The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Robot vacuums can make cleaning your floors a breeze. The best ones nab tracked-in dirt, crumbs and shed pet hair, and more.
Although they're not like an ordinary vacuum cleaner, they've improved a lot in the past few years. They're more efficient, smarter and (marginally) better at avoiding chair legs.
Smart Mapping
Using navigation tools like sensors and lasers, robot vacuum cleaners work their way around your home, removing pet hair, crumbs, and dirt from their dustbins. They can be found on hard floors such as wood, tile and laminate, as well as low-pile carpets and area rugs. Robots that are the most advanced maps your home to know where they've been, and can avoid bumping into obstacles like couches, chairs and bookshelves. You can also set up no-go zones on your smartphone to instruct your robot to stay clear of areas you don't want it to keep clean.
Robots that have advanced mapping capabilities like the Roomba J7, utilize an the onboard camera and processor-powered intelligence to avoid and detect obstacles. This means you can leave it alone to get an effective cleaning without having to constantly monitor the state of your floorplan or manually remove obstacles from the robot's path. The TP Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robot which combine vacuuming and mopping. It's a one-stop solution to keep your home tidy. It has a fantastic suction feature and can be used with Alexa or Google Assistant. It also comes with a handy self-emptying feature, and can be used as security cameras.
A less expensive robot that vacuums, mop and can be used as a robotic trashcan, the Roborock Q Revo is a excellent choice for homes that don't need the advanced features of more expensive models. It does have some disadvantages when compared to the Roomba S8 and j7. It has one rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes of the other which means it won't be as effective in picking up larger debris like socks and shoes. It doesn't 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 is ideal for those who prefer simplicity and efficiency. It's priced at less than $200, and offers strong, consistent suction both on hardwood and low-pile carpets, while avoiding knots. It doesn't come with any advanced features, however it does the job very well. It also works with voice commands, which means you can run it on schedule or even set up no-go zones through the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technologies can make or break the ability of a robot vacuum navigate your home. Some models on our list have sensors (or even cameras) that allow your robot cleaner to avoid common traps for robots such as cords, kids' toys and pet messes. iRobot's Roomba j7 is one of the best examples of this kind of technology in action. It also has a stylish base that automatically empties the trash bin so that you don't need to.
We tested the robotic cleaner in a large home and were awed by how quickly and efficiently the floors were cleaned without getting sluggish. It has impressive maneuverability and can reach places that stand-up vacuums are unable to can, like couches and under beds. It also has a great suction, a huge 500-milliliter dustbin and over two-hour runtime. However, it lacks the ability to set no-go zones in the app and its object detection is a bit hit-or-miss, meaning we saw it hit things a few times during our tests (resulting in a few tipped vase tops).
It's important to remember that, no matter how intelligent the robot vacuum might appear, it won't completely replace your traditional canister or upright vacuum. It won't be able to clean carpets with a lot of dirt. It can't reach the ceiling or other difficult-to-reach areas. It's a great addition to your regular cleaning routine to remove hair, and pet dander.
Most robot vacuums have sensors that aid them to navigate through obstacles and steps. They are able to tell when they are about to fall down the stairs, for instance and also detect messy spaces and maneuver around them. If you're not careful, your robot cleaner could become stuck on a cord, shoe or another object.
Some of the smarter robot vacuums come with more info mapping capabilities that allow them to design a floor plan of your home and locate themselves within it. This allows them to know which areas they've already cleaned, and avoid spending time cleaning the same spots. This lets them resume where they left off, in the event that they have to return to the charging dock.
Self-Emptying
A robot vacuum that will automatically emptys its bin when it is full is a wonderful convenience. Some models have an indicator that allows you to know when the bin has to be empty. This is a fantastic feature for those with pets or children who tend to create more mess than adults.
Most robot vacuums allow you to select whether the machine is controlled by a remote control or an app on your phone, or via voice commands. They also come with a range of digital features, including maintenance and scheduling suggestions. With the correct settings, you can schedule your robot to clean at a set time or on a weekly basis. You can also program it to mark and clean specific areas of your house.
Some of the most intelligent robot vacuums we've tested are equipped with built-in cameras and sensor technology that allows them to create maps of your home. You can save these maps in the robot app to easily navigate around your home. Some of these systems can even keep track of furniture placement and note the transitions between hard floors and carpet.
Smart vacuums can save you time by mapping and cleaning entire homes automatically and keeping detailed records about the cleaning sessions that have occurred previously. You can access the records via an app on your smartphone or tablet. They can also be connected to your smart speaker so you can control them with voice commands.
TP-Link Tapo RV30+ is a self-emptying robot that offers excellent performance at a low cost. It can clean both floors and sweep up pet hair and other particles from hardwood and low-pile rugs. It's not as sophisticated as the other robots we've reviewed, however it does the job well.
The tank-like wheels that this model has allow it to glide across the high gaps between rooms and obstacles like tangled device cords that trip up other robots. It has a large bin that does not need to be manually emptied and is able to recharge itself and resume cleaning if it's running out of power. It's more expensive than other robotic vacuums we've tested but it combines powerful suction with simple controls to deliver a great value.
Voice Control
Most robot vacuums are controlled by a remote or an app for a smartphone. Some robot vacuums can be operated by voice commands using smart speakers such as Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is useful if you have small pets or children that could interfere with your cleaning, or if you're too exhausted to control the robot by hand.
Most models also include an automatic mode that operates without input from you. Simply press a button on the robot or within the app, and it will start sucking up food, dirt, particles, and pet hair. The robots can be programmed to clean regularly 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 uses artificial intelligence to scan your home and detect obstacles. These models can detect things like stairs, furniture power cords, and even different kinds of flooring. This helps robots avoid dangers. This is especially useful in large homes that have lots of carpeting and other flooring coverings that are difficult for robots to navigate.
Some robots come with less basic abilities for object detection but they are able to complete the task. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, that has the sleek, fuss-free appearance of a WiFi hub, but offers the performance of a top-notch bot. It has a strong suction and can handle dirt and debris on medium-pile rugs and hardwood floors. Its short, squat side brushes are less likely to be stuck in stray shoes or cords and its hybrid roller brush uses bristles and plastic, rather than bristles in traditional form for better cleaning.
It's more expensive than other mid-range models, however, it is able to do everything you need from mopping and vacuuming with a robot. It can create an cleaning schedule and design one. It also has virtual zones to stay out of. It doesn't feature obstacles avoidance or room scanning like the S8 or j7.