The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Keeping your floors clean isn't always easy but robot vacuums can help. The most effective robot vacuums remove dirt, pet hair, crumbs and more.
Although they're not the same way as a regular vacuum cleaner, they have made significant progress in the past few years. They're smarter, more powerful and (marginally) better at avoiding chair legs.
Smart Mapping
Robot vacuum cleaners use instruments for navigation like lasers and sensors to navigate through your home. They collect pet hair, crumbs, and dirt from hard floors like tile, wood and laminate, as well as carpets and area rugs with low piles. Robots that are the most sophisticated map your home to know where they've been and can avoid bumping into obstacles such as couches, chairs and bookshelves. You can also set up no-go areas on your smartphone to instruct your robot to avoid areas you don't want it to clean.
Robots that have advanced mapping capabilities, such as the Roomba j7, use processor-powered cameras and onboard sensors to detect and avoid obstacles. This means you can leave it alone to get an effective cleaning without having to constantly be checking the status of your floorplan or manually remove obstacles from the robot's path. The TP Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robot which includes vacuuming and mopping. It's a one-stop solution to keep your home tidy. It has a great suction feature and can be used with Alexa or Google Assistant. It has a self-emptying function and can also be used as a surveillance camera.
Roborock Q Revo, a lower-cost robot that vacuums, mop and is also a robotic trashcan is a great option for homes without the need for more advanced features. It does have some disadvantages in comparison to the Roomba S8 and j7. It has a single brush instead of dual roller brushes, which means it isn't as effective in removing larger objects like socks and shoes. It also lacks AI obstacle avoidance, which means it could be necessary to clear away clutter before running it.
The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's perfect for those who prefer simplicity and efficiency. It costs less than $200, and delivers consistent, strong suction on hardwood as well as low-pile rug while avoiding tangles. It's not the most advanced, but it works well. It's also compatible with voice commands, so you can set it up on a schedule or set up zones that are not allowed to enter using the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technology can affect the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate your home. Certain models on our list have sensors (or even cameras) that allow your robot cleaner to avoid common traps for robots, such as cords, kids' toys and pet mess. iRobot Roomba j7, one of the most amazing examples of smart technology in action, is a great example. It also features a chic clean base that emptys the dustbin automatically so you don't need to.
We tested the robotic cleaner in a huge home and were impressed with how quickly and efficiently the floors were cleaned without becoming a mess. It's extremely maneuverable and can reach areas that the majority of stand-up vacuums are unable to, such as under couches and under beds. It comes with a 500-ml dustbin, a powerful suction system and a runtime of over two hours. It's just not equipped with the ability to set no-go zones within the app and its object detection is a bit hit-or-miss and we did see it occasionally bump into objects during our tests (resulting in the tumbling of a few vase).
It's important to keep in mind that, no matter how intelligent the robot vacuum might appear it will not replace your traditional canister or upright vacuum. It's not able to deal with heavy stained carpets, it will not get into every crevice and it's not able to reach your ceilings or other difficult-to-access spaces. It's a great addition to your regular cleaning routine for removing crumbs, pet dander, and hair.
Sensor systems are built into most robot vacuums to help them navigate around stairs and obstacles. They are able to tell when they are about to fall down the stairs, for instance and can also identify areas that are cluttered and move around them. However, if you're not vigilant, your robo-cleaner might get stuck on a cord or stray shoe and require assistance.
Some smarter robot vacuums have the ability to map, which allows them to create an outline of your house and locate themselves within it. This lets them know what areas they've already cleaned, and avoid wasting time going over the same spots. This allows them to continue the same place they left off if they have to return to the charging dock.
Self-Emptying
A vacuum cleaner that automatically empty its dust bin when it's full is a huge convenience. Some models come with windows that allow you to observe when the bin needs to empty. This is a fantastic feature for anyone who has pets or children who tend to make more mess than adults.
Most robot vacuums let you select whether the machine is controlled with an app, a remote on your phone or via voice commands. They come with a variety of digital functions, including maintenance and scheduling tips. If you set the right settings, you can set your robot to clean at a regular time, or on a weekly basis. You can also program the robot to clean and map out specific areas of your home.
The most advanced robot vacuums we have tested are equipped with cameras and smart sensors, which enable them to create maps for your home. You can save these maps within the robot's app and use them to navigate around your home. Some of these systems even remember furniture placement and transitions between hard floors and carpet.
The best smart vacuums can help you save time by automatically mapping and cleaning entire homes and 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 with voice commands.
TP-Link's Tapo RV30 Plus is an inexpensive, self-emptying robot vacuum that delivers high performance for the money. It can clean both floors and sweep up pet hair and other particles from rugs made of wood and low pile. It's not quite as sophisticated as other robots that we've reviewed, however it does its job well.
This model's tank-like wheels allow it to roll over obstacles like cords that are tangled and high transitions in between rooms. It comes with a large bin that doesn't have to be manually emptied and is able to recharge itself and restart cleaning when it is unable to continue cleaning. It's more expensive than other robotic vacuums we've tried, however it has here powerful suction and easy controls to deliver an excellent value.
Voice Control
The majority of robot vacuums can be controlled using a remote or an app on your phone. Certain robot vacuums can be operated by voice commands through smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is useful for robots that need to clean and you have pets or small children that could interfere.
The majority of models have an automatic mode that operates without any input from you. The robot can be started by pressing a button within the app or on the robot. These robots can be programmed to clean regularly which is great for those who wish to set it and forget it.
Some of the higher-end models include a sophisticated feature that uses artificial intelligence to detect and scan obstructions within your home. These models can identify things like stairs, furniture power cords, and even different types of flooring. This helps robots avoid hazards. This is particularly useful in homes with large areas of carpeting and flooring which are difficult for robots navigate.
Other robots are more basic in their ability to detect objects however they can still get the job done. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, which has the clean, fuss-free appearance of a WiFi hub but has the capabilities of a top-of-the-line bot. It is extremely suction-driven and can handle dirt and debris on hardwood floors and rugs with medium pile easily. Its short, squat side brushes are less likely to become tangled in stray shoes and cords, and its hybrid roller brush makes use of bristles and plastic instead of bristles in traditional form for an even more thorough cleaning.
This model is pricier than other mid-range models, but it can do everything you'd expect from a robot vacuum and mop. It can create the cleaning schedule and then create one. It also has virtual zones to stay out of. It doesn't offer the same room-scanning feature and obstacle-avoiding capabilities as the j7 and the s8.