This review is updated regularly with new models
Last updated: September 21, 2019
Introduction
As known, the first serial Electrolux Trilobite robot vacuum was developed and introduced by the Swedish Electrolux concern in 2002. At the same time, the American iRobot Corporation introduced its first Roomba model.
But after a few years many companies, including Karcher, Samsung, LG, Siemens, etc also interested in the new direction.
Of course, the first models were expensive and provided only partial automation, requiring control and human intervention due to poor overcoming the obstacles, short runtime, dustbin filling, etc. Therefore, initially many people perceived robotic vacuums as a fun toy for children and pets.
But fierce competition contributed to the improvement of devices and a significant reduction in prices. These factors have radically changed the situation. Today this device costs several hundred dollars and really provides a high level of automation with sufficiently high-quality cleaning. As a result, the robot vacuums segment has been actively expanding for more than a decade. Today the market offers a huge number of models, the price and functionality of which varies in a very wide range.
Of course, this factor pleases consumers, but sometimes it complicates the choice of the optimal model. Various TOP-lists greatly simplifies this task. This review offers TOP the best models that are most often on the lists of various experts. It includes:
– Eufy Robovac 11S;
iRobot Roomba i7+ (7550)
In fact, Roomba i7+ is an improved iRobot 980 with Clean Base. These robots have an almost identical design.
A list of their differences includes several aspects. Firstly, the i7+ is lighter than the previous model (7.4 vs 8.7 pounds) and smaller in diameter (13.3 x 13.3 x 3.6 inches vs 13.9 x 13.9 x 3.6 inches). Secondly, now its dustbin is washable.
In fact, the dok has become a major improvement. But the height of new Clean Base reaches 19 inches. Moreover, it additionally requires 5 inches of free space to open the top lid. Of course, it limits the placement, for example, under a shelf. But Clean Base provides Automatic Dirt Disposal. For this purpose, the dock uses its own vacuum, which suctions out debris from dustbin into a sealable bag with a capacity of about 30-bins worth of dirt.
Today, the company sells Clean Base separately for $ 300, enabling iRobot 980 owners to expand its functionality to i7+.
During testing, the i7+ was able to clean a surface of about 5000 sq ft without collisions, maneuvering between furniture legs, under low shelves and overcoming steep thresholds. Additionally, robot picked up 10 grams of dirt per run.
A simple and convenient app provides start, stop and cleaning schedules. Moreover, the robot uses the innovative Smart Maps feature. During cleaning, the robot makes mapping the area, and after multiple cleaning cycles, it marks all rooms. Accordingly, in the future you can specify areas for cleaning. This app can store up to 10-floor plans. Finally, connecting to Alexa or Google Home provides voice control.
Today its price does not exceed $ 1,000.
Eufy Robovac 11S
As known, Robovac 11S (Slim) became the “Best Robot Vacuum of 2018” by Digital Trends. It’s an improved version of the popular Robovac 11 with quiet operation and increased suction power of 1300Pa. “S” means that it’s thinner (height 2.85 vs 3.1 inches) and, accordingly, lighter (5.73 vs 6.66 pounds).
In addition, it’s much cheaper ($ 240 vs $ 390).
This very quiet model (only 55 dB ) picked up 11.6 grams of dirt per run (for comparison, iRobot i7 – 10 grams only). Of course, 11 grams hardly takes your fancy. But programmed for daily automatic cleaning, 11S will be able to collect 80 grams of dirt and pet hair in a week. For comparison, manual cleaning with a full-sized vacuum provides a similar performance.
One battery charge provides runtime of 100 minutes in standard suction mode (for hardwood floors), 60 minutes in BoostIQ mode (carpeting), and 50 minutes in max suction mode on medium-pile carpets.
Unfortunately, it does not use virtual walls and works too slowly due to low efficiency of algorithms for calculating optimal cleaning routes. But robot easily cleans even under low furniture due to the low profile.
Neato Botvac Connected D7
Neato Botvac Connected D7 continues the series of popular Neato Botvac robot vacuums.
D7 belongs to the top segment and costs almost $ 800. But its specs and functionality are well matched to the price. In particular, D7 uses laser-guided mapping, intelligently navigates, 70% larger brush, and supports Alexa Echo / Google Home.
This robot creates a digital floor plan of your home, which allows you to form the trajectories of its movement and the cleaning area with No-Go Lines option via smartphone. Of course, virtual barriers of No-Go Lines technology is significantly more effective vs traditional Virtual Walls. Wherein, Neato company does not have access the maps of your home from D7, which is important for some users in terms of data privacy. In a mapping cycle, device uses infrared beams. Additionally, D7 can also use magnetic strip, for example, in the absence of Wi-Fi. In fact, it’s the new generation of smart models that support a higher level of cleaning automation. Moreover, Neato Botvac robot vacuums use lasers for navigation, which do not require lighting in the rooms.
