The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Keeping your floors clean isn't always easy, but robot vacuums help. The best robot vacuums are able to clean up dirt, crumbs, pet hair, and much more.
Although they're unable to perform as well of a job as a regular vacuum, they've come a long way in the past few years. They're more sophisticated and more powerful, as well as (marginally better) at avoiding the chair leg.
Smart Mapping
Robot vacuum cleaners use instruments for navigation such as lasers and sensors to navigate through your home. They remove pet hair, crumbs, and dirt from hard floors like tile, wood and laminate, as well as carpets with a low pile. Robots that are the most sophisticated map your home so they know where they've been and how to avoid bumping into obstacles such as chairs, sofas and bookshelves. You can also set up no-go areas on your smartphone to tell your robot to avoid rooms that you don't want to keep clean.
Robots that have advanced mapping capabilities, such as the Roomba J7, utilize an onboard camera and processor-powered intelligence to detect and avoid obstacles. It can then be left to complete the task without having to constantly monitor the condition of your floor plan or manually remove obstacles out of the way. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robot that combines mopping and vacuuming, so it's a complete solution for keeping your home tidy. It has a great suction, and it is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. It also comes with a handy self-emptying feature, and can be used as a security camera.
Roborock Q Revo, a lower-cost robot that vacuums, mops and is also a robotic trashcan is a great option for homes without the need for more advanced features. However, it has some limitations in comparison to the Roomba S8 and j7. It has a single rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes that the other models have which means it won't be as effective at cleaning up larger particles like socks and shoes. It also doesn't have any AI obstacle avoidance technology, so it could be necessary to clear away clutter before running it.
The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's perfect for those who prioritize simplicity and efficiency. It's less than $200, and offers strong, consistent suction on hardwood and carpets that are low-pile and also avoids tangles caused by rug threads. It's not very advanced however, it's effective. It also works with voice commands. You can set it up on a schedule, or create zones that are not allowed to be used using the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technologies can impact the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate your home. Some of the models we've reviewed have sensors (or even cameras) which help your robo-cleaner avoid common robot traps like cords, toys for children and pet spills. IRobot's Roomba J7 is among the most impressive examples of this kind of smart technology in action. It also features a chic clean base that empties the dustbin automatically so you don't have to.
During testing we set up the robotic cleaner in a large home and were impressed with how quickly and efficiently the floors were cleaned without becoming a mess. It's extremely maneuverable and can get into places that most standup vacuums cannot, such as under couches and under beds. It has a 500 ml dustbin, a powerful suction system and a runtime of over two hours. It isn't able to set up no-go zones, and its object recognition isn't exactly reliable. We saw it crashing into objects in our tests on occasion, resulting in some vessels falling over.
It's important to keep it in mind that no matter how smart the robot vacuum is it isn't going to 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 won't reach your ceilings or other difficult-to-access areas. However, if you want to keep your floors clean of pet hair, crumbs, dander and other debris it could be an excellent addition to your routine of cleaning.
The majority of robot vacuums have sensors that allow them to navigate around obstacles and stairs. They usually know the moment when they're going to fall down a staircase, for instance, and they can also recognize cluttered areas and maneuver around them. Nevertheless, if you're not cautious, your robo-cleaner might be stuck on a cord or shoe and require help.
Some of the more advanced robot vacuums have mapping capabilities, which allow them to create an outline of your home and then locate themselves within it. This allows them to know which areas they've already cleaned, and avoid the hassle of going over 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 automatically empty its bins of dust once it is full is a great benefit. Some models even have a window so you can see when the bin needs to be empty. This is a great feature for those who have pets or children, who tend to make a lot more mess than adults.
Most robot vacuums let you choose which model can be controlled with the use of 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 a weekly or regularly using the appropriate settings. You can also program it to clean specific areas of your house.
Some of the smartest robot vacuums we've tested are equipped with built-in cameras and 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 more info these systems even remember furniture placement and note the transitions between hard floors and carpet.
The most effective smart vacuums will help you save time by automating the mapping and cleaning of entire homes and keeping precise records of previous cleaning sessions. You can access these records via an app that you can install on your phone or tablet. Most can also connect to your smart speaker so you can control them via voice commands.
TP-Link's Tapo RV30 Plus is an affordable, self-emptying robot vacuum that offers high performance for the money. It can clean both floors and sweep pet hair and other debris from low-pile and hardwood rugs. It's not as advanced as other robots we've reviewed however, it does what it does very efficiently.
The rubber-like wheels that this model has allow it to roll across the high transitions between rooms as well as obstacles like tangled device cords that trip up other robots. It also comes with a large dust bin that doesn't require to be empty manually, and it can recharge and resume cleaning when it's power-depleted. It's more expensive compared to other robotic vacuums we've tried, however it has powerful suction with simple controls to give you a great value.
Voice Control
The majority of robot vacuums are controlled using a remote or an app on your smartphone. Certain robot vacuums are controlled via voice commands through smart speakers such as Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is a great option if your robot needs to clean up and you have pets or small children who could be disruptive.
Most models also include an automatic mode that operates without any input from you. You can start the robot by pressing a button on the app or on the robot. They can be programmed to clean in accordance with an established schedule, making them ideal for people who want to make a plan and forget.
Some of the more expensive models have an advanced feature that uses artificial intelligence to scan your home and detect obstacles. These models can identify things such as power cords, stairs, and furniture, and can even distinguish between different types of floors. This helps robots avoid hazards. This is especially useful in large homes that have lots of rugs and other floorcoverings which are difficult for robots navigate.
Other robots are more basic in their ability to detect objects, but still manage to accomplish the task. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, that has the sleek and easy-to-use appearance of a WiFi hub but has the capabilities of a top-of-the-line bot. It has a strong suction and can handle dirt and debris on medium-pile flooring and carpet. Its squat, short side brushes are less likely to become tangled in stray shoes and cords and its hybrid roller brush makes use of bristles and plastic instead of a traditional bristle brush for better cleaning.
This model is more expensive than the other models in the middle-end but it has everything you want from a robot mop and vacuum. It can map out an cleaning schedule and design one. It also has virtual zones that you can stay clear of. It doesn't offer the same room-scanning feature and obstacles-avoiding features as the j7 or s8.