The Best Robot Vacuums
If you have an area of 3,000 square feet and have three dogs or a stylish apartment, a robot vacuum is an excellent option for keeping your floors tidy. The best models come with self-emptying bases as well as docks that charge automatically. They also come with features such as the cliff sensors.
If you have carpeting, choose an upright vacuum cleaner with a high suction power (measured in Pascals). You can set up virtual barriers or no-go zones to prevent the robot from entering certain areas.
Smart Mapping
Many robot vacuums don't come with mapping capabilities. This can be a problem when you try to get your home clean. These budget-friendly models could get stuck on a range of obstacles such as cords, furniture legs, and even pet toys that have popped up from the sofa cushions.
This is why the most effective robot vacuums with obstacle avoidance utilize multiple sensors and cameras to create a precise map of the area they are moving through your home. This allows them to navigate your rooms more efficiently by regularly cleaning in a systematic order and not looking at areas that they have already cleaned. It also prevents them from getting stuck on items that were moved during a cleaning session, or having to spend extra time "robot-proofing" your home by getting cords out of the way.
Robot vacuums employ different navigation techniques that range from the simplest up to the most advanced. Some budget models utilize infrared sensors, and others employ optical sensors that determine the time it takes for a signal reflected to reach the robot's backside. This allows the robot to determine its location within the room. Certain models that are high-end, such as the eufy S1 Pro robot, use SLAM navigation, which makes use of a combination sensors to build a map of the room.
This is the most advanced approach, since not only does it allow robots to move more efficiently, but it also provides an interface that is beneficial for the user. These systems will show you a 3D model of your home that you can interact with as well as drop virtual boundaries or even create restricted zones on the application for the robot to stay out of. This kind of mapping is able to work even in darkness, as long as you have an area of light (like lamps) that is able to illuminate a room enough for the robot to see what's around it.
The most recent robots can create an exact map as they travel through your home using LiDAR or laser scanning. It's not as accurate as a SLAM but it's still a useful tool for avoiding obstacles. LiDAR can be tripped by objects that absorb or reflect the laser beam. For instance, dark colored floors will trigger the cliff sensors of most robots, making them stop.
Self-Emptying Bins
One of the most appealing features of robot vacuums is their capability to transfer debris automatically from their onboard dustbins to their docking bases, without any input from the user. This removes the requirement for the user to bend down and empty their bins, which decreases the frequency at which maintenance tasks are performed. This is especially important if you have a large home and want to reduce the amount of time you spend handling dirt and dust.
However, a fully empty robot will take up to 7 hours to recharge and return to cleaning, which may not be ideal for large or families with a lot of activity. To prevent this from happening, most manufacturers offer the option to stop and then resume cleaning where the robot stopped once its battery is recharged. This feature is included on the majority of robots. It's great for parents with children or who frequently leave home to work.
Take note of whether the robot utilizes a bag to collect debris or if it does not. Bagged models can prevent dust clumps from being released into the air after they are empty. However, you'll need to buy and replace the bags regularly. If you'd prefer a bagless version, look for models that feature a smart sensor to check the dustbin onboard and alert you when it's time to empty it.
The top robotic cleaners come with docking sensors as well as sensors for cliffs in addition to self-emptying bins to prevent them from getting stuck or falling over obstacles. They also employ advanced AI to boost efficiency and avoid various types of debris.
To ensure they are running efficiently, most robot vacuums require regular maintenance. This includes regular cleaning of the brushroll, sides brushes, and wheels to eliminate pet hair and other debris that can cause obstructions and decrease suction power. Monitor the robot's charge regularly to ensure it is always at its maximum capacity. A low or flat battery can slow down the robot and make it perform less efficiently, which is why it's important to check the battery's level of charge regularly.
Pet Hair Detection
In our tests, some robots were very adept of removing pet hair, particularly the Roomba Combo 10 Max and the SwitchBot. Other models were not so great at it. These less expensive models typically rely on bump sensors to prevent objects from being smashed, and they smash into things like dangling cords and shoelaces (see below). robotic vacuum cleaners of the more expensive vacuum and mop robots we have tested are equipped with advanced mapping and learning abilities to help them map and navigate your home more efficiently over time. This feature is especially useful for those who have carpeted floors and a lot of pet hair.
To maximize these features, it's a good idea to perform some regular maintenance. This can include emptying your dust bin and cleaning filters as well as other places, and wiping down anti-drop and charging sensors. Update the firmware to ensure that your robot is working effectively.
If you have a robot that can mop, make sure that you clean the brush and wipe it off every now and then. This is crucial to keep it from getting caught in hair and maintaining its good condition. Replace the mop pads every six months to ensure they are still effective.
Some of the more advanced robots have the ability to create walls around your home when they're cleaning and preventing them from going into rooms you don't want them in. Using your smartphone, you can set up these virtual walls or boundary strips--this is particularly useful when you have hanging wires, cords and other items you don't want the robot to get stuck or run into. If you enable this feature in the app, certain robots will notify you when they are near to hitting something. It's not a feature that all robots have, but it can be worthwhile to add it to your list of options.
Remote Control
Robotic vacuum cleaners can be operated remotely and controlled via apps, voice commands or traditional remotes. These vacuum cleaners also have automatic self-charging functions as well as scheduling functions, which make it easy to maintain a clean house without any manual intervention. This feature is ideal for those who have limited strength and mobility, as they don't need to lift heavy furniture to reach awkward spaces.
The best robotic vacuums can adapt their operation to a wide variety of flooring surfaces, obstacles, and other factors. Smart sensors are typically used in these vacuums that can detect different types of flooring and adjust their operations accordingly. This feature lets a robot automatically switch between cleaning methods when switching from carpet, tile hardwood, or other types of flooring.
These machines with intelligence can be a great asset to households who have a hectic schedule and guests who are frequently present. A robot vac can be programmed to sweep your home even when you're away, and even return to its docking station when it is running low on power. This will relieve you of the stress of having a dirty house and save you time and money.
If you choose a smart-compatible model it will connect to your WiFI network and communicate with your phone. This allows you to control the device with an app to schedule cleaning sessions and check on the status of your battery and map history. If your robovac comes with cameras you can use the app to review images of your space. This can be helpful in identifying objects that the robot may have missed during its previous cleaning routine for example, pet toys or chewed up socks.
Most of the best robots come with this smart integration. Certain robots are compatible with Google Assistant. This means that you can use them simply by dictating a command via the smart speaker. However, certain devices might not communicate with Google Assistant, due to issues like signal strength or location proximity. Making sure the device is updated and reducing the distance between it and your Wi-Fi router or even considering a Wi-Fi extender can resolve this issue.