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.
While they can't perform the same way as the regular vacuum cleaner, they have come a long ways in the last few years. They're smarter and more powerful, as well as (marginally better) at avoiding the chair leg.
Smart Mapping
Utilizing navigation tools such as lasers and sensors, robot vacuum cleaners move around your home, suctioning pet hair, crumbs and dirt into their bins from hard floors like laminate, wood, and tile and low-pile carpets and area rugs. The most sophisticated robots can map your home to help them remember where they have been and avoid bumping into obstructions like chairs, sofas and bookshelves that you might prefer to keep out of your way. You can also use the smartphone app to create no-go zones, which tell your robot not to enter rooms you don't want it to clean.
Robots with advanced mapping abilities like the Roomba J7, utilize an onboard cameras and processor-powered intelligent to detect and avoid obstacles. It can then be left to complete the task without having to keep an eye on the status of your floorplan, or manually move obstacles out of the way. The TP Link Tapo RV30 plus is a robot that combines mopping and vacuuming, so it's a one-stop solution for keeping your home clean. It's got great suction, and also works with Alexa and Google Assistant. It can self-empty and can also be used as a surveillance camera.
A less expensive robot that mops, vacuums and can also be used as a trashcan, the Roborock Q Revo is a solid option for homes that don't require the advanced features of higher-end models. It does have some disadvantages when compared to the Roomba S8 and J7. It has a single brush instead of dual roller brushes, meaning it might not be as efficient at picking up larger pieces of debris like socks and shoes. It also doesn't have any AI obstacle avoidance, so you might need to get rid of any clutter prior to running it.
The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's perfect for those who prefer simplicity and efficiency. It's priced at less than $200, and provides strong, consistent suction both on hardwood and low-pile carpets while avoiding tangles. It's not a lot of technology however it's a good choice. It is also compatible with voice commands. You can set it to run on a schedule or create zones that are not allowed to be used using the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technology can make or break the robot's ability to navigate your home. Certain models on this list include sensors (or cameras) to help your robot vacuum avoid common traps for robots like cords, toys for children and pet messes. iRobot Roomba J7 is one of the most amazing examples of smart technology in action, is a great example. It also has a stylish clean base that fills the garbage bin automatically so you don't have to.
In our testing the robotic cleaner up in a huge house and were awed by the speed and efficiency with which it cleaned up floors without getting sluggish. It has impressive maneuverability and is able to reach places most standup vacs never reach, such as under sofas and under beds. It also has a great suction, a huge 500 ml dustbin, and an over two-hour running time. It's not able to set up no-go zones and its object recognition is a bit hit-or-miss. We observed it bumping into things on occasion during our tests, resulting in some vessels falling over.
It's important to keep it in mind that, no matter how intelligent a robot vacuum is it won't replace your upright or canister vacuum. It's not equipped to handle heavily soiled carpets, it won't get into every crevice and won't be able to reach your ceilings or other hard-to-reach spaces. It's a great addition to your routine cleaning for getting rid of pet dander, and hair.
Most robot vacuums have sensors that aid them to navigate around obstacles and stairs. They usually know the moment when they're going to fall down a staircase, for instance, and they can detect areas that are cluttered and move around them. If you're not careful your robot cleaner could be stuck on a cord, shoe or another object.
Some of the more advanced robot vacuums have the ability to map, which allows them to create an outline of your home and then locate themselves within it. They will then be able to identify the areas they have cleaned, and save time by not having to go over the same areas. It also lets them resume where they left off if they need to return to their 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 windows that allow you to observe when the bin is due to be empty. This is an excellent feature for anyone who has pets or children who create more mess than adults.
Most robot vacuums let you select whether the machine can be operated with a remote, an app on your smartphone or voice commands. They also have a variety of digital features, including maintenance and scheduling. Using the right settings, you can set your robot to clean on a regular time, or on a weekly basis. You can also program the robot to mark out and clean specific areas of your home.
Some of the most advanced 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 even keep track of the furniture's arrangement and the transitions between hardwood flooring and carpet.
Smart vacuums help you save time by mapping and cleaning entire houses by themselves and also keeping detailed records of the cleaning sessions that have occurred previously. You can access these records via an app on your phone or tablet. Most of them can be linked to your smart speaker so that you can control them via voice commands.
TP-Link Tapo RV30+ is a self-emptying robot that offers outstanding performance for a reasonable cost. It can clean hardwood floors as well as carpets with low pile, and also remove pet hair and other debris. It's not as sophisticated as other robots that we've reviewed, however it does its job well.
The rubber-like wheels on this model permit 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 huge dust bin that doesn't have to be empty manually, and it's able to recharge and resume cleaning when it's power-depleted. It's a bit more expensive than some of the other robotic vacuums we've tested however it combines powerful suction with simple controls to provide a fantastic value.
Voice Control
The majority of robot vacuums are controlled using a remote or an app on your phone. Some robot vacuums can be controlled via voice commands using smart speakers, such as Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is a great option when your robot has to clean up and you have pets or small children who might interfere.
The majority of models come with an automatic mode that works without your input. The robot can be started by pressing a button on the app or on the robot. These robots can be programmed to clean in accordance with a schedule, making them ideal for people who just want to set and forget.
Some of the higher-end models include a sophisticated feature that makes use of artificial intelligence to scan and detect obstructions within your home. These models can identify things like furniture, stairs power cords, and even different types of flooring. This helps to avoid the dangers which is especially helpful in homes with a lot of rugs and other flooring materials that are difficult for robots to navigate.
Some robots come with less basic ability to detect objects however they still manage to accomplish the task. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, that has the sleek, fuss-free appearance of a WiFi hub but robot vacuum cleaner has the capabilities of a top-of-the-line robot. It has a powerful suction that can take care of dirt and debris on medium pile flooring and carpet. Its short, squat side brushes are less likely to become tangled in stray shoes and cords, and its hybrid roller brush utilizes bristles and plastic instead of the traditional bristle brush to provide a more thorough cleaning.
It's more expensive than other mid-range robots but it can do everything you need from mopping and vacuuming robots. It can create an cleaning schedule and design one. It also has virtual zones to stay out of. It does not have the same room scanning and obstacle-avoiding capabilities as the j7 or s8.