The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

Cleaning your floors isn't always easy but robot vacuums can make it easier. The best ones nab tracked-in dirt, crumbs, shed pet hair and more.

Although they're unable to do the same job as a regular vacuum, they've come a long way in recent years. They're smarter, more powerful and (marginally) better in avoiding the legs of chairs.

Smart Mapping

Utilizing navigation tools such as sensors and lasers, robot vacuum cleaners work their way around your home, removing pet hair, crumbs and dirt into their dustbins from hard floors like wood, tile and laminate and also area rugs and carpets with low pile. The most sophisticated robots can map your house, to help them recall where they've been and avoid hitting obstructions like chairs, sofas and bookshelves that you might prefer to keep out of your way. You can also set up no-go zones on your smartphone to tell your robot to avoid rooms that you don't want to keep clean.

Robots that have advanced mapping capabilities like the Roomba J7, use onboard cameras and processor-powered intelligent to detect and avoid obstacles. This means you can leave it to do a thorough cleaning without having to continuously 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 powerful suction system and works with Alexa or Google Assistant. It is self-emptying and can also function as a surveillance camera.

Roborock Q Revo, a lower-cost robot that vacuums, mop and is also a trashcan that is robotic, is a good option for homes that don't have the need for more advanced features. There are some drawbacks when compared to the Roomba S8 and j7. For instance, it uses only one rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes of the other and it may not be as effective in picking up larger debris like shoes and socks. It does not have AI obstacle avoidance, which means it is possible that you will need to eliminate the clutter prior to running.

The iLife A4s Pro robot is an easy, reliable robot for those who value simplicity and proficiency. It costs less than $200 and provides consistent, strong suction on hardwood and carpets that are low-pile and also avoids tangles caused by rug threads. It's not very advanced however it's a good choice. It's also compatible with voice commands, which means you can set it up on a schedule or set up zones that are not allowed to enter using the app.

Object Detection

Object-avoidance technologies can impact the ability of a robot vacuum navigate through your home. Some models in this list have sensors (or cameras) to help your robot vacuum avoid common robot traps such as cords, toys for kids and pet messes. iRobot Roomba j7, one of the most impressive examples of intelligent technology in motion, is an excellent example. It also has a stylish base that automatically empty the garbage bin, so you don't have to.

In our testing, we set up this robotic cleaner in a large home and were impressed with how quickly and thoroughly floors were cleaned without getting sluggish. It's incredibly maneuverable and can get to places most standup vacs never reach, such as under sofas and under beds. It also has a great suction, a huge 500-milliliter dustbin and over two-hour running time. It isn't able to create no-go zones, and its object recognition is a bit iffy. We noticed it bumping into things on occasion during our tests floor vacuum robot and resulted in vases falling over.

It's important to remember that, no matter how intelligent a robot vacuum may be, it won't completely replace your traditional canister or upright vacuum. It won't be able to clean heavily soiled carpets. It can't reach the ceiling or other difficult-to-access areas. However, if you want to keep your floors clear of pet hair, crumbs and other dander, it can be a good addition to your cleaning routine.

Most robot vacuums come with sensors that aid them to navigate through obstacles and steps. They can usually sense the moment they're likely to fall down stairs for instance, and detect areas that are cluttered and move around them. However, if you're not careful, your robo-cleaner might become stuck on a cord or stray shoe and require help.

Some robot vacuums come with mapping capabilities, which allow them to create an accurate floor plan of your home and also locate themselves. They will then be able to identify the areas they have already cleaned, and save time by not having to clean the same areas. This allows them to resume where they left off if they have to return to the charging dock.

Self-Emptying

A vacuum cleaner that automatically empty its bin of dust when it's full is a huge convenience. Some models even have a window to let you know when the bin has to be emptied. This is a great feature for those with children or pets, who tend to make much more mess than adults.

Most robot vacuums allow you to choose whether the machine can be controlled with the use of a remote, an app on your smartphone or voice commands. They also have a variety of digital features, such as maintenance and scheduling 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 your house.

Some of the smartest robot vacuums we've tested come with built-in cameras and smart sensor technology that lets them 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 can even remember furniture placement and note transitions from hard floors to carpet.

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

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

This model's tank-like wheels allow it to go over obstacles such as tangled cords and high transitions within rooms. It also comes with a large dust bin that doesn't require to be emptying manually, and it's able to recharge and continue cleaning when it runs out of power. It's more expensive compared to other robotic vacuums we've tested however it has powerful suction with simple controls to provide excellent value.

Voice Control

The majority of robot vacuums are controlled using a remote or an app on your phone. Some can also integrate with smart speakers such as Amazon Echo or Google Home, allowing you to control them using voice commands. This is helpful if your robot needs to clean and you have pets or children who might interfere.

Many models have an automatic mode which works without your input. You can start the robot 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 wish to program it to forget about it.

Some of the higher-end models have a feature that makes use of artificial intelligence to detect and scan obstructions in your home. These models can recognize things like stairs, furniture, power cords and even different kinds of flooring. This can help robots avoid hazards. This is especially useful in large homes that have lots of carpeting and flooring that are difficult for robots navigate.

Other robots are less sophisticated in their ability to detect objects however, they are still able to do the job. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, which has the clean, fuss-free appearance of a WiFi hub, but has the performance of a top robot. It has excellent suction and is able to remove dirt and debris on hardwood floors and medium-pile rugs effortlessly. Its squat and short side brush is less likely to be stuck in cords or shoes. The hybrid roller brush, which is made up of bristles and plastic, provides a thorough cleaning.

This model is more expensive than the other models that are in the middle of the range however, it can do everything you'd expect from a robot vacuum and mop. It can create and map a cleaning schedule and has virtual keep-out zones, and is compatible with voice assistants. However, it doesn't have room-scanning or obstacle avoidance like the S8 or j7.