The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Robot vacuums can make cleaning your floors a breeze. The best robot vacuums are able to remove dirt, crumbs, pet hair, and more.
While they're still unable to perform as well of a job as the regular vacuum however, they've come a long way over the last few years. They're smarter, more powerful, and (marginally better) at avoiding chair leg.
Smart Mapping
Robot vacuum cleaners employ navigation tools like lasers and sensors to navigate through your home. They collect pet hair, crumbs and dirt from hard floors like tile, wood and laminate, as well as carpets with a low pile. Robots that are the most advanced maps your home to know where they've been and how to avoid bumping into obstacles like couches, chairs, and bookshelves. You can make use of your smartphone app to create no-go zones, which tell your robot not to enter rooms you don't want it to clean.
Robots that have advanced mapping capabilities, such as the Roomba J7, use onboard camera and processor-powered intelligence to detect and avoid obstacles. You can then leave it to complete the task without having to continuously monitor the status of your floorplan, or manually move obstacles out of the way. The TP Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robot that combine vacuuming and mopping. It's a one-stop solution to keep your home tidy. It has a fantastic suction and works with Alexa or Google Assistant. It has a self-emptying function and can also function as a surveillance camera.
A less expensive robot that mops, vacuums and can also be used as a trashcan, the Roborock Q Revo is a solid option for homes that don't need the more advanced features of the more expensive models. However, it does have some disadvantages when compared to Roomba J7 and S8. For one, it has one rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes of the others, so it might not be as effective at cleaning up larger particles like socks and shoes. Also, it doesn't include AI obstacle avoidance, so you may need to get rid of any clutter prior to running it.
The iLife A4s Pro robot is a simple reliable and reliable robot that is ideal for those who appreciate simplicity and proficiency. It costs less than $200 and offers consistent, solid suction for hardwood as well as low-pile carpets and also avoids tangles caused by rug threads. It doesn't include any fancy features, but it does the job well. It's also compatible with voice commands, so you can run it on schedule or create zones that aren't allowed to be entered using the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technology can affect a robot vacuum's ability to navigate around your home. Some of the models we've reviewed include sensors (or even cameras) which help your robo-cleaner avoid common robot traps like cords, kids' toys and pet spills. IRobot's Roomba J7 is among the best examples of this kind of smart technology in action. It also comes with a sleek clean base that empties the trash bin automatically so that you don't have to.
During our tests the robotic cleaner up in a huge home and were amazed by the speed and efficiency with which it cleaned up floors without getting bogged down. It's incredibly maneuverable and can get to places most standup vacs never reach, such as under beds and sofas. It has a 500 ml dustbin, excellent suction and a time of over two hours. However, it isn't equipped with the ability to create no-go zones within the app and its object detection is a little hit-or-miss and we did see it bump into things occasionally during our tests (resulting in the tumbling of a few vases).
It's important to keep in mind that, no matter how clever a robot vacuum may be it won't replace your regular upright or canister vacuum. It won't be able to clean carpets with a lot of dirt. It won't reach ceilings or other areas that are difficult to reach. It's a great addition to your regular cleaning routine to remove hair, pet dander and other hair.
Sensor systems are built into most robot vacuums to help them navigate around stairs and obstacles. They can tell when they're about fall down the stairs, for example, and can also recognize messy spaces and maneuver around them. If you're not careful, your robot-cleaner could become stuck on a cord, shoe, or other object.
Some smarter robot vacuums have the ability to map, which allows them to create a floor plan of your home and then locate themselves within it. They can then know what areas they have already cleaned, and save time by not having to clean the same areas. It also lets them resume where they left off if they have to return to their charging dock.
Self-Emptying
A vacuum cleaner that automatically emptys its bins of dust once it's full is a great convenience. Certain models come with a window that allows you to see when the dust bin is due to be empty. This feature is ideal for those with children or pets who can create lots of mess than adults.
Most robot vacuums let you choose which model can be operated with a remote, an app on your smartphone or voice commands. They also have a variety of digital features, such as scheduling and maintenance suggestions. You can program your robot to clean on an annual or a regularly, using the right settings. You can also program the robot to map out and clean specific areas of your home.
The most advanced robot vacuums we've tested are equipped with sensors and cameras which enable them to create maps for your home. You can save these maps within the robot app to easily navigate around your home. Some of these systems can even keep track of furniture arrangement and record transitions from hard floors to carpet.
Smart vacuums can save you time by mapping and cleaning entire houses in a timely manner and keeping detailed records about the previous cleaning sessions. You can access these records through an app that you can install on your tablet or phone. Most can also connect to your smart speaker, so you can control them using voice commands.
TP-Link's Tapo RV30 Plus is an inexpensive, self-emptying robot vacuum that offers good performance for the money. It can clean hardwood floors and carpets with low pile, and also remove pet hair and other messes. It's not as sophisticated as other robots we've reviewed, but it does what it does efficiently.
The model's tanks-like wheels allow it to go over obstacles like cords that are tangled and high transitions within rooms. It also has a large dust bin that doesn't need to be empty manually, and it's also able to recharge and resume cleaning if it's not able to continue cleaning. It's a bit more expensive than the other robotic vacuums we've tried however it combines powerful suction and simple controls to deliver a great value.
Voice Control
The majority of robot vacuums are controlled by a remote or an app that runs on smartphones. Some can also integrate with smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home, allowing you to operate them with voice commands. This is useful for families with small pets or children that could get in the way of your cleaning session, or if you're too tired to manage the robot manually.
Most models have an automatic mode which works without your input. Simply press a button on the robot or within the app and it will begin taking in food crumbs, and pet hair. The robots can be programmed to clean according to a schedule, making them ideal for those who simply need to set and forget.
Some of the higher-end models come with an advanced feature that uses artificial intelligence to scan and detect obstacles in your home. These models can identify things like stairs, furniture power cords, even different types of flooring. This can help robots avoid dangers. This is especially helpful in homes with large areas of carpeting and flooring that are difficult for robots to navigate.
Other robots are more basic in their object detection capabilities but they are able to complete the task. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, that has the sleek elegant, easy-to-use design of a wifi hub but has the performance of a top-notch bot. It has a powerful suction and can clean dirt and debris on medium-pile carpets and hardwood floors. Its short, squat-shaped side brushes are less likely to become stuck in stray shoes or cords, and its hybrid roller brush utilizes bristles and plastic, rather than the traditional bristle brush to provide an even more thorough cleaning.
The model is more expensive than other mid-range robots however, it is able to do everything you require from mopping and vacuuming with a robot. It can create and map a cleaning here schedule and has virtual keep-out zones and is compatible with voice assistants. However, it does not have room-scanning or obstacle avoidance like the j7 or S8.