The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Keeping your floors clean isn't always easy however, robot vacuums make it easier. The best robot vacuums can clean up dirt, pet hair, crumbs, and much more.
Although they're not the same way as an ordinary vacuum cleaner, they have improved a lot in the past few years. They're smarter, more powerful, and (marginally better) in avoiding chair leg.
Smart Mapping
Using navigation tools like lasers and sensors, robotic vacuum cleaners move around your home, suctioning pet hair, crumbs and dirt into their dustbins from hard floors like laminate, wood and tile, as well as low-pile carpets and area rugs. Robots that are the most advanced map your home to know where they've been and can avoid hitting obstacles such as chairs, sofas and bookshelves. You can also use the smartphone app to create no-go zones, which tell your robot to stay out of rooms it doesn't want to clean.
Robots equipped with advanced mapping capabilities, like the Roomba J7, make use of onboard cameras and processor-powered smarts to avoid obstacles and see them. This means you can let the robot to perform a thorough cleaning without having to constantly 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 mopping and vacuuming, so it's a complete solution for keeping your home tidy. It's got great suction and works with Alexa and Google Assistant. It also comes with a handy self-emptying feature that can be used as a security camera.
A less expensive bot that mops, vacuums and can also be used as a trashcan The Roborock Q Revo is a solid option for homes that don't need the more advanced features of more expensive models. However, it has some disadvantages compared to the Roomba J7 and S8. It uses only one brush, not dual roller brushes, meaning it may not be as efficient at picking up larger debris such as shoes and socks. It also lacks AI obstacle avoidance technology, so you may need to get rid of any clutter prior to running it.
The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that is ideal for those who value simplicity and efficiency. It's less than $200, and offers consistent, solid suction for hardwood as well as carpets with low pile, while avoiding tangles with rug threads. It's not very advanced, but it works well. It is also compatible with voice commands. You can set it up on a schedule, or create zones that are not allowed to be used using the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technologies can impact the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate your home. Some models on this list have sensors (or cameras) to help your robot vacuum avoid common robot traps such as cords, toys for children and pet mess. iRobot Roomba J7 is among the most impressive examples of smart technology in action, is a fantastic example. It also comes with a sleek base that automatically emptys the garbage bin, so you don't have to.
During testing we set up this robotic cleaner in a huge home and were awed by how quickly and thoroughly the floors were cleaned without getting bogged down. It is extremely maneuverable and is able to reach places most standup vacs never reach, such as under beds and sofas. It also has excellent suction, a massive 500-milliliter dustbin and over two hours of runtime. It's just not equipped with the ability to create no-go zones in the app and its detection of objects is somewhat erratic, meaning we saw it occasionally bump into objects during our tests (resulting in a few toppled vase tops).
It's important to keep in mind that, no matter how intelligent the robot vacuum might appear but it can't replace your upright or canister vacuum. It can't deal with heavily dirty carpets, it can't reach into every crevice, and it's not able to reach your ceilings or other difficult to reach spaces. It can be an effective addition to your regular cleaning routine for getting rid of pet dander, and hair.
Most robot vacuums have sensor systems that help them navigate around obstacles and stairs. They can sense the moment they're about to fall down the stairs, for example and can also identify messy spaces and maneuver around them. Nevertheless, if you're not careful the robo-cleaner may get stuck on a cord or stray shoe and need some help.
Some of the more advanced robot vacuums have the ability to map, which allows them to create a floor plan of your house and locate themselves within it. This lets them know what areas they've already cleaned and avoid the hassle of going over the same spots. It also allows them to resume the same place they left off, should they need to return to their charging dock.
Self-Emptying
A robot vacuum that automatically empties its bin of dust when it gets full is a great convenience. Some models also have a window so you can see when the bin needs to be empty. This feature is great for people who have pets or children, who can create lots of mess than adults.
Most robot vacuums allow you to select whether the machine will be controlled by a remote, an app on your smartphone or voice commands. They have a number of digital functions, including scheduling and maintenance tips. You can program your robot to clean your house on an annual or a regular basis using the correct settings. You can also program the robot to clean and map out specific areas of your home.
Some of the most intelligent robot vacuums we've tested come with built-in cameras as well as 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 around your home. Some of these systems even remember furniture placement and note transitions from hard floors to carpet.
The most effective smart vacuums will help you save time by automating the mapping and cleaning of entire homes and keeping precise records of previous cleaning sessions. You can access these records through an app on your smartphone 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 self-emptying robotic that delivers great performance at a reasonable cost. It can clean both floors and sweep up pet hair and other messes from rugs made of wood and low pile. It's not as sophisticated as other robots we've reviewed, but it does its job very well.
The rubber-like wheels on this model allow it to move right over the high transitions between rooms and obstacles like tangled device cords that can cause problems for other robots. It also comes with a large dust bin that doesn't need to be emptied manually, and it's able to recharge and resume cleaning if it runs out of power. It's more expensive compared to other robotic vacuums we've tested but it is able to combine powerful suction with simple controls to give you a great value.
Voice Control
The majority of robot vacuums can be controlled using a remote or an app on your phone. Some also connect to smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home, allowing you to operate them with voice commands. This is helpful for robots that need to be cleaned and you have pets or small children who could be disruptive.
Many models have an automatic mode that operates without your input. The robot can be started by pressing a button within the app or on the robot. These robots can also be programmed to clean regularly which is great for those who wish to program it to forget about it.
Some of the more expensive models have an advanced feature that uses artificial intelligence to scan your home and detect obstacles. These models can recognize things like stairs, power cords, and furniture, and they can also distinguish between different types of floors. This can help them avoid these hazards which is particularly useful in larger homes that have lots of carpets and flooring coverings 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, which has robotic cleaner and mop the clean, fuss-free appearance of a WiFi hub, but has the performance of a top bot. It is extremely suction-driven and can handle dirt and debris on carpets and hardwood floors easily. Its squat and short side brush is less likely to get caught in shoes or cords. The hybrid roller brush, which uses bristles as well as plastic, provides an efficient cleaning.
This model is more expensive than the other models that are in the middle of the range however, it can do everything you'd expect from a robot mop and vacuum. It can map and create a cleaning schedule as well as virtual keep-out zones, and is compatible with voice assistants. However, it doesn't have obstacles avoidance or room scanning like the j7 and S8.