The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Cleaning your floors isn't always easy however, robot vacuums make it easier. The best ones can remove tracked-in dirt, crumbs and shed pet hair and more.
And while they still can't perform as well of a job as a traditional vacuum cleaner but they've come quite a way over the last few years. They're more intelligent and powerful, and (marginally better) at avoiding chair leg.
Smart Mapping
Robot vacuum cleaners employ tools for navigation, like lasers and sensors to navigate through your home. They remove pet hair, crumbs and dirt from hard floors such as tile, wood, and laminate, and carpets and area rugs with low piles. The most advanced robots map your home, to help them remember where they have been and avoid bumping into obstructions like chairs, sofas and bookshelves you might prefer to keep out of the way. You can also use your smartphone app to create no-go zones, which tell your robot to stay out of rooms that you don't want to clean.
Robots with advanced mapping capabilities, like the Roomba j7, utilize onboard cameras and processor-powered smarts to see and avoid obstacles. This means that you can leave it alone to get an efficient cleaning without having to continually check the status of your floorplan or manually remove obstacles from the robot's path. 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 clean. It has a great suction and works with Alexa and Google Assistant. It also has a convenient self-emptying feature, and can be used as an alarm camera.
Roborock Q Revo, a cheaper robot that vacuums, mop and functions as an automated trashcan, is a good option for homes without the need for more advanced features. However, it does have some disadvantages in comparison to the Roomba j7 and S8. It's got only one brush, not dual roller brushes, so it may not be 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 the clutter prior to running.
The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's perfect for those who prioritize simplicity and competence. It's less than $200 and offers strong, consistent suction on hardwood and low-pile carpets while avoiding knots. It's not the most advanced however it's a good choice. 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 make or break the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate around your home. Certain models on this list have sensors (or cameras) to assist your robot vacuum in avoiding common traps for robots, such as cords, toys for children and pet mess. iRobot's Roomba J7 is among the most impressive examples of this type of smart tech in action. It also has a stylish clean base that fills the trash bin automatically so that you don't need to.
During our tests the robotic cleaner up in a large house and were impressed by the speed and efficiency with which it cleaned up floors without becoming bogged down. It's very mobile and can reach places that the majority of stand-up vacuums are unable to, such as under beds and couches. It has a 500ml dustbin, excellent 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 detection of objects is a little hit-or-miss which means that we saw it occasionally bump into objects during our tests (resulting in a few toppled vases).
It's important to keep it in mind that no matter how smart the robot vacuum is it won't replace your regular upright or canister vacuum. It's not able to deal with heavy soiled carpets, it won't be able to reach every corner, and it's not able to reach your ceilings or other hard-to-reach spaces. It's an excellent addition to your regular cleaning routine to remove pet dander, and hair.
Sensor systems are built into most robot vacuums to assist them navigate around stairs and obstacles. They usually know the moment they're likely to fall down stairs, for instance, and they also detect areas of clutter and move around them. However, if you're not careful the robo-cleaner may become stuck on a cord or stray shoe and require assistance.
Some of the smarter robot vacuums come with mapping capabilities that allow them to create an outline of your home and locate themselves within it. This allows them to know which areas they've cleaned before and avoid the hassle of going robotic cleaner and mop over the same spots. It also lets them continue where they left off in case they have to return to their charging dock.
Self-Emptying
A vacuum cleaner that automatically empties its bin of dust when it's full is a great convenience. Some models have an indicator that allows you to see when the dust bin is due to be empty. This feature is great for those who have children or pets who are likely to create a lot more mess than adults.
Most robot vacuums let you choose whether the machine is controlled via a remote control, an app on your smartphone, or by voice commands. They also come with a range of digital features, including scheduling and maintenance suggestions. You can program your robot to clean your house on a weekly or regularly using the appropriate settings. You can also program it to map and clean certain areas of your house.
The smartest robot vacuums that we've tested come with sensors and cameras which allow them to build maps for 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 remember furniture placement and note the transitions between hard floors and carpet.
Smart vacuums help you save time by mapping and cleaning entire homes in a timely manner and keeping detailed records about the previous cleaning sessions. You can access the records using an app on your tablet or smartphone. Most can also connect to your smart speaker so you can control them using voice commands.
TP-Link's Tapo RV30 Plus is an inexpensive, self-emptying robot vacuum that offers excellent performance for the price. It can clean hardwood floors as well as carpets with low pile, and also remove pet hair and other debris. It's not as advanced as other robots we've reviewed however, it does what it does efficiently.
The rubber-like wheels on this model permit it to glide right over the high gaps between rooms and obstacles like tangled cords from devices that trip up other robots. It also has a large dust bin that doesn't require to be empty manually, and it's also able to recharge and resume cleaning when it runs out of power. It's more expensive than the other robotic vacuums we've tried, however it has powerful suction and simple controls to deliver an excellent value.
Voice Control
The majority of robot vacuums can be controlled by a physical remote or an app that you can install on your smartphone. Some models can also be integrated with smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home, allowing you to operate them with voice commands. This is a great option when you have children or pets who could hinder your cleaning session, or if you're too exhausted to manage the robot manually.
The majority of models come with an automatic mode that operates without input. Simply press a button on the robot or in the app and it will begin sucking up dirt, food crumbs, and pet hair. These robots can also be programmed to clean regularly which is great for those who want to make it easy to set it and forget it.
Some of the more expensive models come with an advanced feature that utilizes artificial intelligence to scan your home and detect obstacles. These models can identify things like power cords, stairs and furniture, and they can also identify different types of flooring. This can help robots avoid dangers. This is particularly useful in large homes with lots carpeting and flooring that are difficult for robots to navigate.
Other robots have more basic ability to detect objects however they still manage to complete the task. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus, for example, has the appearance of WiFi routers, but it has the performance of a premium bot. It has excellent suction and is able to remove dirt and debris from carpets and hardwood floors effortlessly. Its squat, short side brushes are less likely to be caught in stray shoes and cords and its hybrid roller brush utilizes bristles and plastic instead of a traditional bristle brush for an even more thorough cleaning.
This model is more expensive than the other models in the mid-range but it has everything you'd expect from a robot mop and vacuum. It can map and create a cleaning schedule and has virtual keep-out zones and is compatible with voice assistants. It doesn't offer the same room-scanning feature and obstacle-avoiding capabilities like the j7 or the s8.