The Best Robot Vacuum 2023

Keeping your floors clean isn't always easy, but robot vacuums help. The best robot vacuums are able to remove dirt, pet hair, crumbs 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 chair legs.

Smart Mapping

Using navigation tools like sensors and lasers, robot vacuum cleaners move around your home, suctioning pet hair, crumbs, and dirt into their dustbins from hard floors like laminate, wood and tile, as well as low-pile carpets and area rugs. Robots that are the most sophisticated map your home to know where they've been and how to avoid bumping into obstacles such as sofas, chairs, and bookshelves. You can also use your smartphone app to create zones that prohibit your robot to stay out of rooms you don't want it to clean.

Robots with advanced mapping capabilities, such as the Roomba J7, use the onboard camera and processor-powered intelligence to detect and avoid obstacles. You can then leave it to perform the job without having to constantly monitor the condition of your floor plan, or manually move obstacles from the robot's way. The TP Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a robot that combines mopping with vacuuming. It's a single-stop solution to keep your home clean. It has a fantastic suction system and works with Alexa or Google Assistant. It can self-empty and can also function as a security camera.

Roborock Q Revo, a cheaper robot that vacuums, mops and functions as an automated trashcan, is a good option for homes that don't have the need for more advanced features. It does have some disadvantages when compared to the Roomba S8 and j7. It uses only one brush, not dual roller brushes, so it might not be as effective in removing larger debris such as socks and shoes. It also lacks AI obstacle avoidance, so you may need to clear away clutter before running it.

The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that's ideal for those who prefer simplicity and proficiency. It's less than $200, and delivers consistent, strong suction on hardwood and low-pile carpets, while avoiding knots. It doesn't have any fancy features, but it does the job well. It also works with voice commands, so you can set it up on schedule or create zones that aren't allowed to be entered through the app.

Object Detection

Object-avoidance technology can make or break the ability of a robot vacuum navigate through your home. Some models on our list contain sensors (or even cameras) that help your robo-cleaner avoid common traps for robots such as cords, toys for children and pet spills. iRobot Roomba j7 is one of the most amazing examples of smart technology in motion, is an excellent example. It also has a stylish base that automatically empties the dustbin so you don't have to.

We tested this robot cleaner in a home with a large size and were amazed by how quickly and thoroughly the floors were cleaned without getting bogged down. It has impressive maneuverability and can reach places that stand-up vacuums are unable to can, like under beds and sofas. It has a 500 ml dustbin, a powerful suction system and a runtime of over two hours. However, it lacks the ability to set no-go zones in the app and its object detection is somewhat erratic and we did see it hit things a few times during our tests (resulting in a few tipped vase tops).

It's important to keep in mind that no matter how clever the robot vacuum might appear it will not replace your traditional canister or upright vacuum. It's not equipped to handle heavily soiled carpets, it won't 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 free of crumbs, pet hair, dander and other debris it's a good addition to your cleaning routine.

Sensors are integrated into many robot vacuums to help them navigate around stairs and obstacles. They can usually sense the moment they're likely to fall down a staircase, for instance, and they can detect areas that are cluttered and maneuver around them. Nevertheless, if you're not cautious, your robo-cleaner might become stuck on a cord or stray shoe and need some help.

Some robot vacuums come with mapping capabilities that allow them to draw an accurate floor plan of your house and also locate themselves. This lets them know which areas they've already cleaned, and avoid spending time cleaning the same spots. This lets them resume the same place they left off if they have to return to the charging dock.

Self-Emptying

A robot vacuum that automatically emptys its bins of dust once it is full is a huge convenience. Certain models come with an indicator that allows you to know when the bin is due to be empty. This feature is ideal for those who have children or pets who are likely to create much more mess than adults.

The majority of robot vacuums let you select whether the machine can be controlled by the use of a remote, an app on your phone or via voice commands. They come with a variety of digital features, including maintenance and scheduling tips. You can program your robot to clean your house on an annual or a regularly, using the right settings. You can also program it to mark and clean specific areas of your house.

The most advanced robot vacuums we've tested come with sensors and cameras, which allow them to create maps of your home. These maps can be saved to the robot's application so that you can quickly navigate to specific rooms or areas of your home. Some of these systems will even remember the furniture layout and transitions between hardwood flooring and carpet.

The robot cleaner most efficient smart vacuums save you time by automating the mapping and cleaning of entire homes and keeping detailed records of previous cleaning sessions. You can access these records via an app on your tablet or phone. The majority of them can 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 excellent performance at a low price. It is able to clean floors and sweep up pet hair and other messes from low-pile and hardwood rugs. It's not as sophisticated as other robots we've reviewed but it does what it does efficiently.

The wheels that resemble a tank that this model has allow it to roll right over the transitions between rooms as well as obstacles such as tangled cords for devices that can cause problems for other robots. It has a large bin that doesn't need to be emptying manually, and can recharge itself and restart cleaning when it is unable to continue cleaning. It's more expensive than the other robotic vacuums we've tested but it combines powerful suction and easy controls to deliver an excellent value.

Voice Control

Most robot vacuums are 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 operate them with voice commands. This is a great option for robots that need to clean and you have pets or small children who might interfere.

Most models have an automatic mode which works without your input. The robot can be started by pressing a button in the app or on the robot. The robots can be programmed to clean according to an established schedule, making them ideal for those who simply want to set and forget.

Some of the more expensive models come with an advanced feature that utilizes artificial intelligence to look around your home and identify obstacles. They can detect things such as power cords, stairs as well as furniture, and even identify different types of floors. This can help robots avoid hazards. This is especially useful in homes with large areas of carpeting and flooring that are difficult for robots to navigate.

Some robots are more basic in their ability to detect objects, but they are still able to do the job. 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 capabilities of a top-of-the-line bot. It has a strong suction that can take care of dirt and debris from medium-pile carpets and hardwood floors. The short and squat-shaped side brush is less likely to be caught in shoes or cords. The hybrid roller brush, which uses bristles, as well as plastic, offers a thorough cleaning.

This model is more expensive than other models in the mid-range but it has everything you want from a robot mop and vacuum. It can draw out an cleaning schedule and design one. It also has virtual zones that you can stay clear of. However, it doesn't have obstacles avoidance or room scanning like the S8 or j7.