What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?
The best robot vacuums come with a powerful engine and a robust set of bristles or rollers. They also have large dustbins and a long battery life.
Some models use smart mapping to identify homes, and they can stop, recharge and then pick up cleaning exactly where they stopped. They can also set up no-go zones, and identify different surfaces.
Object Avoidance
Object detection is an essential feature for robot vacuums, because it allows them to avoid running into small objects like cords, toys, socks or shoes that aren't on the floor, but rather on furniture. These systems use a built-in camera to recognize objects that are listed in an AI database, and then teach the vacuum to avoid them. The Eufy S1 Pro uses a combination of sensors, including 3D Time of Flight, which transmits light waves into the room to gauge the distance and depth of objects, and 3D Structured Light, which beams a pattern onto the space, and then analyzes the distortion of light to create a map, to steer clear of obstacles.
A more recent addition to the obstacle avoidance repertoire is artificial intelligence and visual interpretation, which enables robots to more easily identify and understand what they're encountering. This software uses a single or dual camera to view the world around them, and analyzes it in real time. The ECOVACS DEEBOT uses this software to detect up to 30 different kinds of objects such as shoes, cables and pet poop.
Certain models also use LiDAR to navigate. The technology emits laser beams and measures the time it takes for them to bounce back from the surrounding surfaces to create a live 3-D map of the surroundings. This is useful in the detection of furniture, walls and even stairs. It might not work in dim lighting or with transparent or reflective objects.
Whatever sensor or cameras are being used, a good battery life is essential to ensure that your robot is able to completely fill your home without having to return to its dock to recharge. Pick a model that has an extended battery life of at least 80 minutes, or more, depending on the dimensions and layout of your home.
Bases that self-eliminate
Some robot vacuum cleaners have self-emptying bases. This can reduce the frequency that you must empty your bin. They're considered to be a top feature, and usually add to the price of a robot.
The best robots have bases that can hold a bin or a removable dustbin that you can easily open and empty when it's full. This can reduce the amount of time that you spend worrying about when you should empty your dustbin and can make a significant difference if you have a high-mess household.
Self-emptying bases are found on all the robots featured in our review, except for the bare-bones Roomba I3+, which doesn't have one. This is a pity because this robot is extremely efficient. It got the best mapping results of all the robots that we tested, and it has great navigating abilities. It also has a good mowing power and docking stations which can automatically empty the water tank whenever required.
It doesn't have iRobot's advanced obstacle avoidance and digital keep-out zones, but it is prone to getting caught in rugs and cables, and cannot see rogue shoelaces or socks. It's a great choice for a smaller home which is well-maintained.
Other strong points are its navigation system that includes bump sensors as well as a drop sensor, and the ability to map out your whole house using cameras and lasers. It's also easy to set up, has a wide variety of settings and modes, and provides excellent mowing and vacuuming performance. Its smart-home function allows it to be controlled by voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This makes it easier to use when you have several tablets or smartphones, and don't want to buy the traditional remote.
App Controls
Some robots are Wi-Fi compatible, allowing you to control them from your smartphone or tablet. This feature is particularly beneficial in large homes with multiple floors, where you may have to navigate your way down a staircase before the robot can get to the bottom. This eliminates the need for an additional long cord to move furniture without worrying about the robot getting tangled in it or running out of power while cleaning.
The app serves as a central control point to monitor and schedule tasks. The app allows you to customize the power, cleaning mode and the water level of your robot cleaner. This feature is particularly useful inside homes that have multiple floor types -- for instance, carpet and tile -- because you can designate the robot to clean each area with the correct power and mode.
Certain models have cameras built-in that send a live feed to the app. These models are great for pet owners and those with children who need to monitor the robot as it operates. Other smart robots use sensors to know when they reach the edges of a space, and then return to their docking station. This prevents them from taking over an area and also ensures that they've cleaned every surface within your home.
Certain models can automatically empty the dustbin and even wash their mop heads and blow dry between cleaning sessions. This will reduce the need for manual maintenance, and the robot cleaner will perform better for longer. You can also select an option with a longer battery life which will help you avoid the hassles of mid-cleaning recharge.
Sensors
A lot of robot vacuums are fitted with sensors that let them navigate around your home. They can work on area rugs, carpets and hard floors such as tiles and wood. They're not an alternative to an upright or full-size canister cleaner, but offer excellent suction and a fantastic way to keep your floor clean in between deep cleanings.
Sensors aid the robot in navigating your home by finding obstacles and avoiding falling down stairs. They also allow you to set virtual and physical "no-go" zones with a feature called boundary strips or virtual walls (like the ones employed by eufy) to stop the robot from entering certain areas of your home. Some robots have cliff sensors that warn you when the robot is close to crossing an edge.
The kind of navigation system that the robot utilizes will depend on your budget and home layout. Some of the most advanced robotic vacuums utilize LiDAR-based sensors to map and scan rooms, ensuring accurate and efficient navigation. These systems are costly, but provide the most efficient results. The budget-friendly models that have basic bump navigation systems are less precise and can miss places. They're good for avoiding major obstacles, but they may still be unable to detect dirt in crevices or around baseboards.
Select a model with a an enormous dust bin and long battery life. You can find models that dock and recharge, then resume where they were when they left. This will save you time. In addition to navigation it is possible to get the most out of your robot vacuum by preparing for each cleaning session. Check that all power cords and toys are kept away from the robot's path. Also, empty the bin every cleaning. Also, clean the charging ports and sensors to keep the robot in good health.
Navigation
The most effective robot vacuums employ mapping technology to create an electronic map of your home prior to the initial cleaning session. It helps them recognize patterns, like carpets and hard floors, and ensures that all areas are thoroughly cleaned. Mapping also saves top robot vacuum from re-cleaning the same areas, which improves efficiency and reduces battery consumption. Many high-end models allow you to save maps to use in the future. This is great for homes with large spaces.
Most robotic vacuums have some kind of obstacle avoidance system that prevents them from slamming into cords or socks, or shoes. These sensors are not always able to detect small objects. A few years ago manufacturers began adding additional sensors to their robots, allowing them detect and avoid household objects that traditional sensors could not. These include cliff sensors as well as wall sensors that function by reflecting infrared beams of light off surfaces to calculate distances.
Some of these sensors are integrated in the robot's base while others require you to purchase a separate attachment. These sensors help the robot navigate in a safe manner, avoid falling on stairs, and stay away from clutter. Some models have anti-drop sensors which prevent the robots from crashing against furniture and walls.
LiDAR mapping the most advanced navigation system available is a feature that you should look for when buying a robot vacuum. The system makes use of the spinning sensor on the robot to map out your home. By bouncing infrared beams off of furniture and walls it can determine the layout of your space. This helps to plan efficient routes and also clean your entire home.