The Best Robot Vacuum 2023
Robot vacuums can make cleaning your floors easier. The best ones nab tracked-in dirt, crumbs, shedding pet hair and more.
While they're still unable to do as good of a job as a traditional vacuum cleaner, they've come a long way in recent years. They're smarter, more powerful and (marginally) better in avoiding the legs of chairs.
Smart Mapping
Utilizing navigation tools such as lasers and sensors, robotic vacuum cleaners move around your home, removing pet hair, crumbs and dirt into their bins from hard floors such as laminate, wood, and tile and also area rugs and carpets with low pile. The most advanced robots can map your house, so they can remember where they have been and avoid bumping into obstacles like chairs, sofas and bookshelves you might want to keep out of the way. You can also set up no-go zones using your smartphone to alert your robot to stay clear of rooms that you don't want to clean.
Robots that have advanced mapping capabilities, such as the Roomba j7, utilize onboard cameras and processor-powered intelligents to avoid obstacles and see them. This means that you can leave it alone to get an effective cleaning without having to constantly monitor the state of your floorplan or manually move obstacles out of the robot's path. The TP Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robotic device that combines mopping with vacuuming. It's a one-stop solution to keep your home clean. It has a powerful suction feature and can be used with Alexa or Google Assistant. It can self-empty and can also function as a security camera.
A cheaper robot that mops, vacuums and can also be used as a robotic trashcan, the Roborock Q Revo is a good choice for homes that don't require the advanced features of the more expensive models. However, it has some disadvantages in comparison to the Roomba S8 and j7. It has one brush instead of dual roller brushes, so it may not be as efficient at picking up larger debris such as socks and shoes. It does not have AI obstacle avoidance, which means you may need to clear the clutter prior to running.
The iLife A4s Pro robot is an easy-to-use, reliable robot for those who value simplicity and proficiency. It's less than $200, and provides consistent, strong suction for hardwood as well as carpets that are low-pile and also avoids tangles caused by rug threads. It's not a lot of technology however, it's effective. It also works with voice commands, so you can run it on schedule or even set up zones that are not allowed to enter through the app.
Object Detection
The use of object-avoidance technology can make or break the ability of a robot vacuum navigate through your home. Some models on this list include sensors (or cameras) to help your robot vacuum avoid common traps for robots like cords, toys for children and pet messes. iRobot Roomba j7, one of the most impressive examples of intelligent technology in motion, is an excellent example. It also comes with a sleek clean base that empties the dustbin automatically so you don't have to.
In our testing, we set up this robotic cleaner in a huge home and were amazed by how quickly and efficiently the floors were cleaned without becoming a mess. It's very mobile and can reach areas that stand-up vacuums can't reach, like under beds and couches. It also has a great suction, a huge 500 ml dustbin and an 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 a few toppled vase).
It's important to keep in mind that, no matter how intelligent a robot vacuum may be it won't replace your upright or canister vacuum. It's not able to clean heavily soiled carpets. It can't reach the ceiling or other difficult-to-reach areas. However, if you want to keep your floors clean of crumbs, pet hair, dander and other debris it's an excellent addition to your routine of cleaning.
The majority of robot vacuums have sensor systems that help them navigate through obstacles and steps. They can sense the moment they're about to fall down the stairs, for instance and also detect cluttered spaces and move around them. If you're not careful, your robot cleaner could be stuck on a cord, shoe or another object.
Some robot vacuums are equipped with mapping capabilities, which allow them to draw an accurate floor plan of your home and pinpoint themselves. This lets them know what areas they've already cleaned, and avoid spending time cleaning the same areas. It also lets them continue where they left off if they need to return to their charging dock.
Self-Emptying
A vacuum cleaner that can automatically empty its bin after it is full is a great convenience. Some models even have a window to let you know the time when the bin must be emptied. This is a fantastic feature for those with pets or children who tend to create more mess than adults.
Most robot vacuums let you select whether the machine can be operated with a remote, an app on your phone or via voice commands. They have a number of digital functions, including maintenance and scheduling tips. If you set the right settings, you can schedule your robot to clean at a regular time, or on an annual basis. You can also program it to map and clean certain areas of the house.
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 within the robot's app and use them to navigate around your home. Some of these systems even remember furniture placement and note the transitions from hard floors to carpet.
Smart vacuums help you save time by cleaning entire homes in a timely manner and keeping detailed records about the previous cleaning sessions. You can access these records through an app that you can install on your tablet or smartphone. They can also be connected to your smart speaker, so you can control them with voice commands.
TP-Link Tapo RV30+ is a self-emptying robot that offers great performance at a reasonable cost. It can clean hardwood floors as well as carpets with low pile, and also remove pet hair and other messes. It's not as advanced as the other robots we've reviewed, however it does its job well.
The rubber-like wheels that this model has allow it to move right over the high transitions between rooms and obstacles such as tangled cords for devices that can cause problems for other robots. It also comes with a large dust bin that doesn't have to be empty manually, and it can recharge and resume cleaning when it's not able to continue cleaning. It's more expensive than other robotic vacuums we've tested but it is able to combine powerful suction with simple controls to give you a great value.
Voice Control
The majority of robot vacuums can be controlled via a remote control or an app that runs on smartphones. Some also connect to smart speakers such as Amazon Echo or Google Home, allowing you to run them using voice commands. This is a great option when your robot has to be cleaned and you have pets or children that could interfere.
Most models have an automatic mode which works without input. Simply press a button on the robot or in the app, and it will start sucking up food, dirt, particles, and pet hair. best shark robot vacuum can also be programmed to clean up on a regular basis, which is ideal for those who wish to make it easy to set it and forget it.
Some of the higher-end models have a feature that uses artificial intelligence to scan and detect obstructions in your home. These models can recognize things like stairs, power cords as well as furniture, and even distinguish between different types of floors. This can help robots avoid hazards. This is particularly useful in large homes that have lots of carpeting and flooring which are difficult for robots navigate.
Other robots have more basic ability to detect objects, but still manage to complete the task. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, that has the sleek and easy-to-use appearance of a WiFi hub, but offers the performance of a top robot. It has excellent suction and can handle dirt and debris from carpets and hardwood floors easily. Its squat, short side brushes are less likely to become caught in stray shoes and cords and its hybrid roller brush makes use of bristles and plastic, rather than bristles in traditional form for an even more thorough cleaning.
This model is pricier than other mid-range robots, but it can do everything you need from mopping and vacuuming robots. It can create a cleaning schedule and create one. It also has virtual zones to keep out of. It does not have the same room scanning and obstacle-avoiding capabilities like the j7 or s8.