The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

Robot vacuums can make cleaning your floors a breeze. The best ones can remove tracked-in dirt, crumbs, shedding pet hair and more.

Although they're unable to perform as well of a job as a regular vacuum, they've come a long way in the past few years. They're more intelligent and more powerful, as well as (marginally better) at avoiding chair leg.

Smart Mapping

Using navigation tools like lasers and sensors, 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 like laminate, wood and tile and carpets and area rugs with low pile. The most sophisticated robots can map your house, so they can remember where they have been and avoid bumping into obstacles like sofas, chairs and bookshelves that you may want to keep out of your way. You can also use the smartphone app to set up no-go zones, which tell your robot not to enter rooms you don't want it to clean.

Robots with advanced mapping capabilities, like the Roomba j7, utilize onboard cameras and processor-powered intelligents to see and avoid obstacles. Then, you can allow it to do a thorough job without having to continuously monitor the state 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, so it's a complete solution for keeping your home tidy. It's got great suction, and also works with Alexa and Google Assistant. It can self-empty and can also function as a surveillance camera.

A less expensive robot that mops, vacuums and can also be used as a trashcan The Roborock Q Revo is a solid option for homes that don't require the more advanced features of the more expensive models. However, it has some disadvantages compared to the Roomba j7 and S8. 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 such as shoes and socks. It does not have AI obstacle avoidance, which means it is possible that you will need to eliminate clutter before running.

The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that is ideal for those who value simplicity and efficiency. It costs less than $200, and provides strong, consistent suction on hardwood as well as low-pile rug while avoiding tangles. It doesn't include any advanced features, however it does the job very well. It's also compatible with voice commands, so you can set it up on schedule or even set up zones that aren't allowed to be entered via the app.

Object Detection

Object-avoidance technologies can make or break the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate your home. Certain models on this list have sensors (or cameras) to help your robot vacuum avoid common robot traps such as cords, toys for children and pet mess. The iRobot Roomba J7 is among the best examples of this type of smart tech in action. It also comes with a sleek base that automatically empties the dustbin so you don't need to.

In our testing, we set up the robotic cleaner in a large home and were amazed by how quickly and thoroughly floors were cleaned without getting sluggish. It's incredibly maneuverable and can get to places that stand-up vacuums are unable to can, like couches and under beds. It has a 500 ml dustbin, a powerful suction system and a running time of more than two hours. It's just not equipped with the ability to set zones that are not allowed to be used 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 toppled vase tops).

It's important to keep in mind that, regardless of how smart a robot vacuum is it isn't going to replace your upright or canister vacuum. It won't be able to clean carpets with a lot of dirt. It can't reach the ceiling or other difficult-to-reach areas. It's an excellent addition to your routine cleaning for removing crumbs, hair, and pet dander.

The majority of robot vacuums have sensor systems that help them navigate around obstacles and stairs. They can sense the moment they're about to fall down the stairs, for example, and can also recognize messy spaces and maneuver around them. Nevertheless, if you're not careful, your robo-cleaner might be stuck on a cord or stray shoe and require assistance.

Some smarter robot vacuums have mapping capabilities, which allow them to design a floor plan of your house 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. It also lets them resume where they left off in case they need to return to their charging dock.

Self-Emptying

A lefant robot vacuum vacuum that automatically empties its bin of dust when it's full is a great benefit. Some models also have a window so you can see when the bin has to be empty. This is a great feature for those with pets or children who tend to create more mess than adults.

Most robot vacuums allow you to choose whether the machine is controlled with the use of a remote, an app from your phone, or through voice commands. They come with a variety of digital functions, including scheduling and maintenance tips. You can program your robot to clean your house on an annual or a regularly using the appropriate settings. You can also program the robot to clean and map out specific areas of your home.

The most intelligent robot vacuums we've tested are equipped with cameras and smart sensors, 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 can even remember furniture arrangement and record the transitions between hard floors and carpet.

The best smart vacuums can save you time by automating the mapping and cleaning of entire houses and keeping precise records of previous cleaning sessions. You can access these records using an app that you can install on your tablet or phone. Many of them can be connected to your smart speaker so you can control them via voice commands.

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

The tank-like wheels that this model has allow it to glide right over the transitions between rooms and obstacles like tangled cords from devices that can cause problems for other robots. It has a large bin that doesn't need to be emptying manually and it can charge itself and resume cleaning if it runs out power. It's a bit more expensive than some of the other robotic vacuums we've tried, but it blends powerful suction with simple controls to provide a fantastic value.

Voice Control

The majority of robot vacuums can be controlled via a physical remote or an app that you can install on your smartphone. Some robot vacuums can be controlled by voice commands through smart speakers, such as Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is useful if your robot needs to clean up and you have pets or small children who could be disruptive.

Many models also come with an automatic mode that functions without input from you. The robot can be started by pressing a button within the app or on the robot. The robots can be programmed to clean according to the schedule, which makes them ideal for those who simply want to set and forget.

Some of the more expensive models come with an advanced feature that utilizes artificial intelligence to look around your home and identify obstacles. They can detect things like power cords, stairs as well as furniture, and can even identify different types of floors. This can help robots avoid hazards. This is especially useful in large homes with lots carpeting and flooring which are difficult for robots navigate.

Other robots are less sophisticated in their ability to detect objects however, they are still able to do the job. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus, for example is a model that resembles a wifi router but offers the performance of a high-end robot. It has a powerful suction and can handle dirt and debris on medium-pile rugs and hardwood floors. The short and squat-shaped side brush is less likely to get caught in shoes or cords. The hybrid roller brush, that uses bristles, as well as plastic, provides a thorough cleaning.

This model is more expensive than other robots 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. It doesn't offer the same room-scanning feature and obstacle avoidance like the j7 or the s8.