The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Keeping your floors clean isn't always easy but robot vacuums can make it easier. The best ones nab tracked-in dirt, crumbs, shedding pet hair, and more.
And while they still can't do the same job as a traditional vacuum cleaner however, they've come a long way in recent years. They're more efficient, smarter and (marginally) better at avoiding chairs.
Smart Mapping
Utilizing navigational tools like sensors and lasers, robot vacuum cleaners navigate through your home, sucking pet hair, crumbs, and dirt into their dustbins from hard floors like laminate, wood, and tile and also low-pile carpets and area rugs. The most sophisticated robots map your home, so that they can recall where they've been and avoid bumping into obstacles like chairs, sofas and bookshelves you might prefer to keep out of the way. You can also set up no-go areas using your smartphone to alert your robot to stay clear of rooms you don't wish it to be able to keep.
Robots with advanced mapping abilities like the Roomba J7, make use of an onboard camera and processor-powered intelligence to detect and avoid obstacles. It can then be left to perform the job without having to keep an eye on the status of your floorplan, or manually move obstacles out of the way. The TP Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robot that combines mopping with vacuuming. It's a single-stop solution to keep your home clean. It has a fantastic suction and works with Alexa or Google Assistant. It has a self-emptying function and can also be used as a surveillance camera.
A less expensive robot that vacuums, mop and can even be used as a robot trashcan, the Roborock Q Revo is a good choice for homes that don't need the advanced features of more expensive models. There are some drawbacks when compared to the Roomba S8 and j7. It's got a single brush instead of dual roller brushes, so it isn't as efficient at picking up larger pieces of debris like socks and shoes. It doesn't have AI obstacle avoidance, so you might need to get rid of clutter before running.
The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that is ideal for those who prioritize simplicity and competence. It costs less than $200, and provides strong, consistent suction on hardwood as well as low-pile carpets while avoiding tangles. It doesn't come with any fancy features, but it does the job very well. It is also compatible with voice commands. It can be set to run on a schedule or create no-go zones using the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technology can make or break a robot vacuum's ability to navigate your home. Some models on this list have sensors (or cameras) to assist your robot vacuum in avoiding common robot traps such as cords, toys for children and pet mess. iRobot's Roomba j7 is one of the most impressive examples of this type of technology in action. It also has a stylish clean base that fills the trash bin automatically so that you don't need to.
In our testing the robotic cleaner up in a big house and were impressed by how quickly and thoroughly it cleared floors without becoming bogged down. It's very mobile and can reach places that most standup vacuums cannot reach, like under beds and couches. It has a 500 ml dustbin, great suction and a time of over two hours. It's not able to set up no-go zones, and its recognition of objects isn't exactly reliable. We observed it crashing into objects on occasion during our tests and resulted in vase caps falling over.
It's important to note that, no matter how intelligent the robot vacuum might appear but it can't replace your traditional canister or upright vacuum. It can't deal with heavily stained carpets, it will not reach into every crevice, and won't be able to reach your ceilings or other difficult to reach areas. It's an excellent addition to your regular cleaning routine to remove hair, and pet dander.
The majority of robot vacuums have sensor systems that help them navigate around obstacles and stairs. They are able to tell the moment they're about to fall down the stairs, for example and also detect cluttered spaces and move around them. Nevertheless, if you're not vigilant your robot-cleaner could become stuck on a cord or shoe and need some help.
Some robot vacuums are equipped with mapping capabilities that permit them to make an precise floor plan of your home and pinpoint themselves. This allows them to know which areas they've already cleaned, and avoid spending time cleaning the same areas. It also lets them resume the same place they left off, should they need to return to their charging dock.
Self-Emptying
A robot vacuum that automatically empty its bins of dust once it gets full is an incredible convenience. Some models have an indicator that allows you to see when the dust bin is due to be empty. This is a great feature for anyone who has pets or children who tend to make more mess than adults.
The majority of robot vacuums allow you to choose which model can be controlled by the use of a remote, an app from your phone, or through voice commands. They also come with a variety of digital features, such as maintenance and scheduling suggestions. You can program your robot to clean your house on a weekly or regular basis using the correct settings. You can also program the robot to mark out and clean specific areas of your home.
The most advanced robot vacuums we've tested come with sensors and cameras, which allow them to create maps for your home. You can save these maps within the robot app to easily navigate through your home. Some of these systems will even remember furniture placement and transitions between hardwood floors and carpet.
The best smart vacuums can help you save time by automating the mapping and cleaning of whole homes, and also keeping detailed records of previous cleaning sessions. You can access the records using an app for your tablet or smartphone. The majority of them can be connected to your smart speaker, so you can control them with voice commands.
TP-Link's Tapo cleaning robot mop and vacuum RV30 Plus is an inexpensive, self-emptying robot vacuum that delivers high performance for the money. It can clean floors and sweep pet hair and other messes from low-pile and hardwood rugs. It's not as advanced as other robots that we've reviewed, but it does its job very well.
The wheels that resemble a tank that this model has allow it to move right over the high transitions between rooms as well as obstacles like tangled device cords that can cause problems for other robots. It has a large bin that does not need to be empty manually and is able to recharge itself and restart cleaning when it runs out power. It's more expensive than the other robotic vacuums we've tried, but it is able to combine powerful suction and easy controls to give you a great value.
Voice Control
The majority of robot vacuums are controlled via a remote control or an app that runs on smartphones. Certain robot vacuums can be operated by voice commands via smart speakers, such as Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is useful if your robot needs to be cleaned and you have pets or small children who could be disruptive.
The majority of models have an automatic mode that works without input from you. Simply press a button on the robot or within the app and it will begin taking in food hair, and crumbs. The robots can be programmed to clean according to an established schedule, making them ideal for people who just want to set and forget.
Some of the most expensive models include an advanced feature that makes use of artificial intelligence to examine your home and find obstacles. These models can identify things such as power cords, stairs, and furniture, and even discern between different kinds of floors. This can help them avoid such hazards, which is especially useful in larger homes with lots of carpets and floor coverings that are hard for robots to navigate.
Other robots have more basic abilities for object detection however they still manage to get the job done. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus, for instance is a model that resembles an internet router, but has the performance of a top-of-the-line robot. It has a strong suction that can take care of dirt and debris from medium-pile flooring and carpet. Its short, squat side brushes are less likely to be tangled in stray shoes and cords, and its hybrid roller brush uses bristles and plastic rather than the traditional bristle brush to provide better cleaning.
The model is more expensive than other mid-range robots however, it is able to do everything you require from mopping and vacuuming robots. It can map and build a cleaning schedule, has virtual keep-out zones and is compatible with voice assistants. It does not have the same room-scanning feature and obstacle-avoiding capabilities as the j7 or the s8.