For starters, let’s consider what a robot vacuum gives you and what features actually matter. IRobot has long been known for its high-quality vacuums, using dyson robot vacuum smart technology to take the work out of vacuuming. However, with several models available, it can be hard to tell the difference, but we can help.
Its cleaning prowess is largely unmatched thanks to the decades of experience iRobot has in this space, and it’s one of the easiest robot vacuums to use. The next important task for a robot vacuum is to cover as much ground as possible, as efficiently as possible. Plenty of models (including our picks) can reliably clean homes, both small and large, by moving in an orderly shark cordless path throughout the home and making a map of where they have or haven’t been. Bots rarely miss patches or waste time recleaning areas that they’ve already visited. If their batteries run low before they can finish cleaning an entire level of a home, they’re smart enough to drive back to their dock, recharge for a few hours, and then pick up where they left off.
Plus, the battery life is 90 minutes, which is competitive with higher-end picks, and you’re able to customize your cleaning schedule so you can come home to clean, sparkling floors. However, it builds on this with an Auto-Empty Station and will automatically empty the onboard 14.2oz / 420ml dust canister into a disposable bag after every clean. So you only have to worry about emptying the robot vacuum once a month or so. We found it sucked up fine dust and larger debris on hard floors on the lowest power setting but required the highest suction setting to remove the most visible traces of flour from medium pile carpets. The i3+ EVO offers 10 times the suction power of the entry-level Roomba 600 series, and in testing did a good job of removing dirt from hard floors and carpet. When it finds an especially dirty area, it automatically goes into Dirt Detect mode and moves over the offending spot multiple times until it’s sufficiently clean.
Instead of emptying your bot’s bin after every cleaning session, you have to empty the dock only every month or two. Every bot we’ve tested—even the latest models with sophisticated navigation and smart-home integration—has gotten trapped or tangled at least occasionally. The Roomba 677 robot vacuum is a great way to begin cleaning your home smarter. It learns your cleaning habits and then offers up custom cleaning schedules—taking on daily dirt, dust, and debris from carpets and hard floors.
While not the case for every robot we tested, we found some models that were able to reach into nooks and crannies, and manoeuvre around furniture with ease – a task that many regular vacuums also struggle with. Depending on the model you are using, your robot cleaner can run a total of 60 to 120 minutes on a single charge. According to the company’s test lab, a unit with VSLM can clean up to 2,000 square feet on a 120-minute charge. Designs that offer a Boost or shark cordless Turbo mode are ideal if you have thick-pile carpets or rugs as they ensure you can temporarily increase the suction power, ensuring no fur remains after cleaning. Robot vacuum cleaners can cost anything from between $200 / £150 for models such as the Eufy RoboVac 11S to well over $1000 / £1000 for models such as the iRobot Roomba S9+. We rate each robot vacuum on how easy it was to empty, how loud it was in use, and how long the battery lasted between charges.