The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Keeping your floors clean isn't always simple but robot vacuums can make it easier. The best ones can remove tracked-in dirt, crumbs, shedding pet hair, and more.
While they're still unable to perform as well of a job as the regular vacuum, they've come a long way in the past few years. They're more efficient, smarter and (marginally) better in avoiding the legs of chairs.
Smart Mapping
Using navigation tools like lasers and sensors, robotic vacuum cleaners work their way around your home, removing pet hair, crumbs, and dirt from their dustbins. They can be found on hard floors like wood, tile and laminate and low-pile carpets and area rugs. 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 you might prefer to keep out of your way. You can make use of your smartphone app to create no-go zones that tell your robot to stay out of rooms that you don't want to clean.
Robots that have advanced mapping capabilities, such as the Roomba J7, use onboard camera and processor-powered intelligence to avoid and detect obstacles. Then, you can allow it to do a thorough job without having to keep an eye on the state of your floorplan or manually remove obstacles out of the way. The TP Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robot which includes vacuuming and mopping. It's a one-stop solution to keep your home clean. It has great suction, and also works with Alexa and Google Assistant. It also has a useful self-emptying feature that can be used as a security camera.
Roborock Q Revo, a lower-cost robot that vacuums, mop and is also an automated trashcan is a great choice for homes without the need for more advanced features. However, commercial robot vacuum has some disadvantages compared to the Roomba J7 and S8. For instance, it uses a single rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes of the other and it may not be as effective at collecting larger objects like shoes and socks. It also lacks AI obstacle avoidance, which means you might need to get rid of clutter prior to running it.
The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's ideal for those who value simplicity and proficiency. It's less than $200 and offers strong, consistent suction both on hardwood and low-pile rug, while avoiding knots. It's not a lot of technology however, it's effective. It also works with voice commands, so you can set it up on schedule or even set up zones that are not allowed to enter through the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technology can affect the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate your home. Some 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. IRobot's Roomba j7 is one of the most impressive examples of this kind of smart technology in action. It also has a stylish base that automatically emptys the dustbin so you don't need to.
During testing the robot, we set the cleaner up in a big house and were awed by the speed and efficiency with which it cleaned up floors without getting sluggish. It's incredibly maneuverable and can get to places that stand-up vacuums are unable to reach, such as couches and under beds. It also has great suction, a massive 500 ml dustbin and an over two hours of runtime. It isn't able to create no-go zones, and its object recognition isn't exactly reliable. We noticed it hitting objects at times during our tests and resulted in vases falling over.
It's important to remember that, no matter how intelligent the robot vacuum might appear but it can't replace your regular canister or upright vacuum. It's not equipped to handle heavily dirty carpets, it can't get into every crevice and it won't reach your ceilings or other difficult-to-access areas. But for keeping your floors clear of crumbs, pet hair, dander and other debris it could be an excellent addition to your routine of cleaning.
Most robot vacuums come with sensor systems that help them navigate around obstacles and stairs. They are able to tell the moment they're likely to fall down stairs for instance, and they also recognize cluttered areas and move around them. However, if you're not cautious the robo-cleaner may get stuck on a cord or shoe and need some help.
Certain robot vacuums come with mapping capabilities that allow them to make an precise floor plan of your home and pinpoint themselves. They will then be able to identify the areas they've already cleaned, and save time by not having to go over the same areas. It also allows them to resume where they left off if they need to return to their charging dock.
Self-Emptying
A vacuum cleaner that automatically empty its bins of dust once it's full is a huge convenience. Some models even have a window that lets you see the time when the bin must be empty. This feature is great for those who have children or pets who tend to make lots of mess than adults.
Most robot vacuums let you select whether the machine is controlled via a remote control, an app for your smartphone or voice commands. They come with a variety of digital features including maintenance and scheduling tips. Using the right settings, you can set your robot to clean on a regular time or on a weekly basis. 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. These can be saved in the robot's app, so you can quickly navigate to specific rooms or areas of your home. Some of these systems even keep track of furniture placement and note the transitions between hard floors and carpet.
Smart vacuums help you save time by mapping and cleaning entire houses in a timely manner and keeping detailed records about the cleaning sessions that have occurred previously. You can access these records using an app on your phone or tablet. Most can also connect to your smart speaker, so you can control them using voice commands.
TP-Link Tapo RV30+ is self-emptying robot that provides great performance at a reasonable cost. It is able to clean floors and sweep pet hair and other debris from rugs made of wood and low pile. It's not as advanced as other robots we've reviewed, but it does the job well.
The model's tanks-like wheels allow it to glide over obstacles like tangled cords and high transitions in between rooms. It also has a huge dust bin that doesn't have to be emptied manually, and it can recharge and resume cleaning when it's power-depleted. It's a bit more costly than the other robotic vacuums we've tried but it combines powerful suction with simple controls to give you a good value.
Voice Control
The majority of robot vacuums can be controlled via a remote control or an app on a smartphone. Some robot vacuums can be operated by voice commands using smart speakers, such as Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is useful for robots that need to be cleaned and you have pets or children that could interfere.
Many models also come with an automatic mode that functions without 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 in accordance with a schedule, making them perfect for those who simply need to make a plan and forget.
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 can even distinguish between different types of flooring. This helps to avoid the dangers which is especially helpful in larger homes that have lots of carpets and flooring coverings that are difficult for robots to navigate.
Other robots are less sophisticated in their object detection abilities, but they still get the job done. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus, for example, has the appearance of a wifi router but offers the performance of a high-end bot. It is extremely suction-driven and handles dirt and debris from carpets and hardwood floors with ease. Its short and squat side brush is less likely to get caught in shoes or cords. The hybrid roller brush, that uses bristles and plastic, provides an efficient cleaning.
This model is more expensive than other robots in the middle-end but it has everything you'd expect from a robot mop and vacuum. It can map out the cleaning schedule and then create one. It also has virtual zones to keep out of. It doesn't offer the same room-scanning feature and obstacles-avoiding features as the j7 and the s8.