The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Cleaning your floors isn't always simple but robot vacuums can help. The best ones nab tracked-in dirt, crumbs, shed pet hair and more.
While they can't perform as well as a regular vacuum cleaner, they have improved a lot in the past few years. They're smarter, more powerful and (marginally) better in avoiding the legs of chairs.
Smart Mapping
Using navigation tools like lasers and sensors, robot vacuum cleaners navigate through your home, sucking pet hair, crumbs, and dirt into their dustbins from hard floors like wood, tile and laminate and also area rugs and carpets with low pile. The most sophisticated robots can map your house, so that they can recall where they've been and avoid hitting obstacles like sofas, chairs and bookshelves you might prefer to keep out of your way. You can also set up no-go zones using your smartphone to alert your robot to avoid areas you don't want it to clean.
Robots that have 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 the robot to perform 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 mopping with vacuuming. It's a single-stop solution to keep your home clean. It has great suction, and it is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. It also has a useful self-emptying feature that can be used as a security camera.
A less expensive robot that mops, vacuums and can even be used as a trashcan The Roborock Q Revo is a solid option for homes that don't require the more sophisticated features of more expensive models. There are some drawbacks in comparison to the Roomba S8 and J7. For one, it has one rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes of the others which means it won't be as effective in collecting larger objects such as shoes and socks. It does not have AI obstacle avoidance, so you might need to get rid of clutter before running.
The iLife A4s Pro robot is an easy reliable robot for those who value simplicity and competence. It's priced at less than $200, and delivers consistent, strong suction on hardwood and low-pile rug while avoiding knots. It's not a lot of technology however, it's effective. It is also compatible with voice commands. It can be set to run on a schedule or create zones that are not allowed to be used using the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technologies can affect the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate through your home. Certain models on our list include sensors (or even cameras) that allow your robot cleaner to avoid common traps for robots such as cords, kids' toys and pet messes. IRobot's Roomba J7 is among the most impressive examples of this type of smart technology in action. It also features a chic clean base that fills the garbage bin automatically so you don't have to.
During testing we set up this robot cleaner in a huge home and were impressed with how quickly and thoroughly floors were cleaned without getting sluggish. It's very mobile and can reach places that the majority of stand-up vacuums are unable to reach, like under beds and couches. It has a 500ml dustbin, a powerful suction system and a running time of more than two hours. However, it isn't equipped with the ability to create no-go zones in the app and its object detection is a bit hit-or-miss, meaning we saw it occasionally bump into objects during our tests (resulting in the tumbling of best rated robot vacuum a few vase).
It's important to keep in mind that no matter how clever the robot vacuum might appear but it can't replace your traditional canister or upright vacuum. It can't deal with heavily stained carpets, it will not reach into every crevice, and it's not able to reach your ceilings or other difficult-to-access spaces. It can be an effective addition to your regular cleaning routine to remove hair, pet dander and other hair.
The majority of robot vacuums have sensors that allow them to navigate through obstacles and steps. They usually know the moment when they're going to fall down stairs, for instance, and also detect areas of clutter and maneuver around them. However, if you're not cautious the robo-cleaner may become stuck on a cord or stray shoe and need some help.
Some smarter robot vacuums have mapping capabilities, which allow them to design an outline of your home and locate themselves within it. They will then be able to identify the areas they've already cleaned, and reduce time by not having to go over the same spots. It also allows them to resume the same place they left off, should they need to return to their charging dock.
Self-Emptying
A vacuum cleaner that automatically emptys its bins of dust once it's full is an incredible benefit. Some models even have a window that lets you see when the bin needs to be emptied. This is a great feature for those who have pets or children, who tend to make much more mess than adults.
The majority of robot vacuums let you select which model can be controlled with an app, a remote from your phone, or through voice commands. They also come with a variety of digital functions, including scheduling and maintenance suggestions. Using the right settings, you can program your robot to clean on a regular time, or on a weekly basis. You can also program it to clean specific areas of your house.
Some of the most advanced robot vacuums we've tested come with built-in cameras as well as smart sensor technology that lets them 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 furniture arrangement and the transitions between hard floors and carpet.
The most efficient smart vacuums help you save time by automatically mapping and cleaning entire homes and keeping detailed records of previous cleaning sessions. You can access the records via an app for your smartphone or tablet. 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 delivers good performance for the money. It can clean hardwood floors and carpets with low pile, as well as remove pet hair and other messes. It's not as sophisticated as the other robots we've reviewed, but it does its job very well.
The wheels that resemble a tank that this model has allow it to roll right over the high gaps between rooms and obstacles such as tangled cords for devices which can cause a problem for other robots. It has a huge bin that doesn't have to be manually emptied, and can recharge itself and continue cleaning when it is unable to continue cleaning. It's a bit more expensive than the other robotic vacuums we've tested, but it blends powerful suction with straightforward controls to provide a fantastic value.
Voice Control
The majority of robot vacuums can be controlled using a remote or an app on your phone. 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 useful if you have small children or pets who could interfere with your cleaning routine or if you're exhausted to operate the robot manually.
Most models also include an automatic mode that operates without any input from you. You can start the robot by pressing a button in the app or on the robot. The robots can be programmed to clean in accordance with an established schedule, making them ideal for people who just want to make a plan and forget.
Some of the more expensive models have an advanced feature that makes use of artificial intelligence to examine your home and find obstacles. These models can identify things such as power cords, stairs, and furniture, and even discern between different kinds of floors. This can help robots stay clear of hazards. This is particularly useful in large homes that have lots of carpeting and other flooring coverings that are difficult for robots navigate.
Other robots are more basic in their abilities for object detection but they are able to get the job done. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus, for instance is a model that resembles an internet router, but has the performance of a premium robot. It has a powerful suction that can take care of dirt and debris from medium-pile flooring and carpet. Its squat and short side brush is less likely to get stuck in cords or shoes. The hybrid roller brush, that uses bristles, as well as plastic, offers an efficient cleaning.
The model is more expensive than the other models in the middle-end but it has everything you would expect from a robot vacuum and mop. It can map and build a cleaning schedule and has virtual keep-out zones, and is compatible with voice assistants. It doesn't offer the same room-scanning and obstacle avoidance as the j7 and the s8.