The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

Robot vacuums can help you clean your floors more easily. The most effective robot vacuums pick up tracked-in dirt and pet hair, crumbs and more.

While they can't perform as well as a regular vacuum cleaner, they have 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 navigate through your home, sucking pet hair, crumbs, and dirt into their bins from hard floors such as wood, tile and laminate and area rugs and carpets with low pile. The most sophisticated robots can map your home so they can recall where they've been and avoid hitting obstacles like chairs, sofas and bookshelves that you may prefer to keep out of your way. You can make use of your smartphone app to set up no-go zones that tell your robot not to enter rooms it doesn't want to clean.

Robots equipped with advanced mapping capabilities, such as the Roomba J7, make use of onboard cameras and processor-powered intelligents 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 combines vacuuming and mopping, so it's an all-in-one solution to keep your home tidy. It has a great suction feature and can be used with Alexa or Google Assistant. It also has a convenient self-emptying feature, and can be used as an alarm camera.

Roborock Q Revo, a cheaper robot that vacuums, mops and can be used as a trashcan that is robotic is a great option for homes that don't have the need for more advanced features. However, it has a few disadvantages when compared to Roomba j7 and S8. For one, it has one rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes of the others which means it won't be as effective in cleaning up larger particles like socks and shoes. It also lacks AI obstacle avoidance, so you may need to get rid of any clutter prior to running it.

The iLife A4s Pro robot is an easy-to-use reliable robot for those who value simplicity and efficiency. It costs less than $200 and provides strong, consistent suction on hardwood as well as low-pile rug and avoids tangles. It doesn't have any advanced features, but it does the job very well. It's also compatible with voice commands, so you can set it up on schedule or even set up no-go zones using the app.

Object Detection

Object-avoidance technologies can affect the ability of a robot vacuum navigate through your home. Certain models on our list contain sensors (or even cameras) that help your robo-cleaner avoid common robot traps like cords, toys for children and pet mess. iRobot Roomba J7, one of the most impressive examples of intelligent technology in action, is a fantastic example. It also comes with a sleek clean base that emptys the garbage bin automatically so you don't have to.

During testing we set up this robotic cleaner in a large home and were awed by how quickly and thoroughly floors were cleaned without becoming a mess. It's incredibly maneuverable and can reach places that stand-up vacuums are unable to go, including under beds and sofas. It also has a great suction, a massive 500-milliliter dustbin and over two-hour running time. It's just not equipped with the ability to create no-go zones within the app and its object detection is a bit hit-or-miss and we did see it bump into things occasionally during our tests (resulting in the tumbling of a few vase).

It's important to keep in mind that, no matter how intelligent the robot vacuum might appear but it can't replace your traditional canister or upright vacuum. It can't deal with heavily stained carpets, it will not get into every crevice and it's not able to reach your ceilings or other difficult to reach spaces. It can be an effective addition to your regular cleaning routine to remove hair, pet dander and other hair.

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

Some robot vacuums come with mapping capabilities that permit them to draw an precise floor plan of your home and locate themselves. This lets them know what areas they've already cleaned, and avoid spending time cleaning the same spots. This lets them resume where they left off, in the event that they have to return to the charging dock.

Self-Emptying

A robot vacuum that automatically empty its bin of dust when it gets full is a huge convenience. Some models even have windows that lets you see when the bin needs to be emptied. This is an excellent option for anyone with pets or children who create more mess than adults.

Most robot vacuums let you select which model can be controlled with a remote, an app on your smartphone or voice commands. They also come with a variety of digital features, including 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.

Some of the most advanced robot vacuums we've tested come with built-in cameras as well as smart sensor technology that lets them create maps of your home. You can save these maps to the robot app to easily navigate around your home. Some of these systems will even keep track of the furniture's robot cleaner with mop arrangement and the transitions between hardwood floors and carpet.

Smart vacuums can save you time by mapping and cleaning entire homes automatically and keeping detailed records of the cleaning sessions that have occurred previously. You can access these records using an app on your phone or tablet. They can also be connected to your smart speaker, so you can control them using voice commands.

TP-Link Tapo RV30+ is a self-emptying robot that offers great performance at a reasonable price. It is able to clean floors and sweep up pet hair and other debris from hardwood and low-pile rugs. It's not quite as sophisticated as other robots we've reviewed but it does its job well.

The tank-like wheels on this model allow it to roll right over the high gaps between rooms and obstacles like tangled device cords that trip up other robots. It comes with 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 a bit more costly than other robotic vacuums we've tested but it combines powerful suction and simple controls to deliver a great value.

Voice Control

The majority of robot vacuums can be controlled by a remote or an app that runs on smartphones. Some can also integrate with smart speakers such as Amazon Echo or Google Home, allowing you to operate them with voice commands. This is a great option for families with small children or pets who could get in the way of your cleaning, or if you're too tired to operate the robot manually.

Many models also come with an automatic mode that works without input from you. Simply press a button on the robot or in the app and it will begin sucking up food, dirt, crumbs, and pet hair. They can be programmed to clean up on a regular basis which is great for those who want to set it and forget it.

Some of the higher-end models have a feature that uses artificial intelligence to detect and scan obstructions in your home. These models can identify things like power cords, stairs, and furniture, and can even discern between different kinds of floors. This helps to avoid the dangers, which is especially useful in larger homes that have lots of rugs and other flooring materials that are difficult for robots to navigate.

Other robots have more basic object detection capabilities, but still manage to get the job done. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, which has the clean and easy-to-use appearance of a WiFi hub but has the performance of a top bot. It is extremely suction-driven and is able to remove dirt and debris from hardwood floors and medium-pile rugs with ease. Its squat, short side brushes are less likely to be caught in stray shoes and cords and its hybrid roller brush uses bristles and plastic instead of bristles in traditional form for an even more thorough cleaning.

This model is pricier than other mid-range robots but it does everything you require from a robot 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 have the same room scanning and obstacle-avoiding capabilities as the j7 or s8.