The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

Cleaning your floors isn't always easy but robot vacuums can make it easier. The best robot vacuums are able to pick up tracked-in dirt and pet hair, crumbs and much more.

And while they still can't do the same job as the regular vacuum however, they've come a long way in the past few years. They're more intelligent and more powerful, as well as (marginally better) in avoiding chair leg.

Smart Mapping

Robot vacuum cleaners use instruments for navigation such as sensors and lasers to navigate your home. They remove pet hair, crumbs, and dirt from floors made of hard materials such as tile, wood and laminate, as well as low-pile area rugs and carpets. Robots that are the most advanced maps your home to know where they've been and how to avoid hitting obstacles like chairs, sofas and bookshelves. You can also use the smartphone's app to set up no-go zones, which tell your robot not to enter rooms it doesn't want to clean.

Robots equipped with advanced mapping capabilities, like the Roomba j7, use processor-powered cameras and onboard sensors to see and avoid obstacles. It can then be left to complete the task without having to constantly monitor the status of your floorplan or manually remove obstacles from the robot's way. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robotic that does vacuuming and mopping, so it's an all-in-one solution to keep your home clean. It's got great suction, and it is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. It can self-empty and can also be used as a surveillance camera.

Roborock Q Revo, a lower-cost robot that vacuums, mops and is also an automated trashcan is a great option for homes that do not require for more advanced features. However, it has a few disadvantages compared to the Roomba S8 and j7. It has only one brush, not dual roller brushes, meaning it might not be as effective at removing larger debris such as shoes and socks. It doesn't have AI obstacle avoidance so you might need to get rid of clutter before running.

The iLife A4s Pro robot is an easy-to-use reliable robot for those who value simplicity and competence. 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's not very advanced however, it's effective. It is also compatible with voice commands. You can set it up on a schedule, or create zones that are not allowed to be used using the app.

Object Detection

Object-avoidance technology can affect the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate your home. Some models on our list have sensors (or even cameras) which help your robo-cleaner avoid common robot traps like cords, toys for kids and pet messes. The irobot vacuum mop combo Roomba j7 is one of the best examples of this kind of smart tech in action. It also comes with a sleek base that automatically emptys the dustbin so you don't have to.

During testing we set up this robotic cleaner in a huge home and were amazed by how quickly and efficiently the floors were cleaned without becoming a mess. It's very mobile and can get into places that the majority of stand-up vacuums are unable to, such as under beds and couches. It also has great suction, a huge 500-milliliter dustbin and over two-hour runtime. It lacks the option to set up no-go zones and its recognition of objects is a bit hit-or-miss. We noticed it bumping into things in our tests on occasion which resulted in vessels falling over.

It's important to note that no matter how clever a robot vacuum might be it will not replace your traditional canister or upright vacuum. It's not equipped to handle heavily stained carpets, it will not reach into every crevice, and it's not able to reach your ceilings or other hard-to-reach areas. It can be an effective addition to your routine cleaning to remove hair, and pet dander.

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

Certain robot vacuums come with mapping capabilities that permit them to make an precise floor plan of your home and locate themselves. They can then identify which areas they've already cleaned and can reduce time by not having to clean the same areas. It also lets them continue the same place they left off, should they have to return to their charging dock.

Self-Emptying

A vacuum cleaner that can automatically empty its bin after it is full is a great convenience. Certain models come with a window that allows you to see when the dust bin needs to empty. This feature is ideal for those who have pets or children, who tend to make lots of mess than adults.

The majority of 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 also come with a range of digital functions, including maintenance and scheduling. With the correct settings, you can schedule your robot to clean at a regular time, or on a weekly basis. You can also program the robot to mark out and clean specific areas of your home.

Some of the most advanced robot vacuums we've tested come with built-in cameras as well as smart sensor technology that lets them create maps of your home. These can be saved in the robot's app, top 10 so you can easily navigate to specific rooms or areas of your home. Some of these systems can even remember furniture arrangement and the transitions between hard floors and carpet.

The most efficient smart vacuums save you time by automatically mapping and cleaning entire houses and keeping detailed records of previous cleaning sessions. You can access these records through an app that you can install on your smartphone or tablet. Most can also connect to your smart speaker so you can control them via voice commands.

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

The model's tank-like wheels permit it to roll over obstacles like cords that get caught up and high transitions within rooms. It has a huge bin that doesn't need to be manually emptied, and can recharge itself and restart cleaning when it runs out power. It's more expensive compared to other robotic vacuums we've tested but it combines powerful suction and simple controls to deliver an excellent value.

Voice Control

The majority of robot vacuums can be controlled via a remote control or an app for a smartphone. Certain consumer reports robot vacuum vacuums are controlled via voice commands via smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is helpful when your robot has to be cleaned and you have pets or children who might interfere.

Most models also include an automatic mode that operates without input from you. Simply press a button on the robot or in the app, and it will start sucking up food, dirt, top 10 particles, and pet hair. The robots can be programmed to clean in accordance with the schedule, which makes them ideal for those who want to set and forget.

Some of the more expensive models come with an advanced feature that utilizes artificial intelligence to scan your home and detect obstacles. These models can recognize things like stairs, furniture power cords, even different kinds of flooring. This can help them avoid such hazards which is especially helpful in larger homes that have lots of rugs and other flooring coverings that are difficult for robots to navigate.

Other robots are more basic in their object detection capabilities, but still manage to accomplish the task. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, that has the sleek elegant, easy-to-use design of a WiFi hub, but offers the performance of a Top 10 robot. It is extremely suction-driven and handles dirt and debris on hardwood floors and rugs with medium pile effortlessly. Its squat, short side brushes are less likely to become tangled in stray shoes and cords and its hybrid roller brush uses bristles and plastic, rather than bristles in traditional form for an even more thorough cleaning.

The model is more expensive than the other models in the middle-end but it has everything you'd expect from a robot vacuum and mop. It can draw out an cleaning schedule and design one. It also has virtual zones that you can stay clear of. It does not have the same room-scanning and obstacles-avoiding features as the j7 and s8.