Three Reasons Why Your Robot Vac Is Broken (And How To Fix It)

· 6 min read
Three Reasons Why Your Robot Vac Is Broken (And How To Fix It)

Top Rated Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum will keep floors clean enough to reduce the frequency at which you need to manually vacuum. Choose a robot vacuum that has good navigation, has the ability to clean stairs and corners and has large bins that needs to be emptied periodically.

There are models that can mop and charge themselves which can be important for people with pets or children. The top performers in our tests also have decent obstacle avoidance.

1. Roomba iRobot i3+ from iRobot EVO

The i3+ EVO and its i3 EVO sibling the i3 EVO are both identical robots, but they differ in that the i3+ comes with self-emptying features. This makes the i3+ a great option for those looking for an automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but don't mind taking the time to empty their robot's trash bin as it gets full.

Both robots are adept at cleaning up surface debris from carpets and hard floors and they are very good in moving around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates a smart maps of your home to aid the i3+ in its navigation and clean efficiently. However unlike the i7+ and other top-rated robots we tested the i3+ does not have obstacle-avoidance capabilities which means it can get stuck on things such as socks or power cords, and may have issues navigating across surface transitions like hardwood to rug.

iRobot recommends that you tidy the area in which the i3+ EVO vacuums before using it. This includes putting away any toys or clutter it might come across. You should also keep the filters and dust bin clean to prevent them from getting blocked. If the i3+ EVO's internal bin is full or the battery is depleted it goes back to its docking station, automatically empties its dirt into the station's external dustbin and then resumes cleaning where it started. The i3+ EVO's battery lasts for about an hour and a half of continuous use, and it takes about three hours to fully recharge.

2. IRobot Roomba i7+

The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the top model in the iRobot flagship line and has the most up-to-date features. It is self-charging and self-navigating, but the most important feature is its self-emptying bin. This will eliminate the need for regular maintenance.

The Roomba i7+ can remember up to 10 floor plans and their names with Imprint Smart Mapping, which lets it map rooms so it can clean them more efficiently. It also integrates with the iRobot Home app to let you schedule cleaning tasks and control your robot using voice or via the app.

In our testing, the i7+ was quicker and more maneuverable than our top choice which was the eufy RoboVac G30, and it picked up large pieces of pet hair from all surface types, including carpeting. The main advantage it has over the Eufy is the self-emptying bin which removes major maintenance sources and lowers the cost of recurring maintenance.

We were also impressed with the i7+’s compatibility with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We utilized these services to instruct the robot on how to start or stop cleaning sessions, as well as to move around the room, and vacuum a particular area. The iRobot Home App made it easy to connect the i7+ to these services. We were able, once connected, to voice commands to the i7+ for example "Hey Alexa vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home App also offers options for managing i7+ settings and evaluating performance.

3. Dyson Cyclone V10

This tiny Dyson model is an athletic car that is amidst a sea of vacuums powered by cordless that resemble minivans and buses. It is powerful enough to replace a stand-up vacuum in the majority of homes, yet it is also small enough to fit on the bookcase or coffee table.

The V10 is powered by a 7-cell high-energy lithium-ion battery that can provide fade-free power for 60 minutes. Its sophisticated whole-machine filtration system removes allergens, and then releases cleaner air back into your home. The cleaning head is specially designed to drive stiff nylon bristles deep into carpet to suck up large dust and crumbs. It comes with three suction modes to meet the task that is being completed. It is able to swiftly switch between handheld and floor vacuum and vice versa.

This model also has an accessory dock that can charge to 100% in about 3.5 hours and offers easy access to two attachments and the clip for a wand. This is a big improvement over the older Dysons models, which require a lengthy charge and are a pain to store.

The biggest issue with the V10 is its limited run time. As CR's tests have shown, its marketing claims of up to 60 minutes are a bit misleading. This is a typical not an extraordinary time for a battery-powered cordless vac. It's still enough time to get rid of the majority of a home that's average size but not long enough to get every single area (though an additional run-through often does the trick). This model has its own advantages however: it's light and more maneuverable than earlier Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is significantly better on low-pile floor carpet.

4. iRobot Roomba 694"

One of iRobot's most popular robot vacuums, the 694 is a basic model that's a great choice for people who don't want to spend too much on a robot. It could pick up the majority of types of debris and sizes in our testing and often went over the same area multiple times to give a thorough clean. Its flat front end helps to get into corners and along the edges of walls, which is a nice feature.

Its intelligent navigation system makes use of iAdapt technology to steer clear of obstacles and help you navigate your home. However, it isn't equipped with the ability to map that is found in more advanced models, like our top picks, i3+EVO and the j7+ Series. It may get stuck on cords for phones or furniture that is low and often runs out of power before returning to its base.

The Xiaomi Mi robot vacuum is superior to the Roomba 694 in all aspects, as it has fewer components that require regular cleaning It also comes with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter, has lower recurring costs, has more advanced automation capabilities and is more efficient in maneuvering itself. It also has a larger dustbin and charges faster.

The eufy RoboVac X8 has a superior battery life than the Roomba 694. It also comes with physical boundaries strips that can be controlled using the voice assistant on your smartphone. It also feels better-built and has a more powerful motor, and is able to perform better on both bare floors and carpets with a low pile, as well as offering a wider range of features for automation.

5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+

Samsung is a name is found on all kinds of electronic gadgets for your home, so it comes as no surprise that they're also one of the most reputable mop and robot vacuum manufacturers. Jet Bot AI+ has a cutting-edge onboard technology for navigation and obstacle avoidance.

The app provides plenty of options to customize your robotic cleaner, including virtual barriers mopping water levels, behavior modification, docking frequency settings, and much more. The app is simple to learn and use, just like other Samsung devices.

In our tests during our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and it removed 86 percent of dog hair (on carpet). However, it didn't do particularly well at avoiding taller objects like cords and socks which was a disappointment. It's also more expensive than other models that we tested, and this could be a deterrent for some buyers.

robotic vacuum cleaners  lets you access the camera onboard of the smart vacuum. You can also set up live streaming from the robot's cleaning area. This feature allows you check in on your children or pets while you're away. The dustbin and filter are washable for quick, easy cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ also comes with a clean and tidy station that's self-emptying, which helps keep the robot's dustbin clear and optimizes its suction power for each cleaning.

6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum

In contrast to other robotic vacuums which are designed for both hard floors and carpets, Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for hard floors. The robots have an extra wide cleaning path, and a dustbin that is 2X bigger than the competitors. This lets them clean the area for a longer period of time. They also have two side sweepers to clean along edges and corners. The POWERSERIES model includes AutoSense that automatically adjusts the power level according to whether it's cleaning up dirt on the surface or embedded dirt. The vacuum also comes with an app that lets you to view a virtual map, control functions, and schedules. Additionally, you can track the status of the vacuum's battery and then return it to its dock to charge by pressing the button. The app also lets you to personalize the lights on top of the vacuum using different colors, so you can easily tell which areas it's focused on or where it's stuck.


The app allows you to steer the robot manually, if necessary.  robotic vacuum cleaners  living room rug for instance has a dark-colored border that can trip up some other robots. The HRV 425BL, however continued to travel across the border without registering the edge. Also, the ability to program weekly cleaning schedules is a fantastic time-saving feature.