iRobot’s Roomba j7+ is one of the best Roombas because of its obstacle avoidance technology. With this, it can essentially detect everyday objects, such as cables and socks and steer clear of them. The main benefit of this feature is the bot’s ability to avoid pet poop. In fact, iRobot is so confident in the Roomba j7+’s intelligence that it’s introduced the Pet Owner Official Promise (P.

Many vacuums connect to apps that allow you to schedule cleaning sessions, and some even sync with Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant and other digital voice aids for a truly hands-free experience. All robot vacuums will automatically return to their docks to recharge, and some can even pause a cleaning session, recharge and continue cleaning from where they left off.

Users with carpets up to 7 millimeters high don’t even need to remove the mopping pads to vacuum, as the robot intelligently detects carpets and lifts the pads to prevent wetting. (The pads also don’t require removal after every use, thanks to the robot’s self-cleaning and drying mechanism when it returns to its dock.)

✅ You have carpet in your home: We were very impressed with this model's suction powers, which is great news if you need something that can pull dust from carpet.

For mopping robots with reusable pads, it's important to occasionally remove and launder the mopping pads and allow them to dry before re-installing them on the robot. If your robot's charging base doesn't automatically wash and dry the pads between cleanings, you should remove them after every session.

❌ You're dealing with lots of dust: There's no self-empty on the dock, and the small onboard bin will fill up quickly if you're dealing with lots of dirt or hair.

The Samsung JetBot AI+ is packed full of features to say the least, and it's one of the most attractive robot vacuums to grace my floors. This intelligent and gentle cleaner almost acts as a security camera as much as a robot vacuum cleaner.

James has tested robot vacuums of all sorts from the most basic models to the ones so feature-packed that they can be used as a security camera. He appreciates models that can suck up all sorts of debris, clean the edges of rooms, and allow easy room partitioning in-app.

❌ You don't need a mop: There's pelo vacuum-only version of this particular model, so if you don't need the mopping capabilities, look elsewhere in the list.

Another benefit is that robot vacuums are short enough to slip under the bed or couch. Because most feature side brushes to help scoop dirt from corners and edges, they can also vacuum along the walls to clean crevices that you might often skip or that your regular vacuum can’t reach.

Robot vacuums usually don't require much upkeep, but each model will have its own maintenance requirements. There are things you can do to keep your robot working in tip-top shape like removing tangled hair from the brush, emptying the dust bin after each cleaning session, cleaning or replacing the filter and wiping the sensors or cameras to make sure that your robot can Top 3 Automatic Vacuum Cleaners see your home well for the next cleaning session.

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❌ You're dealing with high levels of dirt: This robovac doesn't self-empty dust, and while the onboard bin will compress dust so it can hold a surprisingly large amount, you'll still have to empty it more than you would a traditional self-empty model.

Noah works as a product reviews analyst in the Home Care & Cleaning Lab where he helps design and perform tests on various product categories. He draws on scientific expertise garnered during his time as an environmental researcher, where he managed environmental monitoring equipment, analyzed water samples in a lab and developed protocols for restoration projects. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in environmental science from the University of Wisconsin-Superior.