The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Keeping your floors clean isn't always simple, but robot vacuums help. The best ones will remove dirt, crumbs and shed pet hair and more.
Although they're not as well as the regular vacuum cleaner, they've made significant progress in the past few years. They're smarter, more powerful and (marginally) better at avoiding chairs.
Smart Mapping
Utilizing navigational tools like sensors and lasers, robot vacuum cleaners navigate around your home, suctioning pet hair, crumbs, and dirt into their bins from hard floors like laminate, wood and tile and also low-pile carpets and area rugs. Robots that are the most advanced map your home so they know where they've been and how to avoid hitting obstacles like sofas, chairs and bookshelves. You can also set up no-go areas on your smartphone to tell your robot to avoid areas you don't want it to clean.
Robots with advanced mapping capabilities like the Roomba J7, use onboard camera and processor-powered intelligence to avoid and detect obstacles. This means that you can leave it to do a thorough cleaning without having to continuously be checking the status of your floorplan, or manually move obstacles out of the robot's path. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus is a robotic that does mopping and vacuuming, so it's an all-in-one solution to keep your home clean. It has a fantastic suction feature and can be used with Alexa or Google Assistant. It also comes with a handy self-emptying feature that can be used as an alarm camera.
Roborock Q Revo, a less expensive robot that vacuums, mop and is also an automated trashcan is a great option for homes that don't have the need for more advanced features. However, it has a few disadvantages compared to the Roomba S8 and j7. It has a single brush instead of dual roller brushes, so it isn't as efficient at picking up larger debris such as socks and shoes. It also doesn't have any AI obstacle avoidance technology, so it could be necessary to get rid of clutter prior to running it.
The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's ideal for those who prioritize simplicity and efficiency. It's less than $200 and offers strong, consistent suction for hardwood as well as carpets that are low-pile and avoids tangles with rug threads. It doesn't have any advanced features, but it does its job well. It's also compatible with voice commands, so you can set it up on a schedule or set up zones that aren't allowed to be entered via the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technology can affect the robot's ability to navigate your home. Certain models on our list have sensors (or even cameras) that help your robo-cleaner avoid common traps for robots, such as cords, toys for kids and pet mess. iRobot's Roomba J7 is among the best examples of this kind of smart technology in action. It also comes with a sleek base that automatically emptys the garbage bin, so you don't have to.
We tested the robotic cleaner in a home with a large size and were amazed by how quickly and thoroughly floors were cleaned without getting bogged down. It has impressive maneuverability and is able to reach places that most stand-up vacs cannot reach, such as under beds and sofas. It comes with a 500-ml dustbin, excellent suction and a running time of more than two hours. However, it lacks the ability to create zones that are not allowed to be used and its detection of objects is a bit hit-or-miss which means that we saw it hit things a few times during our tests (resulting in a few tipped vase tops).
It's important to keep it in mind that no matter how clever the robot vacuum is, it will not substitute for your upright or canister vacuum. It can't deal with heavily stained carpets, it will not get into every crevice and it's not able to reach your ceilings or other difficult-to-access areas. It can be an effective addition to your routine cleaning to remove hair, and pet dander.
The majority of robot vacuums have sensors that aid them to navigate around obstacles and stairs. They are able to tell when they're about to fall down stairs, for instance, and they can also recognize cluttered areas and maneuver around them. However, if you're not cautious, your robo-cleaner might become stuck on a cord or shoe and require help.
Some robot vacuums are equipped with mapping capabilities that allow them to make an precise floor plan of your house and locate themselves. They will then be able to identify the areas they've already cleaned, and reduce time by not having to clean the same spots. It also lets them resume the same place they left off, should they have to return to their charging dock.
Self-Emptying
A robot vacuum that will automatically empty its bin after it is full is a wonderful convenience. Some models also have a window so you can see when the bin needs to be empty. This is a great option for anyone with pets or children who make more mess than adults.
The majority of robot vacuums let you choose whether the machine can be operated with the use of a remote, an app on your smartphone or voice commands. They also have a variety of digital features, such as maintenance and scheduling suggestions. If you set the right settings, you can schedule your robot to clean at a set time, or on an annual basis. You can also program it to mark and clean specific areas of the house.
Some of the most advanced robot vacuums we've tested are equipped with built-in cameras and smart sensor technology that allows them to create maps of your home. They can be saved to the robot's app so you can quickly navigate to specific rooms or areas of your home. Some of these systems will even keep track of the furniture's arrangement and the transitions between hardwood flooring and carpet.
Smart vacuums can save you time by mapping and cleaning entire houses by themselves and also keeping detailed records about the cleaning sessions that have occurred previously. You can access these records through an app on your smartphone or tablet. Many can also connect to your smart speaker so you can control them via voice commands.
TP-Link Tapo RV30+ is self-emptying robotic that delivers excellent performance at a low price. It is able to clean floors and sweep pet hair and other debris from hardwood and low-pile rugs. It's not as sophisticated as other robots we've reviewed, however, it does what it does well.
The tank-like wheels on this model allow it to glide right over the high transitions between rooms and obstacles like tangled cords from devices that can cause problems for other robots. It comes with a large bin that doesn't have to be emptying manually and is able to recharge itself and continue cleaning when it runs out power. It's a bit more costly than other robotic vacuums that we've tested but it combines powerful suction with simple controls to give you a good value.
Voice Control
The majority of robot vacuums can be controlled via a remote control or an app that runs on smartphones. Some models can also be integrated with smart speakers such as Amazon Echo or Google Home, allowing you to run them using voice commands. This is a great option for robots that need to clean up and you have pets or children who could be disruptive.
Most models also include an automatic mode that works without input from you. The robot can be started by pressing a button within the app or on the robot. They can be programmed to clean regularly, which is ideal for those who wish to set it and forget it.
Some of the more expensive models come with an advanced feature which uses artificial intelligence to scan and detect obstructions within your home. These models can recognize things like stairs, website power cords and furniture, and even distinguish between different types of floors. This can help robots stay clear of dangers. This is especially helpful in homes with large areas of rugs and other floorcoverings that are difficult for robots to navigate.
Some robots are more basic in their object detection abilities, but they still get the job done. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus, for instance is similar to an internet router, but has the performance of a top-of-the-line robot. It has excellent suction and can handle dirt and debris on hardwood floors and rugs with medium pile with ease. Its squat and short side brush is less likely to get caught in shoes or cords. The hybrid roller brush, which uses bristles, as well as plastic, provides a thorough cleaning.
This model is more expensive than other models in the middle-end but it has everything you would expect from mop and vacuum robots. It can map and build a cleaning schedule and has virtual keep-out zones and is compatible with voice assistants. It doesn't have the same room-scanning and obstacles-avoiding features as the j7 and s8.