Why We Enjoy Robot Vacuum Best And You Should Too

How to Keep a Robot Vacuum Clean

Robot vacuums can help keep your floors clean. Based on the model, they may also sweep, mop, and even vacuum stairs.

Look for models with smart features, such as remote access and app control. Apps can be used to schedule cleaning time or monitor progress. Some apps can even suspend and recharge, and then return to where they left off.

1. Battery Life

With self-driving cars, drones that navigate the skies, and robot vacuums that nimbly maneuver around furniture, it's safe claim that the future of home cleaning is here. However, as with all technologies, it requires some maintenance to ensure it's running smoothly.

The most crucial factor in the longevity of your robot is the battery's charge and discharge cycles. Keep the dustbin full and empty. Check for tangled furs and stop the brushes from clogging.

The conditions in which your robot is stored can also influence the performance of your battery. Extreme temperatures and cold could affect battery performance. You can extend the life of your robot's battery by charging it up to 50% and storing it in a cool area. Also, disconnect it from the power source when using it. Most smart devices also have periodic firmware updates that can improve performance and optimize battery. Check the app to see if there's any updates.

For those with lots of hard floors, a robot vacuum is a good choice. It is able to remove dirt and debris quickly and efficiently, leaving your floors sparkling. But if you're looking for more than just a quick clean-up, you'll want consider a model that offers superior navigation and obstacles-avoiding capabilities.

The Ecovacs T20 robot is our top rated robot. It is a combination of advanced navigation, powerful suction, and a variety of mopping features to provide a deep, thorough clean of your hard flooring. It uses LiDAR cameras and sensors to create detailed maps of your home. This allows it to stay on track and avoid getting caught in furniture legs or power cables. It can also identify objects such as clutter and shoes to automatically clean around them. It also self-empties, meaning that you don't have to return the vacuum mop cleaner robot back to its base station to empty its bin every cleaning session.

2. Dust Bin

Robots are excellent for quick midweek cleaning, but they don't have the suction power to substitute for a plug-in vacuum cleaner when it comes to deep cleaning. Even the most powerful robotic cleaner and mop vacuums can be prone to getting tangled in cords and toys. They also can ignore dirt piles in the vicinity of baseboards and struggle to get rid of the crumbs that have accumulated under furniture. And, their onboard dustbins fill up so quickly that they must return to their charging docks in order to self-empty--a process that can take as long as half an hour for certain models.

It is crucial to select the right robot vacuum that has a large dustbin that can be empty into the dock without having to return to complete the job. You'll also want to consider whether you'd prefer a bagged or bagless model and, if you opt for a bagless version, how much dust will be able to hold before needing to be cleaned.

In our tests we apply 100 grams of sand to an area of carpet with a medium pile and utilize a robot vacuum sweep it across the carpet. The amount of sand that is weighed in the dust bin onboard allows us to measure the amount dirt that has been accumulated. A high amount means that the bin could fill up faster and cause your robot to stop cleaning.

It's a good idea to know that many robot vacuums have a large dustbin, which can be easily emptied. You can also schedule the cleaning of their bases at least two times a day. Keep a can with compressed air on hand to blow out hairs that have gotten caught up in the rotating brush and to clean the filters in accordance to the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

3. Wi-Fi Connectivity

The best robot vacuums offer a variety of connectivity options to connect with your home's Wi-Fi. This lets the robot download and install updates for its software, as well as gives you the option to monitor your bot via an app or voice-activated commands. Although not required, this feature offers convenience and customization features that can improve the overall experience for robot vacuuming.

Most models require a certain amount of routine maintenance, such as emptying the dust bin or cleaning the brush roll to ensure they are operating at peak efficiency. Maintaining a close eye on consumable parts and following a regular schedule of cleaning and detachment can extend their life span too. Vacuum expert Emily Rairdin at University Vacuum & Sewing states that three to five years is the average life expectancy for a robot vacuum, though it can differ significantly based on the frequency you use it, and whether you take care of it in a proper manner.

To function, a robot vacuum needs to be able to map your floors and navigate around obstacles. Advanced navigation systems typically have sensors that detect cliffs and alert the bot to steep slopes, as well as laser and optical sensors that help it "see" a room's layout. Some robots have mopping capabilities that can be used to maintain floors between deep cleanings with the use of a vacuum.

The most efficient 2-in-1 robots mop and vacuum, allowing you to skip the step of having to switch between a robot and a manual vacuum. One example is the iRobot Roomba 690, which is a powerful and highly efficient robot vacuum that can also clean surfaces with its water tank and wash the mop pad automatically. Its mapping and obstacle avoidance skills were so good that it was awarded the CR's best robot vacuum - look here, Award, and also an AVTech Editors Choice Award.

4. Cleaning Patterns

The best robot vacuums in our tests have impressive performance on carpets with a low pile and hard floors cleaning dust, dirt and pet hair. They also sweep away particles and crumbs from the edges of rooms and along baseboards. They can't remove deep-seated dirt or tangles of shag fibers such as an upright or a canister. They are also unable to pick up spilled liquids and food, or heavy metal screws, and they may miss a few areas of the home (including under furniture).

Many models are equipped with clever features that make them more user-friendly. They typically have an app allowing you to plan cleaning times and operate the robot remotely. They can be integrated into your smart home system, to allow voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have multiple modes that let you select between mopping, sweeping and vacuuming. They can return to their docks for a recharge and pick up where they left off.

Obstacle-avoidance technology has advanced in recent years, however you still need to clear out cords, toys, and pet messes prior to running the robot. It is also recommended to cover any floor-to-ceiling mirrors with cardboard before mapping out the space for the first time, because the laser used by some models can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to crash into a wall or floor.

More premium models have advanced mapping capabilities, with some using lidar to generate a 3D map of your space. This helps the robot to recognize obstacles and devise an efficient path around them. Some also allow you to create no-go zones so that the robot is able to avoid certain areas like your pet's food bowls or an expensive rug.

5. App Control

Many robots that vacuum and mop allow you to set a timer for cleaning and manage their movements hands-free with an app, which means you can take care of your home when you're at work or away. Some robots also have the ability to self-empty into a larger container in their base which helps reduce dust re-release and is a great option for those suffering from allergies.

Some robots can spot objects on the ground and utilize cameras as a guide to avoid obstacles like power cords, furniture legs or pet toys. This is an impressive feature, and it's even available in less expensive models. However, it's important to regularly empty the dustbin of your robot and look for hairs that have become tangled as they build up.

A high-end model can also store multiple floor plans, which are beneficial if you live in more than one level and some models can even create 3D representations of your home. You can pick specific rooms and create digital "keep-out" zones to ensure that your robot only cleans the areas you want.

Robots are ideal for midweek cleaning, but they can't replace a plug-in vacuum especially when it concerns rugs. They are better at removing dirt from carpet than bare flooring, but they will miss piles near baseboards and thresholds as well as knotted cords and socks. Choose a model that has spot and zone cleaning modes. This allows you to focus on specific areas without wasting time. There are also models that charge and then resume where they have left off. This is ideal for houses with large spaces.