The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

Robot vacuums can help you clean your floors more easily. The best robot vacuums can clean up dirt, pet hair, crumbs, and more.

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

Smart Mapping

Robot vacuum cleaners utilize tools for navigation, such as lasers and sensors to navigate your home. They collect pet hair, crumbs, and dirt from hard floors, like wood, tile and laminate, as well as carpets and area rugs with low piles. Robots that are the most advanced maps your home to know where they've been, and can avoid hitting obstacles such as couches, chairs and bookshelves. You can also set up no-go areas on your smartphone to tell your robot vacuum mop combo to avoid rooms that you don't want to clean.

Robots that have advanced mapping capabilities, like the Roomba j7, use onboard cameras and processor-powered smarts to avoid obstacles and see them. Then, you can allow it to complete the task without having to continuously monitor the status of your floorplan, or manually move obstacles from the robot's way. The TP Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robotic device that combine vacuuming and mopping. It's a single-stop solution to keep your home tidy. It has great suction and is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. It also has a useful self-emptying feature and can be used as a security camera.

A less expensive robot that mops, vacuums and can also be used as a robotic trashcan The Roborock Q Revo is a solid option for homes that don't need the advanced features of the more expensive models. However, it does have some disadvantages in comparison to the Roomba j7 and S8. For one, it has only one rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes of the others, so it might not be as effective at collecting larger objects such as shoes and socks. It also lacks AI obstacle avoidance, which means it could be necessary to get rid of any clutter prior to running it.

The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot vacuum with self empty that's perfect for those who value simplicity and competence. It's less than $200 and offers strong, consistent suction for hardwood as well as low-pile carpets and avoids tangles with rug threads. It doesn't have any advanced features, however it does its job well. 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 a robot vacuum's ability to navigate your home. Some of the models we've reviewed include sensors (or even cameras) which help your robo-cleaner avoid common robot traps like cords, toys for children and pet messes. iRobot Roomba J7, one of the most impressive examples of intelligent technology in action, is a fantastic example. It also comes with a stylish base that automatically empties the dustbin so you don't need to.

During testing the robotic cleaner up in a large house and were awed by the speed and efficiency with which it cleared floors without getting sluggish. It is extremely maneuverable and can reach places that most stand-up vacs cannot can, like under beds and sofas. It has a 500ml dustbin, excellent 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 a bit hit-or-miss and we did see it hit things a few times during our tests (resulting in a few tipped vase tops).

It is important to keep in mind that, regardless of how clever a robot vacuum is it won't replace your upright or canister vacuum. It can't deal with heavily stained carpets, it will not be able to reach every corner, and it's not able to reach your ceilings or other difficult-to-access spaces. However, if you want to keep your floors free of crumbs, pet hair and other dander it's an ideal addition to your cleaning routine.

Sensor systems are built into many robot vacuums to help them navigate around obstacles and stairs. They can tell the moment they're about to fall down the stairs, for instance and can also identify messy spaces and maneuver around them. If you're not careful your robo-cleaner may get stuck on a cord, shoe, or other object.

Some of the more advanced robot vacuums have the ability to map, which allows them to design a floor plan of your home and locate themselves within it. This lets them know which areas they've already cleaned and avoid spending time cleaning the same spots. 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 automatically empties its dust bin when it gets full is a great convenience. Some models even have windows to let you know the time when the bin must be emptied. This is a fantastic option for anyone with pets or children who tend to create more mess than adults.

The majority of robot vacuums allow you to choose which model can be controlled by an app, a remote on your phone or via voice commands. They have a number of digital functions, including maintenance and scheduling tips. With the correct settings, you can schedule your robot to clean on a regular time or on a weekly basis. You can also program the robot to map out and clean specific areas of your home.

The smartest robot vacuums that we have tested are equipped with sensors and cameras which enable them to create maps for your home. You can save these maps within the robot's app and use them to navigate through your home. Some of these systems even keep track of furniture placement and even note the transitions between hard floors and carpet.

The best smart vacuums can save you time by automating the mapping and cleaning of entire houses and keeping precise records of previous cleaning sessions. You can access these records through an app that you can install on your smartphone or tablet. The majority of them can be connected to your smart speaker so you can control them using voice commands.

TP-Link's Tapo RV30 Plus is an affordable, self-emptying robotic vacuum that provides good performance for the money. It can clean hardwood floors and carpets with low pile, and also remove pet hair and other particles. It's not as sophisticated as some of the other robots we've reviewed, but it does what it does very efficiently.

The rubber-like wheels on this model allow it to move right over the high gaps between rooms and obstacles such as tangled cords for devices that trip up other robots. It also comes with a large dust bin that doesn't have to be emptying 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 we've tried, but it combines powerful suction and easy controls to give you a great value.

Voice Control

Most robot vacuums are controlled via a remote control or an app for a smartphone. Certain robot vacuums can be controlled via voice commands through smart speakers, such as Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is useful if your robot needs to clean and you have pets or children who might interfere.

The majority of models have an automatic mode that operates without any input from you. Simply press a button on the robot or within the app, and it will start sucking up food, dirt, crumbs, and pet hair. They can be programmed to clean in accordance with the schedule, which makes them ideal for people who simply want to make a plan and forget.

Some of the more expensive models have an advanced feature that utilizes artificial intelligence to examine your home and find obstacles. These models can identify things like furniture, stairs, power cords and even different kinds of flooring. This can help robots stay clear of dangers. This is especially helpful in large homes that have lots of carpeting and flooring that are difficult for robots navigate.

Other robots are more basic in their ability to detect objects, but they still get the job done. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, which has the clean, fuss-free appearance of a WiFi hub, but boasts a lot of the performance of a top-notch robot. It has a powerful suction that can take care of dirt and debris from medium-pile rugs and hardwood floors. Its short, squat side brushes are less likely to become stuck in stray shoes or Robot vacuum with Self empty cords, and its hybrid roller brush makes use of bristles and plastic, rather than a traditional bristle brush for a more thorough cleaning.

This model is more expensive than the other models in the mid-range but it has everything you'd expect from a robot vacuum and mop. It can map and build a cleaning schedule and has virtual keep-out zones, and is compatible with voice assistants. However, it doesn't have obstacles avoidance or room scanning like the j7 or S8.