The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Cleaning your floors isn't always simple but robot vacuums can make it easier. The best robot vacuums can pick up tracked-in dirt and pet hair, crumbs and more.
While they can't perform like the regular vacuum cleaner, they've improved a lot in the last few years. They're more efficient, smarter and (marginally) better at avoiding chairs.
Smart Mapping
Utilizing navigation tools such as lasers and sensors, robotic vacuum cleaners navigate around your home, suctioning pet hair, crumbs and dirt into their dustbins from hard floors such as laminate, wood and tile and also area rugs and carpets with low pile. Robots that are the most advanced map your home so they know where they've been, and can avoid hitting obstacles like chairs, sofas and bookshelves. You can also set up no-go zones using your smartphone to alert your robot to stay clear of areas you don't want it to keep clean.
Robots with advanced mapping abilities like the Roomba J7, make use of an onboard camera and processor-powered intelligence to see and avoid obstructions. Then, you can allow it to perform the job without having to constantly monitor the state of your floorplan, or manually move obstacles from the robot's way. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robotic that does vacuuming and mopping, so it's a complete solution to keep your home clean. It's got great suction, and also works with Alexa and Google Assistant. It has a self-emptying function and can also function as a security camera.
A less expensive bot that vacuums, mop and can even be used as a trashcan, the Roborock Q Revo is a good choice for homes that don't need the advanced features of the more expensive models. There are some drawbacks in comparison to Roomba S8 and j7. It has a single brush instead of dual roller brushes, so it might not be as effective in removing larger debris such as socks and shoes. It also lacks AI obstacle avoidance technology, so you may need to get rid of clutter prior to running it.
The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's perfect for those who value simplicity and competence. It's less than $200 and offers consistent, solid suction for hardwood as well as carpets with low pile and avoids tangles with rug threads. It's not the most advanced, but it works well. It also works with voice commands, so you can run it on schedule or create zones that are not allowed to enter through the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technology can impact the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate through your home. Some of the models we've reviewed have sensors (or even cameras) which help your robo-cleaner avoid common traps for robots, such as cords, toys for children and pet mess. iRobot Roomba J7, one of the most impressive examples of smart technology in action, is a great example. It also comes with a stylish base that automatically empties the dustbin so you don't need to.
We tested this robotic cleaner in a huge home and were impressed with how quickly and thoroughly floors were cleaned without becoming a mess. It's extremely maneuverable and can reach places that the majority of stand-up vacuums are unable to be, such as under beds and couches. It has a 500ml dustbin, a powerful suction system and a runtime of over two hours. However, it lacks the ability to set zones that are not allowed to be used and its object detection is somewhat erratic which means that we saw it hit things a few times during our tests (resulting in the tumbling of a few vases).
It's important to note that despite how smart a robot vacuum might be, it won't completely replace your regular canister or upright vacuum. It's not able to deal with heavy dirty carpets, it can't be able to reach every corner, and it won't reach your ceilings or other difficult-to-access areas. However, if you want to keep your floors clear of pet hair, crumbs, dander and other debris it could be an excellent addition to your cleaning routine.
Sensor systems are integrated into many robot vacuums, allowing them to navigate around stairs and obstacles. They can tell the moment they're about to fall down the stairs, for example, and can also recognize areas that are cluttered and move around them. If you're not careful your robot cleaner could become stuck on a cord, shoe, or other object.
Some robot vacuums are equipped with mapping capabilities that allow them to create an accurate floor plan of your house and pinpoint themselves. This lets them know which areas they've cleaned before and avoid spending time cleaning the same areas. This allows them to resume the same place they left off if they have to return to the charging dock.
Self-Emptying
A robot vacuum that automatically emptys its bin of dust when it's full is an incredible benefit. Some models also have a window that lets you see when the bin needs to be emptied. This feature is ideal for those with children or pets who are likely to create much more mess than adults.
Most robot vacuums let you choose whether the machine is controlled by a remote or an app on your smartphone or voice commands. They come with a variety of digital features, including scheduling and maintenance tips. With the correct settings, you can program your robot to clean on a regular time, or on an annual basis. You can also program the robot to mark out and clean specific areas of your home.
The smartest robot vacuums that we've tested are equipped with sensors top rated robot vacuum and cameras, which enable them to create maps of your home. You can save these maps within the robot's app to quickly navigate around your home. Some of these systems can even remember furniture placement and even note the transitions between hard floors and carpet.
Smart vacuums save time by mapping and cleaning entire houses automatically and keeping detailed records of the previous cleaning sessions. You can access these records through an app for your tablet or smartphone. Many can also connect to your smart speaker so you can control them via voice commands.
TP-Link Tapo RV30+ is self-emptying robotic that delivers excellent performance at a low cost. It can clean hardwood floors as well as carpets with low pile, as well as remove pet hair and other particles. It's not as sophisticated as other robots that we've reviewed but it does its job very well.
The wheels that resemble a tank on this model allow it to glide across the high transitions between rooms and obstacles like tangled cords from devices which can cause a problem for other robots. It also comes with a large dust bin that doesn't have to be emptying manually, and it's able to recharge and resume cleaning when it's power-depleted. It's more expensive than some of the other robotic vacuums that we've tested but it combines powerful suction with straightforward controls to provide a fantastic value.
Voice Control
The majority of robot vacuums are controlled by a remote control or an app that runs on smartphones. Some models can also be integrated with smart speakers such as Amazon Echo or Google Home, allowing you to operate them with voice commands. This is helpful when your robot has to clean up and you have pets or small children that could interfere.
The majority of models come with an automatic mode that works without your input. The robot can be started by pressing a button in the app or on the robot. These robots can be programmed to clean according to a schedule, making them perfect for those who need to make a plan and forget.
Some of the more expensive models come with an advanced feature that makes use of artificial intelligence to scan your home and detect obstacles. These models can detect things like furniture, stairs power cords, and even different types of flooring. This helps to avoid the dangers which is particularly useful in homes with a lot of carpets and flooring materials that are difficult for robots to navigate.
Some robots come with less basic abilities for object detection however they still manage to accomplish the task. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, that has the sleek, fuss-free appearance of a WiFi hub but boasts a lot of the performance of a top-notch bot. It has a powerful suction that can take care of dirt and debris on medium-pile flooring and carpet. Its squat and short side brush is less likely to get caught in shoes or cords. The hybrid roller brush, that uses bristles, as well as plastic, provides a thorough cleaning.
This model is more expensive than other models in the middle-end but it has everything you want from mop and vacuum robots. It can map out the cleaning schedule and then create one. It also has virtual zones that you can stay clear of. However, it does not have obstacles avoidance or room scanning like the j7 and S8.