Robot vacuums are becoming increasingly popular. The robot market has a correspondingly large selection to offer. From models for under 100 euros to flagships at prices of almost 2,000 euros, everything is possible here. With rising prices, the devices naturally also score with better cleaning performance, navigation and features such as app connection and cleaning station. TP-Link now also wants to mix up the market with its smart home brand Tapo. In the TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus review, we want to take a closer look at the mid-range model from the smart home expert. It comes with a practical suction station, which vacuums the dust container after every cleaning tour. In addition, there is a practical wiping function that is supposed to ensure extensive cleanliness. Sounds like the best prerequisites for high user comfort. Will the plan work out? We take a look at it!
Technical data
| Dimensions | 342.6 x 342.2 x 95 mm |
| Navigation | LiDAR, gyroscope sensor |
| Battery | 5,000 mAh (max runtime: 3-5h) |
| Operation | Device buttons, app operation |
| Water tank | 300 ml |
| Dust tank | 350 ml |
| Suction power | 4,200 pascals |
| Wiping function | Yes |
| Price | € 329.90 * |
Scope of delivery
- TP-Link Tapo RV30
- Suction station
- 2x wiping cloths
- 2x side brushes
- 2x dust bags
- 2x HEPA filter
- Floor protection mat
- Cleaning tool
- Instruction manual
Not only the Tapo RV30 and the suction station are waiting for you in the square package. TP-Link also includes practical accessories. In addition to a gentle floor pad, two wipes and two dust bags, you also get two HEPA filters and two side brushes from the factory. There is also a practical cleaning tool for maintenance. Of course, an instruction manual may not be missing.
TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus review: design and workmanship
The Tapo RV30 Plus can already be recognized as a vacuum robot at first glance. Thus, the smart household helper comes with common dimensions of 342.6 x 342.2 x 95 mm and the classic circular design. TP-Link relies on a chic color combination of black and white, which is quite appealing. Thanks to the matte surface, you do not have to worry about annoying scratches or noticeable dust deposits. You will probably not find them here even after longer use. The layout also corresponds to that of many rivals. You will find a small circular tower on the upper side, which contains the technical components for the LiDAR navigation. Furthermore, there are practical device keys on top. These allow rudimentary control in case you don’t have your smartphone and app at hand.
At the front of the robot vacuum cleaner again sits a typical bumper. This is intended to protect not only your furniture, but also the robot from damage in the event of a collision. A closer look reveals that TP-Link accommodates further technology for orientation in a kind of crossbar. On the right side of the smart household helper, you will again find an on/off switch. The whole thing might sound obvious, but not every robot vacuum cleaner has such an uncomplicated option for switching on and off. The combination tank consisting of the 300 ml water tank and the 350 ml dust tank is located on the back. This can be removed for refilling the water uncomplicated by a click mechanism and then reinstalled.
On the bottom, you can see the wiping unit for one. However, this is directly connected to the water tank and not to the underside. On the other hand, the main brush as well as the drop sensors and the side brushes are installed here. Unfortunately, TP-Link does not use a solid rubber solution for the main brush. Instead, it is a combination of rubber slats and bristles. Pet owners in particular should keep this in mind, since experience has shown that hair can get tangled here. In this case, you should be prepared for occasional cleaning with the included tool. Otherwise, the RV30 Plus scores with a great workmanship. Here it cracks and creaks at no point.
TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus review: suction station in harmonious design
The design language of the vacuum robot itself also picks up wonderfully on the associated suction station. This means that you also get a combination of black and white here. When I was able to look at the robot and station assembled for the first time, the interaction reminded me strongly of the Roborock Q8 Max+ (test). This is not only due to the color combination, but also the design. Inside the docking station is a dust bag with a volume of an impressive 4 liters.
You can access this via the lid on the top. TP-Link also relies on forcing the dust bag. I would have honestly preferred the alternative of bagless operation, as it would not only save the environment in the long run, but also avoid ongoing costs. For allergy sufferers, however, the whole thing should be an excellent solution, as this way you keep the air free of dust.
TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus review: commissioning
After you unpack the Rv30 Plus, it only takes a few minutes for it to go on its first cleaning spree. First of all, you should remove all the adhesive strips, foils and other protective covers that are on the device. Once this is done, you need to find a suitable position for the suction station. Of course, it needs an active power supply, which you must keep in mind. So choose a location near which there is a power outlet. Otherwise, of course, an extension cord will help.
Next, turn on the robot vacuum using the On/Off button on the side and simply place it in the suction station. The robot vacuum will now start charging the integrated battery. While it is filling up, you can already take care of transferring the smart household helper to your network. First, you download the Tapo app. I was already familiar with this app when I tested the TP-Link Tapo C420S2 surveillance camera (test). Accordingly, I quickly found my way around here. Via the plus sign in the upper right corner, you add the vacuum robot as a new gadget.
TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus test: control with app
The app itself scores here with overview. In just a few steps, you have the household helper integrated into your network. Once that is done, various settings can be made via the app. The RV30 Plus is actually no different from other models from the competition. You can use the app to select specific cleaning locations within the floor plan of your home. This is particularly practical if you have different floors in your own four walls. Experience shows that rooms like the bathroom and kitchen need to be cleaned more often or more intensively than others. You can set a specific suction or cleaning intensity for these rooms.
But not only whole rooms can be defined. Within the map you can also draw areas that the robot should clean. Each time you can decide whether it should vacuum, wipe or vacuum and wipe. Conversely, you can also define no-go areas. This is useful, for example, if you want to keep your pet’s food corner undisturbed. The definition of a cleaning schedule is particularly practical. This automation ensures, for example, that you schedule an automatic robot vacuum cleaning on weekdays when you are out of the house anyway. So you benefit from a clean apartment after work, without even having noticed that the household helper has made its rounds at all.
TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus Test: Control with Voice Assistant
However, you can not only make various settings via the app. On top of that, the robot vacuum cleaner can be linked here with the voice assistants Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This means that voice control is also possible in addition to control via device buttons and app. I tried the whole thing with my Alexa speaker at home and can attest that it works very well. This is not least because TP-Link has created special voice inputs specifically for Alexa.
TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus review: navigation
TP-Link relies on LiDAR navigation in the RV30 Plus. This technology has now established itself in the mid-range and also the upper class. A laser unit in a turret on the top of the robot ensures that the environment is measured as quickly as possible and extremely accurately. The big advantage is that the smart household helper can find its way around even in absolute darkness. On its first cleaning tour, the robot creates a precise floor plan of your home. Householders will be pleased to know that up to three different maps can be saved. Consequently, you can accommodate several floors here.
In practice, the laser navigation works great. Thus, the RV30 Plus created an extremely accurate map of my own four walls. Furthermore, the robot vacuum relies on a special gyroscope control. This is supposed to ensure targeted movement through your premises. The plan is quite successful. The robot never seemed haphazard during the test. What I missed, however, is a reliable object recognition. It happened a few times that the household helper hit one or the other object. However, we must not forget here that this is a mid-range model.
TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus review: practical test
The Tapo RV30 Plus is a vacuum robot with a mopping function. Accordingly, I also took a closer look at both features as part of the test.
Suction performance
Of course, the suction performance is the parade discipline of any robot vacuum cleaner. And this is where the Tapo definitely scores. With a power of 4,200 pascals, you can count on it to clear your floors of dust and other debris. The side brush is a helpful gadget, as it skillfully passes the debris on to the suction unit. You can choose from a total of four different suction levels. In the standard mode, the vacuum cleaner had enough power to deal with somewhat heavier things like grains of rice. While the robot vacuum made its rounds, I noticed the extremely low noise level. Since it is pleasantly quiet, you can let it run without hesitation when you are at home. This is at least true for the quiet mode.
If you switch to the suction strength Standard, it definitely gets a little louder. This culminates in Max mode – the highest suction level. The smart household helper automatically switches this on when its carpet sensors on the underside register a carpet. The results are impressive on both hard floors and short-pile carpets. On long-pile carpets, however, it becomes clear that the robot could have done with a few more Pascals. If you have one of those, you will have to go for high-priced models like the Dreame L20 Ultra (test). Alternatively, it is a good idea to declare the carpet area in the map as a no-go area and clean it yourself with a conventional vacuum cleaner every now and then.
