The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Robot vacuums can make cleaning your floors a breeze. The best robot vacuums can clean up dirt, crumbs, pet hair, and more.
Although they're not like a regular vacuum cleaner, they have come a long ways in the past few years. They're smarter and powerful, and (marginally better) at avoiding the chair leg.
Smart Mapping
Robot vacuum cleaners utilize navigation tools like lasers and sensors to navigate through your home. They remove pet hair, crumbs and dirt from floors made of hard materials like tile, wood and laminate, as well as low-pile area rugs and carpets. Robots that are the most advanced map your home, so they know where they've been and can avoid bumping into obstacles like sofas, chairs, and bookshelves. You can also set up no-go zones using your smartphone to alert your robot to avoid rooms you don't wish it to keep clean.
Robots that have advanced mapping capabilities like the Roomba J7, utilize an onboard camera and processor-powered intelligence to avoid and detect obstacles. This means you can let the robot to perform an efficient cleaning without having to constantly check the status of your floorplan, or manually move obstacles out of the robot's path. The TP Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robotic device that includes vacuuming and mopping. It's a single-stop solution to keep your home spotless. It has great suction, and it is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. It can self-empty and can also function as a surveillance camera.
A cheaper robot that vacuums, mops and can even be used as a robot trashcan, the Roborock Q Revo is a good choice for homes that don't need the more advanced features of the more expensive models. However, it has a few disadvantages compared to the Roomba J7 and S8. For one, it has one rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes that the other models have which means it won't be as effective in collecting larger objects like socks and shoes. It also doesn't have any AI obstacle avoidance, which means you might need to get rid of clutter prior to running it.
The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that is ideal for those who prioritize simplicity and competence. It costs less than $200 and offers strong, consistent suction both on hardwood and low-pile rug, while avoiding tangles. It doesn't include any advanced features, but it does the job well. It is also compatible with voice commands. It can be set up on a schedule, or create zones of no-go zones with the app.
Object Detection
The use of object-avoidance technology can impact the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate around your home. Some of the models we've reviewed have sensors (or even cameras) that allow your robot cleaner to avoid common traps for robots, such as cords, toys for children and pet messes. iRobot's Roomba j7 is one of the most impressive examples of this kind of smart technology in action. It also has a stylish clean base that emptys the dustbin automatically so you don't need to.
During our tests the robot, we set the cleaner up in a huge house and were awed by the speed and efficiency with which it cleaned up floors without becoming bogged down. It has impressive maneuverability and can get to places that stand-up vacuums are unable to reach, such as couches and under beds. It also has great suction, a massive 500-milliliter dustbin and over two hours of runtime. It's not able to create no-go zones, and its recognition of objects is a bit hit-or-miss. We observed it hitting objects on occasion during our tests which resulted in vases falling over.
It's important to keep in mind that no matter how intelligent the robot vacuum is it won't replace your regular upright or canister vacuum. It won't be able to clean heavily soiled carpets. It can't reach the ceiling or other difficult-to-reach areas. It's a great addition to your regular cleaning routine for removing crumbs, pet dander, and hair.
Sensors are integrated into the majority of robot vacuums, allowing them to navigate around obstacles and stairs. They can tell when they are about to fall down the stairs, for instance and can also identify messy spaces and maneuver around them. If you're not careful your robo-cleaner may be stuck on a cord, shoe or another object.
Some of the more advanced robot vacuums have the ability to map, which allows them to create an outline of your house and locate themselves within it. They can then know what areas they have already cleaned, and save time by not having to go over the same spots. It also lets them resume where they left off in case they need to return to their charging dock.
Self-Emptying
A robot vacuum that will automatically empty its bin after it is full is a wonderful convenience. Some models also have a window to let you know when the bin has to be emptied. This is a great feature for those with children or pets, who can create lots of mess than adults.
The majority of robot vacuums allow you to choose whether the machine is operated with a remote, an app on your phone or via voice commands. They come with a variety of digital features, including scheduling and maintenance tips. 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 map out and clean specific areas of your home.
Some of the most advanced 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. 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 even remember furniture placement and note the transitions from hard floors to website carpet.
Smart vacuums save time by cleaning entire homes automatically and keeping detailed records of previous cleaning sessions. You can access the records via an app that you can install on your smartphone or tablet. Most of them can be connected to your smart speaker, so you can control them using voice commands.
TP-Link Tapo RV30+ is a self-emptying robot that offers outstanding performance for a reasonable cost. It is able to clean floors and sweep pet hair and other debris from hardwood and low-pile rugs. It's not as sophisticated as the other robots we've reviewed but it does its job very well.
The rubber-like wheels on this model permit it to move right over the high transitions between rooms and obstacles like tangled device cords which can cause a problem for other robots. It comes with a large bin that does not need to be empty manually and it can charge itself and continue cleaning when it is unable to continue cleaning. It's a bit more expensive than some of the other robotic vacuums that we've tested, but it blends powerful suction and 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. Some also connect to smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home, allowing you to operate them with voice commands. This can be helpful if you have small pets or children that could hinder your cleaning, or if you're too exhausted to manage the robot manually.
The majority of models come with an automatic mode which works without input. The robot can be started by pressing a button in the app or on the robot. They can be programmed to clean according to a schedule, making them ideal for those who need to set and forget.
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 recognize things like stairs, power cords and furniture, and they can also identify different types of flooring. This can help them avoid these hazards which is particularly useful in homes with a lot of rugs and other floor coverings that are hard for robots to navigate.
Other robots are less sophisticated in their object detection abilities however they can are still able to do the job. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, which has the clean elegant, easy-to-use design of a WiFi hub but offers the capabilities of a top-of-the-line robot. It has excellent suction and is able to remove dirt and debris from carpets and hardwood floors easily. Its short, squat side brushes are less likely to get stuck in stray shoes or cords, and its hybrid roller brush utilizes bristles and plastic rather than a traditional bristle brush for better cleaning.
This model is more expensive than other robots that are in the middle of the range but it has everything you would expect from a robot mop and vacuum. It can map and create a cleaning schedule and has virtual keep-out zones, and is compatible with voice assistants. However, it doesn't have the ability to scan rooms or avoid obstacles like the S8 or j7.