What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?
The best robot vacuums come with a a powerful motor and a set of bristles or rollers that are durable. They also come with large dustbins and an extended battery life.
Certain models map homes using smart mapping. They can stop to recharge and then clean up where they have left off. They can create no-go zones and also recognize different surfaces.
Object Avoidance
Object detection is a key feature for robot vacuums, because it allows them avoid getting into small items like cords, toys, socks, or shoes that aren't on the floor, but rather on furniture. These systems employ an integrated camera to identify objects in an AI database, and then teach the vacuum to avoid them. The Eufy S1 Pro, for example, utilizes a mix of sensors including 3D Time of Flight (sending light pulses to determine the distance and depth of the surrounding objects) and 3D Structured Light (beaming a pattern of lights across the space and analyzing the distortion of light to create an image) to efficiently steer away from obstacles.
A new addition to the obstacle avoidance repertoire is artificial intelligence and visual interpretation, which enables robots to more easily identify and comprehend what they're facing. This software utilizes two cameras to look around and analyze 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.
Some models utilize LiDAR for navigation. The technology emits laser beams and measures the amount of time it takes for them to bounce back at nearby surfaces to create a live, 3D map of the surrounding. This is able to detect furniture, walls and even stairs. However, it may not be as effective in low lighting or with transparent or reflective objects.
Whatever self vacuum or cameras are being used, a good battery life is important to ensure that your robot will be able to complete an entire home without needing to return to its dock to recharge. Look for a model that can run for a minimum of 80 minutes or more, depending on the dimensions of your living space.
Self-Emptying Bases
Some robot vacuum cleaners feature self-emptying bases. This can decrease the frequency at which you must empty your bin. They're considered to be a top feature that typically increases the cost of a robot.
The most effective robots have bases that can hold bins or a dust bin that is removable. You can open it and empty it once it is full. This can reduce the amount of time you spend worrying about when you should empty your bin and could be a huge benefit in the case of a messy household.
You'll find self-emptying bases on all the robots featured in our review, with the exception of the basic Roomba I3+, which doesn't have one. This is a shame, as this robot is a very strong performer. It got the highest mapping performance of all the robots that we tested, and it has superb navigation abilities. It also has excellent mower power and docking stations which can automatically empty the water tank if required.
It lacks iRobot’s advanced obstacle avoidance technology and digital keep-out zones, but it can become tangled in cables and rugs, and is unable to see the stray shoelaces or socks. That said, it's the perfect choice for a small, well-maintained house.
Other strong points are its navigation technology, which includes bump sensors and drop sensor, and its ability make your home a map with lasers and cameras. It is easy to use, comes with a variety of options and settings, and performs well when mows or vacuuming. Its smart-home feature allows it to be controlled by voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This can make it easier to operate when you have multiple tablets or smartphones and don't wish to buy the traditional remote.
App Controls
Certain robots come with Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to control them using your smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful in homes with a lot of floors, in which you may have to navigate your way down a flight of stairs before the robot can come to the bottom of it. This removes the need for an additional long cord, allowing you to move furniture with no worries about the robot getting tangled in it or running out of power while cleaning.
The app functions as a single-stop control center for monitoring and scheduling tasks. The app allows you to alter the power, cleaning mode and the water level of your robotic cleaner. This feature is particularly useful in homes with various floor types, for example, carpet and tile, as you can designate the robot to clean each room with the correct power and mode.
Some models have an inbuilt camera that can send a live feed to the app. These models are a good option for pet owners or parents of children who want to monitor the robot while it's working. Other smart robots use sensors to detect when they've reached the edge of a space and return to their docking station. This stops them from sweeping over the space and makes sure that they've cleaned all of the surfaces of your home.
Certain models can automatically empty the dustbin and even wash their mop heads and blow dry between cleaning sessions. This minimizes the frequency of manual maintenance and keeps the robot cleaner running smoothly for a longer time. You can also select an option that has a longer battery life which will help you avoid the hassles of recharging mid-cleaning.
Sensors
Many robot vacuums make use of sensors to navigate your home and work their magic on hard floors like wood, tile and laminate as well as carpets with low pile and area rugs. They're not an alternative to a full-size canister or upright cleaner, but they provide excellent suction and are a great method to keep your floor free of dust between deep cleanings.
Sensors enable the robot to navigate around your home by finding obstacles and avoiding falling on stairs. They also allow you to define physical and virtual "no-go" zones by using boundaries or virtual walls (like the ones used by Eufy) to block the robot from entering certain areas of your home. Some robots have cliff sensors which alert you when your robot is set to crash into the edge of a cliff.
The type of navigational system the robot utilizes is determined by your budget and layout of your home. Some of the most advanced robotic vacuums use LiDAR sensors to map and scan the area to ensure precise navigation. These systems can be expensive however they give the best results. Budget-friendly models with rudimentary bump navigation systems are less precise and may miss certain areas. They are great for avoiding major obstacles, but they can still be unable to detect dirt in crevices or around baseboards.
Find a model that has an extra-large dust bin as well as an extended battery life. You can find models that dock and recharge and then resume where they were when they left. This can save time. In addition to navigation and cleaning, you can get the most out of your robot vacuum by making sure you have everything ready for each cleaning session. Make sure that all power cords, toys, and other junk is cleared from the robot's path. Then empty the trash bin after each cleaning. Clean the charging port and sensors to keep your robot healthy.
Navigation
The top robot vacuums utilize mapping technology to create an electronic map of your home prior to the initial cleaning session. It helps them to recognize textures such as carpets or hard floors, and ensures all areas are cleaned. It also prevents your robots from having to clean the same areas over and over again, which can improve efficiency and reduce the amount of battery used. Many high-end models let you save a map for future use. This is perfect for large homes.
Most robotic vacuums feature some form of obstacle avoidance that stops them from running into cords, shoes, or socks. However, these sensors can't always recognize smaller objects. robot vacuum cleaner best buy began adding sensors to robots in the past few years. This allowed them to recognize and avoid household objects that traditional sensors could not. These include wall and cliff sensors, which work by bouncing light beams infrared off surfaces to calculate distances.
Certain sensors are built directly into the robot's base while others must be purchased separately. These sensors aid the robot to move safely and avoid falling off stairs, and stay clear from clutter. Certain models also come with anti-drop sensors, which automatically stop the robot from crashing into walls and furniture.
LiDAR mapping is the latest and most advanced technology for navigation and is something you should look for in robot vacuum. This type of system uses the spinning laser sensor that is placed on the top of the robot to map your home. By bounced infrared beams off your walls and furniture, it can sense the layout of your room. This helps to plan efficient routes and also clean your entire home.