best robot cleaner can keep your floors tidy enough to cut down on the frequency of manual hoovering. Find one that has an easy navigation, can clean corners and stairs and has a huge dust bin that requires emptying only every few times.
There are models that can mop and charge themselves This is an advantage essential for families with children or pets. Many of the top performers in our tests have good obstacle avoidance.
1. IRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO is similar to its sibling the i3 EVO. They differ only in that the i3+ comes with self-emptying capabilities. The i3+ is a good alternative for those who want a an automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but want to manually empty the robot's dustbin after it has filled up.
Both robots are proficient at removing surface dirt on carpets and hard floors, and they can easily navigate around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates intelligent maps of your home that help the i3+ EVO navigate and clean in a way that maximizes efficiency. However, unlike the i7+ or other top-rated robots we test, the i3+ doesn't have any obstacle-avoidance features and therefore it could be stuck on things like power cords or socks, and it may have trouble navigating across surface transitions, such as from hardwood to carpet.
iRobot suggests that you clear areas in which the i3+ EVO will vacuum prior to when you use it, including putting away any clutter or toys it may come across. It is also recommended to keep the dustbin and filters clear to avoid getting blocked. When the i3+ EVO'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 external dustbin. It then continues cleaning from where it started. The battery's lifespan is around an hour and a half of constant use. It takes about three hours to fully charge.
2. Roomba by iRobot
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the top model in iRobot's flagship line and is equipped with the most recent features. It has self-charging and self-navigating. But the most important feature is the self-emptying bin. This removes the need for routine maintenance.
The Roomba I7+ can make rooms more efficient maps using Imprint Smart Mapping. It also works with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning jobs and control your robot using voice or via the app.
The i7+ is more efficient and more maneuverable in our tests compared to the eufy RoboVac G30. It also picked up large pet hair pieces from all surfaces, including carpeting. Its greatest advantage over the Eufy is its self-emptying bin, which eliminates the main sources 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 on how to begin or stop cleaning sessions, as well as to move around the room, and even vacuum a specific area. The process of connecting the i7+ to these services was easy and straightforward using the iRobot Home app. After connecting to these services, we were able use the i7+'s voice commands, such as "Hey Alexa, vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options for managing i7+ settings and monitoring the performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
This tiny Dyson model is an athletic car in a sea of vacuums with cords that feel like minivans and buses. It's powerful and has features to replace a stand-up vacuum in the majority of households however, it can also fit in well next to a coffee table or on a bookshelf that you can spin around like a magic tool.
The V10 is powered with seven cells of energy-dense Lithium-ion batteries that can provide energy that lasts for 60 minutes. The sophisticated whole-machine filter system traps allergens, then releases cleaner air into your home. Its cleaning head is specially designed and drives bristles made of nylon that are stiff into carpet to suck up large dust and crumbs. best robot cleaner has three suction modes that can be adapted to the specific task. It quickly converts from handheld vacuum to floor vacuum and back.
The model also comes with an accessory dock that can charge to 100% in around 3.5 hours, and gives users an easy access to two attachments and an clip for a wand. This is a huge improvement over older Dysons, which require a lengthy charge and are difficult to store.
The biggest issue with the V10 is its limited run time. Its claims on the market that it can provide up to 60 minutes of run time are a bit misleading as CR's tests have shown. This is an average and not a remarkable time to run a battery-powered cordless vac. It's still enough time to get rid of the majority of a typical-sized home but not long enough to cover 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 for carpet floors with low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694
One of iRobot's most adored robot vacuums, the 694 is an entry-level model that's a good option for those who don't want to invest too much on a robotic. It could pick up most types of debris and sizes during our testing and often went over the same area many times for a thorough clean. Its flat front design allows it to reach the corners and edges of walls.
Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt technology to stay clear of obstacles and guide you through your home. However, it lacks the mapping capabilities of more advanced models, such as our top picks, the i3+EVO and j7+ Series. It can get stuck on cords for phones or furniture that is low and often runs out of power before returning to its base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in many ways in that it has fewer components that need regular cleaning and is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, has lower recurring costs, comes with more advanced automation capabilities and does a better job maneuvering itself. It also has a bigger dustbin, and charges more quickly.
The eufy RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba 694. It also comes with physical boundaries strips that can be controlled with your smartphone's voice assistant. It also feels better-built and has a stronger motor, and performs notably better on bare floors and carpets with low pile, while offering a wider range of features for automation.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a household name in the field of home electronics. It's not a surprise that they are also among the top producers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is equipped with cutting-edge onboard tech for navigation and obstacles avoidance.
The app offers a variety of options to personalize your robotic cleaner, including virtual barriers, mopping water levels and behavior customization docking frequency settings and more. The app is easy 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 it cleaned up 86% of dog hair (on carpet). It was not as successful in avoiding taller objects like cords or socks. This was disappointing. It's also more expensive than the other models we've tested, and this could be a problem for some buyers.
The smart vacuum has an onboard camera that is accessible via the app, and you can also set up a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature lets you to check in on your children or pets when you are away. The filter and dustbin are washable for quick, easy cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with self-emptying clean stations, which helps keep the bin clean and improves suction power.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Black and Decker robots have been developed specifically for hard flooring. They have an extra wide cleaning path and dust bins that are 2 times larger than other models. This lets them clean the area for longer. They also include two side sweepers to clean around corners and edges. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also includes AutoSense technology, which senses whether it's picking up surface litter or embedded dirt and then automatically adjusts its power level. It also includes a smart application that lets you browse the virtual map, and control functions and schedules. You can also track the status of the vacuum and connect it to the dock for charging at the press of a single button. The app allows you to customize the LED lights on top of the vacuum using different colors so you can easily tell what areas it's focusing on or where it's gotten stuck.
The app makes it possible to steer the robot manually in the event of need. My living room rug for instance is darkly colored which could cause a problem for other robots. The HRV 425BL however continued to travel across the border, without notifying the cliff. The ability to program a daily cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving advantage.