Odds are at some point you have had to spend a large chunk of time pushing a vacuum around your home, which may have left you tired, not to mention sneezing from the dust. Thankfully, technology has come to your rescue, with lighter and more powerful ones that get the job done faster and with less of a workout, and even self-steering motorized models that do it all for you. These are four of CNET’s top picks.
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Neato Botvac Connected Robot Vacuum
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/neato-botvac-connected-robot-vacuum/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 (Outstanding)
The good: The Neato Botvac Connected is the best-performing robot vacuum we’ve ever tested. The new Neato app is well-designed and easy to use, and finally brings remote control functionality to the Botvac line.
The bad: At $700 list price, it’s the most expensive Neato yet — $200 more than the previous generation. We also encountered a few usability quirks during testing.
The cost: $578.00 to $699.00
The bottom line: The Neato Botvac Connected is better at cleaning floors than any other robot vacuum on the market, and it costs less than its app-enabled rival, the iRobot Roomba 980. If you’re willing to live without remote controls, you can save some money by sticking with the previous generation of Neatos — but we think this one’s worth the splurge.
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iRobot Roomba 880
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/irobot-roomba-880/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4.0 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
The good: The iRobot Roomba 880 replaces its predecessor’s bristly brushes with rubbery “extractors” as part of the new AeroForce cleaning system. This brushless technology removes debris better than previous iterations and keeps maintenance to a minimum.
The bad: The bin is supposedly larger than in previous Roomba models, but it still fills up too quickly when you’re dealing with dust and shedding pets. That, and it costs $699.
The cost: $999.99 to $1,334.92
The bottom line: The Roomba 880 is the most well-rounded, capable bot we’ve encountered so far, but the $449 Neato Robotics XV Signature Pro still wins the pet hair performance test on all flooring surfaces.
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Neato XV Signature Pro
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/neato-robotics-xv-signature-pro/review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4.0 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
The good: The Neato XV Signature Pro is simple to use, and it outperformed the competition in almost all of our cleaning tests, at substantial cost savings.
The bad: Compared with other robot vacuums, the Neato is a bit boring and feature-light.
The cost: $449.00 MSRP
The bottom line: The Neato offers unmatched value in its field. Its performance, simplicity, and price make it an excellent choice for buyers seeking an effective, low-maintenance robot vacuum.
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Hoover Platinum Collection Linx Cordless Stick Vacuum
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/hoover-bh50010-linx-cordless-stick-vacuum-cleaner/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4.0 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
The good: The Hoover Platinum Collection Linx cordless stick vacuum impressed us with its strong performance. Even Dyson’s $499.99 DC59 fell short in comparison.
The bad: This model doesn’t come with brush attachments or any other special features — it’s just a stick vacuum. It also doesn’t have as much character as Dyson’s colorful DC59.
The cost: $129.00 to $149.00
The bottom line: The Hoover Linx isn’t fancy, but it will clean your floors better than most of the other stick models we tested. Combine that with its reasonable price and you have one of our favorite vacuums to date.
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The following CNET staff contributed to this story: Senior Associate Editor Ry Crist, Senior Associate Editor Megan Wollerton and Senior Editor Laura K. Cucullu. For more reviews of personal technology products, please visit www.cnet.com.
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