IRobot recently introduced an i7 model, which is discounted to $509.99 right now (regularly $699+). With features such as in-app mapping, scheduling and no-go zones, the Neato BotVac D8 was promising. The signature D-shape design of the machine makes it easier to get into corners and edges, and it was the easiest of all the connected vacuums to set up.
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Erica Puisis writes about home products for The Spruce and specializes in interior design and plant care. She’s contributed to Forbes and smart home blogs like Smart Home Solver and TechDigg. The iLife V3S Pro was able to transition easily from a rug to a floor and back up onto the rug without any problem. Because of its low 11.8-inch-by-3-inch profile, it also fits under a dresser that the Shark IQ and iRobot j7+ couldn’t get under.
Even corners and baseboards will get a deep cleaning from the s9, thanks to its specially designed corner brush. Another feature that stands out on the Shark IQ XL is Evacuate and Resume, which is designed for homes with lots of pet hair. Most robot vacuums are reliable when it comes to getting rid of standard household detritus, so you don’t really have to worry about whether or not they’ll be able to suck up lint, dirt, or hair. Since we test all the robot vacuums irobot vacuum cleaner in the same home environment, we check how full dustbins get and whether obvious debris like pet hair and visible dust bunnies are picked up. Most companies in this space advertise power in pascals , the metric unit of pressure, though iRobot doesn’t always make this information easy to find. In general, the higher the Pa the better, especially if you have carpet, but battery life and obstacle avoidance capabilities also play a factor in overall performance.
The 11S isn’t actually any slimmer than the more powerful RoboVac 30C – both of them sit at 2.85-inches thin. It’s cheaper than the 30C and can run for just as long with the same BoostIQ technology to keep the carpets clean too. The only difference you’ll notice in your cleaning between the two bissell crosswave cordless models is that the 11S cuts the suction power to 1300Pa – only 200 difference maximum and at a much lower price tag. You do lose support for smart assistants as well as the Eufy app, however – the 11S ships with a remote you can use to schedule your cleaning and switch your cleaning modes.
While the Roomba i3’s nav system doesn’t come with all the convenient controls that other bots at this price often do , it generally gets the job done without any fuss. The j7+ leaves behind neat rows of just-vacuumed carpeting and the powerful suction of the unit was able to pick up cat litter and pet hair in my bedroom carpeting. Another side effect of the Roomba i3’s approach is that it’s relatively slow compared with bots with smart mapping features.
If you’re hesitant about the price, though, opt for the Roomba e5 (view at Bed Bath & Beyond) instead. We also love that this Roomba for smart homes takes home automation to the next level by using Imprint Link technology to automatically vacuum and mop your floors if you have a compatible Braava Jet machine. Although it’s one of the more affordable Roombas on the market, this model doesn’t skimp on power, consistent suction, or efficient cleaning. This model comes with its own emptying base and maintains intensely powerful suction across floor surfaces.
That map enables a bunch of cool tricks, like targeted room cleaning and no-go zones, without having to manually move the bot or fiddle with physical barriers like you would with other robots, including our other picks. The S4 Max shark cordless isn’t the only robot with a smart-map feature, nor is it the cheapest, nor does it always work perfectly. I’ve written about robot vacuums for Wirecutter since 2013, logging hundreds of hours of research and testing in that time.