The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

Cleaning your floors isn't always simple but robot vacuums can make it easier. The best ones can remove tracked-in dirt, crumbs and shed pet hair and more.

Although they're not as well as an ordinary vacuum cleaner, they've improved a lot in the past few years. They're smarter, more powerful, and (marginally better) in avoiding chair leg.

Smart Mapping

Robot vacuum cleaners use navigation tools like lasers and sensors to navigate around your home. They collect pet hair, crumbs, and dirt from floors made of hard materials like tile, wood and laminate, as well as low-pile area rugs and carpets. The most sophisticated robots map your home, so that they can keep track of where they've been and avoid bumping into obstructions like chairs, sofas and bookshelves that you may want to keep out of the way. You can also set up no-go areas on your smartphone to tell your robot to avoid rooms you don't wish it to clean.

Robots with advanced mapping capabilities, like the Roomba j7, use processor-powered cameras and onboard sensors to see and avoid obstacles. Then, you can allow it to complete the task without having to continuously monitor the status of your floorplan or manually remove obstacles from the robot's way. The TP Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a shark robotic Vacuum Cleaner device that combine vacuuming and mopping. It's a single-stop solution to keep your home clean. It's got great suction, and it works with Alexa and Google Assistant. It has a self-emptying function and is also able to be used as a surveillance camera.

Roborock Q Revo, a cheaper robot that vacuums, mop and can be used as a trashcan that is robotic is a great option for homes without the need for more advanced features. It does have some disadvantages in comparison to the Roomba S8 and J7. It has a single brush instead of dual roller brushes, so it may not be as effective at removing larger pieces of debris like socks and shoes. Also, it doesn't include AI obstacle avoidance, which means you may need to clear away clutter before running it.

The iLife A4s Pro robot is an easy-to-use reliable robot that is ideal for those who appreciate simplicity and efficiency. It costs less than $200, and offers strong, consistent suction both on hardwood and low-pile carpets while avoiding knots. It's not a lot of technology however, it's effective. It also works with voice commands. You can set it up to run a program, or create zones of no-go zones with the app.

Object Detection

The use of object-avoidance technology can impact the ability of a robot vacuum navigate around your home. Certain models in this list have sensors (or cameras) to help your robot vacuum avoid common robot traps such as cords, toys for children and pet mess. IRobot's Roomba j7 is one of the best examples of this type of smart tech in action. It also has a stylish clean base that empties the garbage bin automatically so you don't need to.

In our testing, we set this robotic cleaner up in a large home and were amazed by how quickly and efficiently it cleared floors without getting sluggish. It's very mobile and can get into places that most standup vacuums cannot reach, like under beds and couches. It also has great suction, a massive 500 ml dustbin, and an over two hours of runtime. However, it isn't equipped with the ability to create zones that are not allowed to be used and its object detection is a bit hit-or-miss and we did see it bump into things occasionally during our tests (resulting in a few tipped vase tops).

It's important to note that despite how smart a black friday robot vacuum deals vacuum may be, it won't completely replace your regular canister or upright vacuum. It won't be able to clean heavily soiled carpets. It can't reach the ceiling or other areas that are difficult to reach. It's a great addition to your regular cleaning routine to remove pet dander, and hair.

Sensor systems are integrated into most robot vacuums to assist them navigate around obstacles and stairs. They can sense when they're about fall down the stairs, for instance and also detect cluttered spaces and move around them. If you're not careful your robo-cleaner may be stuck on a shoe, cord, or other object.

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

Self-Emptying

A vacuum cleaner that can automatically empty its dust bin once it is full is an excellent convenience. Some models even have windows to let you know when the bin needs to be emptied. This is an excellent feature for anyone who has pets or shark robotic vacuum cleaner children who tend to create more mess than adults.

The majority of robot vacuums let you select whether the machine is controlled by an app, a remote from your phone, or through voice commands. They offer a range of digital functions, including scheduling and maintenance tips. With the correct settings, you can set your robot to clean at a regular time, or on an annual basis. You can also program it to clean specific areas of your home.

The most intelligent robot vacuums we have tested are equipped with sensors and cameras, which allow them to create maps of your home. These maps 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 will even remember furniture arrangement and the transitions between hardwood flooring and carpet.

Smart vacuums save time by cleaning entire homes automatically and keeping detailed records of the previous cleaning sessions. You can access these records through an app for your phone or tablet. Most can also connect to your smart speaker, so you can control them using voice commands.

TP-Link Tapo RV30+ is self-emptying robotic that delivers excellent performance at a low cost. It can clean hardwood floors and carpets with low pile, as well as remove pet hair and other particles. It's not as sophisticated as other robots that we've reviewed, however it does its job very well.

The rubber-like wheels that this model has allow it to glide right over the gaps between rooms and obstacles like tangled cords from devices which can cause a problem for other robots. It has a huge bin that does not need to be empty manually, and can recharge itself and restart cleaning when it is unable to continue cleaning. It's more expensive than the other robotic vacuums that we've tested but it is able to combine powerful suction and easy controls to give you a great value.

Voice Control

Most robot vacuums are controlled by a remote control or an app on a smartphone. Some robot vacuums can be operated 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 might interfere.

The majority of models come with an automatic mode that works without input. You can start the robot by pressing a button within the app or on the robot. The robots can be programmed to clean in accordance with an established schedule, making them ideal for those who simply want to set and forget.

Certain models that are more expensive come with an advanced feature that uses artificial intelligence to scan and detect obstacles within your home. These models can recognize things like power cords, stairs, and furniture, and even identify different types of floors. This helps them avoid such hazards which is particularly useful in larger homes with lots of rugs and other flooring materials that are difficult for robots to navigate.

Other robots are more basic in their ability to detect objects however they can still 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 robot. It has a powerful suction and can handle dirt and debris on medium-pile rugs and hardwood floors. Its short and squat side brush is less likely to be caught in shoes or cords. The hybrid roller brush, which uses bristles and plastic, gives an efficient cleaning.

The model is more expensive than other mid-range robots, however, it is able to do everything you'd expect from mopping and vacuuming with a robot. It can create and map a cleaning schedule and has virtual keep-out zones and is compatible with voice assistants. However, it doesn't have the ability to scan rooms or avoid obstacles like the j7 or S8.