All iRobot vacuums use a three-stage cleaning system to loosen, lift, and suction dirt and debris; however, the power will vary depending on the Roomba. For instance, the i7 has 10 times the suction power of the 600 series; therefore, users looking for a heftier clean may want to choose a model with this in mind. Few years, no product I’ve tested has advanced as quickly as the humble robot vacuum. Where once they ping-ponged randomly around your kitchen, you can now find robot vacs at every price point with an incredible array of features, including mapping capabilities, self-emptying bins, and even cameras.
Since iRobot’s cleaning fluid and cleaner pads need to be purchased regularly, these items need to factor into the budget. Like the i7, the Roomba i3 has 10 times the power bissell crosswave cordless of the 600 series and coordinates with the iRobot app. The main difference is that this unit doesn’t map specific areas, so it won’t be able to recognize different zones.
A self-emptying (or auto-emptying) robot vacuum comes with a big charging dock, which sucks debris out of the robot through a trapdoor in the dustbin, and stores it in a disposable bag or bagless bin . Instead of emptying your bot’s bin after every cleaning session, you only have to empty the dock every month or two. The Eufy RoboVac X8 seems to be a fine laser-nav robot vacuum based on our testing, but it’s relatively expensive and doesn’t offer meaningful bissell crosswave cordless improvements over the cheaper models. Its defining feature is supposed to be its strong suction, with two turbines pulling 2,000 pascals each (whereas most laser-nav bots have a single turbine and less than 2,500 pascals of suction total). That’s fine, but it’s still a tiny fraction of the suction you’d get from a traditional vacuum and only makes the X8 a marginally better cleaner than a much more affordable robot, like the Roborock S4 Max.
Even inexpensive models have fall-detection sensors that keep them from tumbling down stairs. Consider the Roborock S7 if you’re looking for a robot vacuum that can easily maneuver its way around your home, even in the absence of any ambient light. This high-end robot vacuum’s LIDAR mapping system lets the vacuum generate a precise map of its coverage area. This allows you to use its companion app to pinpoint specific areas you want the vacuum to clean, set up ‘no-go’ zones the vacuum won’t enter, or even remote control it if it gets stuck.
Sign up for Lab Report to get the latest reviews and top product advice delivered right to your inbox. You could save some money by using third-party filters, which are extremely unlikely to harm the bot, but you may void your warranty if you happen to send in your bot for repairs with one of them in the filter slot. The Eufy RoboVac G30 Edge, Roborock E4, and Ecovacs dyson robot vacuum Deebot 601 all use a similar nav system as the Roomba i3 EVO, but we seriously doubt that they’ll be as durable as the Roomba. We’ve also discovered that, as of late 2021, several other brands are selling near-copies of the Eufy bots. The Eufy 11S is not meant to be taken apart and put back together—major repairs are impossible without breaking parts of the robot.
Roomba is a series of autonomous robotic vacuum cleaners sold by iRobot. Introduced in September 2002, they have a set of sensors that enable them to navigate the floor area of a home. These sensors can detect the presence of obstacles, particularly dirty spots on the floor, and steep drops (e.g., to avoid falling down stairs). Unfortunately, it’s worth noting that this vacuum has a hard time dealing with pet hair on carpets, but thankfully it clears most of it on bare floors. Also, even though it has a HEPA post-motor filter, fine particles can still escape from its exhaust. It’s also somewhat pricey, and if you’re looking for a more affordable alternative, the Neato D8 is worth a look.
The simplest robots can be programmed to run on a schedule using on-device controls. Smarter models can be controlled with phone apps or even smart speakers. Generally speaking, the smarter a vacuum the better, because the technology is coming down in price and offers not just easier cleaning, but options to target specific zones instead of an entire floor. That can be handy if someone makes a mess but you don’t want a robot roaming around for the next hour. Kyvol calls its E20 model “the best entry-level robot vacuum” — and our experts agree! It offers plenty of high-end features at a price that’s hard to pass up.
The Roomba Dirt Dog contained sweeping brushes and a larger dust bin, but lacked the vacuum motor, using the space that would be required for the vacuum for additional dust bin volume. The Roomba Model 401 was similar but had a standard-size dust bin and vacuum system. All models have dyson robot vacuum a patented design using pair of brushes or rollers, rotating in opposite directions, to pick up debris from the floor. In some models, the brushes are followed by a squeegee vacuum, which directs the airflow through a narrow slit to increase its speed in order to collect fine dust.