It’s like the developers left in a bunch of code that makes it think it’s still round. We watched it stubbornly try to shove itself into spaces where it obviously couldn’t fit, roughing up some furniture in the process. This would be annoying in a $400 robot, but it’s especially frustrating in a robot that can sometimes cost more than our favorite dishwasher. Hooman Shahidi, iRobot’s vice president of product development, told Wirecutter that it’s more difficult to get a D-shaped robot like the Roomba s9 to navigate smoothly. IRobot representatives have also told us that they’ve been fixing navigation problems via software update since the robot launched, but recent user reviews suggest the s9’s performance is still inconsistent.
One of the newest designs, the i9 Roomba, comes in a D-shape with a flat edge that smartly tracks into corners to get even more dirt. The self-charging feature makes it easy to recharge the battery once it gets low. For the ultimate hands-off experience, consider a model with a “recharge and resume” feature. Location This app may use your location even when it isn’t open, which can decrease battery life.
After a couple of days the bin only needs emptying once or twice a week, depending on the floor type and size of the cleaning area. In a medium-sized two-bedroom flat, I ended up emptying the bin and cleaning the filters once a week. The bin, filter, full bin sensor, front caster wheel, rotating brush, sensors and battery can all easily be removed for cleaning and replacement when necessary. IRobot Brings Visual Mapping and Navigation to the Roomba 980 by Evan Ackerman and Erico Guizzo.
Just don’t watch it too closely—it acts a little weird sometimes. Shag and other high-pile rugs may have too high a threshold for the robot to pass over, or the fibers could clog the brush. Some models will even feature an automated higher suction setting for deep cleaning carpets. We weren’t able to test any of them before the 2021 holiday season, but we’re confident that the Shark and lower-end Samsung will work similarly to all the other laser-nav robots described in the previous few paragraphs.
In alphabetical order, here are five standouts from CR’s rigorous robotic vacuum tests, across a variety of price ranges and with diverse feature sets. For complete test results and even more options, CR members can see our robotic vacuum ratings. Also, check out our vacuum irobot vacuum cleaner cleaner buying guide to find out how robotics compare with other types of vacuum cleaners. How well a robot vacuum cleans your home depends on many factors. Floors cluttered with obstacles like wires, charging cords, toys, shoes and clothing can stop robots in their tracks.
All Roomba bots, including the i3 EVO, also have a dirt-detection system—another unique feature you can’t find in other brands’ bots. When the Roomba senses that it’s passing over an area with a lot of debris, it’ll stop and make a few passes back and forth to pick up as much as possible. Robot vacuum cleaners often come with one special feature or another, but the Proscenic M8 Pro has a whole raft of them. Not only can it operate as both a vacuum cleaner and a mop, it also comes with a self emptying charging station, which sucks the robot’s collection bin empty when it’s finished cleaning. It has a sophisticated smartphone app that you can use to control and schedule cleans and there are no obvious omissions from its extensive feature list.
A robot vacuum can make a huge difference in your life by cleaning messes for you with the touch of a button, but they can be pricey — at least on the surface. However, the product category is so saturated that it can be difficult to determine which sales are bargains. Today’s robot vacuums can’t clean up as much dirt and debris as traditional upright vacuums. “I think you’d still need a stick or upright vacuum for spots that the robot vac can’t reach,” Ferro said.