The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Cleaning your floors isn't always simple but robot vacuums can make it easier. The best ones will remove dirt, crumbs, shed pet hair and more.
While they can't perform like a regular vacuum cleaner, they've come a long ways in the last few years. They're smarter and more powerful, as well as (marginally better) in avoiding chair leg.
Smart Mapping
Robot vacuum cleaners employ tools for navigation, such as lasers and sensors to navigate your home. They remove pet hair, crumbs, and dirt from floors made of hard materials such as tile, wood, and laminate, and carpets and area rugs with low piles. Robots that are the most sophisticated map your home so they know where they've been and can avoid hitting obstacles such as sofas, chairs, and bookshelves. You can make use of your smartphone app to set up zones that prohibit your robot to stay out of rooms it doesn't want to clean.
Robots equipped with advanced mapping capabilities, like the Roomba j7, use onboard cameras and processor-powered smarts to avoid obstacles and see them. This means that you can leave it alone to get an effective cleaning without having to continually be checking the status of your floorplan, or manually move obstacles out of the robot's path. The TP Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robotic device that combine vacuuming and mopping. It's the perfect solution to keep your home spotless. It has a powerful suction system and works with Alexa or Google Assistant. It also comes with a handy self-emptying feature, and can be used as an alarm camera.
Roborock Q Revo, a cheaper robot that vacuums, mop and is also an automated trashcan is a great choice for homes that don't have the need for more advanced features. There are some drawbacks in comparison to the Roomba S8 and J7. It uses only one brush, not dual roller brushes, so it might not be as effective in removing larger debris such as socks and shoes. It doesn't come with AI obstacle avoidance, so you may need to clear clutter before running.
The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's perfect for those who prioritize simplicity and competence. It costs less than $200, and offers strong, consistent suction on hardwood as well as low-pile rug, while avoiding tangles. It's not very advanced, but it works well. It also works with voice commands, which means you can set it up on a schedule or set up zones that aren't allowed to be entered using the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technology can affect the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate your home. Some models on this list include sensors (or cameras) to help your robot vacuum avoid common robot traps such as cords, toys for kids and pet messes. iRobot Roomba J7, one of the most impressive examples of smart technology in motion, is an excellent example. It also has a stylish clean base that fills the trash bin automatically so that you don't need to.
In our testing, we set up this robot cleaner in a large home and were amazed by how quickly and efficiently the floors were cleaned without getting bogged down. It has impressive maneuverability and can get to places that stand-up vacuums are unable to can, like under beds and sofas. It also has great suction, a massive 500-milliliter dustbin and over two-hour running time. 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, meaning we saw it occasionally bump into objects during our tests (resulting in a few tipped vases).
It's important to keep in mind that, no matter how intelligent a robot vacuum may be it will not replace your regular canister or upright vacuum. It's not able to clean heavily soiled carpets. It can't reach the ceiling or other difficult-to-access areas. However, to keep your floors clear of crumbs, pet hair and other dander, it can be an excellent addition to your cleaning routine.
Sensor systems are integrated into many robot vacuums, allowing them to navigate around obstacles and stairs. They are able to tell the moment they're likely to fall down the stairs for instance, and detect areas that are cluttered and move around them. Nevertheless, if you're not vigilant, your robo-cleaner might become stuck on a cord or stray shoe and require help.
Some of the more advanced robot vacuums have mapping capabilities, which allow them to create a floor plan of your home and then locate themselves within it. They can then know what areas they have already cleaned and reduce time by not having to clean the same spots. This allows them to resume where they left off, should they need to return to the charging dock.
Self-Emptying
A vacuum cleaner that automatically empty its bins of dust once it's full is an incredible benefit. Some models have windows that allow you to know when the bin needs to empty. This is a great feature for those who have pets or children, who are likely to create a lot more mess than adults.
The majority of robot vacuums let you choose whether the machine can be operated with a remote, an app on your phone or via voice commands. They come with a variety of digital features, including maintenance and scheduling tips. You can program your robot to clean on every week or on a regularly, using the right settings. You can also program the robot to mark out and clean specific areas of your home.
Some of the most intelligent robot vacuums we've tested are equipped with built-in cameras as well as smart sensor technology that allows them to create maps of your home. You can save these maps to the robot's app to quickly navigate through your home. Some of these systems even keep track of the furniture's arrangement and the transitions between hardwood floors and carpet.
The most effective smart vacuums will save you time by automating the mapping and cleaning of entire homes and keeping detailed records of cleaning sessions. You can access these records via an app for your phone or tablet. Many of them can be connected to your smart speaker, so that you can control them using voice commands.
TP-Link's Tapo RV30 Plus is an affordable, self-emptying robot vacuum that provides excellent performance for the price. It can clean hardwood floors and low-pile carpets, and remove pet hair and other particles. It's not quite as sophisticated as other robots we've reviewed but it does the job well.
The tank-like wheels on this model permit it to glide right over the transitions between rooms and obstacles such as tangled cords for devices that can cause problems for other robots. It has a huge bin that doesn't need to be manually emptied, and can recharge itself and restart cleaning when it is unable to continue cleaning. It's a bit more costly than other robotic vacuums we've tried however it combines powerful suction with straightforward controls to give you a good value.
Voice Control
Most robot vacuums can be controlled by a physical remote or an app on your smartphone. Some robot vacuums can be controlled by voice commands via smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is helpful for robots that need to clean up and you have pets or children who could be disruptive.
Many models have an automatic mode that works without your input. The robot can be started by pressing a button within the app or on the robot. These robots can be programmed to clean in accordance with a schedule, making them ideal for those who simply want to make a plan and forget.
Some of the more expensive models come with an advanced feature that makes use of artificial intelligence to detect and scan the presence of obstacles in your home. These models can identify things like furniture, stairs power cords, even different types of flooring. This helps them avoid such hazards which is especially helpful in larger homes that have lots of mop vacuum robot rugs and other flooring materials that are difficult for robots to navigate.
Some robots are more basic in their ability to detect objects however, they still get the job done. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus, for example is similar to an internet router, but has the performance of a premium bot. It is extremely suction-driven and handles dirt and debris on carpets and hardwood floors with ease. Its short, squat-shaped side brushes are less likely to get stuck in stray shoes or cords, and its hybrid roller brush uses bristles and plastic instead of the traditional bristle brush to provide a more thorough cleaning.
The model is more expensive than the other models in the mid-range but it has everything you would expect from a robot vacuum and mop. It can map out an cleaning schedule and design one. It also has virtual zones to keep out of. However, it does not have room-scanning or obstacle avoidance like the j7 and S8.