The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Robot vacuums can make cleaning your floors easier. The best robot vacuums are able to clean up dirt, crumbs, pet hair, and more.
Although they're not the same way as an ordinary vacuum cleaner, they've come a long ways in the past few years. They're smarter, more powerful and (marginally) better in avoiding the legs of chairs.
Smart Mapping
Utilizing navigational tools like lasers and sensors, robotic vacuum cleaners move through your home, sucking pet hair, crumbs and dirt from their dustbins. They can be found on hard floors like laminate, wood, and tile and low-pile carpets and area rugs. The most sophisticated robots map your home, so that they can keep track of where they've been and avoid bumping into obstructions like chairs, sofas and bookshelves that you might prefer to keep out of the way. You can also set up no-go zones using your smartphone to alert your robot to avoid rooms you don't wish it to clean.
Robots with advanced mapping capabilities like the Roomba J7, use onboard camera and processor-powered intelligence to detect and avoid obstacles. Then, you can allow it to do a thorough job without having to continuously monitor the status of your floorplan or manually remove obstacles from the robot's way. The TP Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robotic device that combines mopping with vacuuming. It's a single-stop solution to keep your home clean. It has a great suction and works with Alexa or Google Assistant. It also has a convenient self-emptying feature that can be used as a security camera.
A less expensive robot that vacuums, mop and can even be used as a robotic trashcan The Roborock Q Revo is a good choice for homes that don't require the more advanced features of the more expensive models. However, it has some disadvantages compared to the Roomba j7 and S8. For instance, it uses one rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes that the other models have and it may not be as effective in cleaning up larger particles such as shoes and socks. 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 prioritize simplicity and proficiency. It costs less than $200 and provides strong, consistent suction both on hardwood and low-pile rugs, while avoiding knots. It doesn't come with any fancy features, but it does the job very well. It also works with voice commands. It can be set up on a schedule, or create no-go zones using the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technology can affect the robot's ability to navigate your home. Some models on our list have sensors (or even cameras) which help your robo-cleaner avoid common traps for robots such as cords, toys for kids and pet messes. The iRobot Roomba J7 is among the best examples of this kind of technology in action. It also has a stylish clean base that empties the trash bin automatically so that you don't need to.
We tested this robotic cleaner in a huge home and were awed by how quickly and thoroughly floors were cleaned without becoming a mess. It is extremely maneuverable and can get to places that most stand-up vacs cannot can, like under sofas and under beds. It also has a great suction, a huge 500 ml dustbin and an over two-hour runtime. It lacks the option to set up no-go zones, and its recognition of objects is a bit hit-or-miss. We saw it hitting objects in our tests on occasion and resulted in vase caps falling over.
It's important to keep in mind that despite how smart a robot vacuum might be, it won't completely replace your traditional canister or upright vacuum. It's not equipped to handle heavily stained carpets, it will not reach into every crevice, and it won't reach your ceilings or other difficult-to-access spaces. It's a great addition to your routine cleaning for removing crumbs, pet dander, and hair.
The majority of robot vacuums have sensors that allow them to navigate through obstacles and steps. They are able to tell when they're about to fall down the stairs for instance, and also recognize cluttered areas and move around them. Nevertheless, if you're not careful the robo-cleaner may be stuck on a cord or shoe and need some help.
Some robot vacuums are equipped with mapping capabilities, which allow them to make an precise floor plan of your house and pinpoint themselves. They can then know what areas they have already cleaned and can reduce time by not having to clean 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 vacuum cleaner that can automatically empty its bin after it is full is a great convenience. Some models even have windows that lets you see the time when the bin must be emptied. This is an excellent feature for anyone who has pets or children who tend to create more mess than adults.
The majority of robot vacuums let you select which model can be operated with a remote, an app from your phone, or through voice commands. They also come with a range of digital functions, including maintenance and scheduling suggestions. You can program your robot to clean your house on every week or on a regularly, using the right settings. You can also program the robot to clean and map out specific areas of your home.
The most advanced robot vacuums we've tested come with sensors and cameras, which enable them to create maps for your home. They can be saved to the robot's app so you can quickly navigate to specific rooms or areas of your home. Some of these systems even remember the furniture placement and transitions between hardwood flooring and carpet.
Smart vacuums save time by cleaning entire homes automatically and keeping detailed records about the previous cleaning sessions. You can access these records through an app that you can install on your phone or tablet. Many can also connect to your smart speaker, so you can control them via voice commands.
TP-Link Tapo RV30+ is a self-emptying robot that offers excellent performance at a low price. It can clean both floors and sweep up pet hair and other debris from low-pile and hardwood rugs. It's not as advanced as some of the other robots we've reviewed, but it does what it does very well.
The rubber-like wheels that this model has allow it to move right over the transitions between rooms as well as obstacles like tangled cords from devices which can cause a problem for other robots. It has a large bin that doesn't have to be emptying manually, and can recharge itself and resume cleaning if it runs out power. It's a bit more costly than the other robotic vacuums we've tried but it combines powerful suction and simple controls to give you a good value.
Voice Control
The majority of robot vacuums can be controlled by a remote or an app for a smartphone. Some can also integrate with smart speakers such as Amazon Echo or Google Home, allowing you to operate them with voice commands. This is a great option if you have small pets or children who might get in the way of your cleaning, or if you're too exhausted to control the robot by hand.
The majority of models have an automatic mode that operates without any input from you. Simply press a button on the robot or in the app, and it will start taking in food particles, and pet hair. These robots can also be programmed to clean on a regular schedule and is perfect for those who prefer to set it and forget it.
Some of the more expensive models have an advanced feature that uses artificial intelligence to look around your home and identify obstacles. These models can detect things like stairs, furniture, power cords and even different types of flooring. This helps them avoid such hazards, which is especially useful in homes with a lot of carpets and flooring materials that are difficult for robots to navigate.
Other robots have more basic object detection capabilities, but still manage to complete the task. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, that has more info the sleek elegant, easy-to-use design of a wifi hub but has the capabilities of a top-of-the-line robot. It has a strong suction and can clean dirt and debris from medium-pile carpets and hardwood floors. Its squat, short side brushes are less likely to become caught in stray shoes and cords, and its hybrid roller brush utilizes bristles and plastic instead of a traditional bristle brush for a more thorough cleaning.
It's more expensive than other mid-range models, but it does everything you'd expect from mopping and vacuuming robots. It can create and map a cleaning schedule and has virtual keep-out zones and is compatible with voice assistants. It doesn't feature the ability to scan rooms or avoid obstacles like the j7 and S8.