The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

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

While they can't perform as well as a regular vacuum cleaner, they've improved a lot in the past few years. They're smarter, more powerful and (marginally) better at avoiding chair legs.

Smart Mapping

Using navigation tools like lasers and sensors, robotic vacuum cleaners navigate through your home, sucking pet hair, crumbs, and dirt into their dustbins from hard floors like wood, tile and laminate and area rugs and carpets with low pile. Robots that are the most advanced map your home, so they know where they've been, and can avoid hitting obstacles such as 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 you don't want it to clean.

Robots that have advanced mapping capabilities, such as the Roomba j7, utilize processor-powered cameras and onboard sensors to avoid obstacles and see them. This means you can let it to do 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 robot that can combine mopping and vacuuming, which means it's an all-in-one solution for keeping your home clean. It has a great suction and works with Alexa and Google Assistant. It also comes with a handy self-emptying feature that can be used as an alarm camera.

Roborock Q Revo, a lower-cost robot that vacuums, mops and is also an automated trashcan, is a good option for homes without the need for more advanced features. There are some drawbacks in comparison to the Roomba S8 and j7. It has one rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes of the other and it may not be as effective in picking up larger debris like shoes and socks. It doesn't come with AI obstacle avoidance, which means you may need to clear the clutter prior to running.

The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's ideal for those who prioritize simplicity and proficiency. It costs less than $200 and offers consistent, solid suction on hardwood and carpets that are low-pile and also avoids tangles caused by rug threads. It doesn't include any fancy features, but it does the job very well. It also works with voice commands, so you can set it up on a schedule or set up no-go zones via the app.

Object Detection

Object-avoidance technology can impact 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 kids and pet mess. iRobot Roomba J7 is one of the most impressive examples of smart technology in action, is a great example. It also has a stylish clean base that fills the dustbin automatically so you don't need to.

We tested this robotic cleaner in a huge home and were impressed with how quickly and thoroughly floors were cleaned without getting bogged down. It is extremely maneuverable and can reach places that stand-up vacuums are unable to reach, such as couches and under beds. It comes with a 500-ml dustbin, excellent suction and a running time of more than two hours. However, it lacks the ability to create 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 tipped vase tops).

It's important to keep it in mind that, no matter how clever the robot vacuum is it isn't going to replace your upright or canister vacuum. It's not equipped to handle heavily soiled carpets, it won't reach into every crevice, and it won't reach your ceilings or other hard-to-reach areas. It's a great addition to your regular cleaning routine for removing crumbs, hair, pet dander and other hair.

Sensors are integrated into the majority of robot vacuums to assist them navigate around obstacles and stairs. They are able to tell when they are about to fall down the stairs, for instance, and can also recognize areas that are cluttered and move around them. If you're not careful your robot-cleaner could get stuck on a cord, shoe, or other object.

Some robot vacuums are equipped with mapping capabilities that permit them to make an precise floor plan of your home and pinpoint themselves. They can then know what areas they have cleaned and save time by not having to clean the same spots. It also lets them continue where they left off if they have to return to their charging dock.

Self-Emptying

A vacuum cleaner that automatically emptys its dust bin when it's full is a huge benefit. Some models have an indicator that allows you to observe when the bin has to be empty. This is a great feature for people who have pets or children, who tend to make much more mess than adults.

The majority of robot vacuums let you select whether the machine will be controlled by a remote or an app for your phone, or via voice commands. They also have a variety of digital functions, including maintenance and scheduling suggestions. Using the right settings, you can schedule your robot to clean on a regular time or on an annual basis. You can also program it to map and clean certain areas of the house.

The most intelligent robot Vacuums robot we've tested are equipped with cameras and smart sensors, which allow them to create maps for your home. These can be saved in the robot's application so that you can easily navigate to specific rooms or areas of your home. Some of these systems will even keep track of the furniture's layout and transitions between hardwood flooring and carpet.

The most efficient smart vacuums help you save time by automating the mapping and cleaning of entire houses and keeping precise 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 Tapo RV30+ is self-emptying robot that provides outstanding performance for a reasonable cost. It can clean hardwood floors and carpets with low pile, and also remove pet hair and other debris. It's not as sophisticated as some of the other robots we've reviewed however, it does what does efficiently.

This model's tank-like wheels allow it to go over obstacles like cords that get caught up and high transitions in between rooms. It has a large bin that doesn't have to be emptying manually and is able to recharge itself and resume cleaning if it runs out power. It's more expensive compared to 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 can be controlled by a remote or an app on a smartphone. Some can also integrate with smart speakers such as Amazon Echo or Google Home, allowing you to operate them with voice commands. This is a great option if you have small pets or children who might hinder your cleaning session or if you're exhausted to control the bob robot vacuum by hand.

The majority of models have an automatic mode that operates without input from you. You can start the robot by pressing a button within the app or on the robot. The robots can also be programmed to clean on a regular schedule and is perfect for those who prefer to make it easy to set it and forget it.

Some of the more expensive models have an advanced feature that makes use of artificial intelligence to scan your home and detect obstacles. These models can identify things like furniture, stairs power cords, even different kinds of flooring. This can help robots stay clear of dangers. This is especially helpful in large homes with lots carpeting and flooring that are difficult for robots to navigate.

Other robots have more basic abilities for object detection, but still manage to accomplish the task. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, which has the clean and easy-to-use appearance of a WiFi hub but boasts a lot of the capabilities of a top-of-the-line robot. It has excellent suction and handles dirt and debris on hardwood floors and rugs with medium pile easily. Its short, squat-shaped side brushes are less likely to become stuck in stray shoes or cords and its hybrid roller brush uses bristles and plastic instead of a traditional bristle brush for an even more thorough cleaning.

This model is pricier than other mid-range robots but it can do everything you require from a robot vacuum and Vacuums robot mop. It can map and create a cleaning schedule as well as virtual keep-out zones and is compatible with voice assistants. It does not have the same room scanning and obstacle avoidance as the j7 and s8.