The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

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

While they can't perform the same way as a regular vacuum cleaner, they have made significant progress in the last few years. They're more sophisticated and powerful, and (marginally better) at avoiding chair leg.

Smart Mapping

Utilizing navigation tools such as lasers and sensors, robotic vacuum cleaners move around your home, suctioning pet hair, crumbs, and dirt into their bins from hard floors like laminate, wood, and tile and also carpets and area rugs with low pile. The most advanced robots map your home, so that they can remember where they have been and avoid hitting obstructions like chairs, sofas and bookshelves that you may prefer to keep out of the way. You can also set up no-go areas using your smartphone to alert 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. It can then be left to perform the job without having to constantly monitor the condition of your floor plan or manually remove obstacles out of the way. The TP Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robotic device that combines mopping with vacuuming. It's the perfect solution to keep your home tidy. It has great suction, and also is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. It is self-emptying and can also be used as a surveillance camera.

A less expensive robot that vacuums, mop and can even be used as a trashcan The Roborock Q Revo is a excellent choice for homes that don't require the more sophisticated features of more expensive models. It does have some disadvantages when compared to the Roomba S8 and J7. It's got a single brush instead of dual roller brushes, meaning it might not be as effective in removing larger pieces of debris like socks and shoes. It doesn't have AI obstacle avoidance so it is possible that you will need to eliminate clutter before running.

The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's perfect for those who prioritize simplicity and competence. It's less than $200, and offers strong, consistent suction both on hardwood and low-pile carpets, while avoiding tangles. It doesn't come with any fancy features, but it does the job well. It also works with voice commands. You can set it up on a schedule, or create zones that are not allowed to be used using the app.

Object Detection

Object-avoidance technologies can impact the ability of a robot vacuum mops vacuum to navigate through your home. Some models on this list have sensors (or cameras) to help your robot vacuum avoid common traps for robots like cords, toys for children and pet messes. iRobot's Roomba j7 is one of the best examples of this type of smart technology in action. It also has a stylish clean base that emptys the trash bin automatically so that you don't have to.

We tested this robotic cleaner in a large home and were awed by how quickly and efficiently the floors were cleaned without becoming a mess. It has impressive maneuverability and can reach places that stand-up vacuums are unable to go, including couches and under beds. It comes with a 500-ml dustbin, excellent suction and a time 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 little hit-or-miss, meaning we saw it occasionally bump into objects during our tests (resulting in a few tipped vases).

It's important to keep it in mind that, no matter how clever a robot vacuum is it won't replace your upright or canister vacuum. It can't deal with heavily stained carpets, it will not be able to reach every corner, and won't be able to reach your ceilings or other hard-to-reach spaces. It's a great addition to your routine cleaning for removing crumbs, hair, and pet dander.

The majority of robot vacuums have sensor systems that help them navigate through obstacles and steps. They are able to tell the moment they're likely to fall down a staircase, for instance, and they detect areas that are cluttered and maneuver around them. If you're not careful your robo-cleaner may get stuck on a shoe, cord or any other object.

Some robot vacuums come with mapping capabilities, which allow them to make an accurate floor plan of your house and also locate themselves. This allows them to know which areas they've already cleaned, and avoid the hassle of going over the same areas. This allows them to continue where they left off, if they have to return to the charging dock.

Self-Emptying

A robot vacuum that automatically empty its bin after it is full is a great convenience. Some models also have a window so you can see when the bin needs to be emptied. This is an excellent feature for those with pets or children who tend to create more mess than adults.

The majority of robot vacuums allow you to choose whether the machine is controlled via a remote control, an app on your smartphone, or by voice commands. They offer a range of digital features, including maintenance and scheduling tips. If you set the right settings, you can schedule your robot to clean at a set time or on an annual basis. You can also program it to clean specific areas of your house.

Some of the most intelligent 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 in the robot's app to quickly navigate through your home. Some of these systems can even remember the furniture arrangement and the transitions between hard flooring and carpet.

The most effective smart vacuums will help you save time by automating the mapping and cleaning of entire homes and keeping detailed records of previous cleaning sessions. You can access the records via an app that you can install on your tablet or smartphone. Most of them can be linked to your smart speaker, so that you can control them using voice commands.

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

The model's tanks-like wheels allow it to glide over obstacles like cords that get caught up and high transitions within rooms. It has a large bin that doesn't have to be empty manually, and can recharge itself and continue cleaning when it is unable to continue cleaning. It's more expensive than other robotic vacuums we've tried, but it is able to combine powerful suction and easy controls to deliver an excellent 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 such as Amazon Echo or Google Home, allowing you to run them using voice commands. This can be helpful when you have pets or children that could get in the way of your cleaning, or if you're too exhausted to operate the robot manually.

Many models have an automatic mode which works without your input. You can start the robot by pressing a button within the app or on the robot. They can be programmed to clean up on a regular basis which is great for those who want to program it to forget about it.

Certain models that are more expensive have a feature that makes use of artificial intelligence to detect and scan the presence of obstacles within your home. These models can identify things like furniture, stairs power cords, and even different types of flooring. This helps robots avoid dangers. This is particularly useful in large homes that have lots of carpeting and other flooring coverings which are difficult for robots navigate.

Other robots are less sophisticated in their ability to detect objects however, they still get the job done. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, that has the sleek and easy-to-use appearance of a WiFi hub, but boasts a lot of the capabilities of a top-of-the-line bot. It has excellent suction and can handle dirt and debris from hardwood floors and rugs with medium pile effortlessly. Its short and squat side brush is less likely to get stuck in cords or shoes. The hybrid roller brush, which is made up of bristles and plastic, gives an efficient cleaning.

The model is more expensive than other mid-range robots, however, it is able to do everything you'd expect from a robot vacuum and mop. It can map and build a cleaning schedule and has virtual keep-out zones, and is compatible with voice assistants. It doesn't feature room-scanning or obstacle avoidance like the S8 or j7.