The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

Robot vacuums can make cleaning your floors easier. The best robot vacuums are able to clean up dirt, pet hair, crumbs and more.

And while they still can't do as good of a job as a traditional vacuum cleaner however, they've come a long way in the past few years. They're smarter, more powerful and (marginally) better in avoiding the legs of chairs.

Smart Mapping

heavy duty robot vacuum vacuum cleaners utilize navigation tools like lasers and sensors to navigate through your home. They remove pet hair, crumbs and dirt from hard floors like tile, wood and laminate, as well as carpets and area rugs with low piles. Robots that are the most advanced maps your home so they know where they've been and how to avoid bumping into obstacles like sofas, chairs and bookshelves. You can make use of your smartphone's app to set up zones that prohibit your robot to stay out of rooms that you don't want to clean.

Robots that have advanced mapping capabilities, like the Roomba J7, make use of onboard cameras and processor-powered smarts to detect and avoid obstacles. Then, you can allow it to do a thorough job without having to continuously monitor the status of your floorplan, or manually move obstacles out of the way. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus is a robot that combines mopping and vacuuming, which means it's an all-in-one solution to keep your home clean. It's got great suction, and also is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. It also has a useful self-emptying feature and can be used as a security camera.

Roborock Q Revo, a lower-cost robot that vacuums, mops and can be used as an automated trashcan is a great choice for homes that do not require for more advanced features. However, it does have some disadvantages when compared to Roomba j7 and S8. For one, it has 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. Also, it doesn't include AI obstacle avoidance, which means it could be necessary to clear away clutter before running it.

The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's ideal for those who prioritize simplicity and efficiency. It costs less than $200 and offers strong, consistent suction on both hardwood and carpets with low pile, while avoiding tangles with rug threads. It doesn't come with any fancy features, but it does its job well. It is also compatible with voice commands. You can set it up on a schedule, 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 your home. Some models on this list have sensors (or cameras) to aid your robot vacuum to avoid common traps for robots like cords, toys for kids and pet messes. iRobot Roomba J7 is among the most amazing examples of smart technology in action, is a great example. It also has a stylish clean base that empties the dustbin automatically so you don't need to.

In our testing, we set this robotic cleaner up in a big house and were awed by the speed and efficiency with which it cleaned up floors without getting bogged down. It is extremely maneuverable and is able to reach places that stand-up vacuums are unable to can, like couches and under beds. It also has excellent suction, a massive 500 ml dustbin, and an over two-hour runtime. It's not able to create no-go zones, and its recognition of objects isn't exactly reliable. We observed it bumping into things in our tests on occasion and resulted in vessels 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. However, if you want to keep your floors free of crumbs, pet hair and other particles, it can be a good addition to your routine of cleaning.

The majority of robot vacuums have sensor systems that help them navigate through obstacles and steps. They usually know the moment when they're going to fall down the stairs, for instance, and they also detect areas of clutter and maneuver around them. If you're not careful, your robo-cleaner may be stuck on a cord, shoe, or other object.

Some of the smarter robot vacuums come with the ability to map, which allows them to create a floor plan of your home and then locate themselves within it. This lets them know which areas they've already cleaned, and avoid spending time cleaning the same spots. It also allows them to resume the same place they left off, should they need to return to their charging dock.

Self-Emptying

A robot vacuum that automatically emptys its bin when it is full is a great convenience. Some models even have a window so you can see when the bin needs to be empty. This feature is great for those with pets or children, who tend to make a lot more mess than adults.

Most robot vacuums allow you to choose whether the machine is controlled by a remote, an app on your smartphone, or by voice commands. They offer a range of digital functions, including scheduling and maintenance tips. You can program your robot to clean on every week or on a regularly, using the right settings. You can also program the robot to map out and clean specific areas of your home.

The most advanced robot vacuums we've tested come with sensors and cameras, 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 even remember furniture arrangement and the transitions between hard floors and carpet.

Smart vacuums help you save time by mapping and cleaning entire houses in a timely manner and keeping detailed records about previous cleaning sessions. You can access these records using an app on your phone or tablet. Many of them can be linked to your smart speaker so that you can control them via voice commands.

TP-Link's Tapo RV30 Plus is an inexpensive, self-emptying robot vacuum that offers good performance for the money. It can clean hardwood floors as well as low-pile carpets, and remove pet hair and other particles. It's not as advanced as other robots we've reviewed, however it does its job very well.

This model's tank-like wheels allow it to go over obstacles like tangled cords and high transitions between rooms. It has a large bin that doesn't have to be manually emptied and is able to recharge itself and continue cleaning when it is unable to continue cleaning. It's more expensive than the other robotic vacuums that we've tested however it has powerful suction and easy controls to provide excellent value.

Voice Control

The majority of robot vacuums are controlled by a remote control or an app on a smartphone. Some also connect to smart speakers such as Amazon Echo or Google Home, allowing you to control them using voice commands. This can be helpful for families with small pets or children that could interfere with your cleaning, or if you're too exhausted to operate the robot manually.

Many models have an automatic vacuum and mop robot mode which works without your input. The robot can be started by pressing a button on the app or on the robot. These robots can also be programmed to clean regularly and is perfect for those who prefer to make it easy to set it and forget it.

Some of the more expensive models have a feature that uses artificial intelligence to scan and detect obstructions in your home. They can detect things such as power cords, stairs and furniture, and they can also distinguish between different types of floors. This helps robots avoid hazards. This is especially useful in large homes with lots rugs and other floorcoverings which are difficult for robots navigate.

Other robots are less sophisticated in their ability to detect objects, but they still get the job done. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus, for instance, has the appearance of an internet router, but has the performance of a high-end bot. It has excellent suction and can handle dirt and debris from carpets and hardwood floors with ease. Its short, squat-shaped side brushes are less likely to be caught in stray shoes and cords and its hybrid roller brush makes use of bristles and plastic instead of the traditional bristle brush to provide an even more thorough cleaning.

This model is more expensive than other robots that are in the middle of the range however, it can do everything you'd expect from a robot vacuum and robot vacuums mop. It can draw out the cleaning schedule and then create one. It also has virtual zones to keep out of. However, it does not have obstacles avoidance or room scanning like the j7 and S8.