The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

Keeping your floors clean isn't always simple however, robot vacuums make it easier. The best robot vacuums are able to remove dirt, pet hair, crumbs and more.

Although they're not the same way as a regular vacuum cleaner, they've come a long ways in the past few years. They're smarter, more powerful and (marginally) better at avoiding chairs.

Smart Mapping

Robot vacuum cleaners employ navigation tools such as sensors and lasers to navigate around your home. They collect pet hair, crumbs and dirt from floors made of hard materials such as tile, wood, and laminate, and carpets with a low pile. The most advanced robots can map your house, to help them recall where they've been and avoid bumping into obstacles like chairs, sofas and bookshelves that you might want to keep out of your way. You can also use the smartphone's app to set up no-go zones, which tell your robot not to enter rooms that you don'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. You can then leave it to perform the job without having to keep an eye on the status of your floorplan or manually remove obstacles from the robot's way. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus is a robotic that does mopping and vacuuming, so it's a complete solution to keep your home tidy. It has a fantastic suction and works with Alexa or Google Assistant. It is self-emptying and is also able to be used as a surveillance camera.

Roborock Q Revo, a less expensive robot that vacuums, mops and can be used as an automated trashcan, is a good option for homes that do not require for more advanced features. There are some drawbacks in comparison to the Roomba S8 and j7. It uses one brush instead of dual roller brushes, which means it may not be as effective in removing larger objects like socks and shoes. It also doesn't have any AI obstacle avoidance, so you might need to get rid of any clutter prior to running it.

The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's perfect for those who value simplicity and competence. It's less than $200, and offers consistent, solid suction for hardwood as well as carpets that are low-pile and avoids tangles with rug threads. It doesn't include any advanced features, however it does the job very well. It also works 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 robot's ability to navigate your home. Certain models on our list contain sensors (or even cameras) that allow your robot cleaner to avoid common traps for robots such as cords, toys for kids and pet spills. IRobot's Roomba J7 is among the best robot vacuum cleaner examples of this kind of technology in action. It also comes with a sleek clean base that empties the trash bin automatically so that you don't have to.

We tested the robotic cleaner in a huge home and were awed by how quickly and thoroughly the floors were cleaned without getting sluggish. It's incredibly maneuverable and can get to places that most stand-up vacs cannot reach, such as couches and under beds. It also has a great suction, a huge 500-milliliter dustbin and over two hours of runtime. However, it isn't equipped with the ability to set no-go zones within the app and its detection of objects is a little hit-or-miss and we did see it hit things a few times during our tests (resulting in a few tipped vase).

It's important to keep it in mind that, no matter how clever the robot vacuum is it won't replace your regular upright or canister vacuum. It's not equipped to handle heavily stained carpets, it will not be able to reach every corner, and won't be able to reach your ceilings or other hard-to-reach areas. However, if you want to keep your floors clean of pet hair, crumbs and other dander it could be an excellent addition to your cleaning routine.

Sensor systems are integrated into the majority of robot vacuums to assist them navigate around obstacles and stairs. They are able to tell the moment when they're going to fall down stairs, for instance, and also detect areas of clutter and maneuver around them. If you're not careful, your robo-cleaner may be stuck on a shoe, cord or another object.

Certain robot vacuums come with mapping capabilities that permit them to create an precise floor plan of your house and locate themselves. This lets them know which areas they've already cleaned, and avoid the hassle of going over the same areas. It also lets them resume where they left off in case they need to return to their charging dock.

Self-Emptying

A vacuum cleaner that automatically empty its bins of dust once it's full is an incredible benefit. Certain models come with windows that allow you to observe when the bin needs to empty. This feature is great for those who have children or pets, who can create lots of mess than adults.

Most robot vacuums let you select whether the machine can be controlled with an app, a remote on your phone or via voice commands. They come with a variety of digital features including scheduling and maintenance tips. Using the right settings, you can set your robot to clean at a set time or on an annual basis. You can also program the robot to clean and map out specific areas of your home.

Some of the most advanced robot vacuums we've tested are equipped with built-in cameras and sensor technology that lets them create maps of your home. You can save these maps to the robot's app to quickly navigate around your home. Some of these systems can even remember furniture placement and even note the transitions from hard floors to carpet.

Smart Robot Vacuum vacuums help you save time by cleaning entire homes by themselves and also keeping detailed records about the previous cleaning sessions. You can access the records via an app that you can install on your smartphone or tablet. Many of them can be connected to your smart speaker so that you can control them using voice commands.

TP-Link Tapo RV30+ is a self-emptying robot that offers excellent performance at a low cost. It can clean both floors and sweep pet hair and other particles from low-pile and hardwood rugs. It's not as advanced as other robots we've reviewed, but it does what it does very well.

The wheels that resemble a tank that this model has allow it to roll across the high gaps between rooms and obstacles like tangled device cords which can cause a problem for other robots. It comes with a large bin that doesn't need to be empty manually, and can recharge itself and continue cleaning when it runs out power. It's more expensive than other robotic vacuums that we've tested but it combines powerful suction and 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. Some can also integrate with smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home, allowing you to control them using voice commands. This can be helpful when you have children or pets who could interfere with your cleaning routine, or if you're too exhausted to operate the robot manually.

Most models have an automatic mode that operates without your input. Simply press a button on the robot or within the app and it will begin sucking up food, dirt, crumbs, and pet hair. They can be programmed to clean in accordance with an established schedule, making them perfect for those who simply want to make a plan and forget.

Certain models that are more expensive come with an advanced feature which uses artificial intelligence to detect and scan obstacles within your home. These models can identify things like stairs, power cords as well as furniture, and can even distinguish between different types of flooring. This can help robots avoid hazards. This is especially helpful in large homes with lots carpeting and flooring which are difficult for smart robot vacuum robots navigate.

Other robots are less sophisticated in their object detection abilities however, they still get the job done. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus, for example is a model that resembles WiFi routers, but it has the performance of a high-end robot. It has excellent suction and is able to remove dirt and debris from hardwood floors and rugs with medium pile effortlessly. Its short and squat side brush is less likely to be caught in shoes or cords. The hybrid roller brush, which is made up of bristles as well as plastic, gives an effective cleaning.

The model is more expensive than other mid-range robots, but it can do everything you need from a robot vacuum mop vacuum and mop. It can create the cleaning schedule and then create one. It also has virtual zones that you can stay clear of. It doesn't have the same room scanning and obstacle-avoiding capabilities like the j7 or s8.