The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

Robot vacuums can make cleaning your floors easier. The best robot vacuums can remove dirt, crumbs, pet hair, and much more.

While they can't perform the same way as the regular vacuum cleaner, they've come a long ways in the past few years. They're smarter and more powerful, as well as (marginally better) at avoiding the chair leg.

Smart Mapping

Robot vacuum cleaners use tools for navigation, such as lasers and sensors to navigate around your home. They collect pet hair, crumbs and dirt from hard floors such as tile, wood, and laminate, and carpets and area rugs with low piles. The most advanced robots can map your home so that they can recall where they've been and avoid bumping into obstructions like chairs, sofas and bookshelves you might want to keep out of the way. You can also set up no-go areas on your smartphone to instruct your robot to stay clear of rooms that you don't want to clean.

Robots that have advanced mapping capabilities, such as the Roomba j7, use onboard cameras and processor-powered smarts to see and avoid obstacles. This means that you can leave it to do a thorough cleaning without having to constantly monitor the state of your floorplan, or manually move obstacles out of the robot's path. The TP Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robotic device that includes vacuuming and mopping. It's the perfect solution to keep your home tidy. It has a great suction system and works with Alexa or Google Assistant. It can self-empty and can also function as a security camera.

Roborock Q Revo, a cheaper robot that vacuums, mops and functions as a robotic trashcan, is a good option for homes that do not require for more advanced features. There are some drawbacks when compared to the Roomba S8 and J7. It has a single rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes of the others and it may not be as effective in collecting larger objects like socks and shoes. It does not have AI obstacle avoidance, which means you might need to get rid of the clutter prior to running.

The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's perfect for those who prefer simplicity and competence. It's priced at less than $200, and provides strong, consistent suction on hardwood and low-pile rug, while avoiding tangles. It's not a lot of technology however, it's effective. It also works with voice commands. It can be set up on a schedule, or create no-go zones using the app.

Object Detection

Object-avoidance technology can impact the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate your home. Some of the models we've reviewed have sensors (or even cameras) that allow your robot cleaner to avoid common robot traps like cords, toys for kids and pet mess. iRobot Roomba j7 is one of the most impressive examples of smart technology in motion, is an excellent example. It also comes with a sleek clean base that empties the trash bin automatically so that you don't have to.

During testing, we set this robotic cleaner up in a large house and were awed by how quickly and efficiently it cleaned up floors without becoming bogged down. It is extremely maneuverable and is able to reach places most standup vacs never can, like couches and under beds. It also has excellent suction, a massive 500-milliliter dustbin and over two-hour runtime. However, it isn't equipped with the ability to create no-go zones within the app and its object detection is somewhat erratic and we did see it bump into things occasionally during our tests (resulting in a few tipped vase tops).

It's important to keep in mind that, no matter how intelligent the robot vacuum might appear but it can't replace your regular canister or upright vacuum. It's not able to deal with heavy stained carpets, it will not be able to reach every corner, and it won't reach your ceilings or other hard-to-reach areas. It's an excellent addition to your regular cleaning routine for removing crumbs, hair, pet dander and other hair.

Sensors are integrated into many robot vacuums to assist them navigate around obstacles and stairs. They can sense when they're about fall down the stairs, for instance and can also identify messy spaces and maneuver around them. If you're not careful, your robot-cleaner could become stuck on a cord, shoe, or other object.

Some of the smarter robot vacuums come with mapping capabilities that allow them to create a floor plan of your home and locate themselves within it. They will then be able to identify the areas they have already cleaned, and save time by not having to go over the same areas. This allows them to resume where they left off, in the event that they have to return to the charging dock.

Self-Emptying

A robot vacuum that automatically empty its bins of dust once it gets full is a great benefit. Some models even have a window so you can see the time when the bin must be empty. This is an excellent feature for anyone who has pets or children who make more mess than adults.

Most robot vacuums allow you to choose whether the machine is controlled via a remote control, an app for your smartphone or voice commands. They have a number of digital features including maintenance and scheduling tips. You can program your robot to clean your house on a weekly or regular basis using the correct settings. You can also program the robot to map out and clean specific areas of your home.

Some of the smartest robot vacuums we've tested come with built-in cameras and sensor technology that allows them to create maps of your home. You can save these maps to the robot's app and use them to navigate through your home. Some of these systems can even remember furniture placement and note the transitions between hard floors and carpet.

The most effective smart vacuums will save you time by automatically mapping and cleaning whole homes, and also keeping precise records of previous cleaning sessions. You can access these records through an app that you can install on your smartphone or tablet. Many of them can be linked to your smart speaker so you can control them with voice commands.

TP-Link's Tapo RV30 Plus is an affordable, self-emptying robot vacuum that delivers good performance for the money. It can clean floors and sweep up pet hair and other messes from hardwood and low-pile rugs. It's not as sophisticated as other robots we've reviewed, however, it does what does very well.

The tank-like wheels that this model has allow it to move right over the transitions between rooms as well as obstacles like tangled cords from devices that trip up other robots. It also has a huge dust bin that doesn't need to be emptied manually, and it's also able to recharge and resume cleaning if it's power-depleted. It's more expensive than some of the other robotic vacuums that we've tested however it combines powerful suction with straightforward controls to deliver a great value.

Voice Control

Most robot vacuums can be controlled via a physical remote or an app that you can install on your smartphone. Certain robot vacuums can be controlled by voice commands using smart speakers such as Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is useful if your robot needs to be cleaned and you have pets or small children who could be disruptive.

Many models also come with an automatic mode that works without input from you. The robot can be started by pressing a button on the app or on the robot. The robots can be programmed to clean up on a regular basis and is perfect for those who prefer to set it and forget it.

Some of the more expensive models have an advanced feature that uses artificial intelligence to scan your home and detect obstacles. These models can identify things like stairs, power cords, and furniture, and they can also identify different types of floors. This can help them avoid these hazards, which is especially useful in larger homes that have lots of carpets and floor coverings that are hard for robots to navigate.

Some robots come with less basic ability to detect objects, but still manage to get the job done. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus, for instance is a model that resembles WiFi routers, but it has the performance of a top-of-the-line bot. It is extremely suction-driven and can handle dirt and debris on carpets and hardwood floors easily. Its squat and short side brush is less likely to be caught in shoes or cords. The hybrid roller brush, which is made up of bristles as well as plastic, offers an effective cleaning.

It's more expensive than other mid-range robots, but it does everything you require from a robot vacuum and mop. It can create an cleaning schedule and design one. It also has virtual zones to stay out of. However, it does not have the ability to scan rooms or avoid obstacles like the S8 or j7.