The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Robot vacuums can make cleaning your floors a breeze. The best ones can remove tracked-in dirt, crumbs, shed pet hair and more.
Although they're unable to perform as well of a job as a traditional vacuum cleaner, they've come a long way in recent years. They're smarter, more powerful and (marginally) better in avoiding the legs of chairs.
Smart Mapping
Utilizing navigational tools like lasers and sensors, robot vacuum cleaners move around your home, removing pet hair, crumbs and dirt from their dustbins. They can be found on hard floors such as laminate, wood and tile, as well as low-pile carpets and area rugs. Robots that are the most sophisticated map your home so they know where they've been, and can avoid hitting obstacles like couches, chairs, and bookshelves. You can also set up no-go areas on your smartphone to instruct your robot to stay clear of areas you don't want it to be able to keep.
Robots equipped with advanced mapping capabilities, like the Roomba J7, make use of processor-powered cameras and onboard sensors to detect and avoid obstacles. It can then be left to complete the task without having to continuously monitor the state of your floorplan, or manually move obstacles out of the way. 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 great suction, and it works with Alexa and Google Assistant. It also has a useful self-emptying feature and can be used as an alarm camera.
A cheaper robot that vacuums, mop and can be used as a robotic trashcan The Roborock Q Revo is a excellent choice for homes that don't require the more advanced features of the more expensive models. It does have some disadvantages in comparison to Roomba S8 and j7. It has only one brush, not dual roller brushes, so it might not be as effective in removing larger pieces of debris like socks and shoes. It doesn't come with AI obstacle avoidance, so you may need to clear obstructions before you run.
The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's ideal for those who prefer simplicity and proficiency. It's less than $200, and offers consistent, solid suction for hardwood as well as carpets that are low-pile and avoids tangles with rug threads. It doesn't include any advanced features, but it does the job well. It's also compatible with voice commands, which means you can run it on schedule or even set up zones that are not allowed to enter using the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technology can affect the ability of a robot vacuum navigate through your home. Some models on our list have sensors (or even cameras) which help your robo-cleaner avoid common robot traps like cords, toys for kids and pet spills. iRobot Roomba j7 is one of the most impressive examples of smart technology in motion, is an excellent example. It also comes with a sleek clean base that fills the garbage bin automatically so you don't need to.
During our tests the robot, we set the cleaner up in a large house and were impressed by how quickly and thoroughly it was able to clean floors without becoming bogged down. It is extremely maneuverable and can reach places that most stand-up vacs cannot reach, such as under beds and sofas. It has a 500 ml dustbin, great suction and a running time of more than two hours. It's not able to set up no-go zones, and its recognition of objects is a bit iffy. We saw it hitting objects in our tests on occasion and resulted in vases falling over.
It's important to keep it in mind that, no matter how clever the robot vacuum is it won't substitute for your upright or canister vacuum. It's not equipped to clean heavily soiled carpets. It won't reach ceilings or other difficult-to-reach areas. It's a great addition to your regular cleaning routine for removing crumbs, hair, pet dander and other hair.
Most robot vacuums have sensors that allow them to navigate around obstacles and stairs. They usually know the moment when they're going to fall down the stairs for instance, and detect areas that are cluttered and move around them. Nevertheless, if you're not cautious your robot-cleaner could become stuck on a cord or stray shoe and require help.
Some of the smarter robot vacuums come with the ability to map, which allows them to create a floor plan of your home and locate themselves within it. They can then identify which areas they have already cleaned and can save time by not having to go over the same areas. This allows them to resume the same place 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 also have a window so you can see when the bin has to be empty. This is an excellent feature for those with pets or children who create more mess than adults.
The majority of robot vacuums allow you to choose which model can be controlled by a remote, an app on your smartphone or voice commands. They come with a variety of digital functions, including scheduling and maintenance tips. If you set the right settings, you can schedule your robot to clean at a regular time or on an annual basis. You can also program the robot to map out and clean specific areas of your home.
Some of the smartest robot vacuums we've tested come with built-in cameras and smart sensor technology that allows them to create maps of your home. You can save these maps within the robot's app to quickly navigate through your home. Some of these systems can even keep track of furniture arrangement and record the transitions between hard floors and carpet.
Smart vacuums can save you time by cleaning entire homes by themselves and also keeping detailed records of previous cleaning sessions. You website can access these records through an app on your phone or tablet. Many can also connect to your smart speaker, so you can control them using voice commands.
TP-Link Tapo RV30+ is a self-emptying robot that offers excellent performance at a low price. It can clean hardwood floors as well as low-pile carpets, and remove pet hair and other messes. It's not as sophisticated as some of the other robots we've reviewed however, it does what it does very well.
The rubber-like wheels that this model has allow it to roll across the high transitions between rooms as well as obstacles like tangled device cords that can cause problems for other robots. It also has a large dust bin that doesn't have to be emptying manually, and it's also able to recharge and continue cleaning when it runs out of power. It's more expensive than some of the other robotic vacuums we've tested however it combines powerful suction with straightforward controls to give you a good value.
Voice Control
The majority of robot vacuums can be controlled via a physical remote or an app on your smartphone. Some can also integrate with smart speakers such as Amazon Echo or Google Home, allowing you to control them using voice commands. This is a great option when you have pets or children that could interfere with your cleaning routine, or if you're too exhausted to manage the robot manually.
Most models also include an automatic mode that functions without any input from you. You can start the robot by pressing a button within the app or on the robot. The robots can be programmed to clean according to the schedule, which makes them ideal for those who just want to set and forget.
Some of the higher-end models have a feature that uses artificial intelligence to detect and scan obstacles within your home. These models can recognize things like power cords, stairs and furniture, and they can also distinguish between different types of flooring. This can help robots stay clear of dangers. This is especially helpful in large homes that have lots of carpeting and flooring that are difficult for robots to navigate.
Other robots are less sophisticated in their ability to detect objects, but they are still able to do the job. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, that has the sleek, fuss-free appearance of a WiFi hub but offers the performance of a top bot. It is extremely suction-driven and handles dirt and debris from hardwood floors and medium-pile rugs with ease. The short and squat-shaped 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.
The model is more expensive than other mid-range models, but it can do everything you need from a robot vacuum and mop. It can create and map a cleaning schedule, has virtual keep-out zones, and is compatible with voice assistants. It does not have the same room-scanning and obstacle avoidance as the j7 and s8.