The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

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

And while they still can't do the same job as a traditional vacuum cleaner, they've come a long way over the last few years. They're more efficient, smarter and Best Robot Vacuum 2023 (marginally) better at avoiding chairs.

Smart Mapping

Using navigation tools like lasers and sensors, Best Robot Vacuum 2023 robotic vacuum cleaners work their way around your home, suctioning pet hair, crumbs and dirt from their dustbins. They can be found on hard floors such as wood, tile and laminate and also low-pile carpets and area rugs. Robots that are the most advanced map your home to know where they've been, and can avoid bumping into obstacles such as sofas, chairs and bookshelves. You can also set up no-go areas on your smartphone to tell your robot to avoid rooms you don't wish it to clean.

Robots with advanced mapping capabilities, like the Roomba J7, make use of onboard cameras and processor-powered intelligents to avoid obstacles and see them. It can then be left to complete the task without having to keep an eye on 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 mopping with vacuuming. It's a one-stop solution to keep your home clean. It has a great suction, and it is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. It can self-empty and is also able to be used as a security camera.

A less expensive robot that vacuums, mops and can also be used as a trashcan, the Roborock Q Revo is a solid option for homes that don't need the more advanced features of more expensive models. It does have some disadvantages in comparison to the Roomba S8 and J7. For instance, it uses a single rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes of the others which means it won't be as effective in cleaning up larger particles like socks and shoes. Also, it doesn't include AI obstacle avoidance technology, 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 competence. It costs less than $200 and offers strong, consistent suction on both hardwood and low-pile carpets, while avoiding tangles with rug threads. It doesn't come with any advanced features, but it does the job very well. It is also compatible with voice commands. You can set it up to run a program, or create no-go zones using the app.

Object Detection

Object-avoidance technology can be the difference between the robot's ability to navigate around your home. Some models in this list have sensors (or cameras) to help your robot vacuum avoid common traps for robots like cords, toys for kids and pet mess. The irobot vacuum mop combo Roomba J7 is among the most impressive examples of this kind of smart tech in action. It also comes with a sleek base that automatically emptys the dustbin so you don't have to.

During testing we set up this robot cleaner in a huge home and were amazed by how quickly and thoroughly the floors were cleaned without becoming a mess. It's extremely maneuverable and can reach areas that the majority of stand-up vacuums are unable to be, such as under beds and couches. It has a 500ml dustbin, great suction and a time of over two hours. It's just not equipped with the ability to create no-go zones within the app and its object detection is a bit hit-or-miss, meaning we saw it bump into things occasionally during our tests (resulting in the tumbling of a few vase).

It is important to keep in mind that, no matter how clever the robot vacuum is it isn't going to substitute for your upright or canister vacuum. It's not equipped to handle heavily dirty carpets, it can't get into every crevice and it won't reach your ceilings or other hard-to-reach areas. But for keeping your floors clear of crumbs, pet hair and other dander it could be an excellent addition to your cleaning routine.

Most robot vacuums have sensor systems that help them navigate around obstacles and stairs. They are able to tell when they're about fall down the stairs, for instance and can also identify messy spaces and maneuver around them. If you're not careful your robot-cleaner could be stuck on a cord, shoe or another object.

Some smarter robot vacuums have the ability to map, which allows them to create a floor plan of your home and locate themselves within it. This lets them know which areas they've already cleaned, and avoid the hassle of going over the same areas. This allows them to resume the same place they left off should they need to return to the charging dock.

Self-Emptying

A robot vacuum that will automatically empty its bin after it is full is an excellent convenience. Certain models come with a window that allows you to know when the bin needs to empty. This is an excellent feature for those with pets or children who tend to create more mess than adults.

Most robot vacuums let you select whether the machine can be controlled with an app, a remote on your smartphone or voice commands. They offer a range of digital functions, including scheduling and maintenance tips. If you set the right settings, you can program your robot to clean at a set time or on a weekly basis. You can also program it to map and clean certain areas of the house.

The most advanced robot vacuums we've tested are equipped with cameras and smart sensors, which allow them to build maps of 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 remember furniture arrangement and record the transitions between hard floors and carpet.

The best shark robot vacuum for pet hair smart vacuums can save you time by automating the mapping and cleaning of whole homes, and also keeping detailed records of cleaning sessions. You can access these records via an app on your phone or tablet. Most of them can be linked to your smart speaker so that you can control them using voice commands.

TP-Link's Tapo RV30 Plus is an affordable, self-emptying robot vacuum that delivers excellent performance for the price. It can clean hardwood floors and carpets with low pile, and also remove pet hair and other messes. It's not quite 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 glide across the high gaps between rooms and obstacles such as tangled cords for devices which can cause a problem for other robots. It has a large bin that does not need to be manually emptied, and can recharge itself and resume cleaning if it is unable to continue cleaning. It's more expensive than other robotic vacuums we've tried, but it combines powerful suction and easy controls to give you a great value.

Voice Control

The majority of robot vacuums can be controlled by a physical remote or an app that you can install on your smartphone. Certain robot vacuums can be controlled by voice commands through smart speakers such as Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is useful for families with small children or pets who could interfere with your cleaning or if you're tired to manage the robot manually.

Most models also include an automatic mode that operates without any input from you. The robot can be started by pressing a button in the app or on the robot. They can be programmed to clean in accordance with a schedule, making them ideal for people who simply want to set and forget.

Some of the more expensive models come with an advanced feature that uses artificial intelligence to examine your home and find obstacles. These models can identify things like furniture, stairs power cords, even different types of flooring. This helps robots avoid hazards. This is especially helpful in homes with large areas of carpeting and flooring that are difficult for robots to navigate.

Other robots have more basic object detection capabilities however they still manage to complete the task. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, that has the sleek, fuss-free appearance of a WiFi hub but boasts a lot of the capabilities of a top-of-the-line robot. It has a powerful suction that can take care of dirt and debris from medium-pile carpets and hardwood floors. Its short, squat side brushes are less likely to get caught in stray shoes and cords, and its hybrid roller brush makes use of bristles and plastic rather than a traditional bristle brush for better cleaning.

It's more expensive than other mid-range models, but it can do everything you need from mopping and vacuuming robots. It can map and build a cleaning schedule, has virtual keep-out zones and is compatible with voice assistants. It doesn't feature room-scanning or obstacle avoidance like the S8 or j7.