The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

Cleaning your floors isn't always simple however, robot vacuums make it easier. The best ones nab tracked-in dirt, crumbs and shed pet hair, and more.

While they can't perform as well as a regular vacuum cleaner, they have made significant progress in the past few years. They're smarter, more powerful and (marginally) better in avoiding the legs of chairs.

Smart Mapping

Robot vacuum cleaners use navigation tools such as lasers and sensors to navigate around your home. They collect pet hair, crumbs and dirt from hard floors such as tile, wood and laminate, as well as 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 bumping into obstacles like chairs, sofas and bookshelves that you might prefer to keep out of the way. You can also set up no-go areas using your smartphone to alert your robot to avoid rooms that you don't want to keep clean.

Robots that have advanced mapping capabilities, Best Robot Vacuum 2023 such as the Roomba j7, use onboard cameras and processor-powered smarts to detect and avoid obstacles. This means that you can leave it alone to get an effective cleaning without having to continually check the status 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, which means it's a complete solution to keep your home tidy. It's got great suction, and it is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. It also has a convenient self-emptying feature, and can be used as a security camera.

Roborock Q Revo, Best Robot Vacuum 2023 a lower-cost robot that vacuums, mop and can be used as a robotic trashcan is a great option for homes without the need for more advanced features. However, it has some limitations in comparison to the Roomba S8 and j7. For instance, it uses only one rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes that the other models have which means it won't be as effective at picking up larger debris like socks and shoes. It doesn't come with AI obstacle avoidance so you might need to get rid of the clutter prior to running.

The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's ideal for those who value simplicity and proficiency. It's less than $200, and delivers consistent, strong suction both on hardwood and low-pile carpets, while avoiding tangles. It's not very advanced, but it works well. It is also compatible with voice commands. You can set it up to run a program, or create zones that are not allowed to be used using the app.

Object Detection

Object-avoidance technology can be the difference between the robot's ability to navigate around your home. Some models on our list contain sensors (or even cameras) that help your robo-cleaner avoid common traps for robots, such as cords, toys for kids and pet mess. iRobot Roomba J7, one of the most impressive examples of smart technology in action, is a fantastic example. It also comes with a sleek clean base that emptys the trash bin automatically so that you don't need to.

During testing the robot, we set the cleaner up in a huge home and were amazed by how quickly and thoroughly it was able to clean floors without becoming bogged down. It is extremely maneuverable and can get to places that most stand-up vacs cannot go, including couches and under beds. It also has great suction, a massive 500 ml dustbin, and an over two hours of runtime. It lacks the option to set up no-go zones, and its recognition of objects isn't exactly reliable. We noticed it bumping into things at times during our tests and resulted in vase caps falling over.

It's important to keep in mind that, no matter how intelligent a robot vacuum might be but it can't replace your upright or canister vacuum. It's not equipped to clean heavily soiled carpets. It won't reach ceilings or other areas that are difficult to reach. But for keeping your floors free of pet hair, crumbs and other particles, it can be an excellent addition to your cleaning routine.

The majority of robot vacuums have sensors that aid them to navigate through obstacles and steps. They are able to tell the moment when they're going to fall down a staircase, for instance, and also detect areas of clutter and move around them. If you're not careful your robot cleaner could be stuck on a shoe, cord, or other object.

Some smarter robot vacuums have mapping capabilities that allow them to create an outline of your home and locate themselves within it. This allows them to know which areas they've cleaned before and avoid spending time cleaning the same areas. It also allows them to resume where they left off in case they need to return to their charging dock.

Self-Emptying

A vacuum cleaner that automatically emptys its bin of dust when it's full is a great convenience. Some models also have a window to let you know when the bin needs to be emptied. This is a fantastic option for anyone with pets or children who make more mess than adults.

The majority of robot vacuums allow you to select whether the machine is controlled via a remote control or an app for your phone, or via voice commands. They come with a variety of digital functions, including scheduling and maintenance tips. 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 intelligent robot vacuums we've tested come with built-in cameras as well as smart sensor technology that lets them create maps of your home. You can save these maps within the ecovacs robot vacuum's app to quickly navigate around your home. Some of these systems can even remember furniture placement and even note the transitions from hard floors to carpet.

Smart vacuums save time by mapping and cleaning entire homes in a timely manner and keeping detailed records about previous cleaning sessions. You can access these records through an app for your tablet or smartphone. Many can also connect to your smart speaker so you can control them using voice commands.

TP-Link's Tapo RV30 Plus is an affordable, self-emptying robot vacuum that offers excellent performance for the price. It is able to clean floors and sweep pet hair and other particles from rugs made of wood and low pile. It's not as advanced as some of the other robots we've reviewed however, it does what does efficiently.

The model's tanks-like wheels allow it to glide over obstacles such as tangled cords and high transitions between rooms. It has a large bin that doesn't have to be manually emptied, and can recharge itself and continue cleaning when it's running out of power. It's more expensive than the other robotic vacuums we've tried, but it combines powerful suction and simple controls to provide excellent value.

Voice Control

The majority of robot vacuums are controlled via a remote control or an app for a smartphone. Certain robot vacuums are operated by voice commands via smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is helpful if your robot needs to clean and you have pets or small children that could interfere.

The majority of models have an automatic mode that operates without input from you. You can start the robot by pressing a button on the app or on the robot. The robots can be programmed to clean in accordance with the schedule, which makes them perfect for those who want to make a plan and forget.

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

Other robots are more basic in their ability to detect objects however they still manage to get the job done. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, which has the clean and easy-to-use appearance of a WiFi hub, but has the capabilities of a top-of-the-line lefant robot vacuum. It has a powerful suction and can handle dirt and debris from medium-pile carpets and hardwood floors. The short and squat-shaped side brush is less likely to be stuck in cords or shoes. The hybrid roller brush, which uses bristles as well as plastic, offers a thorough cleaning.

This model is more expensive than other models in the middle-end however, it can do everything you would expect from a robot mop and vacuum. It can create and map a cleaning schedule and has virtual keep-out zones and is compatible with voice assistants. However, it does not have the ability to scan rooms or avoid obstacles like the j7 or S8.