What to Look For in a Good Robot Vacuum
A robot vacuum can help keep you on top of pet hair and lint on regular basis. Many robot vacuums work with apps that allow you to schedule cleaning sessions. You can also set virtual boundaries or walls, to ensure that the vacuum is kept away from areas that you don't want to be cleaned.
This smart vacuum and mop creates a map of your home with its first trip, and then it will remember your home's layout for future tasks. best robot vacuum for carpet comes with a self-cleaning brush roll and an extra-large dust bin that empties automatically.
Object Detection
When you are choosing a robotic vacuum cleaner, select one that is able to pick up big items such as lamps and toys and dust particles that are fine. This will ensure that they don't get snarled in the roller brush, and aren't left behind on your floors. This feature is particularly important for those who have children or pets and need to clean the robot regularly.
It's an excellent idea to select a model that has a powerful motor and plenty of suction power. This will make it more effective at getting up pet hair, lint and dust from your hardwood and carpet floors.
Another crucial aspect to consider is the size of your room. If you have a large home, you may prefer models with multiple cleaning zones that can clean the entire home in one go. Some models also come with a mopping function that can be used to keep your floors fresh and clean.
Robot vacuums are long-lasting however, they must be cleaned properly and regularly. Regularly cleaning the rotating brushes, emptying your dust bin, and wiping the sensors will keep your machine functioning efficiently for many years. Many owners of robot vacuums we speak with have owned the same machine for a period of 10 years or more (and have replaced motors, brushes and batteries as they went along).
A basic robot will cost less than a full-sized vacuum cleaner, but they'll still do an excellent job at removing dirt and pet hair, and dust. They're an excellent maintenance cleaner that you can use often throughout the week to keep your floor tidy. They do not have as much technology and are more prone to getting jammed or needing manual intervention.
Object Avoidance
The most effective robot vacuums utilize sensors, cameras or lasers to guide you around your home and avoid getting stuck or falling down the stairs. Some models can return to their dock or base when their batteries are low. They can also stay clear of obstacles like furniture legs and cords. The more expensive ones often feature mapping capabilities that allow them to memorize the arrangement of your home, and reduce the amount of time you're bumping into walls.
There is no need to spend a lot of money on the most expensive robotic vacuums. There are models that do an excellent job of removing pet hair and dirt from hard surfaces such as wood, tile, and low-pile rugs. They can also handle bigger debris like nails that are rusty, metal screws or discarded toys. Some come with a base that automatically empty itself, which is a great feature for those who don't want to empty it every cleaning session.
The majority of robotic vacuums have smart features that make your standard stick vacuum seem prehistoric such as zones, schedules, and the capability to control them using an app or voice assistant such as Alexa. You can also create cleaning zones and virtual walls to block off areas where you do not want the robot to venture.
Some robotic vacuums, such as the Eufy 11S or my former top pick, Roborock S8, come with obstacle avoidance technology to stop them from falling over cords or furniture. Some robot vacuums, such as the iRobot Roomba j7+ have more advanced AI obstacle-avoidance technology which uses a camera, processors and algorithms to stay clear of items like lamp cords as well as pet waste. It's more expensive than the other bots I've tested however, it did a fantastic job of avoiding obstacles around my home and rarely got stuck or tangled when I was working on my floors.
While the iRobot's j7+ was a good obstacle avoidance robot but it wasn't always able to do an excellent job of avoiding dirt and crumbs from my rugs. It also was known to over-vacuum certain areas, resulting in dust accumulating in the filters, and an unclean home.
Smart Mapping
Some of the best robots vacuums include an application that lets you alter cleaning modes, create schedules, and see a map of the floor area covered by the machine. This is a handy feature, and one that a few competitors do not have. It allows you to create profiles which will automatically start the robot at certain times and continue to run regularly. For example, cleaning the living area every day or before dinner.
A good app can allow you to control your robot using voice commands. Certain models are compatible with Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant, which allows you to control your robot using voice commands.
For a truly hands-free experience, opt for models with a large dust bin that can accommodate many cleaning sessions before needing to be empty. There are also models that are self-emptying that take some of the work out of emptying the machine after each run of vacuuming.
If you're looking for a robotic that is more than a vacuum, consider a model with mopping capabilities. These are typically larger than the robotic vacuums and include a water tank inside that can hold many cleaning sessions of dirt and debris before having to be empty.
Robots that are more advanced can make their own maps and keep track of the plan of your house from one cleaning session to the next, preventing 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 return to where it was when it encounters furniture or walls.
Our test subjects found that robots with this feature were extremely efficient. They could watch TV or complete other tasks while the robot cleaned. Some models employ laser navigation, and can create an exact map of your entire house, which means you can program them to clean just the bedroom after dinner, or each room of the house when you're at work.
App Control
It is best to select one that comes with a mobile application if you want to customize the frequency of cleaning and select a cleaning mode. You can also view the state of the vacuum and the condition of its dust bin using the app. Some of the most effective robot vacuums are operated by voice using Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri Shortcuts.
It is simple to maintain a robot equipped with a washable filter and a self-emptying container, especially if the filter can be easily removed and rinsed. Another great feature is a high-powered brush that can be found in corners and along baseboards, making it easier to get rid of dirt and hair. Certain robots are better in avoiding chairs' legs than others, and some have an auto-cleaning sensor that helps prevent the clogging of brushes that can occur in other robots.
Certain robo-vacs come with navigational tools to help them navigate around obstacles and help you understand your home. High-end models are equipped with sensors and cameras that detect obstacles like furniture, stairs and cords, whereas cheaper models may use boundary strips you place on the floor to mark off areas you don't want it to enter. Avoidance of objects is crucial for families with young children who have socks and toys scattered around the house, as it helps your robot nab these objects instead of scattering them.
Robots are increasingly equipped with mop heads. This is useful for those with hard floors who need to mop frequently. They have a water reservoir that is built into their chassis or as a separate piece can be swapped in when ready to mop. They might need to be refilled more often than other kinds of robots, but they're great for homes with floors made of wood that can't be easily cleaned with a vacuum.
We've seen some incredible technology packed into these little robots and they're cheaper than you expect. In fact, you can find a good one for under $200 that does a decent job of getting rid of pet hair and crumbs from hard floors while also moving around the edges of light carpets or area rug. The robot can be programmed to vacuum specific rooms on a regular basis. It can also be controlled remotely using an app or by pressing buttons.