The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Robot vacuums can make cleaning your floors a breeze. The best ones nab tracked-in dirt, crumbs, shedding pet hair and more.
While they're still unable to do the same job as a traditional vacuum cleaner but they've come quite a way over the last few years. They're more efficient, smarter and (marginally) better at avoiding chair legs.
Smart Mapping
Robot vacuum cleaners use instruments for navigation such as lasers and sensors to navigate your home. They collect pet hair, crumbs, and dirt from floors made of hard materials like tile, wood and laminate, as well as carpets and area rugs with low piles. Robots that are the most advanced maps your home to know where they've been and can avoid bumping into obstacles such as couches, chairs and bookshelves. You can also set up no-go areas on your smartphone to tell your robot to avoid rooms you don't wish it to keep clean.
Robots that have advanced mapping capabilities, such as the Roomba J7, use onboard camera and processor-powered intelligence to detect and avoid obstacles. This means that you can leave it alone to get a thorough cleaning without having to constantly 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 combines mopping and vacuuming, which means it's a one-stop solution to keep your home tidy. It has a fantastic suction system and works with Alexa or Google Assistant. It also has a convenient self-emptying feature and can be used as an alarm camera.
A cheaper robot that vacuums, mops and can also be used as a robot trashcan The Roborock Q Revo is a good choice for homes that don't require the advanced features of the more expensive models. There are some drawbacks in comparison to the Roomba S8 and j7. It has one rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes of the other, so it might not be as effective at collecting larger objects such as shoes and socks. It does not have AI obstacle avoidance so you might need to get rid of obstructions before you run.
The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that is ideal for those who value simplicity and proficiency. It costs less than $200 and provides strong, consistent suction on hardwood as well as low-pile rugs, while avoiding tangles. It's not the most advanced however, it's effective. 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 be the difference between the robot's ability to navigate your home. Some models on this list have sensors (or cameras) to aid your robot vacuum to avoid common traps for robots like cords, toys for kids and pet mess. iRobot Roomba J7, one of the most impressive examples of smart technology in action, is a fantastic example. It also has a stylish clean base that emptys the trash bin automatically so that you don't have to.
In our testing the robot, we set the cleaner up in a large house and were awed by how quickly and efficiently it was able to clean floors without getting sluggish. It is very maneuverable and can reach places that most standup vacuums cannot reach, like under beds and couches. It has a 500ml dustbin, great suction and a time of over two hours. However, it lacks the ability to create zones that are not allowed to be used and its detection of objects is a bit hit-or-miss which means that we saw it occasionally bump into objects during our tests (resulting in a few tipped vase tops).
It's important to keep in mind that, regardless of how clever a robot vacuum may be it isn't going to replace your regular upright or canister vacuum. It's not able to clean heavily soiled carpets. It's not able to reach ceilings or other areas that are difficult to reach. However, if you want to keep your floors clean of pet hair, crumbs and other particles, it can be an robot vacuum cleaner excellent addition to your routine of cleaning.
Sensor systems are built into most robot vacuums to assist them navigate around obstacles and stairs. They can usually sense the moment when they're going to fall down stairs for instance, and detect areas that are cluttered and move around them. Nevertheless, if you're not careful the robo-cleaner may become stuck on a cord or shoe and require assistance.
Some robot vacuums are equipped with mapping capabilities, which allow them to make an accurate floor plan of your house and also locate themselves. This lets them know what areas they've already cleaned and avoid spending time cleaning the same areas. This allows them to continue the same place they left off if they have to return to the charging dock.
Self-Emptying
A robot vacuum that automatically empty its dust bin once it is full is an excellent convenience. Some models have an indicator that allows you to know when the bin has to be empty. This is a great feature for those with pets or children, who tend to make lots of mess than adults.
Most robot vacuums let you choose whether the machine is operated with a remote, an app from your phone, or through voice commands. They have a number of digital functions, including scheduling and maintenance tips. If you set the right settings, you can program your robot to clean on a regular time or on an annual basis. You can also program the robot to map out and clean specific areas of your home.
The most intelligent robot vacuums we have tested are equipped with cameras and smart sensors, which allow them to build maps for your home. They can be saved to the robot's application so that you can quickly navigate to specific rooms or areas of your home. Some of these systems will even remember the furniture layout and transitions between hardwood flooring and carpet.
Smart vacuums can save you time by cleaning entire homes by themselves and also keeping detailed records about the cleaning sessions that have occurred previously. You can access these records through an app for your smartphone or tablet. Many of them can be linked to your smart speaker so you can control them via voice commands.
TP-Link's Tapo RV30 Plus is an inexpensive, self-emptying robot vacuum that offers good performance for the money. It can clean hardwood floors as well as carpets with low pile, as well as remove pet hair and other messes. It's not quite as sophisticated as the other robots we've reviewed, but it does its job very well.
The model's tank-like wheels permit it to glide over obstacles like cords that get caught up and high transitions in between rooms. It has a huge bin that doesn't need to be empty manually, and can recharge itself and continue cleaning when it is unable to continue cleaning. It's more expensive than the other robotic vacuums we've tried, however it has powerful suction with simple controls to give you a great value.
Voice Control
Most robot vacuums can be controlled by a physical remote or an app that you can install on your smartphone. Some can also integrate with smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home, allowing you to operate them with voice commands. This is a great option for robots that need to be cleaned and you have pets or small children who could be disruptive.
Many models have an automatic mode that works without your input. Simply press a button on the robot or in the app and it will begin sucking up food, dirt, particles, and pet hair. They can be programmed to clean regularly and is perfect for those who want to make it easy to set it and forget it.
Some of the higher-end models come with an advanced feature that uses artificial intelligence to detect and scan obstructions in your home. These models can detect things like stairs, furniture power cords, and even different types of flooring. This helps robots avoid hazards. This is especially helpful in large homes with lots carpeting and flooring that are difficult for robots navigate.
Some robots are more basic in their object detection abilities however, they still get the job done. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus, for example is similar to a wifi router but offers the performance of a high-end bot. It has a strong suction and can clean dirt and debris on medium-pile carpets and hardwood floors. The short and squat-shaped side brush is less likely to be caught in shoes or cords. The hybrid roller brush, which is made up of bristles and plastic, gives an effective cleaning.
This model is more expensive than other robots in the mid-range however, it can do everything you would expect from a robot mop and vacuum. It can map and build a cleaning schedule, has virtual keep-out zones, and is compatible with voice assistants. However, it does not have the ability to scan rooms or avoid obstacles like the j7 and S8.