The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

Keeping your floors clean isn't always easy, but robot vacuums help. The Best Robot Vacuum Under 200 robot vacuums are able to pick up tracked-in dirt and pet hair, crumbs, and much more.

While they're still unable to do the same job as a traditional vacuum cleaner however, they've come a long way in the past few years. They're smarter and more powerful, as well as (marginally better) at avoiding the chair leg.

Smart Mapping

Robot vacuum cleaners use instruments for navigation such as lasers and sensors to navigate around your home. They remove pet hair, crumbs and dirt from hard floors like tile, wood, and laminate, and carpets with a low pile. Robots that are the most advanced maps your home so they know where they've been and how to avoid hitting obstacles like couches, chairs and bookshelves. You can also set up no-go areas on your smartphone to tell your robot to stay clear of rooms you don't wish it to be able to keep.

Robots that have advanced mapping capabilities, such as the Roomba J7, utilize an onboard cameras and processor-powered intelligent to see and avoid obstructions. Then, you can allow it to do a thorough job without having to continuously monitor the state of your floorplan or manually remove obstacles from the robot's way. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robot that combines vacuuming and mopping, so it's a one-stop solution for keeping your home tidy. It has a powerful suction system and works with Alexa or Google Assistant. It has a self-emptying function and can also function as a security camera.

A cheaper robot that vacuums, mop and can also be used as a robot trashcan, the Roborock Q Revo is a solid option for homes that don't require the advanced features of the more expensive models. However, it has a few disadvantages in comparison to the Roomba J7 and S8. It's got only one brush, Best Robot Vacuum Under 200 not dual roller brushes, meaning it may not be as effective in removing larger objects like socks and shoes. It doesn't come with AI obstacle avoidance, which means you may need to clear 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 provides strong, consistent suction both on hardwood and low-pile carpets and avoids tangles. It doesn't come with any advanced features, however it does its job well. It also works with voice commands, which means you can run it on schedule or even set up zones that aren't allowed to be entered via the app.

Object Detection

Object-avoidance technology can affect the ability of a robot vacuum navigate around your home. Certain models on our list have sensors (or even cameras) which help your robo-cleaner avoid common robot traps like cords, toys for kids and pet spills. The iRobot Roomba j7 is one of the most impressive examples of this type of smart tech in action. It also comes with a sleek clean base that fills the dustbin automatically so you don't need to.

During testing, we set this robotic cleaner up in a large house and were impressed by the speed and efficiency with which it cleared floors without getting bogged down. It is extremely maneuverable and can get to places that most stand-up vacs cannot go, including couches and under beds. It has a 500ml dustbin, a powerful suction system and a time of over two hours. It isn't able to set up no-go zones and its recognition of objects is a bit hit-or-miss. We saw it bumping into things in our tests on occasion which resulted in vases falling over.

It's important to remember that despite how smart a robot vacuum may be but it can't replace your regular canister or upright vacuum. It's not able to clean carpets that have been heavily soiled. It can't reach the ceiling or other areas that are difficult to reach. But for keeping your floors clean of pet hair, crumbs and other dander, it can be an ideal addition to your routine of cleaning.

Sensors are integrated into many robot vacuums, allowing them to navigate around obstacles and stairs. They can usually sense the moment they're likely to fall down a staircase for instance, and they also detect areas of clutter and maneuver 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 that allow them to create an accurate floor plan of your house and also locate themselves. They can then know what areas they have cleaned and save time by not having to go over the same areas. It also lets them continue where they left off if they have to return to their charging dock.

Self-Emptying

A robot vacuum that automatically empty its bin of dust when it gets full is a great convenience. Certain models come with a window that allows you to see when the dust bin needs to empty. This feature is ideal for people who have pets or children, who tend to make a lot more mess than adults.

The majority of heavy duty robot vacuum vacuums let you select whether the machine is controlled by a remote control or an app on your phone, or via voice commands. They also have a variety of digital functions, including scheduling and maintenance suggestions. You can program your robot to clean on a weekly or regularly using the appropriate settings. You can also program the robot to clean and map out specific areas of your home.

Some of the most advanced robot vacuums we've tested are equipped with built-in cameras and smart sensor technology that allows them to 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 can even remember furniture placement and note the transitions between hard floors and carpet.

Smart vacuums can save you time by mapping and cleaning entire homes automatically and keeping detailed records about the cleaning sessions that have occurred previously. You can access these records through an app for your phone or tablet. Many can also connect to your smart speaker so you can control them using voice commands.

TP-Link Tapo RV30+ is self-emptying robotic that delivers outstanding performance for a reasonable cost. It can clean floors and sweep up pet hair and other particles from rugs made of wood and low pile. It's not as sophisticated as other robots that we've reviewed, but it does the job well.

The rubber-like wheels on this model allow it to move across the high transitions between rooms as well as obstacles such as tangled cords for devices that can cause problems for other robots. It comes with a large bin that does not need to be empty manually and is able to recharge itself and restart cleaning when it is unable to continue cleaning. It's more expensive than some of the other robotic vacuums we've tried however it combines powerful suction with straightforward controls to provide a fantastic value.

Voice Control

The majority of robot vacuums are controlled using a remote or an app on your phone. Certain robot vacuums are operated by voice commands through smart speakers, such as Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is a great option when your robot has to clean up and you have pets or children who could be disruptive.

Most models have an automatic mode which works without input. The robot can be started by pressing a button in the app or on the robot. They can be programmed to clean up on a regular basis which is great for those who want to set it and forget it.

Some of the higher-end models include a sophisticated feature that makes use of artificial intelligence to detect and scan the presence of obstacles in your home. These models can detect things like stairs, furniture power cords, and even different types of flooring. This can help robots avoid hazards. This is especially helpful in homes with large areas of carpeting and other flooring coverings which are difficult for robots navigate.

Other robots are more basic in their object detection abilities however, they still do the job. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus, for instance is a model that resembles WiFi routers, but it has the performance of a high-end bot. It has a strong suction that can take care of dirt and debris on medium pile carpets and hardwood floors. Its squat and short side brush is less likely to get caught in shoes or cords. The hybrid roller brush, that uses bristles as well as plastic, provides an efficient cleaning.

The model is more expensive than other mid-range robots however, it is able to do everything you require from a robot vacuum and mop. It can map and create a cleaning schedule, has virtual keep-out zones, and is compatible with voice assistants. It doesn't offer the same room scanning and obstacle avoidance like the j7 or the s8.