The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Cleaning your floors isn't always easy, but robot vacuums make it easier. The best ones can remove tracked-in dirt, crumbs, shedding pet hair, and more.
Although they're not the same way as a regular vacuum cleaner, they've improved a lot in the past few years. They're smarter and more powerful, as well as (marginally better) at avoiding the chair leg.
Smart Mapping
Robot vacuum cleaners utilize tools for navigation, such as lasers and sensors to navigate around your home. They remove pet hair, crumbs, and dirt from floors made of hard materials such as tile, wood and laminate, as well as carpets and area rugs with low piles. Robots that are the most advanced maps your home, so they know where they've been and can avoid bumping into obstacles like chairs, sofas, and bookshelves. You can also use the smartphone's app to set up no-go zones that tell your robot to stay out of rooms that you don't want to clean.
Robots equipped with advanced mapping capabilities, such as the Roomba j7, utilize onboard cameras and processor-powered intelligents to see and avoid obstacles. This means that you can leave the robot to perform an efficient 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 with vacuuming. It's a single-stop solution to keep your home tidy. It has a great suction system and works with Alexa or Google Assistant. It can self-empty and can also be used as a security camera.
Roborock Q Revo, a cheaper robot that vacuums, mops and can be used as an automated trashcan is a great choice for homes without the need for more advanced features. There are some drawbacks in comparison to the Roomba S8 and J7. It's got only one brush, not dual roller brushes, so it isn't as efficient at picking up larger debris such as socks and shoes. It also doesn't have any AI obstacle avoidance, so it could be necessary to clear away clutter before running it.
The iLife A4s Pro robot is an easy-to-use reliable robot that is ideal for those who appreciate simplicity and proficiency. It's less than $200, and offers strong, consistent suction on both hardwood and low-pile carpets, while avoiding tangles with rug threads. It doesn't have any fancy features, but it does its job well. It also works with voice commands, which means you can run it on a schedule or set up zones that are not allowed to enter using the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technology can impact the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate your home. Some models on our list include sensors (or even cameras) that allow your robot cleaner to avoid common traps for robots such as cords, kids' toys and pet messes. The iRobot Roomba J7 is among the most impressive examples of this type of smart technology in action. It also comes with a sleek base that automatically emptys the garbage bin, so you don't need to.
During testing the robot, we set the cleaner up in a huge house and were impressed by the speed and efficiency with which it cleaned up floors without becoming bogged down. It is extremely maneuverable and can get to places that stand-up vacuums are unable to can, like couches and under beds. It comes with a 500-ml dustbin, a powerful suction system and a time of over two hours. However, it lacks the ability to create zones that are not allowed to be used and its detection of objects is a little hit-or-miss which means that we saw it hit things a few times during our tests (resulting in the tumbling of a few vase).
It's important to keep in mind that no matter how smart the robot vacuum is, it will not replace your upright or canister vacuum. It can't deal with heavily soiled carpets, it won't be able to reach every corner, and it's not able to reach your ceilings or other hard-to-reach areas. However, to keep your floors clear of pet hair, crumbs and other particles it's a good addition to your routine of cleaning.
Most robot vacuums have sensor systems that help them navigate around obstacles and stairs. They are able to tell when they are about to fall down the stairs, for example and also detect messy spaces and maneuver around them. However, if you're not careful your robot-cleaner could get stuck on a cord or stray shoe and require help.
Some smarter robot vacuums have the ability to map, which allows them to design a floor plan of your house and locate themselves within it. This lets them know which areas they've already cleaned and avoid spending time cleaning 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 robot vacuum that automatically emptys its bin when it is full is a wonderful convenience. Some models have an indicator that allows you to see when the dust bin has to be empty. This is an excellent feature for those with pets or children who tend to make more mess than adults.
The majority of robot vacuums let you choose whether the machine can be controlled by a remote, an app on your phone or via voice commands. They also have a variety of digital functions, including maintenance and scheduling suggestions. If you set the right settings, you can schedule your robot to clean at a set time, or on a weekly basis. You can also program the robot to mark out and clean specific areas of your home.
Some of the most intelligent robot vacuums we've tested come with built-in cameras and sensor technology that allows them to create maps of your home. These maps can be saved to the robot's app so you can easily navigate to specific rooms or areas of your home. Some of these systems even keep track of furniture placement and even note the transitions between hard floors and carpet.
The best smart vacuums can save you time by automatically mapping and cleaning entire houses and keeping detailed records of cleaning sessions. You can access these records via an app that you can install on your tablet or phone. Most can also connect 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 provides high 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 other robots we've reviewed but it does what it does very efficiently.
The tank-like wheels on this model allow it to roll right over the transitions between rooms as well as obstacles such as tangled cords for devices that can cause problems for other robots. It also comes with a large dust bin that doesn't have to be empty manually, and it's also able to recharge and resume cleaning when it runs out of power. It's more expensive compared to other robotic vacuums we've tested however it has powerful suction with simple controls to deliver an excellent value.
Voice Control
Most robot vacuums are controlled by a remote control or an app on a smartphone. Certain robot vacuums can be operated by voice commands through smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is a great option for robots that need to clean and you have pets or children that could interfere.
The majority of models come with an automatic mode that operates without your input. Simply press a button on the robot or within the app and it will begin taking in food hair, and crumbs. These robots can be programmed to clean according to the schedule, which makes them ideal for people who just want to make a plan and forget.
Some of the most expensive models include an advanced feature that utilizes artificial intelligence to examine your home and find obstacles. These models can identify things like power cords, stairs as well as furniture, and they can also discern between different kinds of floors. This helps robots avoid hazards. This is especially helpful in large homes that have lots of rugs and other floorcoverings that are difficult for robots navigate.
Other robots are less sophisticated in their ability to detect objects however they can still do the job. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, that has the sleek elegant, easy-to-use design of a WiFi hub but has the capabilities of a top-of-the-line robot. It has excellent suction and is able to remove dirt and debris on hardwood floors and rugs with medium pile effortlessly. Its short, squat-shaped side brushes are less likely to get caught in stray shoes and cords and its hybrid roller brush uses bristles and plastic rather than the traditional bristle brush to provide better cleaning.
This model is pricier than other mid-range robots but it does everything you need from a robot vacuum and mop. It can map out an cleaning schedule and design one. It also has virtual zones to keep out of. However, it doesn't have room-scanning or obstacle avoidance like the S8 or j7.