The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

Robot vacuums can make cleaning your floors a breeze. The best robot vacuums can remove dirt, pet hair, crumbs and more.

And while they still can't do as good of a job as a regular vacuum however, they've come a long way in recent years. They're more efficient, smarter and (marginally) better at avoiding chairs.

Smart Mapping

Using navigation tools like lasers and sensors, robot vacuum cleaners navigate around your home, removing pet hair, crumbs, and dirt into their dustbins from hard floors like wood, tile and laminate and low-pile carpets and area rugs. The most sophisticated robots can map your house, to help them keep track of where they've been and avoid hitting obstructions like chairs, sofas and bookshelves that you may prefer to keep out of the way. You can also set up no-go areas on your smartphone to instruct your robot to avoid rooms you don't wish it to keep clean.

Robots with advanced mapping capabilities, such as the Roomba J7, utilize an the onboard camera and processor-powered intelligence to avoid and detect obstacles. This means you can let the robot mop vacuum to perform an efficient cleaning without having to continually be checking the status of your floorplan, or manually remove obstacles from the robot's path. The TP Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robotic device that combines mopping with vacuuming. It's the perfect solution to keep your home clean. It has great suction and is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. It can self-empty and can also be used as a surveillance camera.

A less expensive bot that vacuums, mops and can be used as a robotic trashcan, the Roborock Q Revo is a solid option for homes that don't require the advanced features of more expensive models. There are some drawbacks in comparison to Roomba S8 and j7. For instance, it uses a single rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes of the other, so it might not be as effective at collecting larger objects like socks and shoes. It doesn't come with AI obstacle avoidance, so you may need to clear clutter before running.

The iLife A4s Pro robot is a simple reliable robot that is ideal for those who appreciate simplicity and nearest proficiency. It costs less than $200 and offers strong, consistent suction both on hardwood and low-pile rug, while avoiding knots. It's not the most advanced, but it works well. It is also compatible with voice commands. It can be set up to run a program, or create no-go zones using the app.

Object Detection

The use of object-avoidance technology can make or break the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate around your home. Some of the models we've reviewed contain sensors (or even cameras) that help your robo-cleaner avoid common traps for robots, such as cords, toys for children and pet mess. iRobot Roomba j7, one of the most amazing examples of smart technology in action, is a fantastic example. It also comes with a sleek clean base that emptys the garbage bin automatically so you don't have to.

During testing the robot, we set the cleaner up in a large house and were impressed by how quickly and efficiently it was able to clean floors without becoming bogged down. It has impressive maneuverability and is able to reach places that most stand-up vacs cannot can, like under beds and sofas. It comes with a 500-ml dustbin, excellent suction and a time of over two hours. However, it isn't equipped with the ability to set no-go zones within the app and its detection of objects is a bit hit-or-miss, meaning we saw it bump into things occasionally during our tests (resulting in a few tipped vase).

It's important to remember that, no matter how intelligent a robot vacuum might be it will not replace your upright or canister vacuum. It can't deal with heavily soiled carpets, it won't be able to reach every corner, and it won't reach your ceilings or other difficult-to-access spaces. It's an excellent addition to your regular cleaning routine for getting rid of hair, pet dander and other hair.

Most robot vacuums have sensors that aid them to navigate around obstacles and stairs. They are able to tell the moment they're about to fall down the stairs, nearest for example and also detect cluttered spaces and move around them. If you're not careful, your robo-cleaner may get stuck on a shoe, cord or any other object.

Some robot vacuums come with mapping capabilities that allow them to draw an accurate floor plan of your home and pinpoint themselves. This lets them know what areas they've cleaned before and avoid wasting time going over the same spots. 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 empties its bin of dust when it is full is a huge convenience. Certain models come with an indicator that allows you to see when the dust bin is due to be empty. This feature is great for those who have pets or children, who can create a lot more mess than adults.

The majority of robot vacuums allow you to select whether the machine is controlled by a remote control or an app on your smartphone, or by voice commands. They come with a variety of digital functions, including scheduling and maintenance tips. With the correct settings, you can schedule 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.

Some of the most advanced 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 and use them to navigate through your home. Some of these systems even keep track of the furniture's placement and transitions between hardwood floors and carpet.

The best vacuum and mop combo smart vacuums can help you save time by automatically mapping and cleaning entire houses and keeping detailed records of previous cleaning sessions. You can access the records using an app on your tablet or smartphone. Many of them can be connected to your smart speaker, so you can control them using voice commands.

TP-Link Tapo RV30+ is self-emptying robot that provides outstanding performance for a reasonable price. It can clean hardwood floors and carpets with low pile, and also remove pet hair and other messes. It's not as advanced as other robots we've reviewed but it does what it does well.

The wheels that resemble a tank that this model has allow it to move across the high transitions between rooms as well as obstacles like tangled device cords that trip up other robots. It also has a huge dust bin that doesn't have to be empty manually, and it's able to recharge and continue cleaning when it's not able to continue cleaning. It's a bit more expensive than the other robotic vacuums we've tried, but it blends powerful suction and simple controls to provide a fantastic value.

Voice Control

Most robot vacuums can be controlled by 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 helpful for robots that need to clean up and you have pets or children who might interfere.

Many models also come with an automatic mode that functions without any input from you. Simply press a button on the robot or within the app, and it will start sucking up food, dirt, hair, and crumbs. The robots can also be programmed to clean regularly which is great for those who want to program it to forget about it.

Some of the more expensive models have a feature which uses artificial intelligence to scan and detect the presence of obstacles in your home. These models can recognize things like stairs, furniture power cords, and even different kinds of flooring. This helps to avoid the dangers, which is especially useful in larger homes with lots of carpets and flooring materials that are difficult for robots to navigate.

Some robots are more basic in their ability to detect objects however, they are still able to do the job. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus, for instance, has the appearance of a wifi router but offers the performance of a premium robot. It has a powerful suction and can clean dirt and debris on medium pile flooring and carpet. Its short and squat side brush is less likely to get stuck in cords or shoes. The hybrid roller brush, which is made up of bristles and plastic, offers an efficient cleaning.

The model is more expensive than other robots in the mid-range but it has everything you'd expect from a robot vacuum and mop. It can create the cleaning schedule and then create one. It also has virtual zones to stay out of. It doesn't offer the same room-scanning feature and obstacle avoidance as the j7 or s8.