15 Gifts For Those Who Are The Robot Vac Lover In Your Life
Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum will keep your floors tidy enough to cut down on the frequency of manual hoovering. Find one that has excellent navigation, is able to clean stairs and corners and also has a large dust bin that requires emptying only periodically.
There are models that mop and charge on their own, a feature that may be beneficial for those with children or pets. Many of the top performers in our tests also have decent 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+ has self-emptying capabilities. That makes the i3+ a good option for those looking for an entirely automated, hands-free cleaning experience but don't mind taking the time to empty their robot's trash bin as it gets full.
Both robots are adept at picking up surface debris on carpets and hard floors, and they're excellent in moving around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes a smart maps of your home to assist the i3+ to navigate and clean efficiently. However unlike the i7+ and other top-rated robots we test, the i3+ doesn't have obstacle-avoidance capabilities, so it may be stuck on things like power cords or socks, and it may have trouble in navigating through transitions between surfaces, such as from hardwood to carpet.
iRobot recommends clearing areas where the i3+ EVO will vacuum before you use it, including putting away any clutter or toys it might encounter. It's also a good idea to keep the bin and filter clean so that they do not become blocked by dirt. When the i3+ EVO’s internal bin is empty or the battery is low it returns to the docking station and empties the dirt into the station’s external dustbin. Then it continues cleaning where it started. The battery's life span is approximately an hour and a half of continuous usage. It takes 3 hours to fully charge.
2. iRobot Roomba i7+
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the most powerful model in iRobot's flagship line and has the most up-to-date features. It's self-charging, self-navigating, and the most important feature of all -- it comes with an auto-emptying dustbin, which eliminates one of the main sources of maintenance for any robot vac uum.
The Roomba i7+ is able to remember up to 10 floor plans and their names thanks to Imprint Smart Mapping, a system that allows it to identify rooms to clean them more efficiently. It also works with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning tasks, and it can control your robot via the app or by voice.
The i7+ is quicker and more maneuverable in our tests compared to the eufy RoboVac G30. It also cleaned large pet hair pieces from any surface including carpeting. The main advantage it has over the Eufy is its self-emptying bin which removes major maintenance sources and lowers the cost of recurring maintenance.
We were also amazed by the i7+'s compatibility Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services that we used to instruct the robot to begin, stop or pause its cleaning routines, move itself around the room and vacuum a specific space. Connecting the i7+ to these services was simple and easy with the iRobot Home app. Once connected, we were able to communicate with the i7+ using voice commands, such as "Hey Alexa, vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options to manage i7+ settings and monitoring the 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 old-fashioned sports car. It's powerful enough to replace a stand-up vacuum in the majority of homes, but it is also compact enough to fit on the bookcase or coffee table.
The V10 is powered by a seven-cell, energy-dense lithium-ion battery that produces continuous, non-fading power for 60 minutes. The advanced whole-machine filtering system is able to trap allergens and then releases fresh air into your home. Its specialized head uses stiff nylon bristles that penetrate deep into carpets and pick up large crumbs or fine dust. It has three suction modes that can be adjusted to the specific task. It swiftly switches from handheld vacuum to floor vacuum and back.
This model comes with an attached dock that charges the Dyson to 100% within 3.5 hours. It also provides easy access to 2 attachments as well as a wand. This is a significant improvement over the older Dysons models, that require a long charge and are difficult to store.
The biggest issue with the V10 is its sluggish run time. The claims of its marketing that it has up to 60 minutes of running time are a bit misleading as CR's tests have shown. This is a common, not exceptional, battery-powered cordless vacuum's run time. This is still enough to clean most of an average-sized house, but not quite long enough to cover every spot (though a second run-through usually does the trick). This model has its own advantages however: it's light and more maneuverable than older Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is significantly better 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 spend on a robot. It's capable of sucking up a variety of kinds of debris in our testing, and it often passes over the same areas multiple times to ensure a thorough clean. Its flat front makes it possible to reach corners and the edges of walls.
Its navigation system is smart and uses iAdapt technology to steer clear of obstacles and navigate your home. However, it isn't equipped with the capabilities for mapping of more advanced models, including our top picks, the i3+EVO and the j7+ Series. It is prone to getting stuck on cords for phones or furniture that is low and will often run out of power before returning to its original location.
The Xiaomi Mi robot is superior in many ways over the Roomba 694 because it has fewer components that require regular cleaning, is outfitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtering system, has a lower recurring cost, has more advanced automation abilities and can better move itself. It also has a larger dustbin and is charged faster.
The sleek RoboVac X8 has a superior battery longevity than the Roomba 694. It also has physical boundaries and can be controlled with the voice assistant on your smartphone. It is also more durable, has a stronger motor, and can perform better on low-pile and bare floors.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a brand you see on all sorts of electronic gadgets for your home So it's no surprise that they're also one of the top robotic vacuum and mop makers. Their Jet Bot AI+ is packed with cutting-edge onboard technology to aid in navigation and obstacles avoidance.
The app offers a variety of options for customizing your robotic cleaner. This includes virtual barriers, mopping levels and behavior adjustments docking frequency settings and many more. The app is easy to navigate and use, just like other Samsung devices.
In our tests during our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and it removed 86% of dog hair (on carpet). It was not as successful in avoiding taller objects like socks or cords. This was disappointing. It's also a little more expensive than some of the other models we've tested and could be a deal-breaker for some shoppers.
The smart vacuum has an onboard camera that can be accessed through the app. You can also set up a live stream from the robot's cleaning station. This feature allows you to check in on your pets or children while you're away. The filter and dustbin can be washed for quick, painless cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean and tidy station that's self-emptying, which helps keep the robot's dustbin clean and optimizes its suction power for each cleaning.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for hard flooring. The robots come with an extra wide cleaning path, and a dustbin that is 2 times larger than other models. This allows them to clean the area for a longer period of time. They also include two side sweepers to clean along edges and corners. The POWERSERIES model includes AutoSense, which automatically adjusts the power level depending on whether it's picking up surface dirt or embedded dirt. It also comes with a smart app that lets you see the virtual map and manage functions and schedules. Additionally, you can track the vacuum's battery status and then return it to its dock for charging at the push of the button. The app lets you alter the LED lights on the top of the vacuum so that you can determine where it is focused or if it has gotten stuck.
The app allows you to steer the robot manually in the event of need. My living room rug, for example, has a darkly-colored border 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 weekly cleaning schedule is a fantastic time-saving feature.