The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Keeping your floors clean isn't always easy but robot vacuums can help. The best ones will remove dirt, crumbs, shed pet hair and more.
Although they're not the same way as an ordinary vacuum cleaner, they've come a long ways in the past few years. They're more sophisticated and more powerful, as well as (marginally better) at avoiding the chair leg.
Smart Mapping
Utilizing navigation tools such as sensors and lasers, 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 wood, tile and laminate and also low-pile carpets and area rugs. The most advanced robots can map your house, so that they can keep track of where they've been and avoid hitting obstacles like chairs, sofas and bookshelves you might want to keep out of your way. You can also set up no-go areas using your smartphone to alert your robot to stay clear of rooms that you don't want to clean.
Robots with advanced mapping abilities, such as the Roomba J7, make use of an onboard cameras and processor-powered intelligent to see and avoid obstructions. This means you can leave the robot to perform an effective cleaning without having to continuously be checking 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 combines vacuuming and mopping, so it's an all-in-one solution for keeping your home tidy. It has a great suction, and also is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. It also comes with a handy self-emptying feature, and can be used as security cameras.
A less expensive robot that mops, vacuums and can be used as a trashcan, the Roborock Q Revo is a good choice for homes that don't need the advanced features of the more expensive models. However, it does have some disadvantages when compared to Roomba j7 and S8. It uses one brush instead of dual roller brushes, meaning it isn't as efficient at picking up larger objects like shoes and socks. Also, it doesn't include AI obstacle avoidance, so you may need to get rid of clutter prior to running it.
The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's perfect for those who value simplicity and competence. It's less than $200, and offers strong, consistent suction both on hardwood and low-pile rugs, while avoiding tangles. It's not very advanced however it's a good choice. It also works with voice commands, which means you can set it up on a schedule or set up no-go zones via the app.
Object Detection
The use of object-avoidance technology can affect the ability of a robot vacuum navigate around your home. Some models on this list have sensors (or cameras) to assist your robot vacuum in avoiding common traps for robots like cords, toys for children and pet messes. iRobot Roomba j7 is one of the most impressive examples of smart technology in action, is a fantastic example. It also comes with a stylish base that automatically empty the trash bin so that you don't have to.
We tested the robotic cleaner in a large home and were awed by how quickly and thoroughly the floors were cleaned without getting bogged down. It's extremely maneuverable and can reach places that most standup vacuums cannot, such as under couches and under beds. It has a 500ml dustbin, great suction and a running time of more than two hours. However, it lacks the ability to set zones that are not allowed to be used and its detection of objects is a bit hit-or-miss which means that we saw it bump into things occasionally during our tests (resulting in the tumbling of a few vase).
It's important to keep it in mind that, regardless of how clever a robot vacuum is it isn't going to replace your upright or canister vacuum. It's not equipped to handle heavily stained carpets, it will not get into every crevice and it's not able to reach your ceilings or other difficult-to-access areas. However, if you want to keep your floors free of crumbs, pet hair and other dander, it can be a good addition to your routine of cleaning.
Sensor systems are integrated into most robot vacuums to help them navigate around obstacles and stairs. They can usually sense when they're about to fall down stairs, for instance, and they detect areas that are cluttered and maneuver around them. However, if you're not careful, your robo-cleaner vacuum mop robot cleaner might be stuck on a cord or shoe and need some help.
Some of the smarter robot vacuums come with mapping capabilities, which allow them to create a floor plan of your home and then locate themselves within it. This lets them know which areas they've cleaned before and avoid spending time cleaning the same areas. This allows them to continue where they left off should they need to return to the charging dock.
Self-Emptying
A robot vacuum that automatically emptys its dust bin when it gets full is a great convenience. Certain models come with a window that allows you to observe when the bin has to be empty. This feature is great for those with children or pets who can create lots of mess than adults.
The majority of robot vacuums let you select whether the machine will be controlled by a remote or an app on your phone, or via voice commands. They come with a variety of digital functions, including scheduling and maintenance tips. With the correct settings, you can schedule your robot to clean at a regular time or on a weekly basis. You can also program the robot to map out and clean specific areas of your home.
The most intelligent robot vacuums we've tested come with sensors and cameras which enable them to create maps for your home. These maps can be saved to the robot's application so that you can easily navigate to specific rooms or areas of your home. Some of these systems even remember the furniture layout and transitions between hard flooring and carpet.
Smart vacuums help you save time by mapping and cleaning entire homes by themselves and also keeping detailed records about previous cleaning sessions. You can access the records via an app that you can install on your tablet or smartphone. Many can also connect to your smart speaker so you can control them with voice commands.
TP-Link Tapo RV30+ is self-emptying robot that provides great performance at a reasonable price. It is able to clean floors and sweep pet hair and other messes from hardwood and low-pile rugs. It's not as advanced as some of the other robots we've reviewed but it does what it does well.
The tank-like wheels that this model has allow it to glide right over the high transitions between rooms as well as obstacles such as tangled cords for devices which can cause a problem for other robots. It comes with a large bin that doesn't need to be manually emptied and is able to recharge itself and continue cleaning when it's running out of power. It's more expensive compared to other robotic vacuums that we've tested but it is able to combine powerful suction and simple controls to give you a great value.
Voice Control
The majority of robot vacuums can be controlled by a remote control or an app on a smartphone. Certain robot vacuums can be controlled by voice commands via smart speakers, such as Amazon Echo or Google Home. This can be helpful when you have children or pets who could get in the way of your cleaning, or if you're too tired to operate the robot manually.
Most models have an automatic mode which works without input. Simply press a button on the robot or within the app and it will begin taking in food crumbs, and pet hair. They can be programmed to clean according to the schedule, which makes them perfect for those who simply need to make a plan and forget.
Some of the more expensive models come with an advanced feature that utilizes artificial intelligence to examine your home and find obstacles. These models can identify things like stairs, power cords and furniture, and can even identify different types of flooring. This helps them avoid such hazards, which is especially useful in larger homes with lots of rugs and other floor coverings that are hard for robots to navigate.
Other robots are more basic in their object detection capabilities, but still manage to complete the task. 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-notch robot. It has excellent suction and can handle dirt and debris from hardwood floors and medium-pile rugs effortlessly. Its squat, short side brushes are less likely to be caught in stray shoes and cords and its hybrid roller brush utilizes bristles and plastic instead of a traditional bristle brush for a more thorough cleaning.
This model is pricier than other mid-range robots but it can do everything you require from mopping and vacuuming with a robot. It can create the cleaning schedule and then create one. It also has virtual zones that you can stay clear of. It doesn't have the same room-scanning feature and obstacles-avoiding features as the j7 and the s8.