The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

Robot vacuums can help you clean your floors more easily. The most effective robot vacuums remove dirt, crumbs, pet hair, and more.

Although they're not as well as a regular vacuum cleaner, they've made significant progress in the past few years. They're smarter, more powerful and (marginally) better in avoiding the legs of chairs.

Smart Mapping

Robot vacuum cleaners use instruments for navigation such as sensors and lasers to navigate your home. They collect pet hair, crumbs, and dirt from hard floors such as tile, wood and laminate, as well as carpets and area rugs with low piles. The most sophisticated robots map your home, so they can keep track of where they've been and avoid bumping into obstacles like sofas, chairs and bookshelves that you might want to keep out of your way. You can also use your smartphone app to create no-go zones that tell your robot not to enter rooms you don't want it to clean.

Robots with advanced mapping capabilities like the Roomba J7, utilize an the onboard camera and processor-powered intelligence to detect and avoid obstacles. This means you can leave the robot to perform an effective cleaning without having to continually check 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 with vacuuming. It's a one-stop solution to keep your home tidy. It has a powerful suction and works with Alexa or Google Assistant. It also comes with a handy self-emptying feature that can be used as an alarm camera.

A less expensive bot that mops, vacuums and can also be used as a robot trashcan, the Roborock Q Revo is a solid option for homes that don't need the more sophisticated features of higher-end models. There are some drawbacks in comparison to the Roomba S8 and j7. It's got one brush instead of dual roller brushes, so it might not be as effective at removing larger pieces of debris like socks and shoes. It also lacks AI obstacle avoidance, which means 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 prefer simplicity and efficiency. It's less than $200 and delivers consistent, strong suction both on hardwood and low-pile rug, while avoiding knots. It doesn't have any advanced features, however it does the job well. It also works with voice commands. It can be set up on a schedule, or create zones of no-go zones with the app.

Object Detection

The use of object-avoidance technology can affect the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate around your home. Certain models in this list have sensors (or cameras) to help your robot vacuum avoid common traps for robots, such as cords, toys for kids and pet messes. The iRobot Roomba j7 is one of the most impressive examples of this type of technology in action. It also has a stylish base that automatically emptys the garbage bin, so you don't need to.

During testing the robotic cleaner up in a huge house and were awed by how quickly and efficiently it was able to clean floors without getting sluggish. It is extremely maneuverable and can reach places that stand-up vacuums are unable to reach, such as under beds and sofas. It has a 500ml dustbin, a powerful suction system and a time of over two hours. It's just not equipped with the ability to create no-go zones within the app and its detection of objects is a bit hit-or-miss, meaning we saw it bump into things occasionally during our tests (resulting in a few tipped vase).

It's important to keep in mind that, no matter how intelligent the robot vacuum might appear it will not replace your upright or canister vacuum. It can't deal with heavily soiled carpets, it won't be able to reach every corner, and it won't reach your ceilings or other difficult to reach areas. It can be an effective addition to your routine cleaning to remove hair, pet dander and other hair.

The majority of robot vacuums have sensors that aid them to navigate through obstacles and steps. They can sense when they're about fall down the stairs, for instance and can also identify cluttered spaces and move around them. If you're not careful, your robot-cleaner could be stuck on a cord, shoe or another object.

Some of the more advanced robot vacuums have the ability to map, which allows them to create a floor plan of your home and then locate themselves within it. This lets them know what areas they've cleaned before and avoid spending time cleaning the same spots. It also lets them continue where they left off if they need to return to their charging dock.

Self-Emptying

A robot vacuum that automatically empties its dust bin when it's full is an incredible benefit. Some models have an indicator that allows you to observe when the bin needs to empty. This is a great feature for those with pets or children who tend to make more mess than adults.

Most robot vacuums allow you to choose whether the machine is operated with an app, a remote on your phone or via voice commands. They have a number of digital functions, including maintenance and scheduling tips. You can program your robot to clean on a weekly or regularly, using the right settings. You can also program it to mark and clean specific areas of the house.

Some of the most advanced robot vacuums we've tested come with built-in cameras and sensor technology that allows them to 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 placement and transitions between hardwood floors and carpet.

The most effective smart vacuums will help you save time by automating the mapping and cleaning of entire houses and keeping detailed records of previous cleaning sessions. You can access these records via an app that you can install on your tablet or phone. The majority of them can be linked 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 here reasonable cost. It can clean hardwood floors and carpets with low pile, as well as remove pet hair and other debris. It's not as advanced as other robots we've reviewed however, it does what it does very efficiently.

The model's tank-like wheels permit it to glide over obstacles such as cords that are tangled and high transitions in between rooms. It comes with a large bin that does not need to be empty manually and it can charge itself and resume cleaning if it is unable to continue cleaning. It's a bit more costly than other robotic vacuums we've tried, but it blends 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 on a smartphone. Some models can also be integrated with smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home, allowing you to control them using voice commands. This is a great option when you have pets or children that could get in the way of your cleaning routine, or if you're too tired to operate the robot manually.

Most models have an automatic mode that operates without your input. The robot can be started by pressing a button on the app or on the robot. These robots can be programmed to clean regularly which is great for those who want to make it easy to set it and forget it.

Some of the higher-end models include a sophisticated feature which uses artificial intelligence to scan and detect the presence of obstacles in your home. These models can recognize things such as power cords, stairs as well as furniture, and can even discern between different kinds of floors. This can help robots stay clear of dangers. This is especially useful in large homes with lots rugs and other floorcoverings which are difficult for robots navigate.

Other robots have more basic object detection capabilities, but still manage to complete the task. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, that has the sleek, fuss-free appearance of a wifi hub but offers the capabilities of a top-of-the-line robot. It has a strong suction and can clean dirt and debris on medium pile carpets and hardwood floors. Its squat, short side brushes are less likely to get tangled in stray shoes and cords, and its hybrid roller brush utilizes bristles and plastic instead of a traditional bristle brush for a more thorough cleaning.

This model is more expensive than other models in the middle-end however, it can do 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 obstacle-avoiding capabilities like the j7 or s8.