The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

Robot vacuums can make cleaning your floors easier. The best ones nab tracked-in dirt, crumbs, shedding pet hair, and more.

And while they still can't do the same job as a traditional vacuum cleaner however, they've come a long way over the last few years. They're more efficient, smarter and (marginally) better at avoiding chair legs.

Smart Mapping

Robot vacuum cleaners use tools for navigation, like 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, so they know where they've been and can avoid bumping into obstacles such as couches, chairs, and bookshelves. You can also use your smartphone app to create no-go zones that tell your robot not to enter rooms that you don't want to clean.

Robots that have advanced mapping capabilities, like the Roomba j7, utilize onboard cameras and processor-powered intelligents to avoid obstacles and see them. This means you can leave it to do an effective cleaning without having to constantly monitor the state 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 and vacuuming, so it's a complete solution to keep your home tidy. It has great suction, and it is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. It also has a convenient self-emptying feature and can be used as a security camera.

Roborock Q Revo, a less expensive robot that vacuums, mops and functions as a trashcan that is robotic is a great option for homes that do not require for more advanced features. It does have some disadvantages when compared to the Roomba S8 and J7. For instance, it uses only one rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes of the other, so it might not be as effective at picking up larger debris like socks and shoes. It also doesn't have any AI obstacle avoidance, which means you may need to get rid of any clutter prior to running it.

The iLife A4s Pro robot is an easy-to-use, reliable robot that is ideal for those who appreciate simplicity and proficiency. It's less than $200 and offers consistent, solid suction for hardwood as well as low-pile carpets and also avoids tangles caused by rug threads. It's not the most advanced however it's a good choice. It also works with voice commands. It can be set up to run a program, or create no-go zones using the app.

Object Detection

Object-avoidance technology can affect the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate around your home. Some of the models we've reviewed include sensors (or even cameras) that help your robo-cleaner avoid common traps for robots, such as cords, toys for children and pet spills. iRobot Roomba j7 is among the most amazing examples of smart technology in motion, is an excellent example. It also has a stylish clean base that emptys the dustbin automatically so you don't need to.

In our testing the robot, we set the cleaner up in a large home and were amazed by how quickly and thoroughly it cleared floors without becoming bogged down. It is extremely maneuverable and can get to places that most stand-up vacs cannot can, like under sofas and under beds. It also has a great suction, a huge 500-milliliter dustbin and over two hours of runtime. It's not able to set up no-go zones, and its object recognition is a bit hit-or-miss. We saw it bumping into things at times during our tests which resulted in vessels falling over.

It is important to keep in mind that, no matter how smart a robot vacuum may be, it will not replace your upright or canister vacuum. It's not equipped to handle heavily soiled carpets, it won't reach into every crevice, and it won't reach your ceilings or other hard-to-reach spaces. But for keeping your floors free of pet hair, crumbs and other dander it could be a good addition to your cleaning routine.

Most robot vacuums have sensor systems that help them navigate around obstacles and stairs. They usually know the moment they're likely to fall down a staircase, for instance, and they also recognize cluttered areas and move around them. If you're not careful, your robo-cleaner may become stuck on a cord, shoe or any other object.

Some robot vacuums are equipped with mapping capabilities, which allow them to make an accurate floor plan of your house and also locate themselves. They can then know what areas they've already cleaned, and save time by not having to clean the same spots. This allows them to resume the same place they left off if they have to return to the charging dock.

Self-Emptying

A vacuum cleaner that automatically emptys its bin of dust when it is full is a huge convenience. Some models even have a window that lets you see the time when the bin must be emptied. This feature is ideal for those with pets or children, who can create a lot more mess than adults.

The majority of robot vacuums let you choose which model can be controlled by the use of a remote, an app on your phone or via voice commands. They also come with a range of digital features, including scheduling and maintenance suggestions. Using the right settings, you can schedule your robot to clean on a regular time, or on a weekly basis. You can also program the robot to mark out and clean specific areas of your home.

The most intelligent robot vacuums we have tested are equipped with sensors and cameras which allow them to build maps of your home. You can save these maps to the robot's app to quickly navigate through your home. Some of these systems will even remember the furniture arrangement and the transitions between hardwood flooring and carpet.

Smart vacuums help you save time by cleaning entire homes in a timely manner and keeping detailed records about the previous cleaning sessions. You can access these records through an app for your tablet or phone. The majority of them can be linked to your smart speaker so you can control them with voice commands.

TP-Link Tapo RV30+ is self-emptying robot that provides outstanding performance for a reasonable price. It can clean both floors and sweep up pet hair and other debris from low-pile and hardwood rugs. It's not quite as sophisticated as other robots we've reviewed, however it does its job well.

This model's tank-like wheels allow it to go over obstacles such as cords that are tangled and high transitions between rooms. It also comes with a large dust bin that doesn't require to be emptied manually, and it's also able to recharge and resume cleaning if it's not able to continue cleaning. It's more expensive compared to other robotic vacuums that we've tested but it is able to combine powerful suction with simple controls to give you a great value.

Voice Control

The majority of robot vacuums are controlled via a physical remote or website an app that you can install on your smartphone. Some also connect to smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home, allowing you to control them using voice commands. This can be helpful for families with small pets or children who might interfere with your cleaning or if you're exhausted to operate the robot manually.

Most models also include an automatic mode that operates without input from you. The robot can be started by pressing a button on the app or on the robot. They can be programmed to clean in accordance with the schedule, which makes them ideal for those who just need to make a plan and forget.

Some of the more expensive models include a sophisticated feature which uses artificial intelligence to scan and detect the presence of obstacles within your home. These models can identify things like stairs, power cords, and furniture, and even identify different types of flooring. This can help them avoid these hazards which is particularly useful in larger homes that have lots of rugs and other flooring coverings that are difficult for robots to navigate.

Other robots are more basic in their ability to detect objects, but they still do the job. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, which has the clean and easy-to-use appearance of a WiFi hub but boasts a lot of the capabilities of a top-of-the-line bot. It has a powerful suction and can handle 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 as well as plastic, gives an effective cleaning.

This model is pricier than other mid-range robots, however, it is able to do everything you'd expect from a robot vacuum and mop. 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 like the j7 or the s8.