head utilizes stiff nylon bristles to drive deep into carpets and pick up large dust or crumbs. It has three suction modes that can be adjusted to the task. It swiftly switches from floor vac to handheld automatic vacuum, and then back to floor.

The model also comes with an accessory dock that can charge to 100% in about 3.5 hours and provides easy access to two attachments and a clip for a wand. This is a huge improvement over previous Dysons that require a long charge and are difficult to store.

The main issue with the V10 is its limited running time. The tests conducted by CR show that its advertising claims of up to 60 minutes are not true. This is an average, not an exceptional, run time for the battery-powered cordless vacuum. That's still enough run time to vacuum the majority of an average-sized house but not long enough to get every single spot (though a second run-through usually will suffice). This model has its own advantages however: it's lighter and more maneuverable than older Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is noticeably superior on low-pile floor carpet.

4. iRobot Roomba 694"

The 694 is a basic best robot vacuum under 200 vacuum that's an excellent choice for those who don't have lots of money to spend on the latest model of robot. It's capable of sucking up most types of debris and sizes during our tests, and it frequently goes over the same areas several times to ensure a thorough clean. Its flat front side helps it to reach into corners and along the edges of walls, which is a nice addition.

Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt technology to avoid obstacles and guide you through your home. It's not equipped with the ability to map that is found in more advanced models, like our top picks, i3+EVO and j7+ Series. It is prone to getting stuck on phone cords or low furniture and is often unable to supply power before returning to its original location.

The Xiaomi Mi robot is superior in many ways to the Roomba 694 because it has less parts that require regular cleaning, is outfitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtration system, incurs lower costs for recurring expenses and has more advanced automation abilities and is able to better maneuver its own. It also has a bigger 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, the ability to change its suction power mode on its own and has physical boundary strips, and is controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It's also more robust, has a more powerful motor, and can perform better on low-pile and bare floors.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a household name in the field of home electronics. It's not surprising that they are also among the top producers of robot vacuums and mop. Jet Bot AI+ has a cutting-edge onboard technology for navigation and obstacle avoidance.

The app provides plenty of options to personalize your robotic cleaner, such as virtual barriers, mopping water levels and behavior adjustments docking frequency settings and more. It's easy to understand and easy to use, just as is the case with other Samsung devices.

In our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and cleaned up 86 percent of dog hair (on carpet). It was not as successful in avoiding taller items like cords or socks. This was disappointing. It's also more expensive than the other models we've tested and could be a deterrent for some shoppers.

The smart vacuum comes with an onboard camera that can be accessed via the app. You can also create a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you to monitor 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 comes with a clean and tidy station that self-empties, which helps keep the robot's dustbin clean and optimizes suction power for each cleaning run.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for hard flooring. They feature an extra-wide cleaning path as well as a large dustbin that holds twice as much debris than competitors to keep the cleaning area clean for the longest time. Additionally, they come with two side sweepers that clean around edges and corners. The POWERSERIES model also comes with AutoSense which adjusts the power level depending on whether it's collecting surface dirt or embedded dirt. It also comes with a smart app that lets you browse the virtual map and control functions and schedules. Plus, you can monitor the status of the vacuum's battery and return it to its dock for charging at the push of a button. The app lets you alter the LED lights on the top of the vacuum so that you can discern where it is focusing or if it's stuck.

The app also makes it simple 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. The HRV 425BL, however, continued to move across the border, without notifying the high point. The ability to program a daily cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving advantage.