The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Keeping your floors clean isn't always simple but robot vacuums can make it easier. The best robot vacuums are able to pick up tracked-in dirt and crumbs, pet hair, and more.
Although they're not as well as the regular vacuum cleaner, they've made significant progress in the past few years. They're more efficient, smarter and (marginally) better in avoiding the legs of chairs.
Smart Mapping
Robot vacuum cleaners utilize navigation tools such as lasers and sensors to navigate through your home. They collect pet hair, crumbs, and dirt from hard floors such as tile, wood, and laminate, and carpets with a low pile. Robots that are the most sophisticated 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 areas on your smartphone to instruct your robot to avoid rooms that you don't want to clean.
Robots equipped with advanced mapping capabilities, like the Roomba j7, utilize processor-powered cameras and onboard sensors to see and avoid obstacles. Then, you can allow it to perform the job without having to keep an eye on the condition of your floor plan, or manually move obstacles out of the way. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robot that can combine vacuuming and mopping, so it's an all-in-one solution to keep your home clean. It has a great suction system and works with Alexa or Google Assistant. It also comes with a handy self-emptying feature, and can be used as an alarm camera.
Roborock Q Revo, a cheaper robot that vacuums, mops and can be used as an automated trashcan is a great choice for homes without the need for more advanced features. However, it has some limitations in comparison to Roomba S8 and j7. For instance, it uses only one rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes that the other models have and it may not be as effective at collecting larger objects like shoes and socks. Also, it doesn't include AI obstacle avoidance, so you might need to clear away clutter before running it.
The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that is ideal for those who prefer simplicity and efficiency. It's less than $200, and provides consistent, strong suction on both hardwood and low-pile carpets and avoids tangles with rug threads. It doesn't include any advanced features, however it does the job well. It also works with voice commands. You can set it to run on a schedule or create no-go zones using the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technology can affect the ability of a robot vacuum navigate your home. Some models on this list have sensors (or cameras) to help your robot vacuum avoid common robot traps such as cords, toys for kids and pet mess. The iRobot Roomba J7 is among the most impressive examples of this type of smart tech in action. It also comes with a sleek base that automatically empty the trash bin so that you don't need to.
During our tests, we set this robotic cleaner up in a huge house and were impressed by the speed and efficiency with which it was able to clean floors without getting bogged down. It's incredibly maneuverable and is able to reach places most standup vacs never go, including couches and under beds. It has a 500 ml dustbin, great suction and a runtime of over two hours. It's just not equipped with the ability to set zones that are not allowed to be used and its object detection is a bit hit-or-miss, meaning we saw it bump into things occasionally during our tests (resulting in the tumbling of a few vase tops).
It's important to keep in mind that, no matter how intelligent a robot vacuum might be, it won't completely check here replace your regular canister or upright vacuum. It's not equipped to clean carpets that have been heavily soiled. It won't reach ceilings or other difficult-to-access areas. However, to keep your floors clear of crumbs, pet hair and other dander it could be an excellent addition to your routine of cleaning.
Most robot vacuums come with sensor systems that help them navigate through obstacles and steps. They are able to tell when they are about to fall down the stairs, for instance and can also identify areas that are cluttered and move around them. If you're not careful your robo-cleaner may get stuck on a shoe, cord or any other object.
Some robot vacuums are equipped with mapping capabilities that allow them to make an precise floor plan of your home and locate themselves. This lets them know which areas they've cleaned before and avoid spending time cleaning the same spots. It also lets them continue the same place they left off, should they need to return to their charging dock.
Self-Emptying
A robot vacuum that automatically empty its dust bin when it is full is an incredible convenience. Some models even have a window that lets you see when the bin has to be empty. This is a great feature for those who have children or pets, who are likely to create much more 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 also have a variety of digital features, including maintenance and scheduling suggestions. You can program your robot to clean on an annual or a regularly, using the right settings. You can also program the robot to mark out and clean specific areas of your home.
Some of the smartest 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 easily navigate to specific rooms or areas of your home. Some of these systems even keep track of furniture arrangement and record the transitions between hard floors and carpet.
The most effective smart vacuums will help you save time by automating the mapping and cleaning of whole homes, and also keeping detailed records of cleaning sessions. You can access the records using an app that you can install on 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 robot that provides outstanding performance for a reasonable cost. It can clean both floors and sweep pet hair and other particles from hardwood and low-pile rugs. It's not as sophisticated as some of the other robots we've reviewed, but it does what it does very efficiently.
This model's tank-like wheels allow it to go over obstacles such as tangled cords and high transitions in between rooms. It also has a large dust bin that doesn't need to be empty manually, and it's able to recharge and continue cleaning when it's power-depleted. It's a bit more costly than some of the other robotic vacuums we've tried, but it blends powerful suction and simple controls to provide a fantastic value.
Voice Control
Most robot vacuums can be controlled using a remote or an app that you can install on your smartphone. Some robot vacuums can be operated by voice commands via smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is useful for robots that need 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. Simply press a button on the robot or within the app, and it will start taking in food crumbs, and pet hair. They can be programmed to clean up on a regular basis, which is ideal for those who prefer 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 examine your home and find obstacles. These models can recognize things like stairs, power cords, and furniture, and they can also identify different types of flooring. This can help robots stay clear of hazards. This is especially helpful in large homes with lots rugs and other floorcoverings that are difficult for robots to navigate.
Other robots are more basic in their object detection abilities however they can are still able to do the job. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus, for instance, has the appearance of WiFi routers, but it has the performance of a top-of-the-line robot. It has a strong suction and can clean dirt and debris on medium-pile rugs and hardwood floors. Its short, squat-shaped side brushes are less likely to be caught in stray shoes and cords and its hybrid roller brush utilizes bristles and plastic rather than the traditional bristle brush to provide better 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 that you can stay clear of. However, it does not have room-scanning or obstacle avoidance like the S8 or j7.