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12EUFY ROBOVAC 30C $300
Eufy’s RoboVac 30C uses a simple “bump-
and-go” navigation technique, which
heads in one direction until it knocks into
something. Because of this, the 30C takes
longer to clean, though it costs much less
than others with mapping and advanced
navigation features. In our test, it picked
up all the flour, rice, beans, and sawdust
in 20 minutes. Because it cleans by time
and not by how big a room is, it continued
cleaning for another 31 minutes before
we sent it back to its charging base. Its
remote control can use all features except
scheduling, which requires the free Eufy-
Home app. The provided magnetic strips
used to set exclusion zones worked ade-
quately. The RoboVac 30C is a relatively
inexpensive and effective, albeit simple,
vacuum that’s best for individual rooms
and smaller homes due to the longer time
it takes to clear an area.
iROBOT ROOMBA i7+ $800Navigating with vSLAM, the i7+ constantly
logs landmarks in your home to under-
stand where it’s been and where it hasn’t.
It was the fastest, most efficient model we
tested, vacuuming effectively in an orderly
fashion. With smart mapping turned on
via the iRobot Home app, the i7+ learns
the floor plan and builds a map so you can
set it to schedule, prioritize, or skip spe-
cific areas. The i7+ sucked up sawdust,
flour, rice, and kidney beans in 17 min-
utes. When the battery gets low, the i7+
returns to its base to recharge and empty
its bin into a disposable bag. We were able
to schedule or initiate impromptu vacuum-
ing through the app by pressing the button
on top, or by voice command when the i7+
was linked to Alexa and Google Assistant.ROBOROCK S6 MAXV $750Just released this June, the Robo-
rock S6 MaxV is the first robot
vac available with a poop-avoid-
ance system. ReactiveAI obstacle
avoidance can identify common
obstacles based on learning devel-
oped using thousands of images.
The S6 MaxV navigates using a
combination of LiDAR, vSLAM
(visual Simultaneous Localiza-
tion and Mapping), as well as
infrared imaging in the dark to cre-
ate sophisticated maps and then
sweep through the room in an
orderly, efficient fashion. It can
also mop as methodically as it can
vacuum. The app allows you to
store up to four floor maps, cre-
ate cleaning schedules, set which
rooms are cleaned first, and iden-
tify no-go zones for vacuuming
and mopping. If you have pets that
occasionally have accidents or you
leave shoes in the middle of the
floor, the S6 MaxV will give you
peace of mind when away.SAMSUNG POWERBOT R7260 PLUS $899Unlike other robot vacuums, Samsung’s POWERbot has a flat front with a rotating
brush that extends the full width of the unit, which means it will reach square into
corners from both walls—without any side brushes—and then work its way through
the rest of a space in a neat pattern. We noticed it had a lot of, well, power, push-
ing things it bumped into on hard floors more than the other vacuums—especially
when backing up. As far as cleaning goes, the POWERbot did equally well on carpet
and laminate, and it adjusts its suction power according to different surfaces. Sam-
sung provides a remote that can direct the vacuum to specific spots and schedule
daily cleaning, while the app offers more flexible cleaning schedules where you can
set the days of the week individually. Its setting specifically for pet hair, along with
its powerful suction and ability to get into corners, makes it a strong option for peo-
ple with furry family members.82 November/December 2020COURTESYEUFY;^ COURTESY^ IROBOT;^COURTESYROBOROCK;^ COURTESY^ SAMSUNG