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, shedding pet hair, and more.

And while they still can't perform as well of a job as the regular vacuum however, they've come a long way over the last few years. They're more sophisticated and more powerful, as well as (marginally better) at avoiding the chair leg.

Smart Mapping

Robot vacuum cleaners use tools for navigation, like lasers and sensors to navigate around your home. They remove pet hair, crumbs and dirt from floors made of hard materials such as tile, wood, and laminate, and low-pile area rugs and carpets. 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 set up no-go areas on your smartphone to tell your robot to stay clear of areas you don't want it to be able to keep.

Robots with advanced mapping capabilities, such as the Roomba J7, use onboard cameras and processor-powered intelligent to avoid and detect obstacles. Then, you can allow it to perform the job without having to continuously monitor the state of your floorplan, or manually move obstacles from the robot's way. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus is a robot that can combine mopping and vacuuming, which means it's an all-in-one solution to keep your home tidy. It has great suction and is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. It is self-emptying and can also function as a surveillance camera.

A cheaper robot that mops, vacuums and can also be used as a robot trashcan, the Roborock Q Revo is a excellent choice for homes that don't require the advanced features of the more expensive models. However, it has a few disadvantages compared to the Roomba j7 and S8. It's got only one brush, not dual roller brushes, meaning it isn't as effective in removing larger debris such as socks and shoes. It doesn't have AI obstacle avoidance, which means you might need to get rid of clutter before running.

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 strong, consistent suction on hardwood and carpets that are low-pile, while avoiding tangles with rug threads. It doesn't include any advanced features, but it does the job well. It also works with voice commands, which means you can set it up on schedule or even set up no-go zones via the app.

Object Detection

Object-avoidance technology can be the difference between a robot vacuum's ability to navigate around your home. Certain models on our list include sensors (or even cameras) that help your robo-cleaner avoid common traps for robots such as cords, kids' toys and pet spills. iRobot Roomba J7 is among the most impressive examples of intelligent 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.

During testing we set up this robot cleaner in a home with a large size and were awed by how quickly and thoroughly the floors were cleaned without becoming a mess. It's very mobile and can reach areas that most standup vacuums cannot reach, like under beds and couches. It has a 500 ml dustbin, great suction and a time of over two hours. However, it isn't equipped with the ability to create zones that are not allowed to be used and its detection of objects is somewhat erratic, meaning we saw it occasionally bump into objects during our tests (resulting in the tumbling of a few vase tops).

It's important to keep in mind that no matter how clever a robot vacuum might be but it can't replace your upright or canister vacuum. It's not equipped to clean carpets that have been heavily soiled. It can't reach the ceiling or other areas that are difficult to reach. However, if you want to keep your floors free of crumbs, pet hair and other dander, it can be a good addition to your cleaning routine.

Sensors are integrated into the majority of robot vacuums to help them navigate around stairs and obstacles. They can usually sense the moment they're likely to fall down the stairs, for instance, and they also detect areas of clutter and move around them. If you're not careful, your robot-cleaner could get stuck on a shoe, cord, or other object.

Some robot vacuums come with mapping capabilities, which allow them to create an precise floor plan of your home and locate themselves. They can then know what areas they've already cleaned, and reduce time by not having to clean the same areas. This lets them resume the same place they left off if they have to return to get more info the charging dock.

Self-Emptying

A vacuum cleaner that automatically empty its bin of dust when it is full is a huge convenience. Certain models come with an indicator that allows you to see when the dust bin has to be empty. This is a great option for anyone with pets or children who make more mess than adults.

Most robot vacuums let you choose whether the machine is controlled by the use of a remote, an app on your phone or via voice commands. They offer a range of digital features, including scheduling and maintenance tips. If you set the right settings, you can program your robot to clean at a regular time or on an annual basis. You can also program the robot to map out and clean specific areas of your home.

Some of the smartest robot vacuums we've tested are equipped with built-in cameras and 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 will even remember furniture layout and transitions between hard floors and carpet.

Smart vacuums help you save time by mapping and cleaning entire homes in a timely manner and keeping detailed records about previous cleaning sessions. You can access these records through an app that you can install on your phone or tablet. Most can also connect to your smart speaker so you can control them with voice commands.

TP-Link's Tapo RV30 Plus is an affordable, self-emptying robotic vacuum that provides high performance for the money. It can clean hardwood floors and carpets with low pile, and also remove pet hair and other debris. It's not as advanced as other robots we've reviewed, however it does its job well.

The tank-like wheels on this model allow it to glide right over the high transitions between rooms as well as obstacles such as tangled cords for devices that can cause problems for other robots. It has a large bin that does not need to be manually emptied and it can charge itself and resume cleaning if it is unable to continue cleaning. It's more expensive than other robotic vacuums we've tested but it is able to combine powerful suction and simple controls to deliver an excellent value.

Voice Control

The majority of robot vacuums are controlled by a remote control or an app for a smartphone. Some can also integrate with smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home, allowing you to operate them with voice commands. This can be helpful for families with small children or pets who could get in the way of your cleaning routine, or if you're too tired to control the robot by hand.

Many models also come with an automatic mode that works without any input from you. Simply press a button on the robot or in the app, and it will start taking in food hair, and crumbs. They can also be programmed to clean regularly, which is ideal for those who want to program it to forget about it.

Some of the higher-end models have a feature which uses artificial intelligence to scan and detect obstacles in your home. These models can identify things like stairs, furniture, power cords and even different types of flooring. This can help robots stay clear of dangers. This is particularly useful in large homes with lots carpeting and flooring that are difficult for robots navigate.

Some robots are more basic in their ability to detect objects however, they are still able to do the job. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus, for instance is similar to WiFi routers, but it 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, short side brushes are less likely to get tangled in stray shoes and cords and its hybrid roller brush utilizes bristles and plastic rather than a traditional bristle brush for better cleaning.

This model is more expensive than other robots that are in the middle of the range however, it can do everything you want from a robot vacuum and mop. It can create and map a cleaning schedule as well as virtual keep-out zones and is compatible with voice assistants. However, it does not have room-scanning or obstacle avoidance like the j7 or S8.