That means it doesn’t miss many spots or waste much time recleaning the same areas, as our budget picks, or other low-end models that navigate semi-randomly, usually do. And it doesn’t get stuck on obstacles like thresholds or power cables often. 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. Many Roombas will easily transition from carpeting to solid flooring such as hardwoods or tile; however, shoppers who have thicker carpet may want to choose options with higher suction, a larger dustbin, and a longer battery life.
The Shark IQ Robot XL also stands out for its self-cleaning brushroll, which in our testing successfully prevented hair from getting wrapped around it, a common problem with many robot vacuums. Moreover, it delivered strong suction power, effectively cleaning dust, debris, and pet hair from hard flooring and carpet, and it never got stuck. It offers a number of useful smart features, including home mapping for targeted room cleaning and virtual no-go zones. The Eufy RoboVac 11S and other Eufy bots whose model names begin with a number instead of a letter stand out as some of the quietest robot vacuums we’ve tested. They’re also some of the shortest, so they can fit beneath more pieces of furniture. Like the Roomba 694, the Eufy 11S is semi-random in its navigation, so it’s best for cleaning just a few rooms at a time.
Additionally, some units can be adapted to perform more creative tasks using an embedded computer in conjunction with the Roomba Open Interface. One caveat is that the i3+ EVO’s mapping capabilities are limited to a single floor. Its more expensive siblings, on the other hand, can remember multiple floors, which is useful if you have a multi-level home.
Some people are comfortable using a robot as their only floor-cleaning vacuum , though bot owners tend to also own a traditional vacuum that they use to deep-clean their rugs on occasion. Really, any model in the Roomba 600 series is a good choice, since they are all strong cleaners, especially on rugs, thanks to the dual-brush and dirt-detection systems. They are also sturdier than any bump-and-run models from any other brand we’ve tested, which more than offsets the Roomba line’s slightly higher sticker price.
Those who want their Roomba to cover more square footage may prefer a model with a longer battery life, or perhaps two robots to cover different zones or floors. When compared to the other robot vacuums, its performance was lackluster and did not earn an award in our guide. Through testing, irobot vacuum cleaner we found that it didn’t do a great job getting stubborn flour “dust” out of crevices between floorboards , and it tended to not grab our “crumbs” of rice very well. As there are other models with more suction power on the market, consider skipping this base model for an upgraded option.
Keep reading to learn about some of the key considerations when choosing a Roomba, and see our hands-on evaluation results later in this article. Most Roomba models are of a disk shape, measuring 338–353 millimetres (13.3–13.9 in) in diameter and 86–94 millimetres (3.4–3.7 in) high depending on the model. The S9 and S9+ robots are D-shaped rather than circular, with the flat part of the D at the front, and are narrower at 311 millimetres (12.2 in) wide. A large contact-sensing mechanical bumper is mounted on the front half of all models, with an omnidirectional infrared sensor at its top front center.
Some models will even feature an automated higher suction setting for deep cleaning carpets. To pick up pet hair, you need a robot vacuum with strong suction power. Most companies in this space advertise power in pascals , the metric unit of pressure, though iRobot doesn’t always make this information easy to find. In general, the more power, the better, especially if you have carpet, but battery life and obstacle avoidance capabilities are also important factors. Some robot vacuums, including versions of our pick, the iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO, and our also-great pick, the Roborock Q5+, are self-emptying (or auto-emptying). They each come with a big charging dock that sucks debris out of the robot through a trapdoor in the dustbin and stores the debris in a disposable bag or a bagless bin .
When the dustbin is full, the unit will dispose of its contents in the included automatic dirt disposal base. Its hands-off, corner cleaning, self-emptying features make it a prime pick if doing one more pass for dog and cat hair tumbleweeds brings tears. The first robot vacuum that ranked high in our testing has standard features such as iRobot’s three-stage cleaning system and dirt detector sensors paired with advanced suction power and smart navigation.
The early generation models were noted for using a random algorithm for achieving a total room coverage.A small vacuum empties into a removable dustbin, which has rotation brushes to aid collection. It has several sensors including a bumper that detects collision and an infrared sensor on top to respond to a “virtual wall”. Most robot vacuums are reliable when it comes to getting rid of standard household detritus, so you don’t have to worry about whether they can suck up lint, dirt, or hair. Since we test all the robot vacuums in the same home environment, we check how full the dustbins get and whether the robot picks up obvious debris like pet hair and dust bunnies. Some of the most advanced robot vacuums, such as the iRobot Roomba j7+, feature a camera and artificial intelligence technology to automatically identify and avoid obstacles like shoes, toys, and even pet waste. Premium models may also function as a roving home security camera, letting you view live video of your home from wherever you are.