The best robot vacuum and mop for vinyl plank floors Robot Vacuum 2023

Robot vacuums can help you clean your floors more easily. The best ones nab tracked-in dirt, crumbs and shed pet hair and more.

While they can't perform like a regular vacuum cleaner, they have improved a lot in the last few years. They're more efficient, smarter and (marginally) better in avoiding the legs of chairs.

Smart Mapping

Utilizing navigational tools like sensors and lasers, robot vacuum cleaners work their way through your home, sucking pet hair, crumbs and dirt from their dustbins. They can be found on hard floors like wood, tile and laminate, as well as area rugs and carpets with low pile. The most advanced robots 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 the way. You can also set up no-go zones on your smartphone to instruct your robot to avoid rooms you don't wish it to keep clean.

Robots equipped with advanced mapping capabilities, like the Roomba j7, utilize processor-powered cameras and onboard sensors to see and avoid obstacles. It can then be left to complete the task without having to keep an eye on the status 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 one-stop solution to keep your home tidy. It has a great suction 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 vacuums, mop and can also be used as a trashcan, the Roborock Q Revo is a solid option for homes that don't require the more advanced features of the more expensive models. However, it has a few disadvantages when compared to Roomba j7 and S8. It has one brush instead of dual roller brushes, which means it may not be as effective at removing larger objects like socks and shoes. It does not have AI obstacle avoidance, which means you may need to clear obstructions before you run.

The iLife A4s Pro is a basic robot that is ideal for those who value simplicity and competence. It's priced at less than $200 and provides strong, consistent suction on hardwood as well as low-pile carpets, while avoiding knots. It doesn't include any fancy features, but it does the job well. It's also compatible with voice commands, so you can set it up on schedule or create no-go zones using the app.

Object Detection

Object-avoidance technologies can affect the ability of a robot vacuum to navigate your home. Certain models on this list include 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 impressive examples of smart technology in action, is a great example. It also has a stylish base that automatically emptys the trash bin so that you don't need to.

We tested this robot cleaner in a home with a large size and were impressed with how quickly and thoroughly the floors were cleaned without getting bogged down. It's very mobile and can reach areas that stand-up vacuums can't, such as under couches and under beds. It has a 500ml dustbin, excellent suction and a runtime of over two hours. However, it lacks the ability to set no-go zones in the app and its detection of objects is a bit hit-or-miss which means that we saw it hit things a few times during our tests (resulting in the tumbling of a few vases).

It's important to keep it in mind that, regardless of how smart a robot vacuum is it won't replace your regular upright or canister vacuum. It's not equipped to clean carpets that have been heavily soiled. It can't reach the ceiling or other areas that are difficult to reach. However, if you want to keep your floors clean of pet hair, crumbs and other particles, it can be a good addition to your routine of cleaning.

Sensors are integrated into most robot vacuums to assist them navigate around obstacles and stairs. They are able to tell the moment they're likely to fall down a staircase for instance, and detect areas that are cluttered and maneuver around them. If you're not careful your robo-cleaner may become stuck on a shoe, cord or any other object.

Some robot vacuums are equipped with mapping capabilities, which allow them to draw an accurate floor plan of your house and also locate themselves. They can then know what areas they have already cleaned and reduce time by not having to clean the same areas. It also allows them to resume the same place they left off, should they have to return to their charging dock.

Self-Emptying

A self-cleaning vacuum robot cleaner that automatically empties its bin of dust when it is full is a great benefit. Some models also have a window so you can see when the bin has to be emptied. This is an excellent feature for anyone who has pets or children who tend to make more mess than adults.

The majority of robot vacuums let you select whether the machine will be controlled via a remote control or an app on your smartphone or voice commands. They offer a range of digital functions, including scheduling and maintenance tips. You can program your robot to clean on an annual or a regularly, using the right settings. You can also program it to map and clean certain areas of your house.

Some of the most intelligent robot vacuums we've tested come with built-in cameras and sensor technology that allows them to create maps of your home. They can be saved to the robot's app so you can quickly navigate to specific rooms or areas of your home. Some of these systems can even keep track of the furniture's layout and transitions between hardwood flooring 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 these records through an app for your tablet or phone. Most of them can be linked to your smart speaker so you can control them with voice commands.

TP-Link's Tapo RV30 Plus is an inexpensive, self-emptying robot vacuum that provides excellent performance for the price. It can clean hardwood floors as well as carpets with low pile, as well as remove pet hair and other particles. It's not as advanced as other robots we've reviewed, but it does what it does well.

The tank-like wheels that this model has allow it to glide right over the high gaps between rooms and obstacles such as tangled cords for devices that can cause problems for other robots. It also has a large dust bin that doesn't need to be emptied manually, and it's able to recharge and continue cleaning when it's not able to continue cleaning. It's more expensive compared to other robotic vacuums that we've tested but it combines powerful suction and simple controls to give you a great value.

Voice Control

The majority of robot vacuums are controlled using a remote or an app on your phone. Certain robot vacuums can be controlled by voice commands using smart speakers such as Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is a great option for robots that need to be cleaned and you have pets or children who could be disruptive.

Many models also come with an automatic mode that functions without any input from you. The robot can be started by pressing a button on the app or on the robot. These robots can also be programmed to clean regularly, which is ideal for those who want to program it to forget about it.

Some of the more expensive models have a feature which uses artificial intelligence to scan and detect obstacles in your home. These models can recognize things like stairs, power cords, and furniture, and can even discern between different kinds of flooring. This helps robots avoid dangers. This is especially helpful in homes with large areas of carpeting and flooring that are difficult for robots navigate.

Other robots are more basic in their object detection abilities however, they still do the job. The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus, for instance, has the appearance of an internet router, but has the performance of a top-of-the-line bot. It is extremely suction-driven and handles dirt and debris from hardwood floors and medium-pile rugs easily. Its short and squat side brush is less likely to be stuck in cords or shoes. The hybrid roller brush, which is made up of bristles, as well as plastic, gives an effective cleaning.

It's more expensive than other mid-range robots, but it can do everything you'd expect from a robot vacuum and mop. It can map and create a cleaning schedule and has virtual keep-out zones and is compatible with voice assistants. However, it does not have obstacles avoidance or room scanning like the j7 or S8.