The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Robot vacuums can make cleaning your floors a breeze. The best ones nab tracked-in dirt, crumbs and shed pet hair, and more.
And while they still can't do the same job as the regular vacuum, they've come a long way in the past few years. They're smarter, more powerful and (marginally) better at avoiding chair legs.
Smart Mapping
Utilizing navigation tools such as sensors and lasers, robot vacuum cleaners navigate through your home, sucking pet hair, crumbs, and dirt from their dustbins. They can be found on hard floors such as laminate, wood and tile and also carpets and area rugs with low pile. Robots that are the most sophisticated map your home, so they know where they've been and how to avoid bumping into obstacles such as chairs, sofas and bookshelves. You can also set up no-go zones on your smartphone to tell your robot to avoid rooms you don't wish it to clean.
Robots with advanced mapping abilities like the Roomba J7, use the onboard camera and processor-powered intelligence to detect and avoid obstacles. This means that you can leave the robot to perform a thorough cleaning without having to continually check the status of your floorplan, or manually move obstacles out of the robot's path. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robot that can combine vacuuming and mopping, so it's an all-in-one solution for keeping your home tidy. It has a great suction and is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. It also has a useful self-emptying feature that can be used as security cameras.
A less expensive bot that vacuums, mop and can also be used as a robotic trashcan The Roborock Q Revo is a solid option for homes that don't need the more sophisticated features of higher-end models. There are some drawbacks in comparison to the Roomba S8 and J7. For one, it has only one rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes of the others which means it won't be as effective in collecting larger objects such as shoes and socks. It doesn't have AI obstacle avoidance so you might need to get rid of clutter before running.
The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's perfect for those who value simplicity and proficiency. It's less than $200, and provides strong, consistent suction on hardwood as well as low-pile rug and avoids tangles. It doesn't include any advanced features, however it does the job well. It is also compatible with voice commands. You can set it up on a schedule, or create no-go zones using the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technology can be the difference between the robot's ability to navigate around your home. Certain models on our list contain sensors (or even cameras) that allow your robot cleaner to avoid common traps for robots, such as cords, toys for children and pet mess. iRobot Roomba j7, one of the most impressive examples of intelligent technology in action, is a fantastic example. It also has a stylish clean base that emptys the garbage bin automatically so you don't have to.
In our testing, we set up this robot cleaner in a large home and were impressed with how quickly and thoroughly floors were cleaned without becoming a mess. It's extremely maneuverable and can get into places that stand-up vacuums can't reach, like under couches and under beds. It comes with a 500-ml dustbin, great suction and a runtime of over two hours. It's not able to set up no-go zones and its recognition of objects isn't exactly reliable. We saw it bumping into things in our tests on occasion which resulted in vase caps falling over.
It's important to remember that no matter how clever a robot vacuum might be, it won't completely replace your regular canister or upright vacuum. It's not able to deal with heavy soiled carpets, it won't reach into every crevice, and it's not able to reach your ceilings or other difficult-to-access spaces. It's an excellent addition to your regular cleaning routine to remove pet dander, and hair.
Sensor systems are built into most robot vacuums to assist them navigate around stairs and obstacles. They can usually sense the moment they're likely to fall down a staircase for instance, and they can detect areas that are cluttered and move around them. If you're not vigilant the robo-cleaner may be stuck on a cord or stray shoe and require help.
Some smarter robot vacuums have mapping capabilities, which allow them to create an outline of your home and locate themselves within it. This lets them know which areas they've already cleaned, and avoid wasting time going over the same spots. This lets them resume where they left off should they need to return to the charging dock.
Self-Emptying
A vacuum cleaner that can automatically empty its dust bin once it is full is a great convenience. Some models come with a window that allows you to know when the bin is due to be empty. This is an excellent feature for those with pets or children who tend to make more mess than adults.
Most robot vacuums allow you to select whether the machine will be controlled via a remote control or an app on your phone, or via voice commands. They also have a variety of digital features, including maintenance and scheduling suggestions. With the correct settings, you can program your robot to clean at a regular time or on a weekly basis. You website can also program it to map and clean certain areas of your home.
The most advanced robot vacuums we have tested are equipped with sensors and cameras, which allow them to build maps of your home. You can save these maps in the robot's app and use them to navigate around your home. Some of these systems even keep track of furniture placement and note transitions from hard floors to carpet.
Smart vacuums save time by mapping and cleaning entire homes automatically and keeping detailed records of the previous cleaning sessions. You can access these records using an app on your tablet or phone. Many can also connect to your smart speaker so you can control them via voice commands.
TP-Link's Tapo RV30 Plus is an affordable, self-emptying robot vacuum that provides high performance for the money. It can clean hardwood floors as well as carpets with low pile, as well as remove pet hair and other particles. It's not as sophisticated as some of the other robots we've reviewed however, it does what does well.
This model's tank-like wheels allow it to go over obstacles like cords that get caught up and high transitions between rooms. It comes with a large bin that does not need to be emptying manually and is able to recharge itself and continue cleaning when it is unable to continue cleaning. It's more expensive than other robotic vacuums that we've tested but it is able to combine powerful suction and simple controls to deliver an excellent value.
Voice Control
The majority of robot vacuums are controlled by a remote or an app on a smartphone. Some robot vacuums can be operated by voice commands via smart speakers, such as Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is useful if your robot needs to be cleaned and you have pets or small children that could interfere.
The majority of models have an automatic mode that functions without input from you. The robot can be started by pressing a button on the app or on the robot. These robots can be programmed to clean according to an established schedule, making them ideal for those who just need to set and forget.
Some of the more expensive models have an advanced feature that makes use of artificial intelligence to look around your home and identify obstacles. These models can recognize things such as power cords, stairs, and furniture, and even discern between different kinds of floors. This can help robots stay clear of hazards. This is especially helpful in large homes with lots carpeting and flooring that are difficult for robots to navigate.
Other robots are more basic in their object detection abilities however they can still get the job done. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, which has the clean and easy-to-use appearance of a wifi hub but boasts a lot of the capabilities of a top-of-the-line bot. It is extremely suction-driven and is able to remove dirt and debris from hardwood floors and rugs with medium pile effortlessly. Its squat, short side brushes are less likely to become stuck in stray shoes or cords and its hybrid roller brush makes use of bristles and plastic rather than a traditional bristle brush for an even more thorough cleaning.
The model is more expensive than the other models in the middle-end however, it can do everything you would expect from a robot vacuum and mop. It can map and create a cleaning schedule as well as virtual keep-out zones and is compatible with voice assistants. However, it doesn't have the ability to scan rooms or avoid obstacles like the S8 or j7.