The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

Keeping your floors clean isn't always simple however, robot vacuums help. The best ones nab tracked-in dirt, crumbs and shed pet hair, and more.

And while they still can't do the same job as the regular vacuum but they've come quite a way over the last few years. They're smarter, more powerful and (marginally) better at avoiding chair legs.

Smart Mapping

Using navigation tools like lasers and sensors, robot vacuum cleaners move through your home, sucking pet hair, crumbs, and dirt into their bins from hard floors such as laminate, wood and tile, as well as low-pile carpets and area rugs. The most advanced robots can map your home to help them recall where they've been and avoid hitting obstacles like chairs, sofas and bookshelves that you may prefer to keep out of your way. You can also set up no-go areas using your smartphone to alert your robot to stay clear of rooms you don't wish it to keep clean.

Robots with advanced mapping capabilities, such as the Roomba J7, utilize an onboard camera and processor-powered intelligence to detect and avoid obstacles. Then, you can allow it to do a thorough job without having to keep an eye on the status of your floorplan, or manually move obstacles from the robot's way. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus is a robot that combines mopping and vacuuming, so it's a one-stop solution for keeping your home clean. It has a fantastic suction feature and can be used with Alexa or Google Assistant. It also has a useful self-emptying feature, and can be used as a security camera.

A less expensive bot that vacuums, mop and can also be used as a trashcan, the Roborock Q Revo is a good choice for homes that don't require the more sophisticated features of the more expensive models. However, it has a few disadvantages when compared to Roomba j7 and S8. It has a single rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes of the others and it may not be as effective in picking up larger debris like socks and shoes. It does not have AI obstacle avoidance so it is possible that you will need to eliminate clutter before running.

The iLife A4s Pro robot is an easy-to-use reliable robot for those who value simplicity and efficiency. It costs less than $200 and offers consistent, solid suction on both hardwood and low-pile carpets and also avoids tangles caused by rug threads. It doesn't have any advanced features, but it does the job well. It also works with voice commands, which means you can set it up on schedule or create zones that aren't allowed to be entered using the app.

Object Detection

Object-avoidance technologies can affect the ability of a robot vacuum navigate your home. Some of the models we've reviewed have sensors (or even cameras) that allow your robot cleaner to avoid common traps for robots, such as cords, toys for children and pet mess. iRobot Roomba j7 is among the most impressive examples of smart technology in action, is a great example. It also has a stylish base that automatically emptys the garbage bin, so you don't have to.

In our testing the robot, we set the cleaner up in a big house and were awed by how quickly and efficiently it was able to clean floors without becoming bogged down. It's very mobile and can reach areas that most standup vacuums cannot reach, like under couches and under beds. It comes with a 500-ml dustbin, great suction and a running time of more than two hours. However, it isn't equipped with the ability to set zones that are not allowed to be used and its object detection is a bit hit-or-miss, meaning we saw it hit things a few times during our tests (resulting in a few toppled vase tops).

It's important to remember that, no matter how intelligent a robot vacuum may be it will not replace your traditional canister or upright vacuum. It's not able to deal with heavy stained carpets, it will not get into every crevice and it's not able to reach your ceilings or other difficult to reach spaces. It's an excellent addition to your routine cleaning to remove pet dander, and hair.

Sensor systems are integrated into many robot vacuums to help them navigate around stairs and obstacles. They can sense when they're about fall down the stairs, for example and also detect messy spaces and maneuver around them. If you're not careful, your robot cleaner could get stuck on a shoe, cord or any other object.

Some of the more advanced homekit robot vacuum vacuums have the ability to map, which allows them to design an outline of your house and locate themselves within it. They can then know what areas they've already cleaned and save time by not having to go over the same spots. It also lets them resume where they left off if they have to return to their charging dock.

Self-Emptying

A Robot mop Vacuum Combo vacuum that automatically emptys its bin when it is full is an excellent convenience. Some models also have a window so you can see the time when the bin must be emptied. This feature is ideal for those with children or pets who are likely to create a lot more mess than adults.

Most robot vacuums let you select which model can be operated with an app, a remote on your phone or via voice commands. They also come with a range of digital features, such as maintenance and scheduling suggestions. If you set 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.

The smartest robot vacuums that we have tested are equipped with sensors and cameras which enable them to create maps for your home. These maps can be saved to the robot's app so you can easily navigate to specific rooms or areas of your home. Some of these systems can even remember furniture placement and even note the transitions from hard floors to carpet.

The best smart vacuums can help you save time by automating the mapping and cleaning of whole homes, and also keeping detailed records of previous cleaning sessions. You can access the records using an app for your smartphone or tablet. Most of them can be connected to your smart speaker so that you can control them using voice commands.

TP-Link's Tapo RV30 Plus is an inexpensive, self-emptying robot vacuum that provides excellent performance for the price. It can clean floors and sweep up pet hair and other messes from rugs made of wood and low pile. It's not quite as sophisticated as the other robots we've reviewed but it does the job well.

This model's tank-like wheels allow it to roll over obstacles like cords that get caught up and high transitions between rooms. It also has a huge dust bin that doesn't have to be empty manually, and it's also able to recharge and resume cleaning when it runs out of power. It's more expensive than other robotic vacuums we've tested but it combines powerful suction and simple controls to deliver an excellent value.

Voice Control

Most robot vacuums are controlled by a remote or an app for a smartphone. Some robot vacuums can be operated by voice commands through smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is a great option for robots that need to clean and you have pets or children who might interfere.

The majority of models have an automatic mode that operates without input from you. You can start the robot by pressing a button in the app or on the robot. They can be programmed to clean in accordance with an established schedule, making them ideal for people who need to make a plan and forget.

Certain models that are more expensive have a feature that makes use of artificial intelligence to scan and detect the presence of obstacles within your home. These models can recognize things like stairs, furniture power cords, even different kinds of flooring. This can help them avoid such hazards which is particularly useful in larger homes with lots of carpets and flooring materials that are difficult for robots to navigate.

Other robots are more basic in their object detection abilities however, robot mop Vacuum combo they are still able to do the job. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, which has the clean, fuss-free appearance of a WiFi hub but boasts a lot of the capabilities of a top-of-the-line bot. It is extremely suction-driven and handles dirt and debris from carpets and hardwood floors with ease. Its short, squat side brushes are less likely to get tangled in stray shoes and cords and its hybrid roller brush uses bristles and plastic rather than the traditional bristle brush to provide a more thorough cleaning.

It's more expensive than other mid-range models, but it does everything you require from a robot vacuum and mop. It can map and build a cleaning schedule and has virtual keep-out zones and is compatible with voice assistants. It doesn't have the same room scanning and obstacle avoidance as the j7 or s8.