If you've ever wanted to get a robot vacuum, now is the time to get one. CNET's best-rated models will be available for Black Friday and Cyber Monday with discounts as high as 57%.
The Roborock Q7 Max is a powerful robot that has smart mapping and app-based no-go zones. Its 180-minute running time is impressive. It also self-empties itself and automatically refills its water tank.
1. iRobot Roomba j7+
The Roomba J7+ is iRobot's smartest robot vacuum to date. Its biggest innovation, however, is its camera-based obstacle-detection system. This uses AI to detect objects such as charging cables and shoes. It's the first robot to provide you with a picture of an object that it encounters, so that you can tell that it is safe to avoid it.
The Combo j7+ is also the most efficient mop robot we've ever tested, removing dirt and spills with ease without leaving any trace that was there. The iRobot application makes it simple to control. It can schedule cleanings and create Keep Out Zones so that it doesn't vacuum in areas you don’t want. It's also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can turn it on and off using your voice.
The design is also better than the competition. It features a sleek, top piece that resembles a toy rather than the loud and annoying robot. The Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal System is self-emptying and is ideal to reduce the time spent cleaning.
In our tests, we discovered that the j7+ quickly removed dust, dirt, and pet hair. Its counter-rotating rubber brush rolls kept the debris in one spot rather than sending it scattering all over the floor. It was able capture sand, small gravel and even a tiny bit of grit. Most robots can't do this. And it did all this without getting tangled up in our pet's hair shed.
While it's not quite as smart as the $1,217 Roomba s9+ Auto-Emptying Vacuum, which isn't able to clean stairs, the j7+ is still an excellent option for those who require both mopping and a vacuum in their home. It's not expensive and the iRobot App makes it easy to use.
While the iRobot Home app is very easy to use, we've found it to be less reliable than other applications that utilize robotic cleaners. It can take some time to download updates, and it can be difficult to tell if they are functioning until you actually witness them in action.
2. Roborock Q5+
If you are looking for a robot vacuum cleaner that does more than simply clean your floors then a hybrid is the best option. This type of robot typically has a built-in water tank that allows them to mop and vacuum your home at the same time. They also have a number of extra features, including smart mapping, small obstacle avoidance and even the ability to dry and wash mopping pads. The disadvantage is that they tend to be expensive at retail price, but on Black Friday and Cyber Monday they are often reduced in price.
Roborock makes several of our top robotic vacuums and the Q5+ doesn't disappoint. It's their most affordable auto-empty model, and while it doesn't have some of the features you'll find on higher-end models (like no-go zones and multi-story memory) it's still an excellent choice if you're willing to sacrifice a little to save hundreds of dollars.
The Q5+ is exceptionally soft when it comes to obstacles like table legs and walls. This makes it an excellent option for homes with a lot of furniture. It is also very thorough in cleaning dust bunnies. This is an area that most robot vacuums of lower quality do not excel in. The technology used to navigate in the Q5+ is superb and has very few missed corners and along walls.
The Q5+, as with other Roborock products, can be controlled by only a few buttons on your device or via the Roborock App. With the app you can start and stop cleanings or schedules, establish virtual barriers and no-go zones, and alter your home map, or change the labels of rooms.
If you choose to purchase the Q5+, it comes with a new auto-empty dock, which was designed specifically to make this robot simple to maintain. Installing it requires a screwdriver, but once it's installed emptying the bin can be accomplished with relative ease. It features a large LCD screen that is very useful when setting up schedules and altering settings. This feature isn't required for everyone, but it can help you to keep track of the Robot vac's maintenance schedules.
3. Narwal Freo X Ultra
The Freo X Ultra is a well-rounded robot mop and vacuum that's incredibly clever in its mopping and vacuuming capabilities. Its design and functionality are among the top available - but it's also pricey.
The base station is attractive and hides it when not in use, and the size is quite compact. But the station's main selling feature is the way it automatizes various tasks and functions that other robots leave up to you. It stores clean and dirty water, it electrolyzes and heats the water (which the majority of other robots require you to do) also emptying the dustbin after vacuuming, and keeps your robot clean and charged.
Its vacuuming performance is quite impressive and efficient, too. It's one of the few robot vacuums I've tested that do an excellent job of picking up debris on plain floors, and is not nearly as loud as the more expensive Roomba 980 or iRobot the 900 series.
The Freo X Ultra is not free of faults, especially in the area of navigation. Its laser sensors and LiDAR sensors aren't as reliable and reliable as other robovacs. This means it could get stuck or confused in certain corners or rooms in the home. It's also not able to climb stairs as well as other competitors and doesn't come with a docking station to create a cleaning zone for carpets that are soft.
The Freo X Ultra robot vacuum and mop is a great choice for those who want a robot vacuum that does everything.
If you're looking for a way to save money or don't mind the limitations of the robot, there are plenty of other options available. A lot of eufy models are substantially less. The eufy Qrevo Curv, for example is less expensive and offers the same experience in the app, but with more features, including stair climbing, a full-function dock, and superior overall performance when vacuuming floors and low and high-pile carpets.
4. Eufy RoboVac G30
Eufy, a Anker company has a proven track record of producing robot vacuums that strike the right balance between performance, features and price. The G30 Hybrid offers a powerful cleaning on hard and carpet floors, as well as mopping functions at a reasonable price. It's easy to set up simply by snapping one of the side brushes on, turn it on, and plug it into the charging dock. The app will guide you through the steps needed to connect your G30 to your Wi-Fi. You'll need to place the dock close to an electrical outlet and ample space to allow it to move however.
The G30 is small, 2.85 inches tall to be exact It will fit under many couches and other furniture with a low clearance. Its design isn't as ostentatious compared to some rival models. It has a sleek black finish with three buttons that are physical for Auto Cleaning start/pause (which scrubs the area in a spiral fashion over two minutes) Recharge, and Spot Cleaner. It is also possible to connect the G30 with Amazon Alexa or Google Home to use voice commands to do routine cleaning tasks that are not scheduled.
The way the G30 cleans is what separates it from its competitors. It makes use of an integrated map to draw an image of the unmovable items that are in its path. It keeps track of what it has already cleaned and what it is unable to access. If it requires a recharge, it returns to its starting point and begins cleaning from where it began.
The sleek G30 isn't without faults, though. The iRobot Roomba is more durable and has lower monthly costs. It charges faster, has a similar battery life, and is more effective on bare floors or low-pile carpet. It comes with a larger dust bin, which doesn't require the same amount of emptying. It also has boundaries that prevent it from certain areas. The G30 is, on the other hand is less expensive and is much easier to maintain. Its smaller dust container does not require emptying as often and it struggles less with heavy materials such as cereal.