Mopping performance
The wiping function of the RV30 Plus is a nice additional feature in my eyes. More however also not. So you can’t expect any premium features here like a vibrating mopping surface that fights even stubborn stains by applying pressure to the floor. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra (test), for example, offers one of these. A lifting function, as we know it from premium models, is also not on board here. So if the RV30 Plus drives over a carpet, you have to expect it to get wet even when the wiping function is turned off. To get around this, there are a few options.
For example, it is a good idea to send the robot vacuum cleaner to the carpet first and only let it mop afterwards. Alternatively, you can set the carpet as a no-go area. It is a bit unfortunate that the RV30 Plus does not use its carpet sensors here to ensure that carpets are bypassed fully automatically. Other mid-range models offer this feature. If these detect a carpet, they bypass it without further ado when the mop unit is mounted. However, those who have mainly or exclusively hard floors at home should still be able to enjoy the mopping function.
Thus, it reliably wipes away lighter dirt or dust residue. To ensure the best possible cleaning, however, you can’t avoid wielding the mop yourself from time to time, despite the wiping function. To achieve the best results, you should always use the wiping function separately from the suction function. At best, let the robot only vacuum at first and only then perform a mopping tour. Otherwise, the wiping surface may even work counterproductively and pick up stubborn dirt from the floor, but subsequently spread it around the apartment.
Suction station
The suction station was completely convincing in the test. After the robot has completed its cleaning task, it moves into the practical station. Here, the collected dirt is now extracted with proper vacuum and power. This might make quite a bit of noise, but since the process only lasts a few seconds, it should certainly not bother you. Nevertheless, you should keep that in mind if you want to activate the robot once before going to bed or during a quiet movie night.
A real highlight is the size of the dust bag. Thus, this holds a whopping 4 liters. For you, this means a pleasingly high user comfort in practice. After all, you do not have to worry about emptying the dust container of the robot vacuum cleaner yourself. According to the manufacturer, it should take an average of 70 days before you have to replace the dust bag in the suction station with a fresh one. Fortunately, TP-Link includes a replacement bag directly, so you won’t have to buy a new one until a good four months have passed.
Lasting battery and child lock
Even large apartments can be easily cleaned in one go with the help of the RV30 Plus. Finally, this model scores with a battery life of between 3 and 5 hours. How long the smart household helper lasts in detail depends on various factors. In particular, the wiping and suction levels have an impact. Furthermore, the device comes with a practical child lock. This is also advisable, since the robot can be extremely exciting for children. The device buttons are quickly pressed and an unintentional cleaning tour is started. To stop this, you can conveniently lock the robot via the buttons.
Conclusion
The Tapo RV30 Plus scores points in the test with a chic design, high build quality and good suction performance. Furthermore, you get various control options at hand. In addition to device buttons and the app, the voice control can also be helpful. The long battery life is also really impressive. The app provides you with many setting options that create the best conditions for an individual cleaning of your own four walls. The highlight is certainly the suction station. It provides an extra portion of user comfort, since you do not have to take care of the robot for almost 70 days. Only then is the dust bag filled. The device is a bit more demanding when you want to use the wiping function. After all, you have to refill the wiping water and wash the wiping cloth here from time to time.
The wiping function as a whole is rather a nice addition than a core feature. You really shouldn’t expect any miracles here, as it’s just a rigid wiping surface. We would also have liked to see an automatic drive around carpets when the wiping unit is mounted. Furthermore, the device leaves something to be desired in terms of object detection. In the test, the RV30 Plus overlooked some obstacles. So, you should rather move small objects in particular out of the way. Apart from the wiping function and the somewhat unreliable object detection, this model scores with one thing in particular: A good price-performance ratio. If you want to enter the world of robot vacuum cleaners with a low budget and hardly have any carpets at home, the TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus is a good choice. As a better equipped alternative, we recommend the Roborock Q8 Max+, which is just under 40 Euros more expensive.
TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus
Workmanship & design
Suction power
Wiping performance
Value for money
87/100
TP-Link's Tapo RV30 Plus scores with solid features at a good price. However, you have to make concessions in terms of swiping and object detection.
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