The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

Robot vacuums can make cleaning your floors a breeze. The best robot vacuums can pick up tracked-in dirt and crumbs, pet hair, and much more.

Although they're unable to perform as well of a job as the regular vacuum but they've come quite a way in recent years. They're smarter, more powerful and (marginally) better in avoiding the legs of chairs.

Smart Mapping

Robot vacuum cleaners employ instruments for navigation such as lasers and sensors to navigate through 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. The most powerful robot vacuum advanced robots can map your house, so they can remember where they have been and avoid bumping into obstructions like chairs, sofas and bookshelves that you may want to keep out of your way. 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 equipped with advanced mapping capabilities, like the Roomba J7, make use of onboard cameras and processor-powered smarts to detect and avoid obstacles. This means you can leave it to do an effective cleaning without having to continuously check the status of your floorplan, or manually remove obstacles from the robot's path. The TP Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robot that includes vacuuming and mopping. It's a single-stop solution to keep your home clean. 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 security cameras.

A cheaper robot that mops, vacuums and can also be used as a trashcan, the Roborock Q Revo is a excellent choice for homes that don't need the more advanced features of higher-end models. It does have some disadvantages in comparison 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 shoes and socks. Also, it doesn't include AI obstacle avoidance technology, so it could be necessary to clear away clutter before running it.

The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's ideal for those who prioritize simplicity and proficiency. It's less than $200, and offers consistent, solid suction on both hardwood and carpets that are low-pile and avoids tangles with rug threads. It's not very advanced however it's a good choice. It also works with voice commands. It can be set up on a schedule, or create no-go zones using the app.

Object Detection

The use of object-avoidance technology can affect the ability of a robot vacuum navigate through your home. Certain models on this list include sensors (or cameras) to aid your robot vacuum to avoid common traps for robots, such as cords, toys for kids and pet mess. The iRobot Roomba j7 is one of the best examples of this kind of smart tech in action. It also has a stylish clean base that empties the trash bin automatically so that you don't need to.

During testing we set up the robotic cleaner in a huge home and were awed by how quickly and efficiently the floors were cleaned without getting bogged down. It has impressive maneuverability and can get to places that most stand-up vacs cannot can, like under beds and sofas. It has a 500ml dustbin, excellent suction and a runtime of over two hours. However, it lacks the ability to set no-go zones within the app and its detection of objects is a little hit-or-miss, meaning we saw it bump into things occasionally during our tests (resulting in a few toppled vase tops).

It's important to keep in mind that despite how smart a robot vacuum might be it will not replace your traditional canister or upright vacuum. It's not able to deal with heavy stained carpets, it will not be able to reach every corner, and it's not able to reach your ceilings or other difficult to reach areas. It's an excellent addition to your routine cleaning for getting rid of hair, and pet dander.

The majority of robot vacuums have sensor systems that help them navigate through obstacles and steps. They can sense when they are about to fall down the stairs, for example, and can also recognize messy spaces and maneuver around them. If you're not careful, your robo-cleaner may be stuck on a cord, shoe, or other object.

Certain robot vacuums come with mapping capabilities, which allow them to create an accurate floor plan of your house and pinpoint themselves. They will then be able to identify the areas they have already cleaned and can save time by not having to go over the same areas. This allows them to resume where they left off, in the event that they have to return to the charging dock.

Self-Emptying

A vacuum cleaner that can automatically empty its bin after it is full is a great convenience. Some models even have a window to let you know the time when the bin must be empty. This is a fantastic feature for anyone who has pets or children who tend to create more mess than adults.

The majority of robot vacuums let you select whether the machine can be operated with the use of a remote, an app from your phone, or through voice commands. They come with a variety of digital functions, including scheduling and maintenance tips. Using the right settings, you can program your robot to clean at a regular time or on an annual basis. You can also program it to mark and clean specific areas of the house.

Some of the most advanced robot vacuums we've tested are equipped with built-in cameras as well as smart sensor technology that lets them create maps of your home. These maps can be saved to the robot's app so you can quickly navigate to specific rooms or areas of your home. Some of these systems can even keep track of furniture placement and even note the transitions from hard floors to carpet.

The most effective smart vacuums will help you save time by automating the mapping and cleaning of entire homes and keeping detailed records of cleaning sessions. You can access the records via an app for your smartphone or tablet. Many of them can be linked 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 delivers excellent performance for the price. It can clean both floors and sweep pet hair and other particles from hardwood and low-pile rugs. It's not as sophisticated as some of the other robots we've reviewed, robot vacuum but it does what it does very well.

The model's tank-like wheels permit it to glide over obstacles such as cords that are tangled and high transitions between rooms. It also comes with a large dust bin that doesn't have to be emptied manually, and it's also able to recharge and resume cleaning when it's not able to continue cleaning. It's more expensive than the other robotic vacuums we've tried, however it has powerful suction and simple controls to give you a great value.

Voice Control

Most robot vacuums can be controlled using a remote or an app on your smartphone. Some robot vacuums can be controlled by voice commands via smart speakers such as Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is useful when you have pets or children that could hinder your cleaning routine or if you're exhausted to manage the robot manually.

Most models also include an automatic mode that functions 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 according to an established schedule, making them ideal for people who want to set and forget.

Some of the more expensive models come with an advanced feature that uses artificial intelligence to scan and detect the presence of obstacles within your home. They can detect things like power cords, stairs and furniture, and can even distinguish between different types of floors. This helps robots avoid hazards. This is especially helpful in large homes with lots carpeting and flooring that are difficult for robots to navigate.

Other robots are less sophisticated in their object detection abilities, but they still get the job done. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus, for instance is similar to WiFi routers, but it has the performance of a premium bot. It has a strong suction and can clean dirt and debris on medium pile rugs and hardwood floors. Its squat and short side brush is less likely to be stuck in cords or shoes. The hybrid roller brush, which is made up of bristles as well as plastic, gives an efficient cleaning.

It's more expensive than other mid-range robots, but it can do everything you'd expect from a robot vacuum and mop. It can map out the cleaning schedule and then create one. It also has virtual zones to keep out of. It doesn't offer the same room-scanning feature and obstacle avoidance as the j7 or s8.