We’ve come a long way from the days of hand-washing dishes and pushing a soggy mop around the kitchen floor. In the here and now, there’s a smart device for every household chore that makes us cringe. From robot vacuums and mops to automated mowers that know exactly how much grass to cut and when to recharge their battery, the plethora of tech is ever-evolving. If you’re looking to shave some time off your daily tasks or simply prefer being glued to the couch on the weekends (who wouldn’t?), we’ve put together this list of the most useful robotic companions for keeping your home clean and organized.
iRobot Roomba s9 Plus
Best robot vacuum
The Roomba hasn’t been able to completely replace a full-sized vacuum cleaner, but these automatic carpet cleaners are getting more capable every year. They’re now compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, so all you have to do to fire up the vac is shout a command to your preferred voice assistant, and presto. The anti-allergen dust bin holds up to 60 days of detritus, and the vacuum’s improved D-shape design and 3D mapping give the bot better access to corners and baseboards. Best of all, the Roomba s9 can be programmed to clean your entire home or individual rooms. It’s a pricey investment for sure, but in terms of brand reputation and reliability, one you certainly won’t regret.
Robomow RS630
Best robot lawnmower
The bigger, sharper brother of the Roomba can toil away in the hot summer sun while you sit back and enjoy some lemonade. Husqvarna, Worx, and Robomow all offer robotic mowers that can take the work (and possibly the joy) out of lawn care. These machines typically aren’t as powerful as their gas-powered cousins, but since they require no manual effort and can perform on a set schedule, robot mowers can be employed multiple times a week to keep your lawn trim and green. Oh, and about that lack of manual labor? Today’s robotic mowers require a guidewire to be set on your lawn before their first use. So while these machines can eliminate the task of lawn mowing, we’re still waiting on a robot to replace the task of wire setting.
Pet Safe
Automatic self-cleaning litter box
What do you call a robot that automatically changes your cat litter? How about the Pet Safe? This automatic litter box is a set-it-and-forget-it miracle. Once assembled, the litter box automatically cleans and maintains odor and moisture control for up to several weeks. A built-in health counter lets you know exactly how much your cat is using the restroom, giving you an idea of what kinds of things you can do to give your feline the balanced diet they deserve. The crystallized litter pellets won’t be tracked through your home like run-of-the-mill litter would be, and when it’s time to change the lining, it’s just a matter of covering the old tray, tossing it in the trash, and sliding a new one in.
LG Styler
The best clothes management system
How often do you go to the dry cleaners? With the LG Styler, you can bring that number down to practically zero. The Styler gives you options like Gentle Dry with Pants Crease Care to ensure your clothing always looks sharp and pressed regardless of the fabric you’re using it on. Steam cycles, temperature, and other pertinent features can all be controlled and modified through the Styler app (iOS and Android). Best of all, the Styler reduces environmental allergens by up to 99% compared to normal cleaning appliances, so your sweaters and linens will be fresher than ever before.
iRobot Braava Jet 240
The best robot mop
No other company detests household chores more than iRobot. The company that inspired society to let a robot do their vacuuming has leveled up so that you now don’t have to do other cumbersome tasks, like gutter cleaning, pool cleaning, and even mopping. The iRobot Braava Jet 240 takes the hassle out of hardwood floors, for instance. The Braava navigates around furniture and other household items similarly to Roomba vacuums and mops your floor while doing so. The Braava can also mop more than 300 square feet during a single cleaning cycle, or expand to 1,000 square feet if your floors just need a good sweeping.
Boston Dynamics SpotMini
You can see how technology can help us with physical tasks like mowing, mopping, vacuuming, and even dry cleaning, but it’s nice to wonder how else a robot could help around the house. Will we ever have a robotic butler that can handle emptying the dishwasher? Maybe. The SpotMini from Boston Dynamics is getting better at being a butler. Of course, this robotic dog isn’t quite ready for the real world — yet.
