What to Look For in a Good Robot Vacuum
A robot vacuum can help keep you on top of pet hair and lint on daily basis. Many robot vacuums work with apps that allow you to schedule cleaning sessions. You can also set virtual boundaries or "walls," to keep the vacuum away from areas that you don't want cleaned.
This mop and vac creates a map of your home with its first trip, and then it will remember your home's layout for future tasks. It has an extra-large dustbin that automatically empties and self-cleaning, self-cleaning brush roll.
Object Detection
When picking a robot vacuum, look for one that can pick up large objects, such as toys and lamp cords, and also dust particles. This will ensure that they do not get stuck in the roller brushes or strewn across your floor. This feature is particularly important if you have children or pets and may need to clean the robot regularly.
It's also a good idea to select a model that has strong motors and lots of suction power. This will allow it to be more efficient in getting rid of dust, pet hair, and lint off carpets and hardwood flooring.
Another important consideration is the size of your home. If you have a huge home, you might choose one with multiple cleaning zones that cover the entire house in one session. Some models have a mopping feature that can be used to keep floors clean and fresh.
Robot vacuums are durable, but they need to be maintained in a timely and efficient manner. Cleaning the rotating brushes and emptying the dust container and wiping the sensors clean regularly will keep your machine running efficiently for long time to come. Many owners of robot vacuums we speak with have had the same model for 10 years or more (and changed motors, brushes and batteries as they went along).
A basic robot will cost less than a large-sized vacuum cleaner, but they'll do a fantastic job at removing dirt on the surface, pet hair and dust. They're an excellent maintenance cleaner that you can use often throughout the week to keep your floor clean. The downside is they don't come with as advanced technology, and could be prone to becoming stuck or requiring human intervention.
Object Avoidance
The best robot vacs use sensors, lasers or cameras to help them navigate your home without getting stuck or falling down the staircase. Some models can return to their base or dock when the battery is low. They can also avoid obstacles such as furniture cords and legs. Some of the more expensive models have the ability to map, which allows them to remember your home's layout and spend less time bouncing off walls.
If you don't want splurge on the most advanced robotic vacuums, you could locate a model that does a great job of picking up pet hair dirt, dust, and crumbs from hard floors like tiles and wood, as well as carpets with low pile. They can also handle bigger debris like nails with rusty screws, metal screws or even toys that have been discarded. Some models come with an automatic base that drains itself, which is great if you do not want to empty it every cleaning session.
Many robotic vacuums also come with innovative features that make a standard stick vacuum seem prehistoric, including zones, schedules, and the capability to control them using an app or voice assistant such as Alexa. You can also design cleaning zones and virtual walls to block off areas you don't wish the robot to get into.
Certain robotic vacuums, such as the Eufy 11S or my former favorite, Roborock S8, come with obstacle avoidance technology that will prevent them from tripping over cords or furniture. Others, like the iRobot Roomba j7+, have more sophisticated AI obstacle avoidance that uses sensors powered by processors to detect and avoid objects like lamp cords, shoes, socks and pet waste. It's more expensive than the other bots I've tried, however, it did a great job of avoiding obstacles in my home. It also didn't get stuck or tangled when I was cleaning my floors.
https://jsfiddle.net/fibresong12/cLjnrytd/ from iRobot was a great obstacle-avoiding robot however, it didn't always do a great job at avoiding crumbs and dirt on my carpets. It also was prone to over-vacuum specific areas, which resulted in dust accumulation in the filters and an unclean house.
Smart Mapping
The best robot vacuums have an application that lets you customize cleaning modes, create schedules, and see a map of the area covered by the machine. This is a useful feature, and one that a few competitors do not have. It allows you to create profiles that automatically start the robot at certain times and run it continuously. For example, it could be cleaning the living room each day or before dinner.
A good app can also let you control your robot via voice commands. Certain models are compatible with Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant, which allows you to control your robot using voice commands.
Find the model with an enormous dust bin. This will allow you to do numerous cleaning sessions without having empty it. There are models that self-empty which takes a portion of the work out of emptying the robot after each vacuuming run.
If you're looking for a robot that does more than vacuum, you should consider one that has a mopping function. These are usually bigger than the robotic vacuums and come with a water tank in the interior which can store several cleaning sessions worth of dirt and debris prior to needing to be cleaned.
Robots that are more sophisticated can make their own maps, and can remember the plan of your house from one cleaning session to the next, which prevents them from getting lost or stuck. This can make a significant difference in the efficiency of your robot vacuum since it won't have to go back to the beginning when it comes across walls or furniture.
Our testers found that robots with this feature were very efficient. They could watch television or perform other things while the robot was cleaning. Some models use laser navigation to create an outline of your home. You can then program them to clean your bedroom after dinner, or in all rooms while you're working.
App Control
It is best to select the vacuum that comes with an app that is mobile for those who want to modify the frequency of cleaning and select the cleaning mode. Through the app, you can also check the status of your vacuum and its dust bin. Some of the best robot vacuums can be controlled via voice with Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri Shortcuts.
It is simple to maintain a robot equipped with an washable filter and self-emptying bin, particularly when the filter can be easily removed and rinsed. A powerful brush is another fantastic feature that allows you to reach into corners and along baseboards for removal of hair and dirt. Some robots are more adept at avoiding chair legs than others, and some have a self-cleaning sensor that prevents the obstruction of brushes that may occur in other machines.
Certain robo-vacs utilize navigation tools to help them understand your home and overcome obstacles. The most expensive models employ sensors and cameras to identify obstacles such as stairs, furniture, and cords. Less expensive models might use boundary strips to mark areas that you don't wish it to go. Avoidance of objects can be particularly beneficial for families with young kids who throw socks and toys around the house. This can help your robot to gather these items, instead of scattering them.
More robots are coming with mop heads. This is great for those with hard floors who need to clean regularly. They have a water reservoir that is built into their chassis or as a separate piece that you swap in when they're ready to mop. They may require frequent refills but they're ideal for homes that have hard floors that aren't easily cleaned by vacuums.
These robots are packed with impressive technology, and cost significantly less than you'd think. In fact, you can get an affordable model for less than $200 that can do a decent job of getting rid of pet hair and crumbs off hard floors, while moving around the edges of light carpets or area rug. The robot can be programmed to vacuum a particular room at regular intervals. It can be controlled remotely through an app or by pressing buttons.