The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

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

Although they're not like an ordinary vacuum cleaner, they've made significant progress 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 self emptying robot vacuum sensors, robot vacuum cleaners work their way around your home, removing pet hair, crumbs and dirt into their dustbins from hard floors such as laminate, wood, and tile, as well as carpets and area rugs with low pile. Robots that are the most advanced map your home to know where they've been and how to avoid bumping into obstacles like chairs, sofas and bookshelves. You can also use your smartphone app to set up no-go zones, which tell your robot to stay out of rooms it doesn't want to clean.

Robots with advanced mapping capabilities, such as the Roomba J7, make use of onboard cameras and processor-powered smarts to avoid obstacles and see them. You can then leave it to do a thorough job without having to keep an eye on the condition of your floor plan or manually remove obstacles from the robot's way. The TP Link Tapo RV30 plus is a robotic that does mopping and vacuuming, so it's a one-stop solution for keeping your home clean. It's got great suction, and it works with Alexa and Google Assistant. It also has a convenient Self Emptying Robot Vacuum-emptying feature and can be used as an alarm camera.

A cheaper robot that vacuums, mop and can also be used as a robotic trashcan, the Roborock Q Revo is a excellent choice for homes that don't need the more advanced features of the more expensive models. There are some drawbacks when compared to the Roomba S8 and j7. For instance, it uses one rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes that the other models have which means it won't be as effective in collecting larger objects like socks and shoes. It doesn't come with AI obstacle avoidance, so it is possible that you will need to eliminate clutter before running.

The iLife A4s Pro robot is an easy reliable and reliable robot that is ideal for those who appreciate simplicity and competence. It costs less than $200 and offers strong, consistent suction on hardwood and carpets with low pile, while avoiding tangles with rug threads. It's not a lot of technology however, it's effective. It also works with voice commands, which means you can run it on schedule or even set up no-go zones via the app.

Object Detection

Object-avoidance technology can make or break a robot vacuum's ability to navigate your home. Some models on our list include sensors (or even cameras) that allow your affordable robot vacuum cleaner to avoid common traps for robots, such as cords, toys for children and pet mess. iRobot's Roomba J7 is among the most impressive examples of this type of smart technology in action. It also features a chic clean base that emptys the trash bin automatically so that you don't need to.

In our testing the robotic cleaner up in a big house and were awed by the speed and efficiency with which it was able to clean floors without getting sluggish. It is very maneuverable and can get into places that stand-up vacuums can't be, such as under couches and self emptying robot vacuum under beds. It has a 500 ml dustbin, a powerful suction system and a time of over two hours. It's just not 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 vases).

It's important to keep it in mind that, no matter how clever a robot vacuum may be it isn't going to replace your upright or canister vacuum. It's not equipped to handle heavily soiled carpets, it won't get into every crevice and it's not able to reach your ceilings or other hard-to-reach areas. However, if you want to keep your floors free of pet hair, crumbs, dander and other debris it's an ideal addition to your routine of cleaning.

Sensor systems are built into most robot vacuums, allowing them to navigate around stairs and obstacles. They can tell the moment they're 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 shoe, cord or another object.

Some of the more advanced robot vacuums have mapping capabilities that allow them to create an outline of your home and locate themselves within it. They will then be able to identify the areas they have cleaned and save time by not having to go over the same areas. It also lets them resume where they left off if they need to return to their charging dock.

Self-Emptying

A vacuum cleaner that can automatically empty its dust bin once it is full is a great convenience. Some models even have a window that lets you see when the bin has to be empty. This feature is great for those with pets or children, who are likely to create lots of mess than adults.

Most robot vacuums allow you to choose whether the machine can be operated with the use of a remote, an app from your phone, or through voice commands. They have a number of digital functions, including maintenance and scheduling tips. With the correct settings, you can program your robot to clean on a regular time, or on an annual basis. You can also program the robot to clean and map out specific areas of your home.

Some of the smartest robot vacuums we've tested are equipped with built-in cameras as well as smart sensor technology that allows them to create maps of your home. They 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 the furniture layout and transitions between hard floors and carpet.

The best smart vacuums can help you save time by automatically mapping and cleaning entire houses and keeping detailed records of cleaning sessions. You can access these records through an app on your phone or tablet. Many can also connect to your smart speaker, so you can control them via voice commands.

TP-Link's Tapo RV30 Plus is an inexpensive, self-emptying robot vacuum that delivers good performance for the money. It can clean floors and sweep pet hair and other messes from hardwood and low-pile rugs. It's not as sophisticated as other robots we've reviewed, but it does what it does well.

The model's tank-like wheels permit it to glide over obstacles like cords that get caught up and high transitions between rooms. It has a large bin that doesn't have to be emptying manually and it can charge itself and restart cleaning when it runs out power. It's a bit more costly than some of the other robotic vacuums we've tested however it combines powerful suction and simple controls to provide a fantastic value.

Voice Control

The majority of robot vacuums can be controlled by a remote or an app that runs on smartphones. Certain robot vacuums can be controlled via voice commands using smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home. This can be helpful if you have small pets or children who might interfere with your cleaning, or if you're too tired to manage the robot manually.

Most models have an automatic mode which works without your 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 a schedule, making them ideal for those who want to make a plan and forget.

Some of the most expensive models include an advanced feature that makes use of artificial intelligence to look around your home and identify obstacles. These models can identify things like furniture, stairs, power cords and even different types of flooring. This can help them avoid such hazards which is especially helpful 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 object detection abilities however, they still do the job. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, that has the sleek elegant, easy-to-use design of a wifi hub but boasts a lot of the performance of a top robot vacuum cleaner-notch robot. It has a strong suction and can handle dirt and debris from medium-pile flooring and carpet. Its short, squat side brushes are less likely to be stuck in stray shoes or cords and its hybrid roller brush makes use of bristles and plastic rather than bristles in traditional form for a more thorough cleaning.

This model is pricier than other mid-range robots, but it can do everything you require from mopping and vacuuming with a robot. It can create and map a cleaning schedule as well as virtual keep-out zones and is compatible with voice assistants. It doesn't offer the same room-scanning feature and obstacle avoidance as the j7 or the s8.