The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

Robot vacuums can make cleaning your floors a breeze. The best ones nab tracked-in dirt, crumbs and shed pet hair, and more.

While they're still unable to perform as well of a job as a regular vacuum but they've come quite a way over the last few years. They're more sophisticated and powerful, and (marginally better) at avoiding chair leg.

Smart Mapping

Robot vacuum cleaners use instruments for navigation such as lasers and sensors to navigate around your home. They remove pet hair, crumbs and dirt from floors made of hard materials, like wood, tile and laminate, as well as carpets and area rugs with low piles. The most advanced robots map your home, so that they can keep track of where they've been and avoid bumping into obstructions like chairs, sofas and bookshelves you might want to keep out of the way. You can make use of your smartphone app to create no-go zones that tell your robot not to enter rooms it doesn't want to clean.

Robots equipped with advanced mapping capabilities, like the Roomba j7, utilize processor-powered cameras and onboard sensors to detect and avoid obstacles. This means you can let it alone to get an efficient cleaning without having to continuously check the status of your floorplan, or manually remove obstacles from the robot's path. The TP Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robotic device that combine vacuuming and mopping. It's the perfect solution to keep your home spotless. It has a great suction and works with Alexa and Google Assistant. It also comes with a handy self-emptying feature and can be used as an alarm camera.

A cheaper robot that vacuums, mop and can even be used as a robot trashcan, the Roborock Q Revo is a solid option 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. It has one brush instead of dual roller brushes, which means it might not be as effective in removing larger pieces of debris like shoes and socks. It doesn't have AI obstacle avoidance so it is possible that you will need to eliminate clutter before running.

The iLife A4s Pro robot is an easy-to-use reliable robot that is ideal for those who appreciate simplicity and proficiency. It's less than $200 and offers strong, consistent suction for hardwood as well as carpets that are low-pile and also avoids tangles caused by rug threads. It's not the most advanced, but it works well. It also works with voice commands, which means you can run it on a schedule or set up zones that aren't allowed to be entered using the app.

Object Detection

Object-avoidance technologies can affect the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate around your home. Certain models on this list include sensors (or cameras) to aid your robot vacuum to avoid common traps for robots like cords, toys for children and pet mess. The iRobot Roomba j7 is one of the most impressive examples of this type of smart tech in action. It also comes with a sleek base that automatically empties the trash bin so that you don't have to.

In our testing the robot, we set the cleaner up in a large house and were impressed by how quickly and efficiently it was able to clean floors without getting bogged down. It is extremely maneuverable and is able to reach places that most stand-up vacs cannot go, including under beds and sofas. It also has excellent suction, a massive 500 ml dustbin, and an over two hours of runtime. It's not able to set up no-go zones and its object recognition is a bit hit-or-miss. We noticed it crashing into objects on occasion during our tests and resulted in vase caps falling over.

It's important to keep in mind that despite how smart a robot vacuum may be it will not replace your regular canister or upright vacuum. It's not able to deal with heavy dirty carpets, it can't reach into every crevice, and it won't reach your ceilings or other hard-to-reach spaces. But for keeping your floors clear of crumbs, pet hair and other particles, it can be an ideal addition to your routine of cleaning.

Sensor systems are integrated into the best vacuum mop combo majority of robot vacuums to help them navigate around obstacles and stairs. They are able to tell the moment they're about to fall down the stairs, for example and can also identify messy spaces and maneuver around them. If you're not vigilant your robot-cleaner could become stuck on a cord or Best robot vacuum for vinyl plank Floors stray shoe and require help.

Some smarter robot vacuums have mapping capabilities that allow them to design a floor plan of your house and locate themselves within it. 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 lets them continue the same place they left off, should they need to return to their charging dock.

Self-Emptying

A robot vacuum that automatically empties its dust bin when it gets full is a great benefit. Some models come with an indicator that allows you to see when the dust bin has to be empty. This feature is ideal for those who have children or pets, who can create a lot more mess than adults.

The majority of robot vacuums let you choose whether the machine is operated with a remote, an app on your phone or via voice commands. They also come with a variety of digital functions, including scheduling and maintenance suggestions. You can program your robot to clean on a weekly or regularly using the appropriate settings. You can also program the robot to map out and clean specific areas of your home.

Some of the most intelligent robot vacuums we've tested come with built-in cameras and smart sensor technology that allows them to create maps of your home. You can save these maps in the robot's app and use them to navigate around your home. Some of these systems even remember furniture placement and even note the transitions between hard floors and carpet.

The most effective smart vacuums will help you save time by automating the mapping and cleaning of entire homes and keeping precise records of previous cleaning sessions. You can access the records using an app for your smartphone or tablet. Many 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 robotic that delivers great performance at a reasonable cost. It can clean hardwood floors as well as carpets with low pile, as well as remove pet hair and other messes. It's not as sophisticated as the other robots we've reviewed, but it does the job well.

The wheels that resemble a tank on this model permit it to roll across the transitions between rooms as well as obstacles like tangled device cords that can cause problems for other robots. It has a large bin that does not need to be manually emptied, and can recharge itself and resume cleaning if it runs out power. It's more expensive compared to other robotic vacuums we've tested however it has powerful suction with simple controls to give you a great value.

Voice Control

Most robot vacuums are controlled by a remote control or an app for a smartphone. Certain robot vacuums are controlled by voice commands via smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is useful for families with small pets or children that could interfere with your cleaning session, or if you're too exhausted to operate the robot manually.

The majority of models have an automatic mode that operates without input from you. You can start the robot by pressing a button in the app or on the robot. The robots can be programmed to clean according to the schedule, which makes them ideal for people who just want to set and forget.

Certain models that are more expensive come with an advanced feature that uses artificial intelligence to scan and detect the presence of obstacles in your home. These models can detect things like stairs, furniture, power cords and even different kinds of flooring. This can help robots avoid hazards. This is especially helpful in large homes that have lots of carpeting and flooring that are difficult for robots 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, fuss-free appearance of a WiFi hub but boasts a lot of the capabilities of a top-of-the-line bot. It has excellent suction and can handle dirt and debris from hardwood floors and rugs with medium pile easily. Its short, squat-shaped side brushes are less likely to be stuck in stray shoes or cords and its hybrid roller brush uses bristles and plastic rather than bristles in traditional form for a more thorough cleaning.

This model is pricier than other mid-range models, but it can do everything you need from a rechargeable robot mop vacuum and mop. It can map and create a cleaning schedule, has virtual keep-out zones and is compatible with voice assistants. It doesn't offer the same room scanning and obstacles-avoiding features as the j7 or the s8.