The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Cleaning your floors isn't always easy however, robot vacuums make it easier. The best robot vacuums are able to remove dirt, pet hair, crumbs and more.
While they're still unable to do the same job as a traditional vacuum cleaner, they've come a long way in recent years. They're smarter and powerful, and (marginally better) in avoiding chair leg.
Smart Mapping
Utilizing navigation tools such as sensors and lasers, robot vacuum cleaners navigate around your home, suctioning pet hair, crumbs and dirt into their dustbins from hard floors like wood, tile and laminate, as well as low-pile carpets and area rugs. Robots that are the most advanced maps your home, so they know where they've been and can avoid hitting obstacles such as couches, chairs, and bookshelves. You can also use the smartphone app to set up no-go zones that tell your robot not to enter rooms that you don't want to clean.
Robots with advanced mapping capabilities, such as the Roomba J7, use onboard cameras and processor-powered intelligent to detect and avoid obstacles. Then, you can allow it to do a thorough job without having to keep an eye on the status of your floorplan or manually remove obstacles out of the way. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robot that combines vacuuming and mopping, so it's a one-stop solution to keep your home clean. It has a fantastic suction system and works with Alexa or Google Assistant. It also comes with a handy self-emptying feature and can be used as security cameras.
Roborock Q Revo, a lower-cost robot that vacuums, mops and can be used as a robotic trashcan is a great choice for homes that do not require for more advanced features. It does have some disadvantages in comparison to Roomba S8 and j7. It uses one brush instead of dual roller brushes, meaning it may not be as efficient at picking up larger objects like socks and shoes. It also doesn't have any AI obstacle avoidance technology, so you may need to get rid of any clutter prior to running it.
The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's ideal for those who prefer simplicity and competence. It costs less than $200 and provides consistent, strong suction on hardwood and low-pile carpets, while avoiding tangles with rug threads. It's not the most advanced however it's a good choice. It is also compatible with voice commands. You can set it to run on a schedule or create zones of no-go zones with the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technologies can impact the ability of a robot vacuum navigate around your home. Certain models in this list have sensors (or cameras) to help your robot vacuum avoid common robot traps such as cords, toys for children and pet messes. iRobot Roomba J7 is one of the most impressive examples of smart technology in action, is a great example. It also comes with a sleek clean base that empties the garbage bin automatically so you don't need to.
We tested the robotic cleaner in a large home and were amazed by how quickly and thoroughly floors were cleaned without getting bogged down. It's very mobile and can reach places that stand-up vacuums can't, such as under beds and couches. It also has excellent suction, a huge 500-milliliter dustbin and over two-hour runtime. It's just not equipped with the ability to create zones that are not allowed to be used and its object detection is a little hit-or-miss and we did see it occasionally bump into objects during our tests (resulting in a few tipped vases).
It's important to keep in mind that, no matter how intelligent a robot vacuum is, it will not 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 areas. It's a great addition to your routine cleaning for removing crumbs, pet dander, and hair.
Sensor systems are integrated into the majority of robot vacuums, allowing them to navigate around stairs and obstacles. They are able to tell when they're about fall down the stairs, for instance, and can also recognize areas that are cluttered and move around them. If you're not careful the robo-cleaner may be stuck on a cord or stray shoe and require help.
Some robot vacuums are equipped with mapping capabilities, which allow them to draw an accurate floor plan of your house and also locate themselves. This lets them know what areas they've already cleaned, and avoid spending time cleaning the same spots. It also lets them resume where they left off in case they have to return to their charging dock.
Self-Emptying
A vacuum cleaner that automatically empty its bins of dust once it gets full is a great convenience. Some models also have a window to let you know when the bin has to be empty. This is a great option for anyone with pets or children who make more mess than adults.
The majority of robot vacuums allow you to choose whether the machine is controlled by a remote control or an app on your smartphone, or by voice commands. They also have a variety of digital features, such as maintenance and scheduling. If you set the good robot vacuum right settings, you can program your robot to clean at a set time, or on an annual basis. You can also program the robot to map out and clean specific areas of your home.
The most intelligent robot vacuums we've tested come with sensors and cameras, which allow them to create maps of your home. You can save these maps in the robot's app to quickly navigate around your home. Some of these systems can even remember furniture arrangement and the transitions between hardwood floors and carpet.
Smart vacuums can save you time by mapping and cleaning entire houses in a timely manner and keeping detailed records of the cleaning sessions that have occurred previously. You can access these records through an app that you can install on your smartphone or tablet. The majority of them can be connected to your smart speaker so that you can control them via voice commands.
TP-Link Tapo RV30+ is self-emptying robot that provides excellent performance at a low cost. It is able to clean floors and sweep pet hair and other messes from hardwood and low-pile rugs. It's not as advanced as other robots we've reviewed, however it does its job well.
The rubber-like wheels that this model has allow it to move across the transitions between rooms and obstacles such as tangled cords for devices that trip up other robots. It also has a huge dust bin that doesn't have to be emptied manually, and it's also able to recharge and resume cleaning when it's power-depleted. It's more expensive than other robotic vacuums we've tested but it combines powerful suction with straightforward controls to deliver a great value.
Voice Control
The majority of robot vacuums are controlled using a remote or an app that you can install on your smartphone. Some can also integrate with smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home, allowing you to control them using voice commands. This is useful if you have small pets or children that could interfere with your cleaning, or if you're too exhausted to manage the robot manually.
Many models have an automatic mode that works without input. Simply press a button on the robot or within the app, and it will start sucking up food, dirt, particles, and pet hair. The robots can be programmed to clean according to a schedule, making them perfect for those who just need to set and forget.
Certain models that are more expensive have a feature that uses artificial intelligence to scan and detect obstacles in your home. They can detect things like stairs, power cords as well as furniture, and they can also distinguish between different types of floors. This can help robots stay clear of hazards. This is particularly useful in large homes that have lots of carpeting and other flooring coverings that are difficult for robots navigate.
Other robots have more basic object detection capabilities however they still manage to accomplish the task. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus, for example is a model that resembles an internet router, but has the performance of a premium robot. It has excellent suction and handles dirt and debris on hardwood floors and medium-pile rugs effortlessly. Its short and squat side brush is less likely to get stuck in cords or shoes. The hybrid roller brush, which uses bristles and plastic, gives a thorough cleaning.
The model is more expensive than other models that are in the middle of the range but it has everything you want from mop and vacuum robots. It can map and build a cleaning schedule, has virtual keep-out zones, and is compatible with voice assistants. It doesn't feature the ability to scan rooms or avoid obstacles like the j7 and S8.