The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Robot vacuums can make cleaning your floors a breeze. 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 have improved a lot in the last few years. They're smarter and powerful, and (marginally better) at avoiding chair leg.
Smart Mapping
Using navigation tools like lasers and sensors, robotic vacuum cleaners work their way around your home, suctioning pet hair, crumbs, and dirt into their bins from hard floors such as wood, tile and laminate, as well as area rugs and carpets with low pile. Robots that are the most sophisticated map your home so they know where they've been and can avoid hitting obstacles such as couches, chairs, and bookshelves. You can make use of your smartphone's app to set up no-go zones, which tell your robot not to enter rooms you don't want it to clean.
Robots that have advanced mapping capabilities, such as the Roomba J7, make use of an onboard cameras and processor-powered intelligent to detect and avoid obstacles. This means that you can leave the robot to perform an effective cleaning without having to continuously check 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 combines mopping with vacuuming. It's the perfect solution to keep your home clean. It has a great suction, and also is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. It also has a convenient self-emptying feature, and can be used as an alarm camera.
A less expensive robot that vacuums, mop and can even be used as a robot trashcan, the Roborock Q Revo is a excellent choice for homes that don't require the advanced features of more expensive models. However, it has some limitations in comparison to the Roomba S8 and j7. It has one brush instead of dual roller brushes, so it isn't as effective at removing larger pieces of debris like socks and shoes. It does not have AI obstacle avoidance so you might need to get rid of obstructions before you run.
The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's perfect for those who prefer simplicity and competence. It's less than $200, and offers strong, consistent suction both on hardwood and low-pile rug, while avoiding knots. It's not very advanced however it's a good choice. It also works with voice commands, so you can run it on schedule or create zones that aren't allowed to be entered through the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technologies can make or break the ability of a robot vacuum navigate through your home. Some models on this list have sensors (or cameras) to aid your robot vacuum to avoid common robot traps such as cords, toys for children and pet messes. IRobot's Roomba j7 is one of the best examples of this type of smart technology in action. It also has a stylish base that automatically emptys the dustbin so you don't have to.
We tested this robot cleaner in a large home and were impressed with how quickly and thoroughly the floors were cleaned without getting bogged down. It is extremely maneuverable and is able to reach places most standup vacs never reach, such as under beds and sofas. It also has great suction, a huge 500 ml dustbin, and an over two-hour running time. However, it lacks the ability to set no-go zones within the app and its detection of objects is a little hit-or-miss, meaning we saw it bump into things occasionally during our tests (resulting in a few toppled vase tops).
It is important to keep in mind that, no matter how intelligent the robot vacuum is it won't replace your upright or canister vacuum. It's not able to clean carpets with a lot of dirt. It can't reach the ceiling or other areas that are difficult to reach. It can be an effective addition to your regular cleaning routine for removing crumbs, pet dander, and hair.
Most robot vacuums have sensors that allow them to navigate around obstacles and stairs. They can tell when they're about fall down the stairs, for example and also detect areas that are cluttered and move around them. If you're not careful your robot-cleaner could get stuck on a shoe, cord, or other object.
Some of the smarter robot vacuums come with mapping capabilities that allow them to create a floor plan of your home and then locate themselves within it. This lets them know which areas they've already cleaned, and avoid spending time cleaning the same areas. This allows them to continue where they left off, should they need to return to the charging dock.
Self-Emptying
A robot vacuum that will automatically emptys its bin when it is full is an excellent convenience. Some models have an indicator that allows you to know when the bin has to be empty. This is a fantastic option for anyone with pets or children who tend to make more mess than adults.
The majority of robot vacuums allow you to choose whether the machine is controlled by a remote, an app from your phone, or through voice commands. They come with a variety of digital functions, including maintenance and scheduling tips. Using the right settings, you can schedule your robot to clean on a regular time or on an annual basis. You can also program the robot to clean and map out specific areas of your home.
The most advanced robot vacuums we've tested come with sensors and cameras, which allow them to create maps of your home. You can save these maps in the robot's app to quickly navigate around your home. Some of these systems even keep track of furniture placement and even note the transitions from hard floors to carpet.
Smart vacuums save time by mapping and cleaning entire houses automatically and keeping detailed records of the cleaning sessions that have occurred previously. You can access these records via an app that you can install on your tablet or phone. They can also be connected to your smart speaker, so you can control them with voice commands.
TP-Link Tapo RV30+ is self-emptying robot that provides excellent performance at a low cost. It can clean hardwood floors and carpets with low pile, and also remove pet hair and other particles. It's not as sophisticated as the other robots we've reviewed but it does its job well.
The wheels that resemble a tank that best robot mop this model has allow it to glide right over the high gaps between rooms and obstacles like tangled device cords that can cause problems for other robots. It also has a large dust bin that doesn't have to be emptying manually, and it can recharge and resume cleaning if it's power-depleted. It's a bit more expensive than other robotic vacuums we've tried however it combines powerful suction with simple controls to provide a fantastic value.
Voice Control
Most robot vacuums are controlled by a remote control or an app on a smartphone. Some can also integrate with smart speakers such as Amazon Echo or Google Home, allowing you to control them using voice commands. This is useful if your robot needs to clean and you have pets or small children who might interfere.
Many models also come with an automatic mode that works without any input from you. Simply press a button on the robot or within the app and it will begin sucking up dirt, food particles, and pet hair. They can be programmed to clean regularly which is great for those who wish to program it to forget about it.
Some of the most expensive models include an advanced feature that utilizes artificial intelligence to scan your home and detect obstacles. These models can detect things like stairs, furniture, power cords and even different types of flooring. This can help robots stay clear of dangers. This is particularly useful in large homes with lots carpeting and flooring which are difficult for robots navigate.
Other robots are less sophisticated in their ability to detect objects, but they are still able to do the job. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus, for example is similar to WiFi routers, but it has the performance of a high-end bot. It has excellent suction and handles dirt and debris from hardwood floors and rugs with medium pile with ease. Its squat, short side brushes are less likely to be caught in stray shoes and cords and its hybrid roller brush uses bristles and plastic rather than bristles in traditional form for better cleaning.
This model is pricier than other mid-range robots, however, it is able to do everything you need from mopping and vacuuming with a robot. It can draw out a cleaning schedule and create one. It also has virtual zones that you can stay clear of. However, it doesn't have room-scanning or obstacle avoidance like the j7 and S8.