Most 500-series models support scheduling through buttons on the unit itself, and higher-end models allow the use of a remote control, smartphone app, or smarthome automation integration to program schedules. This top-of-the-line model is suitable for those with deep pockets who are irobot vacuum cleaner willing to pay a premium for convenience. With long battery life, strong suction power, and AI-powered obstacle avoidance technology, the X1 Omni is an excellent option for large homes, and those with pets. Some, like the Eufy RoboVac 11S, don’t include Wi-Fi capabilities at all.
Roomba models are the only robot vacuums that employ two brush rolls that rotate toward each other, an arrangement that works well on all surfaces but offers its biggest advantage over other robot vacuums’ brush rolls on rugs. In fact, the “brushes” on the i3 EVO are really rubber-nubbed extractors, which are particularly good at picking up pet hair, especially from thicker and higher-pile rugs, without much hair getting wrapped around the roller. All Roomba bots, including the i3 EVO, also have a dirt-detection system—another feature you can’t find in other brands’ bots. When a Roomba model senses that it’s passing over an area with a lot of debris, it stops and makes a few passes back and forth to pick up as much as possible. It also has smart mapping, so you can tell it to clean or avoid specific rooms. But unlike most of its competitors, the Roomba i3 EVO is actually a sturdy, repairable appliance—and although longevity is never guaranteed, you can reasonably expect to own and use it regularly for years.
Brand owner satisfaction is based on the proportion of members who are extremely likely to recommend their robotic vacuum to their friends and family. Replace filters and side brushes a few times per year, the brush roll about once a year, and the battery as needed—probably dyson robot vacuum every second year, though that depends on how often you use the bot. These bots can use a handful of different technologies to make their maps. The laser rangefinder method has become the dominant tech and is excellent at quickly learning a home’s layout.
The first-generation units comprised the original silver-colored Roomba, the blue Roomba Pro, and the maroon Roomba Pro Elite. The later two models included additional accessories, but all three used the same core robot and cleaning system. To compensate for this, Roombas have a rotating multi-pronged brush on one side which sweeps debris towards the path of the cleaning head, helping to clean a wider path and to reach into edges and corners. First- and second-generation Roombas were not compatible with the Virtual Wall, an accessory used to prevent them from entering an area.
This feature-rich hybrid vacuums and mops while using AI to successfully detect and avoid many obstacles other floor-cleaning robots would get stuck on. To put its obstacle-evasion technology to the test, we intentionally placed dog toys that have tripped up other robot vacuums in its path. Without fail, the Ozmo T8 AIVI detected the toys in its way and changed directions accordingly. The best robotic vacuums Consumer Reports tested are great for touch-ups irobot vacuum cleaner and spot cleaning, which can be especially helpful in keeping up with pet hair. Their built-in and app-enabled smarts allow them to find their way out of tight spots and around some obstacles, but keep in mind that connecting any device to an app entails privacy concerns. To learn more, see our full ratings of robotic vacuums, as well as additional CR coverage like our picks of the best robotic vacuums for pet hair and the best robotic vacuums under $300.
The Bissell SpinWave Hard Floor Expert Wet and Dry vacuum may be the answer to all your cleaning prayers. With a triple cleaning system, this tiny but mighty vacuum-mop combo comes with dual spinning brushes and a rotating brush roll. The powerful suction tackles the worst household debris and pet hair problems. It’s a robotic rival to the Tineco iFloor 3 that we can’t stop raving about thanks to brilliant maneuvering and a unique approach to lifting dirt and set-in gunk.
If you’re choosing between the two most premium robot vacuums money can buy, the S7 MaxV Ultra and the X1 Omni, go with the former if you have a lot of hard flooring and you’re mainly concerned with mopping performance. Roborock’s bot uses sonic vibration technology to scrub your floors 3,000 times per minute, while the X1 Omni’s circular mopping pads spin at 180 revolutions per minute. Both robots left our test floors streak-free and shiny, but the S7 MaxV Ultra is slightly better at deep cleaning. The iRobot Roomba j7+ might induce sticker shock, but it’s one of the smartest standalone robot vacuums you can buy. It uses a built-in camera and machine learning technology to recognize obstacles in its cleaning path in real time, and automatically reroute itself around them.
If it runs low on battery before finishing the job, the robot will return to its base station, charge up, then pick up where it left off. PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering lab-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. The 11S is the most basic and one of the few still available that doesn’t connect to the internet.
You’ve probably noticed that robots are taking over the world, making our lives easier or more efficient with each advancement. From automated bellhops to self-driving cars, and even robots that can perform brain surgery, advances in technology have far outpaced what used to only be possible in science fiction. But while there are so many interesting bots that can make music, transport you and more, the robot vacuum is my personal favorite. This easily obtainable machine takes the backache and the headache out of daily vacuuming.