The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Robot vacuums can make cleaning your floors a breeze. The best ones can remove tracked-in dirt, crumbs and shed pet hair and more.
Although they're unable to do as good of a job as the regular vacuum, they've come a long way over the last few years. They're more intelligent and powerful, and (marginally better) at avoiding chair leg.
Smart Mapping
Using navigation tools like sensors and lasers, robot vacuum cleaners navigate through your home, sucking pet hair, crumbs and dirt into their dustbins from hard floors such as wood, tile and laminate and carpets and area rugs with low pile. Robots that are the most advanced map your home so they know where they've been and how to avoid hitting obstacles like couches, chairs, and bookshelves. You can also set up no-go zones on your smartphone to instruct your robot to stay clear of rooms you don't wish it to keep clean.
Robots that have advanced mapping capabilities, such as the Roomba J7, make use of onboard cameras and processor-powered intelligents to detect and avoid obstacles. You can then leave it to complete the task without having to keep an eye on the status of your floorplan, or manually move obstacles from the robot's way. The TP Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robot which combines mopping with vacuuming. It's a single-stop solution to keep your home spotless. It has a great suction, and also is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. It is self-emptying and can also be used as a security camera.
Roborock Q Revo, a cheaper robot that vacuums, mops and is also an automated trashcan is a great choice for homes that do not require for more advanced features. There are some drawbacks in comparison to Roomba S8 and j7. For one, it has a single rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes of the others, so it might not be as effective at picking up larger debris like shoes and socks. It also doesn't have any AI obstacle avoidance, which means you may need to clear away clutter before running it.
The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's perfect for those who value simplicity and efficiency. It costs less than $200 and provides consistent, strong suction for hardwood as well as carpets that are low-pile and also avoids tangles caused by rug threads. It's not a lot of technology, but it works well. It is also compatible with voice commands. It can be set up on a schedule, or create zones of no-go zones with the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technology can make or break the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate your home. Certain models on this list have sensors (or cameras) to aid your robot vacuum to avoid common traps for robots like cords, toys for children and pet messes. The iRobot Roomba j7 is one of the best examples of this kind of smart tech in action. It also comes with a stylish base that automatically empties the garbage bin, so you don't need to.
We tested this robot cleaner in a large home and were impressed with how quickly and efficiently the floors were cleaned without becoming a mess. It is extremely maneuverable and is able to reach places that most stand-up vacs cannot can, like under beds and sofas. It comes with a 500-ml dustbin, great suction and a running time of more than two hours. It's just not equipped with the ability to set no-go zones in the app and its detection of objects is somewhat erratic and we did see it bump into things occasionally during our tests (resulting in a few tipped vases).
It's important to note that despite how smart a robot vacuum might be it will not replace your traditional canister or upright vacuum. It's not equipped to clean heavily soiled carpets. It won't reach ceilings or other difficult-to-access areas. It's a great addition to your regular cleaning routine to remove pet dander, and hair.
Sensor systems are integrated into many robot vacuums, allowing them to navigate around stairs and obstacles. They are able to tell when they're about to fall down stairs for instance, and detect areas that are cluttered and move around them. If you're not careful, your robo-cleaner might get stuck on a cord or stray shoe and need some help.
Some robot vacuums come with mapping capabilities that permit them to make an precise floor plan of your house and locate themselves. They will then be able to identify the areas they've already cleaned and can reduce time by not having to go over the same spots. It also allows them to 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 an excellent convenience. Some models even have windows to let you know when the bin has to be empty. This is a great feature for anyone who has pets or children who make more mess than adults.
The majority of robot vacuums let you choose whether the machine is controlled by a remote control or an app on your smartphone, or by voice commands. They have a number of digital functions, including scheduling and maintenance tips. With the correct settings, you can set your robot to clean on a regular time, or on a weekly basis. You can also program the robot to map out and clean specific areas of your home.
Some of the most intelligent robot vacuums we've tested are equipped with built-in cameras as well as smart sensor technology that lets them create maps of your home. You can save these maps in the robot's app to quickly navigate around your home. Some of these systems can even keep track of furniture placement and even note transitions from hard floors to carpet.
The best smart vacuums can help you save time by automating the mapping and cleaning of whole homes, and also keeping detailed records of cleaning sessions. You can access the records via an app that you can install on your smartphone or tablet. They can also be connected to your smart speaker so you can control them via voice commands.
TP-Link's Tapo RV30 Plus is an affordable, self-emptying robot vacuum that provides good performance for the money. It can clean hardwood floors as well as carpets with low pile, as well as remove pet hair and other particles. It's not as sophisticated as the other robots we've reviewed but it does its job well.
The model's tank-like wheels permit it to glide over obstacles like cords that get caught up and high transitions in between rooms. It has a large bin that does not need to be emptying manually, and can recharge itself and restart cleaning when it is unable to continue cleaning. It's more expensive than the other robotic vacuums we've tried, but it is able to combine powerful suction with simple controls to provide excellent 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 operate them with voice commands. This is a great option when you have pets or children who might hinder your cleaning session, or if you're too exhausted to operate the robot manually.
Many models also come with an automatic mode that operates without input from you. The robot can be started by pressing a button within the app or on the robot. The robots can be programmed to clean on a regular schedule which is great for those who prefer to set it and forget it.
Some of the more expensive models come with an advanced feature that utilizes artificial intelligence to examine your home and find obstacles. They can detect things like stairs, power cords as well as furniture, and they can also discern between different kinds of flooring. This helps them avoid such hazards which is especially helpful in homes with a lot of rugs and other floor coverings that are hard for robots to navigate.
Other robots are less sophisticated in their object detection abilities, but they are still able to do the job. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, which has the clean elegant, easy-to-use design of a WiFi hub but boasts a lot of the capabilities of a top-of-the-line robot. It is extremely suction-driven and can handle dirt and debris from carpets and hardwood floors effortlessly. Its squat and short side brush is less likely to get stuck in cords or shoes. The hybrid roller brush, that uses bristles as well as plastic, gives a thorough cleaning.
This model is pricier than other mid-range robots but it can do everything you need from mopping and vacuuming with a robot. It can create and map a cleaning schedule and has virtual keep-out zones, and is compatible with voice assistants. However, it doesn't have the ability to scan rooms or avoid obstacles like the S8 or j7.