Side brushes and corner-cleaning ‘D’ design provides effective cleaning of corners. On average, the Neato picked up 9.6 grams of dirt per run or 67 grams in week. In addition, Lithium Ion Battery provides runtime up to 120 minutes.
iLife A4s
This popular model is usually sale for around $ 200 and has a huge amount of rave reviews from users.
The low-profile iLife A4s with a height of only 3 inches easily cleans the surface under low furniture and provides Auto Dock and Rechardes.
In addition, the model uses an efficient the Gen 3 CyclonePower cleaning system with an innovated tangle-free roller brush and two side brushes.
Additionally, the robot uses the highly efficient HEPA-style filter, Battery-saving mode with runtime up to 140 minutes, and supports the schedule option.
During testing, the robot picked up 12.9 grams of dirt per run, which lasted about two hours. For comparison, iRobot 980 ($ 800) only picked up 8.5 grams, but in just 15 minutes of cleaning the same area. This performance difference is due to the efficiency of algorithms for calculating optimal cleaning routes. Of course, the inexpensive iLife A4s is significantly inferior to the top-end iRobot.
Unfortunately, this model does not support virtual walls or any kind of barrier for cleaning area restrictions.
In general, the model perfectly cope with the dry cleaning of hardwood floors for its price. Of course, many people prefer wet cleaning. In this case, the company offers the iLife W400 Floor Washing Scrubbing Robot with dual 0.9L water tank at a price up to $ 300.
EcoVacs Deebot Ozmo 930
As known, this model was first introduced in 2018.
Of course, mopping mode is one of its main pros. Robot uses OZMO Mopping Technology. This system controls innovative electronic water pump based on sensor data. In fact, it provides continuous wetting the washable cleaning cloth on the device bottom from the 300ml water reservoir. But the robot can activate this mode only with a cleaning cloth on the bottom.
In addition, Deebot Ozmo 930 optimizes the suction power depending on the mode (vacuuming / mopping) and floor type using Adaptive Floor Sensing. Accordingly, the robot increases suction power for cleaning carpets, or uses a vacuum and mop combo to clean hard floors deeply and thoroughly. In fact, Adaptive Floor Sensing Technology will double the suction power on carpet when the mopping pad is off. Otherwise, the robot blocks work on the carpet.
Also, this model provides 110 minutes of runtime with options of auto charge and resume clearing from a breakpoint.
During testing, the 930 picked up an average of 8.9 grams of debris per run, which is consistent with performance, for example, iRobot 980.
Of course, smart-options are also a big plus of this model. Today, it can rightfully be positioned as one of the smartest robot vacuum.
With the Ecovacs app on your smartphone, the 930 creates a digital map during the first cleanup. In the future, the screen displays data on the cleaning cycle, including square meters and the duration of the cycle. App can also create virtual barriers, cleaning areas, and number of passes during cleaning within these areas. This app comes with Smart Navi mapping technology, scheduling, and support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Today robot costs about $ 500.
Conclusions
1. Of course, this review covers only a small number of the best modern robot vacuums, which are most often present in the TOP-lists of experts. It does not contain the latest innovative models of 2019 due to their rather high price, and Best Sellers, which mainly depend on price, consumer reviews and the advertising persuasiveness. Nevertheless, it can help to choose a model from among a huge number of various robot vacuums.
2. Today the market offers great models in all price segments. The price of the budget Eufy Robovac 11S and iLife A4s varies around $ 200. With minor flaws, including lack of virtual barriers, non-optimal algorithms, etc, they provide a fairly high cleaning quality and support some Smart-options.
EcoVacs Deebot Ozmo 930 with price around $ 500 has a mopping mode and great Smart features, including creating the digital map, virtual barriers, etc.
Neato Botvac Connected D7 for around $ 800, uses laser-guided mapping, intelligently navigates with No-Go Lines option, 70% larger brush, and supports Alexa Echo / Google Home.
iRobot Roomba i7+ with Clean Base (price about $ 1,000) provides unique Automatic Dirt Disposal option. In addition, the company sells Clean Base separately for $ 300 and it’s compatible with previous iRobot Roomba models. In fact, this feature extends the level of cleaning automation by eliminating the need to manually empty dustbin.
But, of course, the choice of the optimal robot vacuum depends on personal preferences and budget.
We sincerely wish you the Right Solution!
This video demonstrates the operation of OZMO Mopping Technology from EcoVacs.