The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Keeping your floors clean isn't always simple, but robot vacuums make it easier. The best ones nab tracked-in dirt, crumbs, shed pet hair, and more.
While they're still unable to do as good of a job as a traditional vacuum cleaner but they've come quite a way over the last few years. They're smarter and powerful, and (marginally better) at avoiding the chair leg.
Smart Mapping
Using navigation tools like sensors and lasers, robot vacuum cleaners work their way around your home, removing pet hair, crumbs and dirt into their bins from hard floors like laminate, wood and tile, as well as area rugs and carpets with low pile. The most advanced robots map your home, to help them remember where they have been and avoid hitting obstructions like chairs, sofas and bookshelves that you may prefer to keep out of the way. You can also set up no-go areas on your smartphone to tell your robot to stay clear of rooms that you don't want to keep clean.
Robots with advanced mapping capabilities, like the Roomba J7, make use of onboard cameras and processor-powered intelligents to avoid obstacles and see them. It can then be left to perform the job without having to keep an eye on the condition of your floor plan or manually remove obstacles out of the way. The TP Link Tapo RV30 plus is a robot that can combine mopping and vacuuming, so it's an all-in-one solution to keep your home tidy. It has a powerful suction and works with Alexa or Google Assistant. It is self-emptying and can also function as a surveillance camera.
Roborock Q Revo, a cheaper robot that vacuums, mop and functions as a robotic trashcan is a great option for homes that do not require for more advanced features. However, it does have some disadvantages compared to the Roomba J7 and S8. It's got one brush instead of dual roller brushes, which means it isn't as effective at removing larger debris such as shoes and socks. It doesn't have AI obstacle avoidance so you may need to clear obstructions before you run.
The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's ideal for those who prefer simplicity and efficiency. It's less than $200, and provides strong, consistent suction on hardwood as well as low-pile carpets and avoids knots. It doesn't have any advanced features, however it does the job very well. It also works with voice commands. You can set it up to run a program, or create zones that are not allowed to be used using the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technology can make or break the ability of a robot vacuum navigate your home. Some models on our list contain sensors (or even cameras) that help your robo-cleaner avoid common robot traps like cords, toys for kids and pet spills. The iRobot Roomba j7 is one of the most impressive examples of this type of smart tech in action. It also comes with a stylish base that automatically empty the trash bin so that you don't need to.
We tested this robotic cleaner in a huge home and were impressed with how quickly and thoroughly the floors were cleaned without getting bogged down. It's incredibly maneuverable and can reach places that stand-up vacuums are unable to can, like couches and under beds. It also has a great suction, a massive 500 ml dustbin and an over two-hour runtime. It's just not equipped with the ability to set no-go zones in the app and its detection of objects is a bit hit-or-miss, meaning we saw it bump into things occasionally during our tests (resulting in a few tipped vase).
It's important to keep in mind that, no matter how clever a robot vacuum is, it will not replace your upright or canister vacuum. It won't be able to clean carpets that have been heavily soiled. It won't reach ceilings or other difficult-to-access areas. However, to keep your floors clean of pet hair, crumbs and other dander, it can be an excellent addition to your cleaning routine.
Most robot vacuums have sensor systems that help them navigate around obstacles and stairs. They can sense when they're about fall down the stairs, for example, and can also recognize messy spaces and maneuver around them. However, if you're not vigilant the robo-cleaner may get stuck on a cord or shoe and require assistance.
Certain robot vacuums come with mapping capabilities that permit them to draw an precise floor plan of your house and locate themselves. This allows them to know which areas they've already cleaned, and avoid wasting time going over the same spots. It also allows them to resume where they left off if they have 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. Certain models come with a window that allows you to observe when the bin has to be empty. This feature is ideal for those with pets or children, who are likely to create lots of mess than adults.
Most robot vacuums let you select whether the machine will be controlled by a remote, an app on your smartphone, or by voice commands. They also have a variety of digital features, such as maintenance and scheduling. 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.
Some of the smartest robot vacuums we've tested are equipped with built-in cameras and smart sensor technology that allows them to create maps of your home. You can save these maps in the robot's app to quickly navigate through your home. Some of these systems even remember the furniture arrangement and the transitions between hardwood flooring and carpet.
Smart vacuums save time by cleaning entire homes in a timely manner and keeping detailed records about previous cleaning sessions. You can access these records via an app for your tablet or phone. Many of them can be linked to your smart speaker, so that you can control them using voice commands.
TP-Link Tapo RV30+ is self-emptying robotic that delivers excellent performance at a low price. It can clean floors and sweep pet hair and other particles 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 on this model allow it to glide right over the gaps between rooms and obstacles such as tangled cords for devices that trip up other robots. It comes with a large bin that doesn't need to be emptying manually and is able to recharge itself and continue cleaning when it runs out power. It's more expensive than other robotic vacuums we've tried however it combines powerful suction and simple controls to deliver a great value.
Voice Control
The majority of robot vacuums are controlled using a remote or an app on your smartphone. Some also connect to smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home, allowing you to control them using voice commands. This is useful for families with small pets or children that could hinder your cleaning or if you're tired to control the robot by hand.
The majority of models come with an automatic mode that works without input. You can start the robot by pressing a button in the app or on the robot. These robots can be programmed to clean in accordance with a schedule, making them ideal for people who need to make a plan and forget.
Certain models that are more expensive come with an advanced feature that uses artificial intelligence to detect and scan obstacles within your home. These models can recognize things like stairs, power cords as well as furniture, and even discern between different kinds of flooring. This helps robots avoid dangers. This is especially helpful in large homes that have lots of carpeting and other flooring coverings that are difficult for robots to navigate.
Some robots are more basic in their ability to detect objects however they can still do the job. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus, for example is similar to a wifi router but offers the performance of a high-end robot. It has a strong suction and can handle dirt and debris from medium-pile carpets and hardwood floors. Its squat and short side brush is less likely to be stuck in cords or shoes. The hybrid roller brush, which uses bristles, as well as plastic, provides an efficient cleaning.
The model is more expensive than the other models in the middle-end but it has everything you would expect from a robot vacuum and mop. It can create and map a cleaning schedule as well as virtual keep-out zones and is compatible with voice assistants. However, it does not have room-scanning or obstacle avoidance like the j7 or read more S8.