The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

Cleaning your floors isn't always simple but robot vacuums can make it easier. The best robot vacuums can remove dirt, pet hair, crumbs and much more.

While they're still unable to perform as well of a job as a regular vacuum however, they've come a long way in the past few years. They're more sophisticated and more powerful, as well as (marginally better) at avoiding the chair leg.

Smart Mapping

Utilizing navigational tools like sensors and lasers, robot vacuum cleaners work their way around your home, removing pet hair, crumbs and dirt into their bins from hard floors such as laminate, wood and tile and also carpets and area rugs with low pile. Robots that are the most advanced maps your home, so they know where they've been and how to avoid hitting obstacles such as chairs, sofas, and bookshelves. You can also use the smartphone's app to set up no-go zones, which 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 onboard camera and processor-powered intelligence to avoid and detect obstacles. This means you can let the robot to perform an effective cleaning without having to continuously check the status of your floorplan, or manually remove obstacles from the robot's path. The TP Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robot which combine vacuuming and mopping. It's the perfect solution to keep your home clean. It's got great suction and works with Alexa and Google Assistant. It is self-emptying and can also be used as a security camera.

Roborock Q Revo, a less expensive robot that vacuums, mop and functions as a robotic trashcan is a great choice for homes that don't have the need for more advanced features. There are some drawbacks in comparison to Roomba S8 and j7. It has only one rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes that the other models have which means it won't be as effective in collecting larger objects such as shoes and socks. Also, it doesn't include AI obstacle avoidance, which means you may need to get rid of clutter prior to running it.

The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's ideal for those who prefer simplicity and proficiency. It's less than $200, and provides strong, consistent suction both on hardwood and low-pile rug, while avoiding tangles. It doesn't include any advanced features, but it does its job well. It also works with voice commands, which means you can set it up on schedule or create no-go zones using the app.

Object Detection

Object-avoidance technology can make or break the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate around your home. Certain models on this list include sensors (or cameras) to assist your robot vacuum in avoiding common traps for robots like cords, toys for kids and pet messes. IRobot's Roomba j7 is one of the most impressive examples of this type of smart technology in action. It also features a chic clean base that fills the garbage bin automatically so you don't need to.

In our testing the robot, we set the cleaner up in a large home and were amazed by the speed and efficiency with which it cleaned up floors without becoming bogged down. It has impressive maneuverability and can reach places most standup vacs never go, including under sofas and under beds. It has a 500ml dustbin, great suction and a running time of more than two hours. It's just not equipped with the ability to create zones that are not allowed to be used and its detection of objects is a bit hit-or-miss, meaning we saw it bump into things occasionally during our tests (resulting in the tumbling of a few here vase).

It's important to note that, no matter how intelligent a robot vacuum may be, it won't completely replace your upright or canister vacuum. It can't deal with heavily dirty carpets, it can't get into every crevice and won't be able to reach your ceilings or other difficult-to-access spaces. It's an excellent addition to your regular cleaning routine for getting rid of hair, and pet dander.

Sensors are integrated into the majority of robot vacuums, allowing them to navigate around stairs and obstacles. They can sense when they are about to fall down the stairs, for example and also detect messy spaces and maneuver around them. If you're not careful your robot cleaner could become stuck on a shoe, cord 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 house and locate themselves within it. They will then be able to identify the areas they have cleaned and can save time by not having to clean the same spots. This lets them resume where they left off, in the event that they have to return to the charging dock.

Self-Emptying

A vacuum cleaner that automatically empties its bins of dust once it gets full is a huge benefit. Some models even have a window that lets you see when the bin needs to be emptied. This is a fantastic feature for those with pets or children who tend to make more mess than adults.

Most robot vacuums let you choose whether the machine is operated with an app, a remote from your phone, or through voice commands. They also have a variety of digital functions, including maintenance and scheduling. You can program your robot to clean on a weekly or regularly, using the right 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 are equipped with built-in cameras and sensor technology that allows 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 keep track of the furniture's placement and transitions between hard floors and carpet.

Smart vacuums can save you time by mapping and cleaning entire homes automatically and keeping detailed records about previous cleaning sessions. You can access these records via an app on your tablet or phone. Most of them can be linked to your smart speaker, so that you can control them via voice commands.

TP-Link Tapo RV30+ is self-emptying robotic that delivers excellent performance at a low price. It can clean both floors and sweep pet hair and other messes from low-pile and hardwood rugs. It's not as sophisticated as other robots we've reviewed, but it does its job very well.

The model's tank-like wheels permit it to go over obstacles such as cords that get caught up and high transitions within rooms. It comes with a large bin that does not need to be manually emptied and it can charge itself and resume cleaning if it is unable to continue cleaning. It's more expensive than the other robotic vacuums we've tested but it is able to combine powerful suction and easy controls to give you a great value.

Voice Control

Most robot vacuums can be controlled using a remote or an app that you can install on your smartphone. Some also connect to smart speakers such as Amazon Echo or Google Home, allowing you to operate them with voice commands. This is helpful if your robot needs to be cleaned and you have pets or children that could interfere.

Many models also come with an automatic mode that works without any input from you. You can start the robot by pressing a button within the app or on the robot. The robots can be programmed to clean according to the schedule, which makes them ideal for those who simply want to set and forget.

Some of the most expensive models include an advanced feature that utilizes artificial intelligence to examine your home and find obstacles. They can detect things like stairs, power cords, and furniture, and they can also distinguish between different types of flooring. This can help robots stay clear of dangers. This is especially helpful in homes with large areas of rugs and other floorcoverings that are difficult for robots navigate.

Other robots have more basic object detection capabilities, but still manage to complete the task. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus, for example is a model that resembles WiFi routers, but it has the performance of a high-end bot. It has a powerful suction that can take care of dirt and debris from medium-pile rugs and hardwood floors. The short and squat-shaped side brush is less likely to be stuck in cords or shoes. The hybrid roller brush, which uses bristles as well as plastic, gives a thorough cleaning.

The model is more expensive than other robots in the mid-range however, it can do everything you'd expect from a robot mop and vacuum. It can map and create a cleaning schedule, has virtual keep-out zones, and is compatible with voice assistants. It doesn't have the same room-scanning and obstacle avoidance like the j7 or s8.