What to Look For in a Robot Vacuum

Based on your budget, you can pick a vacuum with all the bells, whistles and features. Look for one that is able to clean multiple types of floors, and think about buying one that has a self-empty dock.

Models that are priced lower typically have rudimentary bump navigation systems that are slow and inefficient. The higher-end models have sensors to map out your home and navigate around furniture and other obstacles.

Features

Robot vacuums are an excellent method of reducing the amount of time you spend cleaning your home. They're especially useful for people with hectic schedules, or for those who have children or pets and struggle to manage the mess. They're also beneficial for people who live in apartments or condos with little storage space. While they are fantastic for general cleaning, they can't get into corners and places like full-size vacuums. They can clean up toys, cords and socks, but not all the dust under your cabinets or on the baseboards.

The most effective robot vacuums feature powerful suction that can remove dirt and other debris from a wide range of flooring kinds. This information can be found in the specifications of the manufacturer, which are usually expressed in Pascals. Higher Pa values indicate more power. It is recommended for you to choose the robot that has at least 2000 Pa. This will be sufficient for most homes.

One of the best features of a good robot vacuum is its double-duty as a mop. Some models let you set up a spot-cleaning mode that focuses on a specific area of the room. This can be extremely helpful in the event of a huge spill or sticky mess to clean up.

A good robot vacuum should also have an electronic navigation system. The more advanced the system, the better it will identify your home's layout and return to its dock without becoming lost. This is particularly crucial for older homes, that often have a confusing layout. Check if the device is equipped with sensors that detect obstacles and avoid these.

Suction

If you have carpeting in your home, choose the right robot vacuum with strong suction. The greater the suction is, the better the machine can remove dust and other small particles. It must also be able easily move from one floor type to another. A good robot will be able to remove pet hair, cereal crumbs, and dust from carpet fibers and hardwood floors.

During testing, different models performed significantly better on various flooring types. Some were able to remove cereal on hard floors, whereas others struggled to get hair out of carpet fibers. You should also think about how often you'll have to maintain your robot vacuum. It is recommended to empty it often to avoid overflowing and the brushes need to be cleaned regularly as well.

The most effective robot vacuums have bases that can be self-emptied. It will automatically empty the dirt and debris when it's full. This feature can help you save money and time in cleaning bags, and will reduce the frequency of cleaning the robot. Some companies offer models with a removable bin that can be empty by simply tapping your finger.

Cover any mirrors you may have when buying a robot cleaner prior to the device is able to map your home for the very first time. The LIDAR sensors that are used by the majority of robot vacuums to navigate, may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the machine to "perceive" the mirror as an obstruction. Additionally, some robots may be tripped up by objects of dark hues, such as chairs and toys for children. This happens because the robot's cliff sensors are sensitive to infrared radiation, which is absorbed by surfaces with darker colors.

App control

The best robot cleaners have applications that let you schedule cleaning sessions and monitor them, as well as create zones of no-go areas. Certain robot vacuums can be used with Amazon Alexa or other digital voice assistants, allowing a hands-free cleaning experience. If you're looking for a more convenient experience, consider choosing a model with object-avoidance technology and stair-recognition. These features will stop the robot from falling and crashing into objects such as socks, pet toys and power cables.

Most robot vacuums come in square and round models with round models that can maneuver around furniture legs better, while being a bit more difficult to reach corners. Square models however are more angular design and are able to reach corners easier. However, they require a larger area to navigate and may get into objects faster than their round counterparts. To avoid this, ensure you have a precise measurement of your home and choose a model suitable to it.

Whatever model you pick, look for a large dust bin and an auto-emptying dock. These features will help to reduce the frequency of emptying the bin and also reduce the amount of maintenance required by the device. A robot that has docks that are able to pause and recharge and then resume cleaning where it left off will give you the most hands-free experience.

While robot vacuums are great for daily touch-ups and routine midweek cleanups but they aren't able to replace an upright or canister vacuum on thick carpets and hard flooring. They can still get tangled in rugs, not be able to remove certain debris, and leave dirt spots on floors. It's imperative to clean your entire home prior to using a robot and ensure that all power cords, clothes, rug fringes, and window blind cords are safely tucked away from the device's sensors and charging contacts.

Battery life

A good robot vacuum should have a long battery lifespan and be able hold its charge for the duration of a cleaning session. If you intend to use your robot vacuum in several rooms or in a larger house, it is important to choose a model with a long battery life. If you don't intend to clean your floor often it is recommended to choose a model with smaller batteries should be sufficient.

During our tests during our tests, the X10 was able to map the entire room with just two runs and then clean a full floor in under two hours. It also has the top mopping tech we've seen in a robot vacuum. It mops with scrubby, scrubbing motion that helps get rid of dried coffee stains as well as other marks that are stubborn on the floorboards. It also features Eufy's top-of-the-line object-avoidance technology that is trained to behave like a self-driving automobile to avoid objects such as slippers and socks.

One of the most important characteristics for the robot vacuum is its ability to navigate around corners and stairs. This feature allows the robot not to run into objects or fall down stairs. A robot with vSLAM navigation (found on models with higher-end features from iRobot) uses a camera to create a 3-D model of the surroundings while it is moving.

Apart from corner and stairway navigation other characteristics that make a fantastic robot vacuum include a slim profile and the ability to get into tight spots. Some of our favorite robot vacuums, such as the Shark iRobot vacuum and self-emptying base station can be tucked under the majority of furniture. These vacuums also have an enormous chamber that can store months or weeks of debris prior to needing to be cleaned.

App navigation

When choosing a robot vacuum, think about how much space you have to clean and what kind of floors are in your home. Also, you should consider the navigation system of the robot. Some have built-in sensors that identify obstacles, while others utilize sensors that combine to create and update maps. The number of sensors, as well as how they're used will determine the size of the area that a robot can cover in one charge, as well as its ability to move between rooms.

The best robot vacuums for cleaning large areas come with a variety of mapping and navigation capabilities. They use sensors to recognize furniture and walls, then move around them without causing damage or spreading dirt. They also utilize cliff sensors to detect high thresholds and prevent falling. Bump sensors, which may be found in the form of physical bumpers or touch-sensitive pads, are another characteristic of robot vacuums.

You can customize the robot’s map of your house and designate zones of no-go areas using an app on your smartphone. You can also schedule cleanings and monitor the progress of the robot from your phone. Certain robots have a lower battery life however, most can clean up to 2000 square feet.

The SwitchBot K10 Plus is a robot that is able to reach into tight spaces more efficiently than other models. Its SLAM technology is among the most effective available, and its MyDyson app lets you see the areas that are cleaned.

This robot is the most affordable choice in this price range. Its lidar mapping was swift and precise. It arranged my room into zones from the very first try. Its obstacle avoidance was impressive, with it navigating through shoe and cable clutter and even the fake dog poop that I threw in my test.