The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

Robot vacuums can make cleaning your floors a breeze. The best robot vacuum for thick carpet and pet hair robot vacuums can clean up dirt, pet hair, crumbs and much more.

While they're still unable to do the same job as the regular vacuum however, they've come a long way in recent years. They're smarter, more powerful, and (marginally better) in avoiding chair leg.

Smart Mapping

Robot vacuum cleaners utilize navigation tools like lasers and sensors to navigate through your home. They collect pet hair, crumbs and dirt from floors made of hard materials such as tile, wood, and laminate, and carpets and area rugs with low piles. Robots that are the most sophisticated map your home to know where they've been and how to avoid hitting obstacles such as couches, chairs and bookshelves. 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 with advanced mapping capabilities, like the Roomba j7, utilize onboard cameras and processor-powered intelligents to see and avoid obstacles. It can then be left to perform the job without having to constantly monitor the status of your floorplan, or manually move obstacles out of the way. The TP Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robot which combines mopping with vacuuming. It's the perfect solution to keep your home tidy. It's got great suction, and also works with Alexa and Google Assistant. It also has a useful self-emptying feature and can be used as security cameras.

A cheaper robot that vacuums, mop and can be used as a trashcan, the Roborock Q Revo is a solid option for homes that don't need the advanced features of the more expensive models. However, it has a few disadvantages when compared to Roomba S8 and j7. It has one rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes of the others which means it won't be as effective in collecting larger objects such as shoes and socks. It also doesn't have any AI obstacle avoidance technology, so you might need to get rid of any clutter prior to running it.

The iLife A4s Pro robot is a simple reliable robot for those who value simplicity and competence. It's less than $200, and offers strong, consistent suction on hardwood and low-pile carpets while avoiding knots. It's not very advanced however it's a good choice. It is also compatible with voice commands. It can be set to run on a schedule or create zones of no-go zones with the app.

Object Detection

Object-avoidance technology can make or break the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate around your home. Some of the models we've reviewed contain sensors (or even cameras) which help your robo-cleaner avoid common traps for robots such as cords, kids' toys and pet mess. IRobot's Roomba J7 is among the best examples of this type of smart tech in action. It also features a chic clean base that emptys the trash bin automatically so that you don't have to.

During testing we set up this robot cleaner in a home with a large size and were awed by how quickly and thoroughly the floors were cleaned without becoming a mess. It is very maneuverable and can reach places that the majority of stand-up vacuums are unable to reach, like under beds and couches. It also has a great suction, a huge 500-milliliter dustbin and over two hours of runtime. It's not able to create no-go zones, and its object recognition is a bit iffy. We noticed it crashing into objects on occasion during our tests and resulted in vase caps falling over.

It's important to keep in mind that despite how smart a robot vacuum might be, it won't completely replace your regular canister or upright vacuum. It's not equipped to handle heavily dirty carpets, it can't reach into every crevice, and it won't reach your ceilings or other hard-to-reach areas. However, to keep your floors clear of pet hair, crumbs, dander and other debris it's an excellent addition to your routine of cleaning.

Sensors are integrated into many robot vacuums to help them navigate around stairs and obstacles. They usually know when they're about to fall down the stairs, for instance, and also recognize cluttered areas and maneuver around them. However, if you're not cautious the robo-cleaner may become stuck on a cord or stray shoe and need some help.

Some of the more advanced robot vacuums have mapping capabilities, which allow them to create a floor plan of your home and then locate themselves within it. This lets them know which areas they've cleaned before and avoid wasting time going over the same spots. This lets them resume the same place they left off should they need to return to the charging dock.

Self-Emptying

A vacuum cleaner that can automatically empty its dust bin once it is full is a great convenience. Some models come with an indicator that allows you to know when the bin needs to empty. This is a great feature for those who have pets or children, who tend to make much more mess than adults.

Most robot vacuums let you select whether the machine is controlled by a remote or an app for your smartphone, or by voice commands. They offer a range of digital functions, including scheduling and maintenance tips. You can program your robot to clean on a weekly or regularly, using the right settings. You can also program the robot to clean and map out 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. These can be saved in the robot's app so you can easily navigate to specific rooms or areas of your home. Some of these systems even remember the furniture layout and transitions between hardwood flooring and carpet.

The most efficient smart vacuums help you save time by automatically mapping and cleaning whole homes, and also keeping detailed records of previous cleaning sessions. You can access these records via an app on your phone or tablet. They can also be connected to your smart speaker, so you can control them via voice commands.

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

The wheels that resemble a tank on this model allow it to glide across the gaps between rooms and obstacles such as tangled cords for devices that trip up other robots. It comes with 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 tried but it combines powerful suction and simple controls to give you a good value.

Voice Control

Most robot vacuums are controlled via a remote control or an app that runs on smartphones. Certain robot vacuums can be controlled via voice commands via smart speakers such as Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is a great option if you have small children or floor pets who could get in the way of your cleaning session or if you're exhausted to manage the robot manually.

The majority of models come with an automatic mode that operates without input. You can start the robot by pressing a button on the app or on the robot. The robots can also be programmed to clean up on a regular basis which is great for those who want to set it and forget it.

Some of the more expensive models have an advanced feature that utilizes artificial intelligence to look around your home and identify obstacles. These models can recognize things like furniture, stairs power cords, and even different types of flooring. This can help robots stay clear of dangers. This is especially useful in large homes that have lots of carpeting and other flooring coverings that are difficult for robots navigate.

Other robots have more basic ability to detect objects but they are able to complete the task. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus, for example is similar to an internet router, but has the performance of a top-of-the-line bot. It has excellent suction and can handle dirt and debris on hardwood floors and rugs with medium pile easily. The short and squat-shaped side brush is less likely to be stuck in cords or shoes. The hybrid roller brush, that uses bristles as well as plastic, offers an efficient cleaning.

This model is pricier than other mid-range models, but it does everything you'd expect from mopping and vacuuming with a robot. It can map out the cleaning schedule and then create one. It also has virtual zones to stay out of. It doesn't have the same room-scanning feature and obstacles-avoiding features as the j7 or the s8.