The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Robot vacuums can help you clean your floors more easily. The best ones nab tracked-in dirt, crumbs, shed pet hair and more.
Although they're not like a regular vacuum cleaner, they've made significant progress in the last few years. They're smarter, more powerful and (marginally) better in avoiding the legs of chairs.
Smart Mapping
Utilizing navigational tools like lasers and sensors, robotic vacuum cleaners move around your home, suctioning pet hair, crumbs, and dirt into their dustbins from hard floors such as laminate, wood and tile and carpets and area rugs with low pile. The most advanced robots map your home, so they can remember where they have been and avoid hitting obstacles like sofas, chairs and bookshelves you might prefer to keep out of your way. You can make use of your smartphone app to create no-go zones that tell your robot not to enter rooms it doesn't want to clean.
Robots with advanced mapping capabilities, such as the Roomba J7, make use of an onboard cameras and processor-powered intelligent to avoid and detect obstacles. This means you can leave the robot to perform an effective 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 which includes vacuuming and mopping. It's the perfect solution to keep your home spotless. It's got great suction, and it is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. It also has a convenient self-emptying feature, and can be used as security cameras.
Roborock Q Revo, a lower-cost robot that vacuums, mops and can be used as a robotic trashcan is a great option for homes that don't have the need for more advanced features. However, it has some limitations in comparison to the Roomba S8 and j7. It has only one brush, not dual roller brushes, which means it isn't as efficient at picking up larger debris such as shoes and socks. It doesn't have AI obstacle avoidance, which means you may need to clear obstructions before you run.
The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's ideal for those who prefer simplicity and proficiency. It costs less than $200, and provides strong, consistent suction both on hardwood and low-pile rug and avoids tangles. It doesn't come with any advanced features, but it does the job very well. It also works with voice commands, so you can set it up on a schedule or set up zones that are not allowed to enter via the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technology can be the difference between the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate your home. Some models on our list include sensors (or even cameras) which help your robo-cleaner avoid common traps for robots, such as cords, kids' toys and pet spills. iRobot Roomba j7 is among the most amazing examples of smart technology in action, is a great example. It also comes with a stylish base that automatically empty the garbage bin, so you don't need to.
During our tests the robotic cleaner up in a big house and were impressed by how quickly and efficiently it was able to clean floors without getting bogged down. It has impressive maneuverability and can reach places that most stand-up vacs cannot go, including couches and under beds. It has a 500ml dustbin, a powerful suction system and a running time of more than two hours. However, it lacks the ability to set no-go zones in the app and its detection of objects is somewhat erratic and we did see it hit things a few times during our tests (resulting in a few tipped vase).
It's important to keep in mind that no matter how clever the robot vacuum might appear it will not replace your upright or canister vacuum. It's not equipped to handle heavily stained carpets, it will not reach into every crevice, and won't be able to reach your ceilings or other difficult-to-access areas. It's a great addition to your regular cleaning routine to remove hair, and pet dander.
Sensor systems are built into the majority of robot vacuums, allowing them to navigate around stairs and obstacles. They can usually sense when they're about to fall down a staircase, for instance, and they can also recognize cluttered areas and maneuver around them. If you're not careful your robot-cleaner could get stuck on a cord, shoe or another object.
Some robot vacuums come with mapping capabilities that allow them to create an accurate floor plan of your house and locate themselves. They will then be able to identify the areas they have already cleaned and can save time by not having to clean the same areas. It also lets them resume the same place they left off, should they have to return to their charging dock.
Self-Emptying
A vacuum mop robot robot vacuum that automatically empty its dust bin when it is full is an incredible convenience. Certain models come with an indicator that allows you to see when the dust bin is due to be empty. This feature is ideal for those with pets or children, who are likely to create lots of mess than adults.
Most robot vacuums let you select whether the machine can be controlled with a remote, an app from your phone, or through voice commands. They also come with a variety of digital functions, including maintenance and scheduling. You can program your robot to clean your house on every week or on a regularly using the appropriate settings. You can also program the robot to mark 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 of your home. These can be saved in the robot's app so you can quickly navigate to specific rooms or areas of your home. Some of these systems can even keep track of furniture placement and even note the transitions from hard floors to carpet.
Smart vacuums save time by cleaning entire homes automatically and keeping detailed records of previous cleaning sessions. You can access these records through 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 delivers excellent performance for the price. It is able to clean floors and sweep pet hair and other particles from hardwood and low-pile rugs. It's not as advanced as other robots we've reviewed, however, it does what it does well.
The wheels that resemble a tank that this model has allow it to move across the transitions between rooms and obstacles like tangled cords from devices that trip up other robots. It has a huge bin that doesn't have to be empty manually and is able to recharge itself and resume cleaning if it is unable to continue cleaning. It's more expensive compared to other robotic vacuums we've tried, but it is able to combine powerful suction and easy controls to provide excellent value.
Voice Control
The majority of robot vacuums are controlled by a remote or an app that runs on smartphones. Some models can also be integrated with smart speakers such as Amazon Echo or Google Home, allowing you to control them using voice commands. This can be helpful when you have pets or children who might interfere with your cleaning session or if you're tired to operate the robot manually.
Most models also include an automatic mode that works without any input from you. You can start the robot by pressing a button within the app or on the robot. They can be programmed to clean in accordance with a schedule, making them ideal for people who just need to set and forget.
Certain models that are more expensive include a sophisticated feature which uses artificial intelligence to detect and scan obstructions within your home. These models can identify things like power cords, stairs as well as furniture, and even discern between different kinds of flooring. This can help robots stay clear of dangers. This is especially helpful in homes with large areas of rugs and other floorcoverings which are difficult for robots navigate.
Some 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 and easy-to-use appearance of a WiFi hub, but boasts a lot of the performance of a top-notch robot. It is extremely suction-driven and can handle dirt and debris from carpets and hardwood floors easily. Its short, squat side brushes are less likely to get tangled in stray shoes and cords and its hybrid roller brush utilizes bristles and plastic rather than a traditional bristle brush for an even more thorough cleaning.
This model is more expensive than other models that are in the middle of the range, but it does everything you want from mop and vacuum robots. It can map out an cleaning schedule and design one. It also has virtual zones to keep out of. It doesn't have the same room-scanning and obstacle avoidance as the j7 and the s8.