The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Robot vacuums can make cleaning your floors easier. The best robot vacuums are able to pick up tracked-in dirt and pet hair, crumbs and more.
And while they still can't do as good of a job as a traditional vacuum cleaner, they've come a long way in the past few years. They're smarter and more powerful, as well as (marginally better) in avoiding chair leg.
Smart Mapping
Using navigation tools like lasers and sensors, robotic vacuum cleaners move around your home, suctioning pet hair, crumbs, and dirt into their bins from hard floors such as wood, tile and laminate and also low-pile carpets and area rugs. The most advanced robots map your home, so that they can remember where they have been and avoid bumping into obstacles like sofas, chairs and bookshelves you might prefer to keep out of the way. You can also set up no-go zones on your smartphone to tell your robot to avoid areas you don't want it to be able to keep.
Robots with advanced mapping capabilities, like the Roomba J7, make use of onboard cameras and processor-powered smarts to see and avoid obstacles. This means you can leave the robot to perform 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 which includes vacuuming and mopping. It's a single-stop solution to keep your home clean. It has a great suction and works with Alexa or Google Assistant. It also has a convenient self-emptying feature and can be used as an alarm camera.
A less expensive bot that vacuums, mop and can also be used as a robot trashcan The Roborock Q Revo is a good choice for homes that don't need the more sophisticated features of the more expensive models. There are some drawbacks when compared to the Roomba S8 and J7. It has a single rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes of the others which means it won't be as effective at cleaning up larger particles like socks and shoes. It doesn't come with AI obstacle avoidance, which means you might need to get rid of clutter before running.
The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's perfect for those who value simplicity and proficiency. It's less than $200, and provides strong, consistent suction on hardwood and low-pile carpets, while avoiding knots. It's not a lot of technology however, it's effective. It's also compatible with voice commands, which means you can set it up on a schedule or set up zones that are not allowed to enter using the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technology can impact the ability of a robot vacuum navigate through your home. Some models on this list include sensors (or cameras) to help your robot vacuum avoid common robot traps such as cords, toys for kids and pet messes. iRobot's Roomba j7 is one of the most impressive examples of this type of technology in action. It also has a stylish clean base that emptys the garbage bin automatically so you don't have to.
In our testing, we set this robotic cleaner up in a big house and were impressed by how quickly and thoroughly it cleared floors without becoming bogged down. It's very mobile and can get into places that the majority of stand-up vacuums are unable to, such as under beds and couches. It also has great suction, a huge 500-milliliter dustbin and over two-hour runtime. However, it isn't equipped with 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 hit things a few times during our tests (resulting in a few toppled vase).
It's important to remember that no matter how clever the robot vacuum might appear but it can't replace your upright or canister vacuum. It's not able to deal with heavy stained carpets, it will not be able to reach every corner, and won't be able to reach your ceilings or other difficult-to-access spaces. It's a great addition to your regular cleaning routine for removing crumbs, hair, and pet dander.
Sensor systems are integrated into most robot vacuums to help them navigate around stairs and obstacles. They can sense the moment they're about to fall down the stairs, for example and also detect messy spaces and maneuver around them. Nevertheless, if you're not vigilant the robo-cleaner may become stuck on a cord or shoe and require help.
Some robot vacuums come with mapping capabilities that allow them to draw an precise floor plan of your house and also locate themselves. This allows them to know which areas they've already cleaned and avoid the hassle of going over the same areas. This allows them to continue where they left off, should they need to return to the charging dock.
Self-Emptying
A vacuum cleaner that can automatically emptys its bin when it is full is a great convenience. Some models also have a window that lets you see the time when the bin must be emptied. This is a fantastic feature for those with pets or children who create more mess than adults.
Most robot vacuums allow you to choose whether the machine is controlled by a remote or an app for your smartphone, or by voice commands. They have a number of digital functions, including scheduling and maintenance tips. Using the right settings, you can set your robot to clean on a regular time or on a weekly basis. You can also program it to mark and clean specific areas of your house.
The most intelligent robot vacuums we've tested are equipped with sensors and cameras which allow them to build maps for your home. These can be saved in the robot's app so you can quickly navigate to specific rooms or areas of your home. Some of these systems will even remember furniture placement and transitions between hardwood flooring and carpet.
The best smart vacuums can save you time by automatically mapping and cleaning entire houses and keeping detailed records of cleaning sessions. You can access these records via an app on your phone or tablet. They can also be connected to your smart speaker so you can control them via voice commands.
TP-Link Tapo RV30+ is a self-emptying robot that offers outstanding performance for a reasonable cost. It can clean floors and sweep up pet hair and other particles from low-pile and hardwood rugs. It's not as sophisticated as some of the other robots we've reviewed, however, it does what it does very well.
The wheels that resemble a tank on this model allow it to glide across the high transitions between rooms and obstacles like tangled device cords that trip up other robots. It has a huge bin that does not need to be manually emptied, and can recharge itself and restart cleaning when it's running out of power. It's more expensive than some of the other robotic vacuums that we've tested however it combines powerful suction with straightforward controls to provide a fantastic value.
Voice Control
The majority of robot vacuums are controlled via a remote control or an app that runs on smartphones. Certain robot vacuums are operated by voice commands using smart speakers, such as Amazon Echo or Google Home. This can be helpful when you have children or pets who could hinder your cleaning, or if you're too tired to control the robot by hand.
Most models have an automatic mode which works without your input. Simply press a button on the robot or within the app and it will begin sucking up dirt, food hair, and crumbs. The robots can be programmed to clean according to a schedule, making them ideal for people who simply best budget robot vacuum want to set and forget.
Some of the more expensive models have an advanced feature that makes use of artificial intelligence to look around your home and identify obstacles. These models can recognize things such as power cords, stairs, and furniture, and can even discern between different kinds of flooring. This can help robots stay clear of hazards. This is especially useful in large homes with lots rugs and other floorcoverings that are difficult for robots navigate.
Other robots are more basic in their ability to detect objects however they can still do the job. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus, for instance is a model that resembles a wifi router but offers the performance of a top-of-the-line bot. It has a powerful suction and can clean dirt and debris from medium-pile flooring and carpet. The short and squat-shaped side brush is less likely to be caught in shoes or cords. The hybrid roller brush, which uses bristles as well as plastic, offers an effective cleaning.
This model is pricier than other mid-range robots, however, it is able to do everything you require from mopping and vacuuming with a robot. It can map and build a cleaning schedule, has virtual keep-out zones and is compatible with voice assistants. However, it doesn't have the ability to scan rooms or avoid obstacles like the S8 or j7.