It’s no longer one of iRobot’s “core” models and isn’t available through as many retailers as others, but you can still find it in plenty of places for now. The functionally identical Roomba i6 is also common, as are the auto-emptying Roomba i6+ and Roomba i8+. To test the obstacle-recognition feature on some new high-end robots, we use a variety of objects, including shoes, pet bowls, cat toys, and cords. We’ve even put a fake dog turd in the path of a robot vac to see if it can avoid smearing the mess all over the floor. In addition to all the testing, this guide includes feedback from dozens of bot owners who live in all kinds of homes and households. This tried-and-true robot vacuum is much more durable and repairable than similar bots from other brands and is better at cleaning rugs, too.
Roombas that include cameras and mapping will get to know the environment and potential obstacles, then utilize that data to create adaptive cleaning patterns. Those without cameras and smart mapping rely on sensors to feel their way around, moving in neat rows for cleaning. Previously a base model to consider, the newer options offer better power and more functionality shark cordless than this Roomba. The E5 is a midrange option with five times the suction power of the 600 series, but still slightly less than the i7 and i3. It lacks smart mapping but features advanced sensors to help it navigate around furniture and along edges. The cleaning time depends on room size and, for models equipped with dirt sensors, volume of dirt.
It also features a self-emptying dustbin, good battery life, impressive obstacle avoidance, and strong vacuum suction power. Although robot vacuums are weaker than traditional vacuums, they can reliably pick up most kinds of floor debris, and they work on most bare floors and carpets. Shark’s non-laser robots are reasonably priced and look great on paper but are just okay in the real world. They’re also pretty loud on bare floors, sounding sort of like a two-stroke lawn mower puttering in the distance. To their credit, they seem to be strong cleaners, particularly on bare floors. However, we don’t think chasing the very best cleaning performance is worthwhile.
We’ve also discovered that, as of late 2021, several other brands are selling near-copies of the Eufy bots. Under the Settings menu are even more customization options, such as turning the robot to Do Not Disturb mode or telling it to charge during certain hours. We spoke with sources in the floor-care manufacturing industry to help make sense of all the low-cost, off-brand options.
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. In addition, robot vacuums have reached the point where they’re just as powerful and effective as regular vacuums. The robots here combine spinning brush rolls and side brushes to clean your home just as well as their upright equivalents. And they’re slim enough to travel underneath most couches and tables, so you don’t have to rearrange furniture. Its battery life is just okay, but the RoboVac G30 smartly navigates your home, cleaning in orderly lines instead of randomly ping-ponging from wall to wall like some other affordable models.
For example, you can’t use Siri to set up Automations as you can with Alexa and Google Assistant—though to be fair, Automations on those two platforms are pretty limited, as well. Using Alexa, Rachel was able to create an automated Routine that would tell the Roomba i3 EVO to start vacuuming whenever Rachel and her smartphone left her house. However, as with most robot vacuums, you could also set a Schedule to accomplish these tasks. For every robot vacuum, we run at least two regular cleaning cycles across about 1,000 square feet, with lots of obstacles and thresholds.
On that note, there is still a place in the world for cheaper robots that rely on semi-random navigation. (We like to call it bump-and-run navigation.) If you need to clean only a few rooms at a time , one of these models can get the job done. Besides, most good robots at all prices are pretty good at avoiding bot-trapping obstacles. And bot owners tend to get in the habit of picking up the kinds of floor-bound clutter that can create a problem—toys, shoes, laundry, even certain lightweight floor mats—so that the robot can work effectively. We also tested the Kyvol Cybovac S31, along with its auto-emptying dock, and it was perfectly decent .
It’s a nimble navigator that rarely gets stuck, though it works best when it has to clean only a few rooms at a time. The owner’s manual for each device clearly outlines how to perform regular maintenance shark cordless like cleaning cameras and emptying dustbins. Via the app, Roombas also will inform users when and how to perform other maintenance such as removing, cleaning, or replacing rollers or brushes.