Three Reasons Why You're Robot Vac Is Broken (And How To Fix It)

· 6 min read
Three Reasons Why You're Robot Vac Is Broken (And How To Fix It)

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum will keep your floors clean enough to cut down on the frequency of manual hoovering. Find one that has good navigation, can clean corners and stairs and also has a large dust bin that has to be emptied only every few times.

There are models that can mop and charge themselves, which is a feature important for families with children or pets. A majority of the top performers in our tests have good obstacle avoidance.

1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO

The i3+ EVO and its sibling, the i3 EVO, are identical robots that differ only in that the i3+ comes with self-emptying features. That makes the i3+ a great option for those looking for an automated, hands-free cleaning experience but don't mind having to empty their dust bin manually as it gets full.

Both robots are proficient at picking up surface dirt on carpets and hard floors and can maneuver around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software makes a smart map of your home to help the i3+ navigate and clean efficiently. However, unlike the i7+ or other top rated robots we tested, the i3+ doesn't have obstacle-avoidance capabilities which means it can be stuck on things like socks or power cords and may have issues in navigating through transitions between surfaces like hardwood to rug.

iRobot suggests cleaning the area in which the i3+ EVO vacuums prior to using it. This includes getting rid of any toys or other items it might encounter. Also, keep the dustbin and filters clear to avoid becoming clogged. When the i3+ EVO’s internal bin is empty or the battery is low it returns to the docking station and takes the dirt out of the docking station’s external dustbin. It then continues cleaning where it left off. Battery life is about an hour and a half of constant usage. It takes about three hours to charge.

2. Roomba by iRobot

The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the top model of the flagship line from iRobot and is equipped with the most recent features. It has self-charging and self-navigating, but the most significant feature is its self-emptying bin. This eliminates the need for regular maintenance.



The Roomba I7+ is able to map rooms more efficiently with Imprint Smart Mapping. It also integrates with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning tasks, and it can control your robot through the app or via voice.

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 types, including carpeting. The main advantage it has over the Eufy is its self-emptying bin, which eliminates the main sources of maintenance and lowers the cost of recurring maintenance.

We were also awestruck by the i7+'s compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant AI services, which we used to instruct the robot to start, stop or pause its cleaning routines and move around the room, and even vacuum a specific space. Connecting the i7+ to these services was simple and straightforward using the iRobot Home app. After connecting, we were able to communicate with the i7+ using voice commands like "Hey Alexa, vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options for managing i7+ settings and evaluating performance.

3. Dyson Cyclone V10

This tiny Dyson model is a sports car in a sea of vacuums with cords that feel like minivans and buses. It's powerful enough to replace a traditional stand-up vacuum in a majority of homes, yet it is also small enough to fit on a coffee table or bookcase.

The V10 is powered by a 7-cell high-energy lithium-ion battery that can provide continuous, non-fading power for 60 minutes. The sophisticated whole-machine filter system traps allergens, then releases fresh air into your home. Its specialized cleaning head drives stiff nylon bristles deep into carpets to trap large particles and fine dust. It comes with three suction settings to suit the task that is being completed. It quickly converts from floor vac to handheld vacuum and back.

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

The main drawback of the V10 is its short run time. As CR's tests show, its claims to run up to 60 minutes are not true. This is a common, not exceptional, battery-powered cordless vacuum's running time. This is enough time to sweep a typical-sized home but not enough to get into every corner. (A second pass is usually sufficient). However, this model doesn't have its benefits: It's lighter and maneuverable than older cordless Dysons, and its vacuuming performance is noticeably superior on carpets with a low pile.

4. iRobot Roomba 694

One of iRobot's most popular robot vacuums, the 694 is an entry-level model that's a good option for those who don't want to spend too much on a robotic. It's capable of sucking up most debris types and sizes during our tests, and it often goes over the same areas many times to ensure a thorough clean. Its flat front side helps to get into corners and along the edges of walls and walls, which is a nice feature.

Its intelligent navigation system makes use of iAdapt technology to stay clear of obstacles and guide you through your home. It's not equipped with the ability to map that is found in more advanced models, such as our top picks, i3+EVO and the j7+ Series. It may get stuck on phone cords or low furniture and often runs out of power before returning to its home base.

The Xiaomi Mi robot is superior in many ways over the Roomba 694 because it has fewer parts that require regular cleaning, is outfitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtering system, has a lower recurring cost, is more sophisticated in its automation capabilities and can better move its own. It also has a bigger dustbin and is charged faster.

The RoboVac X8 is a slick RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 for most purposes, as it has a longer battery life, the ability to change its suction power mode on its own and comes with physical boundary strips, and is controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It is also more robust, has a more powerful motor, and can perform better on floors with low pile and bare.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a well-known brand in the field of home electronics. It's no surprise, then, that they are also among the top manufacturers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is packed with cutting-edge onboard technology to aid in navigation and obstacle avoidance.

The app offers a variety of options for customizing your robotic cleaner. These include mopping levels, virtual barriers and behavior modifications docking frequency settings and many more.  best affordable robot vacuum  to understand and easy to use, just as is the case with other Samsung devices.

In our tests of the Jet Bot AI+ excelled on hard floors, and also handled dog hair (on carpet) quite well, cleaning up 86% of it. However, it didn't do particularly well with larger objects, like cords and socks which was a disappointment. It's also more expensive than the other models that we tested, and this could be a deterrent for some buyers.

The smart vacuum comes with an onboard camera that you can access through the app, and you can also set up a live stream 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 dustbin can be cleaned for quick, painless cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ comes with an automatic clean station which helps to keep the robot's bin clear and optimizes suction power.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

Black and Decker robots have been designed specifically for flooring made of hard wood. The robots come with an extra-wide cleaning path and dust bins that are 2 times larger than other models. This allows them to keep the area clean for longer. They also include two side sweepers to clean along edges and corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also comes with AutoSense technology, which detects if it's picking up dirt on surfaces or embedded dirt and then automatically adjusts the power level. It also comes with a smart app that lets you view the virtual map, and control functions and schedules. You can also monitor the status of the vacuum's battery and return it to its dock for charging at the touch of one button. The app allows you to customize the LED lights on top of the vacuum using different colors, so you can clearly see what areas it's focusing on or where it's got stuck.

The app makes it possible to manually steer the robot in the event of need. For instance, my living room rug has a darkly-colored border that has a tendency to trip up some of the other robots I've tested. The HRV 425BL, however continued to travel across the border, without notifying the edge. The ability to set up the weekly cleaning schedule is a wonderful time-saving benefit.