The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Robot vacuums can make cleaning your floors a breeze. The best ones nab tracked-in dirt, crumbs, shedding pet hair, and more.
And while they still can't perform as well of a job as a regular vacuum however, they've come a long way in the past few years. They're more sophisticated, more powerful, and (marginally better) at avoiding the chair leg.
Smart Mapping
Robot vacuum cleaners use tools for navigation, such as sensors and lasers to navigate your home. They remove pet hair, crumbs and dirt from hard floors such as tile, wood, and laminate, and carpets with a low pile. The most advanced robots can map your home so they can remember where they have been and avoid hitting obstructions like chairs, sofas and bookshelves that you may prefer to keep out of the way. You can make use of your smartphone app to create zones that prohibit your robot to stay out of rooms you don't want it 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. You can then leave it to do a thorough job without having to constantly monitor the status of your floorplan, or manually move obstacles out of the way. The TP Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robot that combine vacuuming and mopping. It's the perfect solution to keep your home clean. It has a fantastic suction feature and can be used with Alexa or Google Assistant. It also has a convenient self-emptying feature that can be used as an alarm camera.
Roborock Q Revo, a lower-cost robot that vacuums, mops and can be used as a robotic trashcan is a great option for homes without the need for more advanced features. However, it has a few disadvantages when compared to Roomba J7 and S8. For instance, it uses a single rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes that the other models have which means it won't be as effective in picking up larger debris like shoes and socks. It doesn't have AI obstacle avoidance so you may need to clear clutter before running.
The iLife A4s Pro robot is an easy, reliable robot that is ideal for those who appreciate simplicity and competence. It costs less than $200 and offers strong, consistent suction on hardwood and carpets with low pile, while avoiding tangles with rug threads. It's not very advanced however it's a good choice. It also works with voice commands. You can set it up to run a program, or create zones that are not allowed to be used using the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technologies can make or break the ability of a robot vacuum navigate through your home. Some models on our list have sensors (or even cameras) that help your robo-cleaner avoid common traps for robots such as cords, toys for children and pet spills. iRobot Roomba J7, one of the most impressive examples of smart technology in action, is a great example. It also has a stylish clean base that emptys the garbage bin automatically so you don't have to.
We tested this robotic cleaner in a large home and were impressed with how quickly and efficiently the floors were cleaned without getting sluggish. It is extremely maneuverable and can get to places that stand-up vacuums are unable to reach, such as under sofas and under beds. It has a 500ml dustbin, excellent suction and a running time of more than two hours. However, it lacks the ability to create no-go zones within the app and its detection of objects is a little hit-or-miss, meaning we saw 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 a robot vacuum may be, it will not substitute for your upright or canister vacuum. It's not equipped to handle heavily dirty carpets, it can't be able to reach every corner, and it's not able to reach your ceilings or other difficult to reach spaces. But for keeping your floors clear of pet hair, crumbs, dander and other debris, it can be an excellent addition to your cleaning routine.
Most robot vacuums come with sensors that aid them to navigate through obstacles and steps. They can tell when they are about to fall down the stairs, for instance, and can also recognize areas that are cluttered and move around them. If you're not careful, your robot cleaner could be stuck on a shoe, cord, or other object.
Certain robot vacuums come with mapping capabilities, which allow them to draw an precise floor plan of your home and pinpoint themselves. This lets them know what areas they've already cleaned, and avoid the hassle of going over the same spots. This lets them resume where they left off if they have to return to the charging dock.
Self-Emptying
A vacuum cleaner that can automatically emptys its bin when it is full is an excellent convenience. Some models have windows that allow you to observe when the bin has to be empty. This feature is ideal for those with children or pets, who are likely to create lots of mess than adults.
The majority of robot vacuums let you choose whether the machine is controlled by a remote or an app for your phone, or via voice commands. They offer a range of digital functions, including scheduling and maintenance tips. You can program your robot to clean your house on a weekly or regular basis using the correct settings. You can also program the robot to mark out and clean specific areas of your home.
Some of the most cleaning robot mop and vacuum 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 in the robot app to easily navigate through your home. Some of these systems can even remember furniture layout and transitions between hard floors and carpet.
The best smart vacuums can save you time by automatically mapping and cleaning whole homes, and also keeping detailed records of cleaning sessions. You can access these records using an app for your tablet or phone. The majority of them can be linked to your smart speaker so that you can control them using voice commands.
TP-Link's Tapo RV30 Plus is an affordable, self-emptying robotic vacuum that delivers excellent performance for the price. It can clean hardwood floors as well as low-pile carpets, and remove pet hair and other debris. It's not as sophisticated as other robots we've reviewed, however, it does what it does very well.
This model's tank-like wheels allow it to go over obstacles such as cords that get caught up and high transitions in between rooms. It comes with a large bin that does not need to be emptying manually, and can recharge itself and restart cleaning when it's running out of power. It's a bit more costly than the other robotic vacuums we've tried however it combines powerful suction and simple controls to give you a good value.
Voice Control
The majority of robot vacuums can be controlled by a remote or an app that runs on smartphones. Some also connect to smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home, allowing you to operate them with voice commands. This is useful for robots that need to clean and you have pets or children who could be disruptive.
Many models also come with an automatic mode that functions without input from you. The robot can be started by pressing a button on the app or on the robot. 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.
Some of the more expensive models come with an advanced feature that utilizes artificial intelligence to examine your home and find obstacles. These models can identify things like furniture, stairs, power cords and even different types of flooring. This helps to avoid the dangers which is especially helpful in larger homes that have lots of rugs and other flooring coverings that are difficult for robots to navigate.
Other robots are more basic in their ability to detect objects, but they still do the job. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus, for instance is a model that resembles a wifi router but offers the performance of a top-of-the-line robot. It has a powerful suction and can clean dirt and debris on medium-pile carpets and hardwood floors. The short and squat-shaped side brush is less likely to get caught in shoes or cords. The hybrid roller brush, which uses bristles and plastic, provides a thorough cleaning.
It's more expensive than other mid-range robots, but it can do everything you'd expect from mopping and vacuuming with a robot. It can draw out an cleaning schedule and design one. It also has virtual zones to keep out of. It does not have the same room-scanning and obstacles-avoiding features like the j7 or the s8.