The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

Robot vacuums can make cleaning your floors a breeze. The best ones will remove dirt, crumbs and shed pet hair and more.

Although they're not like the regular vacuum cleaner, they have improved a lot in the past few years. They're more sophisticated and more powerful, as well as (marginally better) at avoiding chair leg.

Smart Mapping

Utilizing navigation tools such as lasers and sensors, robotic vacuum cleaners work their way around your home, suctioning pet hair, crumbs, and dirt into their dustbins from hard floors such as laminate, wood and tile and carpets and area rugs with low pile. The most sophisticated robots map your home, so that they can recall where they've been and avoid hitting obstacles like chairs, sofas and bookshelves that you might want to keep out of your way. You can also set up no-go zones using your smartphone to alert your robot to avoid rooms you don't wish it to clean.

Robots equipped with advanced mapping capabilities, such as the Roomba J7, make use of onboard cameras and processor-powered smarts to avoid obstacles and see them. This means you can leave it alone to get an effective cleaning without having to continually be checking the status of your floorplan, or manually move obstacles out of the robot's path. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus is a robot that combines mopping and vacuuming, which means 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 comes with a handy self-emptying feature that can be used as security cameras.

Roborock Q Revo, a lower-cost robot that vacuums, mops and is also a trashcan that is robotic, is a good option for homes without the need for more advanced features. However, it has some limitations when compared to the Roomba S8 and j7. For one, it has one rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes that the other models have which means it won't be as effective in picking up larger debris like socks and shoes. It does not have AI obstacle avoidance, which means you might need to get rid of clutter before running.

The iLife A4s Pro robot is a simple reliable and reliable robot for those who value simplicity and proficiency. It costs less than $200 and offers consistent, solid suction for hardwood as well as carpets with low pile and avoids tangles with rug threads. It's not a lot of technology however it's a good choice. It also works with voice commands, so you can set it up on schedule or even set up zones that aren't allowed to be entered through the app.

Object Detection

Object-avoidance technology can make or break the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate your home. Some models on our list have sensors (or even cameras) that help your robo-cleaner avoid common traps for robots such as cords, toys for kids and pet spills. iRobot Roomba j7 is one of the most impressive examples of intelligent technology in motion, is an excellent example. It also has a stylish clean base that empties the dustbin automatically so you don't have to.

We tested this robot cleaner in a huge home and were amazed by how quickly and thoroughly the floors were cleaned without getting sluggish. It's very mobile and can reach areas that most standup vacuums cannot reach, like under couches and under beds. It has a 500 ml dustbin, a powerful suction system and a time of over two hours. It's not able to create no-go zones, and its object recognition is a bit iffy. We observed it bumping into things in our tests on occasion which resulted in vase caps falling over.

It's important to note that despite how smart a robot vacuum may be it will not replace your upright or canister vacuum. It can't deal with heavily soiled carpets, it won't reach into every crevice, and it won't reach your ceilings or other difficult-to-access spaces. However, if you want to keep your floors clean of pet hair, crumbs and other dander it's an ideal addition to your cleaning routine.

Most robot vacuums come with sensor systems that help them navigate through obstacles and steps. They can usually sense the moment when they're going to fall down stairs, for instance, and they can also detect areas of clutter and move around them. Nevertheless, if you're not cautious the robo-cleaner may be stuck on a cord or shoe and need some help.

Some of the more advanced robot vacuums have the ability to map, which allows them to design a floor plan of your home and then locate themselves within it. They can then identify which areas they have already cleaned, and save time by not having to clean the same areas. This allows them to continue the same place they left off if they have to return to the charging dock.

Self-Emptying

A robot vacuum that will automatically empty its bin after it is full is a great convenience. Some models come with a window that allows you to see when the dust bin has to be empty. This is a fantastic option for anyone with pets or children who tend to create more mess than adults.

The majority of robot vacuums allow you to select whether the machine is controlled via a remote control, an app on your phone, or via voice commands. They have a number of digital functions, cleaner including scheduling and maintenance tips. With the correct settings, you can schedule your robot to clean at a set time or on a weekly basis. You can also program the robot to map out and clean specific areas of your home.

Some of the most intelligent robot vacuums we've tested are equipped with built-in cameras and sensor technology that lets them create maps of your home. You can save these maps in the robot app to easily navigate around your home. Some of these systems can even keep track of the furniture's arrangement and the transitions between hard floors and carpet.

Smart vacuums help you save time by mapping and cleaning entire houses in a timely manner and keeping detailed records about the previous cleaning sessions. You can access the records via an app on your tablet or smartphone. Many can also connect to your smart speaker, so you can control them via 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, as well as remove pet hair and other messes. It's not as sophisticated as other robots we've reviewed however, it does what it does very well.

The wheels that resemble a tank on this model permit it to glide across the transitions between rooms and obstacles such as tangled cords for devices that trip up other robots. It also has a large dust bin that doesn't have to be emptying manually, and it's also able to recharge and continue cleaning when it's power-depleted. It's a bit more costly than the other robotic vacuums that we've tested but it combines powerful suction with straightforward controls to give you a good value.

Voice Control

The majority of robot vacuums can be controlled via a remote control or an app on a smartphone. Certain robot vacuums are controlled via voice commands through smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is useful for robots that need to be cleaned and you have pets or small children who might interfere.

The majority of models have an automatic mode that works without input from you. Simply press a button on the industrial robot vacuum or within the app, and it will start sucking up food, dirt, crumbs, and pet hair. They can also be programmed to clean regularly which is great for those who wish to set it and forget it.

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

Some robots come with less basic object detection capabilities but they are able to complete the task. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus, for example is a model that resembles an internet router, but has the performance of a high-end robot. It is extremely suction-driven and can handle dirt and debris on carpets and hardwood floors effortlessly. Its short, squat side brushes are less likely to become stuck in stray shoes or cords and its hybrid roller brush utilizes bristles and plastic rather than a traditional bristle brush for an even more thorough cleaning.

This model is more expensive than other robots in the mid-range however, it can do everything you want from a robot vacuum and mop. It can map out the cleaning schedule and then create one. It also has virtual zones to keep out of. However, it does not have room-scanning or obstacle avoidance like the S8 or j7.