The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

Robot vacuums can make cleaning your floors easier. The best ones nab tracked-in dirt, crumbs and shed pet hair, and more.

And while they still can't do as good of a job as the regular vacuum but they've come quite a way over the last few years. They're more efficient, smarter and (marginally) better in avoiding the legs of chairs.

Smart Mapping

Using navigation tools like lasers and sensors, robotic vacuum cleaners move around your home, removing pet hair, crumbs and dirt from their dustbins. They can be found on hard floors such as wood, tile and laminate and also low-pile carpets and area rugs. Robots that are the most advanced maps your home, so they know where they've been and can avoid hitting obstacles such as couches, chairs, and bookshelves. You can also set up no-go zones on your smartphone to instruct your robot to stay clear of rooms you don't wish it to be able to keep.

Robots with advanced mapping capabilities like the Roomba J7, make use of an onboard cameras and processor-powered intelligent to avoid and detect obstacles. This means that you can leave the robot to perform an efficient cleaning without having to constantly check the status of your floorplan or manually remove obstacles from the robot's path. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus is a robotic that does mopping and vacuuming, which means it's a one-stop solution for keeping your home clean. It has a fantastic suction and works with Alexa or Google Assistant. It has a self-emptying function and is also able to be used as a surveillance camera.

A less expensive robot that mops, vacuums and can even be used as a robot trashcan, the Roborock Q Revo is a excellent choice for homes that don't require the more advanced features of more expensive models. However, it has a few disadvantages when compared to Roomba S8 and j7. It uses a single brush instead of dual roller brushes, meaning it isn't as efficient at picking up larger debris such as socks and shoes. It also doesn't have any AI obstacle avoidance technology, so you may need to get rid of any clutter prior to running it.

The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's ideal for those who prioritize simplicity and competence. It costs less than $200, and provides strong, consistent suction both on hardwood and low-pile rugs while avoiding knots. It doesn't have any advanced features, but it does its job well. It is also compatible with voice commands. You can set it up on a schedule, or create zones of no-go zones with the app.

Object Detection

Object-avoidance technologies can affect the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate through your home. Certain models on this list include sensors (or cameras) to aid your robot vacuum to avoid common traps for robots like cords, toys for children and pet messes. The iRobot Roomba J7 is among the most impressive examples of this kind of technology in action. It also has a stylish clean base that fills the trash bin automatically so that you don't need to.

We tested the robotic cleaner in a large home and were impressed with how quickly and thoroughly the floors were cleaned without getting sluggish. It's incredibly maneuverable and is able to reach places that stand-up vacuums are unable to can, like under sofas and under beds. It comes with a 500-ml dustbin, great suction and a runtime of over two hours. It's just not equipped with the ability to set no-go zones within the app 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 vases).

It's important to keep it in mind that, regardless of how intelligent a robot vacuum is it isn't going to replace your upright or canister 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 difficult to reach spaces. It's a great addition to your regular cleaning routine to remove hair, pet dander and other hair.

Most robot vacuums come with sensor systems that help them navigate through obstacles and steps. They are able to tell the moment they're likely to fall down the stairs for instance, and they can also recognize cluttered areas and maneuver around them. However, if you're not careful the robo-cleaner may become stuck on a cord or stray shoe and need some help.

Some robot vacuums come with mapping capabilities, which allow them to make an precise floor plan of your home and locate themselves. They can then identify which areas they have already cleaned, and reduce time by not having to clean the same spots. It also lets them resume where they left off in case they need to return to their charging dock.

Self-Emptying

A robot vacuum that will automatically empty its bin after it is full is a great convenience. Some models even have check here a window that lets you see when the bin has to be emptied. This feature is ideal for people who have children or pets who tend to make lots of mess than adults.

The majority of robot vacuums let you select whether the machine will be controlled via a remote control or an app for your smartphone or voice commands. They also have a variety of digital functions, including scheduling and maintenance suggestions. You can program your robot to clean your house on an annual or a regular basis using the correct settings. You can also program it to map and clean certain areas of the house.

The smartest robot vacuums that we have tested are equipped with sensors and cameras, which allow them to create maps of your home. You can save these maps within the robot's app to quickly navigate through your home. Some of these systems will even remember furniture layout and transitions between hard flooring and carpet.

Smart vacuums can save you time by mapping and cleaning entire homes in a timely manner and keeping detailed records about the previous cleaning sessions. You can access the records via an app for your tablet or smartphone. Most of them can be linked to your smart speaker, so you can control them using voice commands.

TP-Link's Tapo RV30 Plus is an affordable, self-emptying robot vacuum that delivers excellent performance for the price. It can clean hardwood floors as well as carpets with low pile, and also remove pet hair and other particles. It's not as sophisticated as other robots we've reviewed but it does the job well.

The tank-like wheels that this model has allow it to glide right over the gaps 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 require to be emptied manually, and it's able to recharge and continue cleaning when it's power-depleted. It's more expensive than some of the other robotic vacuums we've tried but it combines powerful suction with straightforward controls to give you a good value.

Voice Control

The majority of 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 like Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is useful for robots that need to clean 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, crumbs, and pet hair. These robots can be programmed to clean according to a schedule, making them ideal for people who just need to set and forget.

Certain models that are more expensive have a feature which uses artificial intelligence to detect and scan obstacles in your home. These models can detect things like stairs, furniture, power cords and even different types of flooring. This can help robots avoid hazards. This is especially helpful in large homes with lots carpeting and flooring that are difficult for robots navigate.

Other robots are more basic in their abilities for object detection however they still manage to complete the task. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus, for example is similar to an internet router, but has the performance of a high-end robot. It has a strong suction and can clean dirt and debris from medium-pile rugs and hardwood floors. Its squat and short side brush is less likely to get caught in shoes or cords. The hybrid roller brush, which is made up of bristles, as well as plastic, provides a thorough cleaning.

This model is more expensive than other robots in the middle-end however, it can do everything you would expect from mop and vacuum robots. It can map out an cleaning schedule and design one. It also has virtual zones to keep out of. It doesn't have the same room scanning and obstacles-avoiding features as the j7 or the s8.