Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum can keep your floors tidy enough to cut down on the frequency of manual hoovering. Look for one that offers an easy navigation, can clean corners and stairs and also has a large dust bin that requires emptying only once in a while.

There are models that mop and charge themselves, which is a feature important for families with pets or children. A majority of the top performers in our tests have excellent obstacles to avoid.

1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO

The i3+ EVO and its i3 EVO sibling, the i3 EVO are both identical robots that differ only in that the i3+ comes with self-emptying features. That makes the i3+ a great choice for people who want an automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but aren't afraid of manually emptying their robot's dustbin as it gets full.

Both robots are proficient at picking up surface dirt on hard floors and carpets, and they can easily maneuver around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes a smart map of your home to aid the i3+ in its navigation and clean up efficiently. The i3+ isn't able to have obstacle avoidance capabilities like the i7+ or other top-rated robots that we tested. It could be stuck on power cords and socks and have difficulty navigating between surfaces, such as hardwood and rug.

iRobot suggests cleaning the area around the i3+ EVO vacuums before using it. This includes putting away any toys or other clutter it might encounter. Also, keep the filters and dust bin clean to prevent them from 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 emptys the dirt into the docking station's external dustbin. Then it continues cleaning from where it began. Battery life is about an hour-and-a-half of continuous usage. It takes three hours to charge.

2. iRobot Roomba i7+

The iRobot i7+ is an excellent model from iRobot's flagship line and comes with the most recent features. It's self-charging and self-navigating, but the most significant feature is its self-emptying bin. This will eliminate the need for regular maintenance.

The Roomba I7+ can make rooms more efficient maps using Imprint Smart Mapping. It also works with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning tasks, and it can control your robot via the app or voice.

In our tests the i7+ was quicker and more maneuverable than our top choice, the eufy RoboVac G30, and it picked up large pieces of pet hair from all surfaces types, including carpeting. Its main advantage over the eufy, though the dust bin is self-emptying that eliminates a major source of maintenance and reduces the amount of time spent cleaning.

We were also impressed by the i7+'s integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services which we used to instruct the robot to begin, stop or pause its cleaning routines and move around the room and vacuum the 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 performance.

3. Dyson Cyclone V10

In a world filled with vacuums with cords that are like minivans and buses, this tiny Dyson model is an automobile. It has the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum in many households and can fit in well next to a coffee table or on the bookshelf, that you can spin around like a magic device.

The V10 is powered with a Lithium-ion battery with 7 cells of energy that can provide energy that lasts for 60 minutes. The advanced whole-machine filter system captures allergens, and then releases fresh air into your home. Its cleaning head is specially designed and drives bristles of nylon that are stiff and deep into carpets to trap large dust and crumbs. It comes with three suction settings to suit the task that is being completed. It swiftly switches from handheld to floor vacuum, and then back to floor.

This model also has an accessory dock that can charge to 100% in about 3.5 hours and offers easy access to two attachments as well as an wand clip. This is a huge improvement over older Dysons that require a lengthy charge and are difficult to store.

The main issue with the V10 is its limited run time. The tests conducted by CR show that its advertising claims of up to 60 minutes are misleading. This is a typical and not a remarkable time to run a battery-powered cordless vac. This is still enough to get rid of the majority of a typical-sized home however, it's not enough to clean every spot (though an additional run-through often will suffice). This model has its own advantages however: it's light and more maneuverable than older Dysons cordless models and its ability to vacuum is noticeably superior for carpet floors with low pile.

4. iRobot Roomba 694"

The 694 is a standard robot vacuum that's a great option for those who don't have a lot of money to invest in the latest model of robot. It was able to pick up all kinds of debris in our testing and often went over the same area several times for an efficient clean. Its flat front makes it possible to reach the corners and edges of walls.

Its smart navigation system uses iAdapt technology to stay clear of obstacles and guide you through your home. However, it isn't equipped with the mapping capabilities of more advanced models, including our top picks, i3+EVO and the j7+ Series. This means that it may get stuck on things like phone cords and furniture that isn't in good condition, and often runs out of battery power before returning to its original location.

The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in all aspects in that it has fewer parts that need regular cleaning and is equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, has lower costs for recurring maintenance, has more advanced automation capabilities and is better at moving itself. It also has a bigger dustbin and charges quicker.

The eufy RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba 694. It also comes with physical boundaries strips and can be controlled by the voice assistant on your smartphone. It's also more robust, has a larger motor, and is more effective on floors with bare or low-pile.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a well-known brand in home electronics. It's no surprise, then, that they are one of the top 5 robot vacuum makers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is packed with cutting-edge onboard technology for navigation and obstacle avoidance.

The app offers a variety of customization options for your robotic cleaner. This includes virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior adjustments docking frequency settings, and many more. It's easy to understand and is user-friendly, which is the case with other Samsung devices.

In our tests during our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and removed 86 percent of dog hair (on carpet). However, it didn't do particularly well at avoiding larger objects, like cords and socks which was disappointing. It's priced higher than other models we've tested, and this could be a problem for some buyers.

The smart vacuum comes with an onboard camera that you can access through the app. You can also set up a live streaming from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you to check in on pets or the kids if you're away from home. The filter and the dust bin can be cleaned to make cleanup quick and easy. The Jet Bot AI+ also has a clean station that's self-emptying and helps keep the robot's dustbin clear and optimizes suction power for each cleaning.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Contrary to other robotic vacuums that are specifically designed for carpets and hard floors, Black and Decker robots are specifically designed for hard floors. They come with a wide cleaning path as well as a large dustbin that holds 2X more debris than the competition to keep the cleaning area clear for maximum runtime. Additionally, they come with two side sweepers to clean up around edges and in corners. The POWERSERIES model includes AutoSense, which automatically 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 manage functions and schedules. You can also track the status of the vacuum and connect it to its dock for charging at the touch of a single button. The app lets you customize the LED lights on the top of the vacuum so that you can determine where it is focused or if it's stuck.

The app makes it possible to manually steer the robot when needed. My living room rug, for example, has a darkly-colored border which could cause a problem for other robots. The HRV 425BL, however was able to continue 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.