The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

Keeping your floors clean isn't always easy, but robot vacuums make it easier. The best floor vacuum robot ones will remove dirt, crumbs, shedding pet hair and more.

While they can't perform like the regular vacuum cleaner, they've made significant progress in the past few years. They're more intelligent and more powerful, as well as (marginally better) in avoiding chair leg.

Smart Mapping

Robot vacuum cleaners employ navigation tools such as sensors and lasers to navigate around your home. They remove pet hair, crumbs, and dirt from hard floors, like wood, tile, and laminate, and carpets with a low pile. The most sophisticated robots can map your home so they can keep track of where they've been and avoid hitting obstacles like sofas, chairs and bookshelves that you might prefer to keep out of your way. You can also set up no-go zones on your smartphone to instruct your robot to avoid areas you don't want it to keep clean.

Robots equipped with advanced mapping capabilities, like the Roomba J7, make use of onboard cameras and processor-powered intelligents to detect and avoid obstacles. This means you can let the robot to perform an effective cleaning without having to continually monitor the state of your floorplan, or manually move obstacles out of the robot's path. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus is a robotic that does mopping and vacuuming, so it's an all-in-one solution for keeping your home clean. It has a great suction and works with Alexa or Google Assistant. It also comes with a handy self-emptying feature, and can be used as an alarm camera.

Roborock Q Revo, a less expensive robot that vacuums, mops and is also a trashcan that is robotic is a great choice for homes that don't have the need for more advanced features. However, it does have some disadvantages compared to the Roomba j7 and S8. It has only one rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes that the other models have and it may not be as effective in collecting larger objects such as shoes and socks. Also, it doesn't include AI obstacle avoidance, so you may need to get rid of clutter prior to running it.

The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's perfect for those who value simplicity and efficiency. It's less than $200 and provides consistent, strong suction for hardwood as well as carpets with low pile, while avoiding tangles with rug threads. It doesn't include any advanced features, but it does its job well. It also works with voice commands. It can be set to run on a schedule or create no-go zones using the app.

Object Detection

Object-avoidance technology can affect the robot's ability to navigate around your home. Some models in this list have sensors (or Best Robot Vacuum 2023 cameras) to help your robot vacuum avoid common traps for robots, such as cords, toys for children and pet messes. IRobot's Roomba j7 is one of the most impressive examples of this kind of technology in action. It also comes with a sleek clean base that fills the trash bin automatically so that you don't need to.

During testing we set up this robot cleaner in a large home and were awed by how quickly and thoroughly the floors were cleaned without getting bogged down. It is very maneuverable and can reach areas that most standup vacuums cannot reach, like under couches and under beds. It also has excellent suction, a huge 500-milliliter dustbin and over two hours of runtime. However, it isn't equipped with the ability to set no-go zones in the app and its object detection is a little hit-or-miss and we did see it occasionally bump into objects during our tests (resulting in a few tipped vases).

It is important to keep in mind that, no matter how clever a robot vacuum may be it isn't going to replace your regular upright or canister vacuum. It's not able to clean carpets with a lot of dirt. It won't reach ceilings or other areas that are difficult to reach. However, to keep your floors free of crumbs, pet hair, dander and other debris it could be an excellent addition to your routine of cleaning.

The majority of robot vacuums have sensors that aid them to navigate through obstacles and steps. They are able to tell when they're about fall down the stairs, for example and can also identify cluttered spaces and move around them. If you're not careful, your robot cleaner could get stuck on a shoe, cord or any other object.

Certain robot vacuums come with mapping capabilities that allow them to create an precise floor plan of your house and locate themselves. They will then be able to identify the areas they have cleaned, and save time by not having to go over the same areas. It also lets them resume where they left off in case they have to return to their charging dock.

Self-Emptying

A robot vacuum that automatically empties its bins of dust once it is full is a great benefit. Some models also have a window so you can see when the bin needs to be emptied. This is a fantastic feature for those 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 operated with a remote, an app on your smartphone or voice commands. They have a number of digital features, including maintenance and scheduling tips. With the correct settings, you can set your robot to clean at a set time, or on a weekly basis. You can also program the robot to mark out and clean specific areas of your home.

The most intelligent robot vacuums we have tested are equipped with cameras and smart sensors, which allow them to create maps for your home. They 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 arrangement and record transitions from hard floors to carpet.

Smart vacuums can save you time by cleaning entire homes automatically and keeping detailed records about the previous cleaning sessions. You can access these records via an app that you can install on your tablet or phone. Many can also connect to your smart speaker so you can control them via voice commands.

TP-Link's Tapo RV30 Plus is an inexpensive, self-emptying robot vacuum that delivers good performance for the money. It can clean both floors and sweep up pet hair and other messes from low-pile and hardwood rugs. It's not as advanced as other robots we've reviewed however, it does what does very well.

The wheels that resemble a tank that this model has allow it to move across the gaps between rooms and obstacles such as tangled cords for devices that can cause problems for other robots. It comes with a large bin that doesn't have to be emptying manually and it can charge itself and restart cleaning when it runs out power. It's more expensive than the other robotic vacuums we've tried, but it is able to combine powerful suction with simple controls to provide excellent value.

Voice Control

Most robot vacuums can be controlled via a physical remote or an app on your phone. Some models can also be integrated with smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home, allowing you to run them using voice commands. This is useful when you have pets or children who might get in the way of your cleaning routine or if you're exhausted to operate the robot manually.

Most models have an automatic mode that operates without your input. Simply press a button on the robot or in the app and it will begin sucking up dirt, food particles, and pet hair. The robots can be programmed to clean regularly which is great for those who wish to set it and forget it.

Some of the most expensive models include an advanced feature that utilizes artificial intelligence to scan your home and detect obstacles. These models can identify things such as power cords, stairs, and furniture, and they can also identify different types of floors. This helps robots avoid hazards. This is especially useful in homes with large areas of carpeting and flooring that are difficult for robots navigate.

Other robots have more basic object detection capabilities, but still manage to accomplish the task. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus, for instance is similar to an internet router, but has the performance of a premium bot. It is extremely suction-driven and is able to remove dirt and debris on hardwood floors and rugs with medium pile easily. Its short, squat-shaped side brushes are less likely to get stuck in stray shoes or cords, and its hybrid roller brush uses bristles and plastic instead of bristles in traditional form for an even more thorough cleaning.

This model is pricier than other mid-range robots but it does everything you require from mopping and vacuuming robots. It can create an cleaning schedule and design one. It also has virtual zones to keep out of. However, it does not have room-scanning or obstacle avoidance like the S8 or j7.