The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

Keeping your floors clean isn't always easy but robot vacuums can make it easier. The best robot vacuums can remove dirt, pet hair, crumbs, and much more.

While they're still unable to do the same job as the regular vacuum but they've come quite a way in recent years. They're more intelligent and powerful, and (marginally better) in avoiding chair leg.

Smart Mapping

Robot vacuum cleaners use tools for navigation, such as 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 low-pile area rugs and carpets. Robots that are the most advanced map your home to know where they've been, and can avoid bumping into obstacles such as couches, chairs and bookshelves. You can make use of your smartphone app to create no-go zones that tell your robot to stay out of rooms you don't want it to clean.

Robots that have advanced mapping capabilities like the Roomba J7, use onboard camera and processor-powered intelligence to detect and avoid obstacles. Then, you can allow it to complete the task without having to continuously monitor the state of your floorplan, or manually move obstacles out of the way. The TP Link Tapo RV30 plus is a robot that can combine vacuuming and mopping, so it's a complete solution for keeping your home clean. It's got great suction, and it is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. It also has a convenient self-emptying feature that can be used as an alarm camera.

A less expensive robot that mops, vacuums and can also be used as a trashcan, the Roborock Q Revo is a good choice for homes that don't need the more advanced features of higher-end models. There are some drawbacks in comparison to Roomba S8 and J7. For instance, it uses a single rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes of the other, so it might not be as effective in picking up larger debris like shoes and socks. It doesn't come with AI obstacle avoidance, which means you might need to get rid of clutter before running.

The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that is ideal for those who prioritize simplicity and competence. It costs less than $200 and offers strong, consistent suction on hardwood as well as low-pile rugs, while avoiding tangles. It's not a lot of technology however it's a good choice. It is also compatible with voice commands. You can set it up on a schedule, or create no-go zones using the app.

Object Detection

Object-avoidance technology can affect the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate around your home. Some of the models we've reviewed include sensors (or even cameras) that help your robo-cleaner avoid common robot traps like cords, toys for kids and pet messes. iRobot Roomba J7 is one of the most impressive examples of intelligent technology in action, is a fantastic example. It also comes with a stylish base that automatically emptys the trash bin so that you don't have to.

During testing we set up the robotic cleaner in a large home and were awed by how quickly and thoroughly floors were cleaned without becoming a mess. It's very mobile and can get into places that stand-up vacuums can't reach, like under couches and under beds. It also has excellent suction, a huge 500 ml dustbin and an over two-hour runtime. However, it lacks the ability to create no-go zones in the app and its object detection is somewhat erratic and we did see it bump into things occasionally during our tests (resulting in the tumbling of a few vases).

It's important to note that despite how smart a robot vacuum might be but it can't replace your upright or canister vacuum. It's not able to clean carpets that have been heavily soiled. It's not able to reach ceilings or other difficult-to-reach areas. However, to keep your floors free of crumbs, pet hair and other dander, it can be an excellent addition to your routine of cleaning.

Most robot vacuums come with sensors that aid them to navigate around obstacles and stairs. They are able to tell when they're about fall down the stairs, for example and can also identify cluttered spaces and move around them. If you're not cautious the robo-cleaner may become stuck on a cord or stray shoe and need some help.

Some smarter robot vacuums have the ability to map, which allows them to design an outline of your house and locate themselves within it. This lets them know which areas they've cleaned before and avoid wasting time going over 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 can automatically empty its bin after it is full is a great convenience. Certain models come with windows that allow you to know when the bin is due to be empty. This is a fantastic option for anyone with pets or children who tend to make more mess than adults.

The majority of robot vacuums allow you to choose whether the machine is controlled by a remote control, an app for your phone, or via voice commands. They come with a variety of digital functions, including maintenance and scheduling tips. Using the right settings, you can set your robot to clean at a regular time or on an annual basis. You can also program it to 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 for your home. These maps can be saved to the robot's application so that you can easily navigate to specific rooms or areas of your home. Some of these systems even remember furniture placement and transitions between hard floors and carpet.

The most effective smart vacuums will help you save time by automatically mapping and cleaning whole homes, and also keeping precise records of previous cleaning sessions. You can access these records through an app for your phone or tablet. Many of them can be linked to your smart speaker, so that you can control them using voice commands.

TP-Link's Tapo RV30 Plus is an affordable, self-emptying robotic vacuum that offers high performance for the money. It can clean both floors and sweep up pet hair and other particles from low-pile and hardwood rugs. It's not as sophisticated as some of the other robots we've reviewed, but it does what it does very well.

The tank-like wheels that this model has allow it to roll across the high transitions between rooms as well as obstacles like tangled device cords that trip up other robots. It also has a huge dust bin that doesn't need to be empty manually, and it's also able to recharge and resume cleaning if it runs out of power. It's more expensive than the other robotic vacuums that we've tested but it is able to combine powerful suction and simple controls to provide excellent value.

Voice Control

Most robot vacuums can be controlled using a remote or an app on your smartphone. Certain robot vacuums are controlled by voice commands through smart speakers such as Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is robot vacuum deals useful if you have small children or pets who could interfere with your cleaning routine or if you're exhausted to manage the robot manually.

Many models have an automatic mode that works without input. The robot can be started by pressing a button in the app or on the robot. These robots can be programmed to clean according to the schedule, which makes them ideal for people who need to set and forget.

Some of the higher-end models have a feature that uses artificial intelligence to scan and detect obstacles in your home. These models can identify things like stairs, furniture, power cords and even different kinds of flooring. This helps them avoid such hazards which is particularly useful in larger homes with lots of rugs and other floor coverings that are hard for robots to navigate.

Other robots are more basic in their ability to detect objects however they can are still able to do the job. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, which has the clean and easy-to-use appearance of a WiFi hub, but offers the capabilities of a top-of-the-line robot. It has excellent suction and handles dirt and debris on hardwood floors and medium-pile rugs easily. Its squat and short 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 efficient cleaning.

The model is more expensive than other mid-range robots but it does everything you require from mopping and vacuuming robots. It can create and map a cleaning schedule as well as virtual keep-out zones and is compatible with voice assistants. However, it does not have room-scanning or obstacle avoidance like the S8 or j7.