The Best Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum is a fantastic option to keep your floors tidy regardless of whether you live in a 3,000 square foot home with three doggies, or a stylish apartment. The best models come with self-emptying bases, docks and charge automatically. They also have features such as the cliff sensors.
If you have carpeting, select an upright vacuum cleaner with high suction power (measured in Pascals). No-go zones and virtual barriers allow you to designate areas the robot shouldn't enter.
Smart Mapping
Many robot vacuums don't come with mapping capabilities. This can be a problem when you try to clean your home. These vacuums that are budget-friendly can get stuck on a wide variety of obstacles, including cords, furniture legs and pet toys that have popped up from under sofa cushions.
This is why the top robot vacuums that have obstacle avoidance utilize multiple sensors and cameras to create a detailed map of the room as they move through your home. They are able to move more efficiently through your home, cleaning in a systematic order and not having to spend time cleaning areas they've already cleaned. This will also prevent them from getting stuck in items that were moved during cleaning process or spending longer "robot proofing" your home.
Robot vacuums use a variety of navigation methods to make these maps which range from the most basic to the most modern. Certain models that are budget-friendly use infrared sensors, while 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 position within the room. Certain high-end models, such as the eufy S1 Pro robot, use SLAM navigation, which utilizes a combination sensors to build a room map.
This is the most sophisticated, since it allows the robot to navigate more effectively it also offers a useful interface for the user. These systems can show a 3D rendering with which allows interaction with, and can also establish virtual boundaries or restricted zones for the robot. This type of mapping can be used even in darkness as long as there is an illumination source nearby (like a table lamp) that is bright enough for the robot to see the surroundings.
The most recent robots can create an exact map as they travel through your home, using LiDAR or laser scanning. It's not as precise as SLAM but it's still useful for the purpose of avoiding obstacles. LiDAR can get tripped up by objects that reflect or absorb the laser beam, for instance dark-colored floors, which will trigger cliff sensors on most robots, causing them to stop.
Self-Emptying Bins
Robot vacuums are attractive because they can automatically transfer debris from onboard dustbins into their docking base with no user intervention. This means that there is no need for the user to bend down to empty their bins, which decreases the frequency with the tasks of maintenance. This is especially crucial if you live in a large home and want to cut down on the amount of time you are occupied with dust and dirt.
However, a fully-emptied robot will take up 7 hours to recharge and return to cleaning, which might not be suitable for large or busy families. Most manufacturers offer the option of pausing and continuing cleaning at the point where the robot left off after the battery has been fully charged. This feature is included on the majority of robots. It is great for parents of young children or those who frequently leave home to work.
When choosing a robot that self-empties, consider whether it uses bags or a bagless system to collect debris. A bagged model can help you avoid releasing dust that has clumped up into the air when it's empty, however you'll have to purchase and replace the bags frequently. If a model that is bagless is what you prefer, search for models with a sensor that scans the dustbin for fullness and alerts you when it needs to be empty.
The top robotic cleaners come with docking sensors as well as cliff sensors in addition to the self-emptying bins to prevent them from becoming stuck or falling over obstacles. They also have advanced artificial intelligence to enhance performance and eliminate different kinds of debris.
Most robot vacuums need regular maintenance and care to keep them running smoothly. This includes regular cleaning of the brushroll, sides brushes, and wheels to eliminate pet hair and other debris that could cause obstructions and decrease suction power. You should also check the battery level of your robot on a regular basis to ensure that it is always charged to its full capacity. A flat or low-level battery can slow down the robot and cause it to perform less efficiently, which is why it's essential that you check the battery's charge on a regular basis.
Pet Hair Detection
In our tests, some robots were extremely effective in getting pet hair out. These included the Roomba Combo 10 Max as well as the SwitchBot. Others however, were not as well at it. These cheaper models often rely on bump sensor to prevent objects from being smashed and they can smash into things like dangling cords and shoelaces (see below). A few of the more expensive vacuum-and-mop robots we tested use advanced smart mapping and learning capabilities to help them map your home and better navigate over time. This feature is especially beneficial for those with carpeted floors and lots of pet hair.
To maximize these features it is a good idea to perform some regular maintenance. This can include emptying the dust bin, cleaning the filters and other places periodically and wiping off anti-drop and charging sensors. Update the firmware to ensure that your robot continues to work well.
If you own a robot with mopping capabilities, be sure to clean the brush and clean it regularly. This is essential to prevent it from getting caught in hair and maintaining its good condition. It's also a good idea to replace the mop pad every six months or so to make sure it's still functioning properly.
Some of the more advanced robots have the ability to wall off areas of your home during cleaning and preventing them from going into rooms you don't want them in. You can build virtual walls or boundary lines using your smartphone. This is especially useful when there are hanging wires, cords or other objects you don't want the robot to cross or become stuck on. If you enable this feature in the app, certain robots will notify you when they're near to hitting something. It's not a feature that all robots have, but it can be worth adding to your list of features.
Remote Control
Robotic vacuum cleaners are operated remotely and can be controlled by apps, voice commands or traditional remotes. They also have automated self-charging and scheduling functions which allow you to maintain a clean home with no hands-on interaction. This functionality is a great advantage for those with limited mobility and strength, since it eliminates the necessity to lift heavy furniture or struggle to enter difficult spaces.
The best robotic vacuums can adapt their operation to a wide variety of flooring surfaces, obstacles, and other variables. They often include sensors that can detect different areas of the room and adjust to suit. This feature allows a robot to automatically change between cleaning methods when switching from carpet, tile hardwood, or other types of flooring.
These machines with intelligence can be beneficial to families with a busy lifestyle and guests who are often present. A robot vac can be programmed to clean your home when you're away and can even return to its docking station when it runs low on power. This will save you money and time by not having to worry about an unclean home.
If you choose an option equipped with smart-compatible technology, it can connect to your Wi-Fi network and communicate with your smartphone. This allows you to control the device using an app that schedules cleaning sessions and monitor your battery status and mapping history. If your robot has cameras you can use the app to review images of your space. This is helpful for detecting objects that the robot might have missed during its previous cleaning routine for example, pet toys or chewed up socks.
The majority of the top robots have this type of smart integration. Some robots are compatible with Google Assistant. This means that you can use them simply by giving a command through a smart speaker. Certain devices may have difficulty communicating with Google Assistant due to signal strength or proximity. This issue can be solved by keeping your device up-to-date, minimizing barriers between your router and the Google Assistant or using an extension for Wi-Fi.