The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Robot vacuums can help you clean your floors more easily. The best ones will remove dirt, crumbs and shed pet hair, and more.
While they're still unable to do as good of a job as a traditional vacuum cleaner, they've come a long way in recent years. They're smarter, more powerful and (marginally) better at avoiding chair legs.
Smart Mapping
Utilizing navigation tools such as 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 and area rugs and carpets with low pile. Robots that are the most advanced map your home to know where they've been and how to avoid hitting obstacles such as chairs, sofas and bookshelves. You can make use of your smartphone app to set up no-go zones that tell your robot to stay out of rooms you don't want it to clean.
Robots with advanced mapping capabilities, such as the Roomba j7, use onboard cameras and processor-powered intelligents to see and avoid obstacles. This means you can leave it alone to get an effective cleaning without having to continuously check the status of your floorplan or manually move obstacles out of the robot's path. The TP Link Tapo RV30 plus is a robot that combines vacuuming and mopping, so it's a complete solution for keeping your home tidy. It has a great suction feature and can be used with Alexa or Google Assistant. It can self-empty and is also able to be used as a security camera.
A less expensive bot that vacuums, mops and can also be used as a robot trashcan The Roborock Q Revo is a solid option for homes that don't require the more advanced features of more expensive models. There are some drawbacks in comparison to the Roomba S8 and J7. For one, it has only one rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes of the others and it may not be as effective in cleaning up larger particles like shoes and socks. It doesn't 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's perfect for those who prefer simplicity and competence. It's less than $200, and provides consistent, strong suction on hardwood and carpets that are low-pile, while avoiding tangles with rug threads. It's not very advanced, but it works well. It's also compatible with voice commands, so you can set it up on schedule or create zones that aren't allowed to be entered through the app.
Object Detection
The use of object-avoidance technology can make or break the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate through your home. Some models on our list contain sensors (or even cameras) that help your robo-cleaner avoid common traps for robots, such as cords, toys for kids and pet messes. iRobot's Roomba J7 is among the best examples of this type of technology in action. It also comes with a sleek base that automatically emptys the trash bin so that you don't need to.
In our testing the robotic cleaner up in a huge house and were awed by how quickly and efficiently it was able to clean floors without getting bogged down. It's incredibly maneuverable and can reach places that most stand-up vacs cannot go, including under beds and sofas. It has a 500 ml dustbin, a powerful suction system and a time of over two hours. It's not able to create no-go zones, and its object recognition isn't exactly reliable. We observed it bumping into things on occasion during our tests which resulted in vessels falling over.
It's important to note that no matter how clever a robot vacuum may be, it won't completely replace your upright or canister vacuum. It won't be able to clean carpets with a lot of dirt. It won't reach ceilings or other areas that are difficult to reach. But for keeping your floors clear of pet hair, crumbs, dander and other debris it's an ideal addition to your routine of cleaning.
Most robot vacuums have sensors that allow them to navigate through obstacles and steps. They can sense the moment they're about to fall down the stairs, for instance and also detect areas that are cluttered and move around them. If you're not careful your robot cleaner could be stuck on a cord, shoe or another object.
Some smarter robot vacuums have mapping capabilities, which allow them to create a floor plan of your home and locate themselves within it. They can then know what areas they have already cleaned and can save time by not having to go over the same areas. This allows them to continue where they left off in the event that they have to return to the charging dock.
Self-Emptying
A robot vacuum that will automatically empty its dust bin once it is full is a great convenience. Some models have a window that allows you to see when the dust bin has to be empty. This is a great feature for those with pets or children who tend to make more mess than adults.
The majority of robot vacuums let you choose whether the machine is controlled with an app, a remote on your phone or via voice commands. They also come with a range of digital features, including maintenance and scheduling. You can program your robot to clean on an annual or 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 and sensor technology that allows them to create maps of 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 even remember the furniture arrangement and the transitions between hardwood floors and carpet.
The most efficient smart vacuums help you save time by automating the mapping and cleaning of entire homes and keeping detailed records of cleaning sessions. You can access these records through an app that you can install on your phone or tablet. Many can also connect to your smart speaker, so you can control them using voice commands.
TP-Link's Tapo RV30 Plus is an affordable, self-emptying robotic vacuum that delivers good performance for the money. It can clean hardwood floors as well as carpets with low pile, and also remove pet hair and other messes. It's not as advanced as other robots that we've reviewed, but it does the job well.
This model's tank-like wheels allow it to go over obstacles like tangled cords and high transitions between rooms. It also has a large dust bin that doesn't have to be emptying manually, and it's able to recharge and continue cleaning when it's not able to continue cleaning. It's more expensive than other robotic vacuums we've tested but it combines powerful suction with simple controls to deliver an excellent value.
Voice Control
The majority of robot vacuums are controlled by a physical remote or an app on your phone. Some robot vacuums can be operated by voice commands via smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is useful when your robot has to be cleaned and you have pets or small children that could interfere.
Many models have an automatic mode which works without input. The robot can be started by pressing a button in the app or on the robot. They can be programmed to clean in accordance with the schedule, which makes them ideal for people who want to set and forget.
Certain models that are more expensive come with an advanced feature that uses artificial intelligence to scan and detect obstacles in your home. They can detect things such as power cords, stairs and furniture, and even identify different types of flooring. This helps them avoid such hazards which is especially helpful in homes with a lot of carpets and flooring coverings that are difficult for robots to navigate.
Other robots have best robot vacuum for hardwood floors more basic ability to detect objects, but still manage to accomplish the task. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, that has the sleek elegant, easy-to-use design of a WiFi hub, but offers the performance of a top-notch bot. It is extremely suction-driven and is able to remove dirt and debris on carpets and hardwood floors easily. The short and squat-shaped side brush is less likely to be caught in shoes or cords. The hybrid roller brush, that uses bristles as well as plastic, provides a thorough cleaning.
The model is more expensive than other robots that are in the middle of the range however, it can do everything you'd expect from mop and vacuum robots. It can draw out the cleaning schedule and then create one. It also has virtual zones to keep out of. It doesn't feature obstacles avoidance or room scanning like the j7 and S8.