The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Keeping your floors clean isn't always simple, but robot vacuums make it easier. The most effective robot vacuums pick up tracked-in dirt and pet hair, crumbs and more.
While they're still unable to do the same job as a regular vacuum however, they've come a long way in the past few years. They're more efficient, smarter and (marginally) better at avoiding chairs.
Smart Mapping
Robot vacuum cleaners utilize instruments for navigation such as lasers and sensors to navigate your home. They remove pet hair, crumbs, and dirt from hard floors, like wood, tile, and laminate, and carpets and area rugs with low piles. Robots that are the most advanced map your home, so they know where they've been, and can avoid bumping into obstacles such as sofas, chairs 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 be able to keep.
Robots with advanced mapping capabilities, such as the Roomba J7, make use of processor-powered cameras and onboard sensors to see and avoid obstacles. It can then be left to perform the job without having to constantly monitor the state of your floorplan, or manually move obstacles out of the way. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus is a robot that combines vacuuming and mopping, so it's a complete solution to keep your home clean. It has a fantastic suction and works with Alexa or Google Assistant. It can self-empty and can also be used as a security camera.
A cheaper robot that vacuums, mop and can be used as a robotic trashcan The Roborock Q Revo is a good choice for homes that don't require the advanced features of the more expensive models. However, it has a few disadvantages when compared to Roomba J7 and S8. For one, it has only one rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes of the other which means it won't be as effective in cleaning up larger particles such as shoes and socks. It does not have AI obstacle avoidance, so it is possible that you will need to eliminate the clutter prior to 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 consistent, strong suction on hardwood and low-pile carpets and also avoids tangles caused by rug threads. It's not the most advanced however it's a good choice. It also works with voice commands, so you can run it on schedule or even set up zones that are not allowed to enter via the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technologies can impact the ability of a robot vacuum navigate your home. Certain models on this list have sensors (or cameras) to aid your robot vacuum to avoid common robot traps such as cords, toys for kids and pet mess. iRobot's Roomba j7 is one of the most impressive examples of this type of smart tech in action. It also has a stylish clean base that emptys the garbage bin automatically so you don't have to.
We tested this robotic cleaner in a huge home and were impressed with how quickly and efficiently the floors were cleaned without becoming a mess. It has impressive maneuverability and can get to places that stand-up vacuums are unable to reach, such as under beds and sofas. It has a 500 ml dustbin, great suction and a time of over two hours. It's not able to set up no-go zones and its recognition of objects is a bit hit-or-miss. We saw it crashing into objects in our tests on occasion which resulted in vessels falling over.
It's important to keep it in mind that, regardless of how intelligent a robot vacuum is it won't replace your regular upright or canister vacuum. It's not able to deal with heavy soiled carpets, it won't be able to reach every corner, and it won't reach your ceilings or other difficult to reach spaces. It's a great addition to your regular cleaning routine to remove hair, and pet dander.
Sensor systems are built into most robot vacuums to help them navigate around obstacles and stairs. They are able to tell the moment when they're going to fall down the stairs, for instance, and also detect areas of clutter and maneuver around them. If you're not careful your robot-cleaner could get stuck on a shoe, cord or any other object.
Some robot vacuums come with mapping capabilities that allow them to make an accurate floor plan of your house and pinpoint themselves. They can then identify which areas get more info they've already cleaned, and reduce time by not having to clean the same areas. This allows them to continue the same place they left off if they have to return to the charging dock.
Self-Emptying
A robot vacuum that will automatically empty its bin after it is full is an excellent convenience. Some models come with a window that allows you to observe when the bin needs to empty. This feature is ideal for those who have children or pets, who are likely to create lots of mess than adults.
The majority of robot vacuums let you choose whether the machine is operated with a remote, an app on your smartphone or voice commands. They offer a range of digital features including maintenance and scheduling tips. Using the right settings, you can set your robot to clean on a regular time or on a weekly basis. You can also program it to mark and clean specific areas of your home.
Some of the most advanced robot vacuums we've tested come with built-in cameras and sensor technology that lets them create maps of your home. You can save these maps within the robot app to easily navigate through your home. Some of these systems even remember furniture placement and note the transitions from hard floors to carpet.
Smart vacuums help you save time by cleaning entire homes automatically and keeping detailed records about the cleaning sessions that have occurred previously. You can access the records via an app on your tablet or smartphone. Most can also connect to your smart speaker, so you can control them using voice commands.
TP-Link Tapo RV30+ is self-emptying robot that provides great performance at a reasonable price. It can clean hardwood floors as well as carpets with low pile, as well as remove pet hair and other messes. It's not as sophisticated as other robots we've reviewed but it does its job very well.
This model's tank-like wheels allow it to glide over obstacles such as cords that get caught up and high transitions in between rooms. It comes with a large bin that doesn't have to be empty manually, and can recharge itself and resume cleaning if it is unable to continue cleaning. It's more expensive than the other robotic vacuums we've tried, however it has powerful suction and easy controls to deliver an excellent value.
Voice Control
The majority of robot vacuums are controlled via a remote control or an app on a smartphone. Certain robot vacuums are operated by voice commands through smart speakers such as Amazon Echo or Google Home. This can be helpful for families with small pets or children that could hinder your cleaning or if you're exhausted to manage the robot manually.
Many 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. They can also be programmed to clean on a regular schedule which is great for those who want to make it easy to set it and forget it.
Some of the more expensive models come with an advanced feature that uses artificial intelligence to scan your home and detect obstacles. These models can identify things like furniture, stairs power cords, even different types of flooring. This can help robots avoid hazards. This is especially helpful in large homes that have lots of rugs and other floorcoverings that are difficult for robots to navigate.
Other robots have more basic object detection capabilities but they are able to accomplish 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 has the performance of a top bot. It has a strong suction and can clean dirt and debris from medium-pile rugs and hardwood floors. Its squat, short side brushes are less likely to become stuck in stray shoes or cords and its hybrid roller brush uses bristles and plastic instead of bristles in traditional form for a more thorough cleaning.
This model is more expensive than other models in the mid-range, but it does everything you'd expect from a robot mop and vacuum. It can map and create a cleaning schedule and has virtual keep-out zones and is compatible with voice assistants. It doesn't feature room-scanning or obstacle avoidance like the j7 or S8.