The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Robot vacuums can help you clean your floors more easily. The best ones nab tracked-in dirt, crumbs, shedding pet hair, and more.
Although they're not as well as a regular vacuum cleaner, they've come a long ways in the last few years. They're more efficient, smarter and (marginally) better at avoiding chairs.
Smart Mapping
Using navigation tools like sensors and lasers, robot vacuum cleaners move around your home, removing pet hair, crumbs and dirt from their dustbins. They can be found on hard floors such as laminate, wood, and tile and also area rugs and carpets with low pile. 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 that you may want to keep out of your way. You can also set up no-go areas on your smartphone to tell your robot to avoid areas you don't want it to clean.
Robots that have advanced mapping capabilities, such as the Roomba J7, make use of onboard cameras and processor-powered intelligents to avoid obstacles and see them. Then, you can allow it to do a thorough job without having to constantly monitor the state of your floorplan, or manually move obstacles from the robot's 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 has a great suction system and works with Alexa or Google Assistant. It also has a useful self-emptying feature that can be used as security cameras.
A less expensive robot that mops, vacuums and can be used as a trashcan, the Roborock Q Revo is a good choice for homes that don't need the advanced features of the more expensive models. However, it has some limitations when compared to the Roomba S8 and J7. For one, it has one rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes of the others and it may not be as effective at collecting larger objects such as shoes and socks. It also lacks AI obstacle avoidance, which means it could be necessary to get rid of clutter prior to running it.
The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that is ideal for those who prefer simplicity and proficiency. It's priced at less than $200 and offers strong, consistent suction on hardwood as well as low-pile rugs while avoiding knots. It doesn't include any advanced features, but it does its job well. It also works with voice commands, so you can set it up on a schedule or set up zones that aren't allowed to be entered through the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technology can be the difference between the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate around your home. Certain models on this list have sensors (or cameras) to help your robot vacuum avoid common traps for robots, such as cords, toys for children and pet messes. iRobot Roomba J7 is one of the most amazing examples of smart technology in action, is a fantastic example. It also comes with a sleek base that automatically emptys the garbage bin, so you don't have to.
We tested this robotic cleaner in a large home and were impressed with how quickly and thoroughly floors were cleaned without becoming a mess. It's incredibly maneuverable and can reach places most standup vacs never reach, such as under beds and sofas. It also has great suction, a massive 500 ml dustbin and an over two hours of runtime. However, it lacks the ability to create zones that are not allowed to be used and its object detection is a little hit-or-miss, meaning we saw it bump into things occasionally during our tests (resulting in the tumbling of a few vases).
It is 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's not able to clean carpets with a lot of dirt. It won't reach ceilings or other difficult-to-reach areas. It's an excellent addition to your regular cleaning routine for getting rid of hair, pet dander and other hair.
Most robot vacuums come with sensor systems that help them navigate through obstacles and steps. They usually know when they're about to fall down the stairs, for instance, and they can detect areas that are cluttered and move around them. If you're not careful, your robo-cleaner may get stuck on a cord, shoe, or other object.
Some robot vacuums come with mapping capabilities, which allow them to make an accurate floor plan of your house and locate themselves. They can then identify which areas they have cleaned, and reduce time by not having to go 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 robot vacuum that automatically empty its dust bin once it is full is a wonderful convenience. Certain models come with a window that allows you to know when the bin needs to empty. This is a great feature for those who have children or pets, who are likely to create much more mess than adults.
The majority of robot vacuums let you choose whether the machine is operated with a remote, an app on your smartphone or voice commands. They also come with a variety of digital functions, including maintenance and scheduling suggestions. You can program your robot to clean your house on every week or on a regularly, using the right settings. 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 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 app to easily navigate through your home. Some of these systems will even remember furniture arrangement and the transitions between hard floors and carpet.
The best smart vacuums can save you time by automatically mapping and cleaning whole homes, and also keeping detailed records of cleaning sessions. You can access the records using an app that you can install on your smartphone or tablet. Most can also connect to your smart speaker so you can control them via voice commands.
TP-Link Tapo RV30+ is a self-emptying robot that offers great performance robot vacuum cleaner black friday at a reasonable price. It can clean hardwood floors as well as low-pile carpets, and remove pet hair and other particles. It's not as advanced as other robots we've reviewed, but it does the job well.
The wheels that resemble a tank that this model has allow it to roll right over the transitions between rooms and obstacles like tangled device cords that can cause problems for other robots. It also has a huge dust bin that doesn't require to be emptying manually, and it can recharge and continue cleaning when it runs out of power. It's a bit more expensive than some of the other robotic vacuums that we've tested, but it blends powerful suction with straightforward controls to deliver a great value.
Voice Control
Most robot vacuums are controlled via a remote control or an app for a smartphone. Some robot vacuums can be controlled via voice commands through smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is helpful for robots that need to clean and you have pets or small children who could be disruptive.
Most models also include an automatic mode that functions without input from you. The robot can be started by pressing a button on the app or on the robot. They can be programmed to clean regularly, which is ideal for those who prefer to set it and forget it.
Certain models that are more expensive include a sophisticated feature which uses artificial intelligence to scan and detect obstructions in your home. These models can identify things like stairs, furniture power cords, even different kinds of flooring. This can help to avoid the dangers which is particularly useful in homes with a lot of carpets and flooring coverings that are difficult for robots to navigate.
Other robots are more basic in their ability to detect objects, but still manage to complete the task. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, that has the sleek, fuss-free appearance of a WiFi hub, but boasts a lot of the capabilities of a top-of-the-line bot. It has a powerful suction that can take care of dirt and debris on medium pile rugs and hardwood floors. Its short, squat-shaped side brushes are less likely to get tangled in stray shoes and cords, and its hybrid roller brush utilizes bristles and plastic instead of the traditional bristle brush to provide better cleaning.
This model is pricier than other mid-range robots however, it is able to do everything you'd expect from mopping and vacuuming with a robot. It can map and build a cleaning schedule as well as virtual keep-out zones, and is compatible with voice assistants. However, it does not have the ability to scan rooms or avoid obstacles like the S8 or j7.