The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Robot vacuums can make cleaning your floors easier. The most effective robot vacuums pick up tracked-in dirt and pet hair, crumbs and more.
While they're still unable to perform as well of a job as a traditional vacuum cleaner, they've come a long way over the last few years. They're smarter, more powerful and (marginally) better at avoiding chair legs.
Smart Mapping
Robot vacuum cleaners utilize instruments for navigation like lasers and sensors to navigate your home. They collect pet hair, crumbs, and dirt from floors made of hard materials like tile, wood and laminate, as well as carpets with a low pile. Robots that are the most sophisticated map your home, so they know where they've been, and can avoid hitting obstacles like chairs, sofas and bookshelves. You can also use your smartphone app to create no-go zones, which tell your robot not to enter rooms that you don't want to clean.
Robots with advanced mapping capabilities, like the Roomba j7, use processor-powered cameras and onboard sensors to see and avoid obstacles. It can then be left to do a thorough job without having to constantly monitor the condition of your floor plan, or manually move obstacles from the robot's way. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robot that can combine vacuuming and mopping, so it's a one-stop solution to keep your home tidy. It's got great suction, and also works with Alexa and Google Assistant. It is self-emptying and can also function as a surveillance camera.
A less expensive bot that mops, vacuums and can be used as a robot trashcan The Roborock Q Revo is a solid option for homes that don't need the more advanced features of higher-end models. However, it has some limitations in comparison to the Roomba S8 and j7. It has a single rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes that the other models have which means it won't be as effective in cleaning up larger particles such as shoes and socks. It also doesn't have any AI obstacle avoidance, so you might need to get rid of any clutter prior to running it.
The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's ideal for those who prefer simplicity and efficiency. It's less than $200 and delivers consistent, strong suction on hardwood as well as low-pile rugs while avoiding tangles. It's not the most advanced however, it's effective. It also works with voice commands, which means you can set it up on schedule or even set up no-go zones through the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technology can make or break the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate around your home. Certain models on this list have sensors (or cameras) to assist your robot vacuum in avoiding common robot traps such as cords, toys for children and pet mess. iRobot's Roomba j7 is one of the most impressive examples of this type of technology in action. It also has a stylish base that automatically empties the trash bin so that you don't need to.
During testing we set up the robotic cleaner in a huge home and were amazed by how quickly and efficiently the floors were cleaned without becoming a mess. It's extremely maneuverable and can get into places that stand-up vacuums can't reach, like under beds and couches. It comes with a 500-ml dustbin, excellent suction and a runtime of over two hours. It's not able to set up no-go zones and its recognition of objects is a bit iffy. We observed it hitting objects at times during our tests and resulted in vase caps falling over.
It's important to keep in mind that, regardless of how smart the robot vacuum is, it will not replace your regular upright or canister 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 hard-to-reach spaces. It's a great addition to your routine cleaning for getting rid of hair, pet dander and other hair.
Sensor systems are integrated into most robot vacuums, allowing them to navigate around obstacles and stairs. They can tell when they're about fall down the stairs, for example, and can also recognize areas that are cluttered and move around them. If you're not careful your robo-cleaner may get stuck on a shoe, cord or another object.
Some smarter robot vacuums have mapping capabilities that allow them to create an outline of your house and locate themselves within it. They can then identify which areas they have already cleaned, and reduce time by not having to clean the same spots. This allows them to resume where they left off, if they have to return to the charging dock.
Self-Emptying
A robot vacuum that automatically empties its bin of dust when it's full is an incredible benefit. Some models even have windows to let you know when the bin needs to be emptied. This is a great feature for people who have children or pets who tend to make much more mess than adults.
Most robot vacuums allow you to choose whether the machine is controlled by a remote or an app for your smartphone, or by voice commands. They come with a variety of digital functions, including scheduling and maintenance tips. Using 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.
Some of the smartest robot vacuums we've tested are equipped with built-in cameras and smart 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 can even remember the furniture placement and transitions between hardwood flooring and carpet.
The most effective smart vacuums will save you time by automating the mapping and cleaning of entire houses and keeping detailed records of previous cleaning sessions. You can access these records through an app for 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 affordable, self-emptying robot vacuum that provides excellent performance for the price. It can clean hardwood floors and carpets with low pile, as well as remove pet hair and other debris. It's not quite as sophisticated as other robots we've reviewed but it does the job well.
The model's tanks-like wheels allow it to go over obstacles like tangled cords and high transitions in between rooms. It also has a large dust bin that doesn't have to be empty manually, and it's able to recharge and resume cleaning if it runs out of power. It's more expensive than some of the other robotic vacuums we've tested however it combines powerful suction with simple controls to deliver a great value.
Voice Control
Most robot vacuums can be controlled by a physical remote or an app on your smartphone. Certain robot vacuums can be controlled by voice commands using smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home. This can be helpful when you have children or pets who could interfere with your cleaning session, or if you're too tired to operate the robot manually.
Many models also come with an automatic mode that works without any input from you. Simply press a button on the robot or in the app, and it will start sucking up dirt, food hair, and crumbs. They can also be programmed to clean on a regular schedule which is great for those who wish to make it easy to set it and forget it.
Certain models that are more expensive come with an advanced feature that makes use of artificial intelligence to detect and scan obstacles within your home. These models can identify things such as power cords, stairs, and furniture, and can even identify different click here types of floors. This helps them avoid these hazards, which is especially useful in homes with a lot of carpets and flooring materials that are difficult for robots to navigate.
Other robots are less sophisticated in their ability to detect objects however, they still get the job done. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, that has the sleek and easy-to-use appearance of a WiFi hub but offers the capabilities of a top-of-the-line robot. It is extremely suction-driven and can handle dirt and debris from hardwood floors and rugs with medium pile effortlessly. Its short, squat side brushes are less likely to get caught in stray shoes and cords, and its hybrid roller brush uses bristles and plastic instead of a traditional bristle brush for a more thorough cleaning.
This model is more expensive than other robots in the middle-end, but it does everything you would expect from a robot mop and vacuum. It can draw out a cleaning schedule and create one. It also has virtual zones to keep out of. It doesn't offer the same room-scanning feature and obstacle avoidance as the j7 or s8.