The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Keeping your floors clean isn't always simple but robot vacuums can help. The best ones nab tracked-in dirt, crumbs and shed pet hair, and more.
While they can't perform the same way as the regular vacuum cleaner, they've improved a lot in the last few years. They're more efficient, smarter and (marginally) better at avoiding chair legs.
Smart Mapping
Using navigation tools like sensors and lasers, robot vacuum cleaners work their way through your home, sucking pet hair, crumbs, and dirt into their dustbins from hard floors such as laminate, wood, and tile, as well as area rugs and carpets with low pile. Robots that are the most advanced map your home so they know where they've been and can avoid hitting obstacles such as couches, chairs and bookshelves. You can also set up no-go zones on your smartphone to instruct your robot to stay clear of 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 see and avoid obstructions. It can then be left to complete the task without having to constantly monitor the condition of your floor plan, or manually move obstacles from the robot's way. The TP Link Tapo RV30 plus is a robotic that does mopping and vacuuming, which means it's an all-in-one solution to keep your home tidy. It has a powerful suction feature and can be used with Alexa or Google Assistant. It has a self-emptying function and can also function as a surveillance camera.
Roborock Q Revo, a less expensive robot that vacuums, mop and is also a robotic trashcan, is a good option for homes that do not require for more advanced features. There are some drawbacks in comparison to the Roomba S8 and j7. It has one rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes of the others, so it might not be as effective in cleaning up larger particles like shoes and socks. It doesn't come with AI obstacle avoidance, so you might need to get rid of the clutter prior to running.
The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's perfect for those who value simplicity and proficiency. It costs less than $200 and offers strong, consistent suction on hardwood and carpets that are low-pile and avoids tangles with rug threads. It's not the most advanced however it's a good choice. It's also compatible with voice commands, which means you can set it up on schedule or even set up 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 include sensors (or even cameras) that allow your robot cleaner to avoid common robot traps like cords, toys for children and pet messes. The iRobot Roomba J7 is among the best examples of this kind of smart tech in action. It also features a chic clean base that fills the dustbin automatically so you don't have to.
During our tests the robotic cleaner up in a big house and were impressed by how quickly and thoroughly it was able to clean floors without getting sluggish. It's incredibly maneuverable and is able to reach places that stand-up vacuums are unable to can, like couches and under beds. It also has great suction, a huge 500 ml dustbin and an over two hours of runtime. It's not able to create no-go zones and its object recognition is a bit iffy. We saw it hitting objects on occasion during our tests which resulted in vases falling over.
It's important to remember that no matter how clever a robot vacuum might be but it can't replace your upright or canister vacuum. It's not equipped to clean heavily soiled carpets. It's not able to reach ceilings or other areas that are difficult to reach. But for keeping your floors free of crumbs, pet hair and other dander it could be an excellent addition to your routine of cleaning.
The majority of robot vacuums have sensors that aid them to navigate through obstacles and steps. They can sense the moment they're about to fall down the stairs, for instance and can also identify messy spaces and maneuver around them. However, if you're not cautious, your robo-cleaner might become stuck on a cord or stray shoe and require help.
Some smarter robot vacuums have the ability to map, which allows them to design a floor plan of your home and locate themselves within it. This lets them know which areas they've cleaned before and avoid wasting time going over the same areas. It also allows them to resume the same place they left off, should they have to return to their charging dock.
Self-Emptying
A robot vacuum that automatically emptys its bins of dust once it's full is a great benefit. Some models have windows that allow you to know when the bin is due to be empty. This is an excellent feature for anyone who has pets or children who tend to make more mess than adults.
Most robot vacuums let you choose whether the machine can be controlled with the use of a remote, an app on your smartphone or voice commands. They offer a range of digital features including maintenance and scheduling tips. With the correct settings, you can program your robot to clean at a regular time, or on a weekly basis. You can also program it to mark and clean specific areas of your house.
The most advanced robot vacuums we have tested are equipped with cameras and smart sensors, which enable them to create maps for your home. You can save these maps within the robot's app to quickly navigate around your home. Some of these systems can even keep track of furniture placement and note the transitions from hard floors to carpet.
Smart vacuums save time by mapping and cleaning entire homes in a timely manner and keeping detailed records of previous cleaning sessions. You can access the records using an app for your tablet or smartphone. They can also be connected to your smart speaker so you can control them using voice commands.
TP-Link Tapo RV30+ is self-emptying robotic that delivers outstanding performance for a reasonable price. It can clean both floors and sweep up pet hair and other messes from low-pile and hardwood rugs. It's not as sophisticated as other robots we've reviewed, but it does what it does well.
This model's tank-like wheels allow it to roll over obstacles such as cords that get caught up and high transitions in between rooms. It also has a huge dust bin that doesn't need to be empty manually, and it's also able to recharge and resume cleaning if it's not able to continue cleaning. It's more expensive than some of the other robotic vacuums we've tried, but it blends powerful suction with simple controls to provide a fantastic value.
Voice Control
The majority of robot vacuums can be 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 helpful if your robot needs to clean and you have pets or small children who might interfere.
Most models have an automatic mode that operates without input. You can start the robot by pressing a button on the app or on the robot. The robots can be programmed to clean up on a regular basis and is perfect for those who prefer to program it to forget about it.
Some of the most expensive models include an advanced feature that uses artificial intelligence to scan your home and detect obstacles. These models can identify things like stairs, furniture power cords, and even different kinds of flooring. This can help to avoid the dangers which is particularly useful in larger homes that have lots of carpets and flooring coverings that are difficult for robots to navigate.
Some robots come with less basic ability to detect objects however they still manage to complete the task. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, that has the sleek and easy-to-use appearance of a WiFi hub but boasts a lot of the performance of a top robot. It is extremely suction-driven and can handle dirt and debris on carpets and hardwood floors with ease. Its squat and short side brush is less likely to be stuck in cords or shoes. The hybrid roller brush, which is made up of bristles as well as plastic, offers a thorough cleaning.
This model is pricier than other mid-range robots but it does everything you'd 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. It does not have the same room scanning and obstacles-avoiding features like the j7 or the s8.