The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Keeping your floors clean isn't always simple, but robot vacuums help. The best robot vacuums are able to remove dirt, pet hair, crumbs 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 intelligent and more powerful, as well as (marginally better) in avoiding chair leg.
Smart Mapping
Utilizing navigational tools like lasers and sensors, robot vacuum cleaners navigate 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. Robots that are the most advanced maps your home to know where they've been and can avoid bumping into obstacles like chairs, sofas, and bookshelves. You can also set up no-go zones using your smartphone to alert your robot to stay clear of rooms that you don't want to clean.
Robots that have advanced mapping capabilities, such as the Roomba J7, make use of onboard cameras and processor-powered intelligents to detect and avoid obstacles. It can then be left to complete the task 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 robot that combines mopping and vacuuming, which means it's a complete solution for keeping your home clean. It has a powerful suction and works with Alexa or Google Assistant. It has a self-emptying function and is also able to be used as a surveillance camera.
A less expensive bot that vacuums, mops and can even be used as a robotic trashcan The Roborock Q Revo is a solid option for homes that don't need the advanced features of higher-end models. However, it has some limitations in comparison to the Roomba S8 and J7. It's got one brush instead of dual roller brushes, meaning it might not be as effective in removing larger debris such as shoes and socks. It does not have AI obstacle avoidance so it is possible that you will need to eliminate obstructions before you run.
The iLife A4s Pro robot is an easy-to-use reliable robot for those who value simplicity and competence. It's less than $200, and offers strong, consistent suction for hardwood as well as carpets that are low-pile, while avoiding tangles with rug threads. It's not the most advanced however, it's effective. It also works with voice commands. It can be set up on a schedule, or create no-go zones using the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technologies can affect the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate your home. Certain models on this list have sensors (or cameras) to aid your robot vacuum to avoid common traps for robots, such as cords, toys for children and pet messes. IRobot's Roomba J7 is among the best examples of this type of smart technology in action. It also has a stylish clean base that empties the dustbin automatically so you don't need to.
We tested this robot cleaner in a home with a large size and were amazed by how quickly and thoroughly floors were cleaned without getting sluggish. It's extremely maneuverable and can reach places that stand-up vacuums can't reach, like under couches and under beds. It has a 500 ml dustbin, excellent suction and a running time of more than two hours. It's just not equipped with the ability to set zones that are not allowed to be used and its detection of objects is somewhat erratic and we did see it hit things a few times during our tests (resulting in the tumbling of a few vase).
It's important to keep it in mind that, regardless of how smart the robot vacuum is it isn't going to replace your upright or canister vacuum. It's not equipped to handle heavily dirty carpets, it can't reach into every crevice, and it's not able to reach your ceilings or other difficult-to-access spaces. It can be an effective addition to your regular cleaning routine to remove hair, pet dander and other hair.
Sensor systems are built into the majority of robot vacuums to help them navigate around obstacles and stairs. They can tell when they're about fall down the stairs, for instance and can also identify areas that are cluttered and move around them. If you're not careful, your robot-cleaner could become stuck on a cord, shoe or any other object.
Some of the smarter robot vacuums come with the ability to map, which allows them to design an outline of your home and locate themselves within it. This allows them to know which areas they've already cleaned, and avoid spending time cleaning the same areas. This allows them to continue the same place they left off should they need to return to the charging dock.
Self-Emptying
A robot vacuum that automatically emptys its bin when it is full is a great convenience. Some models come with windows that allow you to see when the dust bin is due to be empty. This is a fantastic option for anyone with pets or children who tend to create more mess than adults.
Most robot vacuums let you choose whether the machine is operated with an app, a remote on your phone or via voice commands. They also come with a variety of digital features, such as maintenance and scheduling suggestions. With the correct settings, you can set your robot to clean at a set time or on a weekly basis. You can also program it to map and clean certain areas of the house.
Some of the most intelligent robot vacuums we've tested come with built-in cameras as well as smart sensor technology that allows them to create maps of your home. You can save these maps to the robot's app and use them to navigate around your home. Some of these systems even keep track of furniture placement and even note the transitions between hard floors and carpet.
The best smart vacuums can help you save time by automating the mapping and cleaning of entire houses and keeping precise records of previous cleaning sessions. You can access these records here through an app on your smartphone or tablet. Most of them can be linked to your smart speaker, so you can control them with voice commands.
TP-Link Tapo RV30+ is self-emptying robot that provides outstanding performance for a reasonable cost. It is able to clean floors and sweep up pet hair and other particles from low-pile and hardwood rugs. It's not as advanced as some of the other robots we've reviewed, however, it does what does efficiently.
This model's tank-like wheels allow it to go over obstacles such as tangled cords and high transitions between rooms. It also has a huge dust bin that doesn't require to be empty manually, and it's able to recharge and resume cleaning if it runs out of power. It's a bit more expensive than some of the other robotic vacuums we've tested, but it blends powerful suction and simple controls to deliver a great value.
Voice Control
The majority of robot vacuums are controlled by a remote control or an app on a smartphone. Some robot vacuums can be controlled by voice commands using smart speakers, such as Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is a great option when you have pets or children who might hinder your cleaning session or if you're tired to operate the robot manually.
Many models also come with an automatic mode that operates without any input from you. Simply press a button on the robot or in the app and it will begin sucking up food, dirt, crumbs, and pet hair. The robots can be programmed to clean in accordance with a schedule, making them ideal for those who simply want to set 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, furniture power cords, even different types of flooring. This can help to avoid the dangers which is especially helpful in larger homes with lots of rugs and other floor coverings that are hard for robots to navigate.
Other robots have more basic ability to detect objects however they still manage to get the job done. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus, for example is a model that resembles an internet router, but has the performance of a top-of-the-line bot. It has a strong suction that can take care of dirt and debris on medium pile carpets and hardwood floors. Its short and squat side brush is less likely to be stuck in cords or shoes. The hybrid roller brush, that uses bristles, as well as plastic, offers an effective cleaning.
This model is more expensive than other robots in the middle-end however, it can do everything you'd expect from mop and vacuum robots. It can map and create a cleaning schedule as well as virtual keep-out zones and is compatible with voice assistants. It does not have the same room-scanning feature and obstacles-avoiding features as the j7 or s8.