The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

Robot vacuums can make cleaning your floors easier. The most effective robot vacuums pick up tracked-in dirt and pet hair, crumbs, and more.

And while they still can't do the same job as the regular vacuum but they've come quite a way in recent years. They're more intelligent and more powerful, as well as (marginally better) at avoiding chair leg.

Smart Mapping

brookstone robot vacuum vacuum cleaners use navigation tools such as lasers and sensors to navigate your home. They collect pet hair, crumbs, and dirt from floors made of hard materials like tile, wood, and laminate, and carpets with a low pile. Robots that are the most advanced map your home, so they know where they've been and can avoid bumping into obstacles such as couches, chairs, and bookshelves. You can also set up no-go areas using your smartphone to alert your robot to avoid rooms you don't wish it to clean.

Robots with advanced mapping abilities, such as the Roomba J7, utilize an onboard camera and processor-powered intelligence to avoid and detect obstacles. It can then be left to complete the task without having to constantly monitor the condition of your floor plan, or manually move obstacles out of the way. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robot that can combine mopping and vacuuming, so it's a one-stop solution to keep your home clean. It has a great suction and is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. It also comes with a handy self-emptying feature, and can be used as security cameras.

A cheaper 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 require the more sophisticated features of higher-end models. However, it has a few disadvantages when compared to Roomba j7 and S8. It has only one rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes of the others and it may not be as effective in cleaning up larger particles like shoes and socks. It doesn't come with AI obstacle avoidance, which means you may need to clear clutter before running.

The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that is ideal for those who value simplicity and efficiency. It's less than $200, and provides consistent, strong suction on both hardwood and carpets with low pile, while avoiding tangles with rug threads. It doesn't come with any advanced features, however it does the job 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 make or break the ability of a robot vacuum navigate your home. Some models on this list have sensors (or cameras) to assist your robot vacuum in avoiding common traps for robots like cords, toys for kids and pet messes. The iRobot Roomba J7 is among the most impressive examples of this type of smart tech in action. It also comes with a stylish base that automatically empties the garbage bin, so you don't need to.

During testing we set up this robotic cleaner in a large home and were impressed with how quickly and efficiently the floors were cleaned without becoming a mess. It is very maneuverable and can reach areas that the majority of stand-up vacuums are unable to be, such as under beds and couches. It also has a great suction, a huge 500 ml dustbin and an over two-hour running time. However, it isn't equipped with the ability to create no-go zones in the app and its detection of objects is a little hit-or-miss, meaning we saw it bump into things occasionally during our tests (resulting in a few tipped vases).

It's important to remember that, no matter how intelligent a robot vacuum may be but it can't replace your regular canister or upright vacuum. It's not able to deal with heavy soiled carpets, it won't reach into every crevice, and it's not able to reach your ceilings or other hard-to-reach spaces. It's an excellent addition to your regular cleaning routine for removing crumbs, hair, and pet dander.

Most robot vacuums have sensors that allow them to navigate around obstacles and stairs. They are able to tell the moment they're likely to fall down the stairs, for instance, and they detect areas that are cluttered and maneuver around them. However, if you're not careful your robot-cleaner could become stuck on a cord or stray shoe and require assistance.

Some of the more advanced robot vacuums have the ability to map, which allows them to create an outline of your home and locate themselves within it. They will then be able to identify the areas they have already cleaned and reduce time by not having to clean the same areas. It also allows them to resume where they left off if they need to return to their charging dock.

Self-Emptying

A robot vacuum that automatically empty its bins of dust once it gets full is an incredible benefit. Some models have a window that allows you to see when the dust bin needs to empty. This feature is great for those with pets or children, who are likely to create much more mess than adults.

Most robot vacuums let you choose whether the machine is controlled by the use of a remote, an app from your phone, or through voice commands. They have a number of digital functions, including scheduling and maintenance tips. Using the right settings, you can program your robot to clean at a set time, or on an annual basis. You can also program the robot to map out and clean specific areas of your home.

Some of the most intelligent robot vacuums we've tested come with built-in cameras and sensor technology that lets them create maps of your home. You can save these maps to the robot's app to quickly navigate around your home. Some of these systems even remember furniture placement and note the transitions from hard floors to carpet.

The most effective smart vacuums will save you time by automatically mapping and cleaning entire houses and keeping detailed records of cleaning sessions. You can access these records via an app on your phone or tablet. Most 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 hardwood floors and carpets with low pile, and also remove pet hair and other particles. It's not as sophisticated as the other robots we've reviewed but it does its job very well.

The rubber-like wheels that this model has allow it to roll across the high gaps between rooms and obstacles like tangled cords from devices which can cause a problem for other robots. It has a large bin that doesn't need to be emptying manually, and can recharge itself and resume cleaning if it is unable to continue cleaning. It's more expensive than some of the other robotic vacuums we've tried, but it blends powerful suction with simple controls to deliver a great value.

Voice Control

The majority of robot vacuums can be controlled by a physical remote or an app on your smartphone. Some also connect to smart speakers such as Amazon Echo or Google Home, allowing you to run them using voice commands. This is helpful when your robot has to clean and you have pets or children that could interfere.

Most models have an automatic mode which works without input. The robot can be started by pressing a button on the app or on the robot. They can be programmed to clean in accordance with a schedule, making them perfect for those who just want to make a plan and forget.

Some of the more expensive models include a sophisticated feature that uses artificial intelligence to detect and scan obstacles within your home. They can detect things such as power cords, stairs as well as furniture, and they can also identify different types of flooring. This helps them avoid these hazards which is especially helpful in homes with a lot of rugs and other flooring materials that are difficult for robots to navigate.

Other robots have more basic ability to detect objects but they are able to get the job done. 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 performance of a top-notch bot. It has a powerful suction and can clean dirt and debris on medium pile flooring and carpet. 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, rather than a traditional bristle brush for a more thorough cleaning.

The model is more expensive than other mid-range models, however, it is able to do everything you require from mopping and vacuuming with a robot. It can draw out an cleaning schedule and design one. It also has virtual zones to stay out of. It does not have the same room-scanning and obstacle-avoiding capabilities as the j7 or the s8.