If You ve Just Purchased Robot Vac ... Now What

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum is able to keep floors clean enough to reduce the frequency with which you have to manually vacuum. Choose a robot vacuum that is well-trained in navigation, has the ability to clean stairs and corners, and that has large bins that will need to be cleaned out every now and then.

You can also find models that mop and charge on their own which can be essential for those who have children or pets. Many of the best performers in our tests have good ability to overcome obstacles.

1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO

The i3+ EVO and its sibling the i3 EVO are both identical robots that differ only in that the i3+ has self-emptying capabilities. That makes the i3+ a good choice for people who want an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience but don't mind manually emptying their robot's dustbin when it is full.

Both robots are adept at picking up surface dirt on carpets and hard floors and can navigate around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes smart maps of your home that aid 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 any other top-rated robots we have tested. It may get stuck on power cords or socks and have trouble moving between different surfaces like hardwood and rug.

iRobot suggests cleaning up the area where the i3+ EVO vacuums prior to using it. This includes putting away any toys or other clutter it might come across. It's also recommended to keep the bin and filter clean so that they aren't clogged by dirt. If the i3+'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 external dustbin. It then continues cleaning from where it started. The battery's life span is approximately an hour and a half of continuous usage. It takes about three hours to fully charge.

2. iRobot Roomba i7+

The iRobot i7+ is an excellent model from iRobot's flagship line and comes with the latest features. It's self-charging and self-navigating. -- the most important feature of all -- it has a self-emptying dustbin that eliminates one of the primary sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.

The Roomba I7+ can map rooms more efficiently with Imprint Smart Mapping. It also integrates with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning tasks and direct your robot by voice or via the app.

In our tests the i7+ performed more agile and faster than our second-placed model which was the eufy RoboVac G30, and it took large pieces of pet hair from all surface kinds including carpeting. The biggest benefit over the eufy it self-empties its dust bin which eliminates a major source of maintenance and cuts down on recurring costs.

We were also impressed with the i7+'s compatibility Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We utilized these services to instruct the robot to start, stop, or pause cleaning sessions, as well as to move around the room and vacuum a particular area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ to these services. After being connected, to speak commands to the i7+ like "Hey Alexa vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options to manage i7+ settings and evaluating the performance.

3. Dyson Cyclone V10

In a world filled with vacuums with cords that are like minivans and buses, this small Dyson model feels like an old-fashioned sports car. It has the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum in many households however, it can also fit in well next to the table for a coffee or the bookshelf, where you can move it around like a magic wand.

The V10 is powered with seven cells of energy-dense Lithium-ion batteries that can provide power that is not fading for 60 minutes. Its advanced whole-machine filter system traps allergens and releases clean air back into your home. The specialized head uses rigid nylon bristles that penetrate deep into carpets and collect large crumbs or fine dust. It has three suction modes to suit the task that is being completed. It is able to swiftly switch from floor vacuum to handheld vacuum and vice versa.

This model comes with a dock that can charge the Dyson to 100 percent within 3.5 hours. It also provides easy access to 2 attachments as well as an handheld. This is a huge improvement over older Dysons that require a long charge and are difficult to store.

The V10's main drawback is its limited running time. Its claims on the market that it can provide up to 60 minutes of running time are not true, as CR's testing shows. This is an average, not an exceptional, time for a battery-powered cordless vac. This is still enough to vacuum the majority of an average-sized house, but not quite long enough to cover every area (though a second run-through usually does the trick). However, this model doesn't have its benefits It's lighter and more agile than older cordless Dysons and its vacuuming efficiency is superior on carpets with a low pile.

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 spend on a robot. It could pick up all kinds of debris in our tests and would often go over the same area several times to give a thorough clean. Its flat front design allows it to reach the corners and the edges of walls.

Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt technology to avoid obstacles and help you navigate your home. However, it isn't equipped with the capabilities for mapping of more advanced models, including our top picks, i3+EVO and J7+ Series. It may get stuck on phone cords or low furniture and will often run out of power before returning to its base.

The Xiaomi Mi robot is superior in many ways to the Roomba 694 because it has less parts that require regular cleaning, comes with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtration system, incurs lower costs for recurring expenses, has more advanced automation abilities and is better able to maneuver itself. It also has a bigger dustbin, and charges more quickly.

The RoboVac X8 is a slick RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 for a variety of purposes, as it has a better battery life, the ability to change the suction power mode by hand and has physical boundary strips, and can be controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It is also more durable and has a more powerful motor, and performs notably better on both bare floors and carpets with low pile, while providing a greater variety of features for automation.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a household name in the field of home electronics. It's not surprising that they are one of the top rated robot vacuum makers of robot vacuums and mop. Jet Bot AI+ has the most advanced onboard technology to navigate and avoid obstacles.

The app offers a variety of options to personalize your robotic cleaner, such as virtual barriers mopping water levels, behavior customization, docking frequency settings, and much more. The app is easy to navigate and use similar to other Samsung devices.

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

The smart vacuum has 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 check in on your children or pets when you are away. The filter and dustbin are washable for quick, painless cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with a self-emptying clean station, which helps keep the robot's bin clear and improves suction power.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for flooring made of hard wood. They come with a wide cleaning path and an extra-large dust bin that can hold 2X more debris than other models to keep the cleaning area clean for the longest time. In addition, they have two side sweepers to clean along edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model comes with AutoSense technology, which can tell if it's picking up surface litter or embedded dirt and automatically adjusts the power level. It also includes a smart application that lets you view the virtual map and control the functions and schedules. Additionally, you can track the battery's status and then return it to its dock for charging at the touch of the button. The app allows you to modify the LEDs on the top of the vacuum to tell where it is focused or if it's stuck.

The app makes it possible to steer the robot manually in the event of need. For instance my living room rug has a darkly colored border that tends to make it difficult for other robots I've tested. The HRV 425BL, however, continued to move across the border without ever registering the high point. The ability to program a weekly cleaning schedule for each week is a time-saving convenience.