This is your chance to own a robot vacuum. CNET's top-rated models are available for sale this Black Friday and Cyber Monday, with savings of up to 57%..
The Roborock Q7 Max is a powerful robot with smart mapping and app-based no go zones. Its run time of 180 minutes is impressive. It also automatically replenishes and self-empties its water tank.1. Roomba j7+ iRobot from iRobot.
The Roomba j7+, iRobot’s most advanced robot to date is the Roomba j7+. The most significant innovation, however, is its camera-based obstacle-detection system. It makes use of AI to recognize objects like charging cords and shoes. It's the first robot to send you a picture of an object that it encounters, so you can instruct the robot to avoid it.
The Combo j7+ is also the most effective mop-bot we've ever tested, removing dirt and spills with ease and leaving no trace that it was there. The iRobot app makes it easy to control. You can schedule cleanings, and also create Keep Out Zones to ensure that it doesn't clean in areas that you don't would like. And it's compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can control it from start to stop with your voice.
Its design is also superior to the rest and features a sleek, top piece that appears more like a toy rather than a loud, loud one. Clean Base Automatic Dirt disposal System is also self-emptying which will cut down your cleaning time.
In our tests, we found that the j7+ was quick to took away dirt, dust, and pet hair. Its counter-rotating rubber brush rolls kept the debris in one place rather than sending it scattering across the floor. It even could catch small gravel and sand that other robots aren't able to do. And all this without getting caught in our pet's hair shed.
Although it's not as smart as the $1,217 iRobot Roomba s9+ Self-Emptying Vacuum and can't clean stairs, the J7+ is an excellent choice for those who need both mopping and a vac in their home. It's not too expensive and the iRobot App makes it simple to use.
While the iRobot Home app is very user-friendly however, we've found it to be less reliable than other apps that work with robotic cleaners. It can take some time to download updates, and at times it's hard to determine whether the update actually functioning until you've seen it in the action.
2. Roborock Q5+
When you're looking for an automated vacuum cleaner that can do more than just clean floors, your most effective option is likely to be a hybrid. These machines are equipped with a tank of water so they can vacuum and mop simultaneously. They also come with a variety of additional features, such as smart mapping, small obstacle avoidance, and even the capability to wash and dry mopping pads. They're expensive at retail, but they often lower prices on Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
Roborock is one of our top robot vacuums and the Q5+ isn't an exception. This is their least expensive auto-empty model. While it lacks 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 a few hundred dollars.
The Q5+ is exceptionally soft when it comes to obstacles like tables and walls. This makes it an excellent option for homes with lots of furniture. It's also extremely thorough when it comes to getting rid of dust bunnies which is a place which many robot vacuums often fall short. The technology used to navigate in the Q5+ is excellent as well, with only a few misses in corners and on walls.
Like other Roborock devices like the Q5+, the Q5+ can be controlled using a few buttons on the device itself or via the Roborock app. The app lets you start and stop cleanings and schedules, as well as create virtual barriers and no-go zones, and adjust your home map or change the labeling of rooms.
If you opt for the Q5+, it comes with a new auto-empty dock that's specifically designed to make the robot easy to maintain. It requires a screwdriver install, but once it's installed, the process of emptying the bin is relatively simple. It also comes with a large LCD display which is great to have when creating schedules or changing settings. This feature isn't required for the majority of people, but it can help to keep the robot's maintenance schedules.
3. Narwal Freo X Ultra
The Freo X Ultra is a well-rounded robot mop and vacuum that's incredibly intelligent in its mopping and vacuuming capabilities. Its design is one of the top in the market however, it's costly.
It's a small base station that looks stunning and is easily hidden when not in use. But the station's biggest selling point is how it automates various tasks and functions that other robots will leave to you. It can store clean and dirty water, electrolyzes and heats the water (which many other robots require you to do), empties the dustbin after vacuuming, and keeps your robot charged and clean.
And its vacuuming is impressive as well. It's the few robovacs I've tried that does very well at collecting debris from plain floors, and is not nearly as loud as the more expensive Roomba 980 or iRobot 900 series.
However, the Freo X Ultra has its shortcomings, particularly when it comes to navigation. The laser and LiDAR sensors aren't as reliable as some other robovacs. This means it is sometimes stuck or confused in certain areas of your home. It's also not able to climb stairs as well as other models and isn't equipped with a docking station to create a clean zone for plush carpets.
The Freo X Ultra robot vacuum and mop is an excellent option for those looking for a robot vacuum that does it all.
If you're looking to save money, or just don't care about the limitations of this machine, there are plenty of alternatives on the market, including a lot of eufy models for significantly less. The eufy Qrevo Curv, for instance is less expensive and offers the same experience in the app, but with more features, including stairs, a fully-function dock, and superior overall vacuuming performance on bare floors and low and high-pile carpets.
4. eufy RoboVac G30
Eufy, a Anker company, has a track record of creating robot vacuums that strike a good balance between features, performance and price. The G30 Hybrid offers a powerful cleaning on hard and carpet floors, as well as mopping functions at an affordable price. It's easy to set it up, simply snap on one of the side brushes, turn it on and plug in your charging dock. The app will guide you through the steps needed to connect your G30 to your Wi-Fi. You'll need to leave the dock near an outlet for power and plenty of room to allow it to move but.
The G30 is a tiny device, measuring 2.85 inches in height, which means it will be placed under most couches and low-clearance pieces of furniture. Its design is less ostentatious than some rival models, and features sleek black finishes and three physical buttons: Auto Cleaning start/pause, Recharge, and Spot Cleaning (which cleans the area in spiral patterns for 2 minutes). You can also connect the G30 to Amazon Alexa or Google Home for voice commands to perform routine cleaning tasks that are not scheduled.
The most important characteristic that makes the G30 apart from its competitors is the method it cleans. It uses an integrated map to draw an image of the immovable objects in its path. It can remember the things it has cleaned and the areas it was unable to access. It automatically returns to the base to recharge and continues cleaning the area it left.
The elegant G30 has a few flaws. The iRobot Roomba 675 is much better built, incurs lower recurring expenses, charges faster and offers similar battery life. It also offers better performance on floors with no carpet and low-pile carpet. It comes with a larger dust bin that doesn't require as much emptying. It also comes with boundaries that prevent it from certain areas. The G30 is cheaper and easier to maintain. Its smaller container means it doesn't need to be emptied as often, and it has less difficulty handling bulky products such as cereal.
