What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?
The best robot vacuums have a a powerful motor and a set of rollers or bristles that are tough. They also have large dustbins and long battery life.
Certain models map homes using smart mapping. They can be able to pause for recharge, then pick up cleaning where they left off. They can even create no-go zones and recognize 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 are not on the floor, but instead on furniture. These systems use an integrated camera to identify objects 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 emits a pattern of light onto the space, and then analyzes the light distortion to create a map to avoid obstacles.
A more recent addition to the obstacle avoidance repertoire is artificial intelligence and visual interpretation, which allows robots to recognize and understand what they're encountering. The software makes use of two cameras to observe the world and analyze it in real-time. This software is used by the ECOVACS DEEBOT to detect up 30 different objects, such as cables and shoes.
Certain models also employ LiDAR to navigate. This technology emits lasers, and measures the time taken to bounce off surfaces in order to create an 3D map. This is useful in detecting walls, furniture and even stairs. However, it might not be as effective in low lighting or with reflective or transparent objects.
No matter what cameras or sensors are employed, it is important that your robot has a long-lasting battery so that it can last the duration of your home without having to return to the dock for recharging. Pick a model that has a battery life of at least 80 minutes, or longer depending on the dimensions and layout of your home.
Self-Emptying Bases
Certain robot vacuum cleaners have self-emptying bases, which could decrease the frequency you need to empty your dustbin. They are considered premium feature and can increase the price of a robotic vacuum cleaner.
The most effective robots have bases that can either hold either a bin or a dust bin that you can open and empty when it's full. This will save you time by cutting down on the time spent worrying about when to empty the dustbin.
Self-emptying bases are present on all the robots we've reviewed in our review, except for the basic Roomba I3+, which doesn't have one. This is a shame because the robot performs extremely well. It had the best mapping results out of all the robots we tested and has superb navigation capabilities. It has a great mower and docking system that can empty the water tank automatically when needed.
It doesn't have iRobot's advanced obstacle avoidance and digital keep-out zone, however it is prone to getting caught in cables and rugs, and is unable to see rogue shoelaces or socks. It's an excellent choice for a small house that is well-maintained.
Other strong points of the product include its aforementioned navigation technology, including drop sensors and bump sensors, as well as its ability to map out the entire house with cameras and laser. It's also simple to set up, comes with many settings and modes, and offers an excellent performance in mowing and vacuuming. Its smart-home feature allows it to be controlled via voice commands made using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This can make it easier to use if you own multiple tablets or smartphones and don't wish to pick up the traditional remote.
App Controls
Some robots connect to Wi-Fi. This allows users to control them from your smartphone or tablet. This convenience is especially helpful in homes with multiple floors, in which you may have to navigate down a staircase before the robot is able to get to the bottom. This eliminates the need for an extra long cord so you can move your furniture without worrying about the robot getting caught in it or running out of power when cleaning.
The app functions as a single-stop control center to monitor and schedule 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 different types of flooring, including tile and carpet. You can assign the robot the appropriate power and cleaning mode for each area.
Some models come with a built-in camera that transmits live feeds to the app. These models are perfect for pet owners and people with small children who want to watch the robot while it works. Other smart robots have sensors that can detect when they've gotten to the edge of a room, and return to their base to dock. This stops them from overrunning an area and ensures they have cleaned all surfaces within your home.
Certain models can empty the dustbin automatically and even wash their mop heads and blow dry between cleaning sessions. This reduces the requirement for manual maintenance and the robot cleaner will perform better over a longer period of time. You can also choose a model that has an extended battery that helps you avoid the hassle of having to recharge mid-cleaning.
Sensors
Many robot vacuums are equipped with sensors that allow them to navigate through your home. They can work on area rugs, carpets as well as hard floors like tiles and wood. They're not the same as an actual upright or canister vacuum cleaner, but they do offer great suction on dirt and dust and are a fantastic method of keeping the floor clean between deep cleanings with an upright machine.
Sensors allow the robot to navigate around your home by detecting obstacles and avoiding falling on steps. They also allow you to define physical and virtual "no-go" zones using the feature known as boundary strips or virtual walls (like the ones employed by eufy) to stop the robot from entering certain areas of your home. Certain robots have cliff sensors which alert you when your robot is about to fall into an obstacle.
The type of navigation system the robot uses depends on your budget and the layout of your home. The most advanced robotic vacuums use LiDAR sensors to map and scan the area, ensuring accurate navigation. These systems are expensive but they deliver the most efficient results. Models that are budget-friendly with basic navigation bumps aren't as precise and can miss some spots. They're good for avoiding major obstacles, but they can still fail to spot dirt in crevices and around baseboards.
Select best affordable robot vacuum with a an enormous dust bin and long battery life. There are also models that recharge and then resume where they left off when they dock to 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 power cords and toys are tucked away and out of the robot's path. Also, empty the bin every cleaning. Clean the charging port and sensors to ensure that your robot is healthy.
Navigation
The top robot vacuums create a digital mapping of your home using mapping technology in the initial cleaning session. It allows them to recognize textures such as carpets or hard floors, and ensures all areas are cleaned. The mapping also stops your robot from re-cleaning the same spots that improves efficiency and may reduce battery usage. Many top models come with the option to save a map of your house to use in the future, which is great for larger homes.
Most robotic vacuums have some sort of obstacle avoidance technology that stops them from running over cords or socks or shoes. These sensors do not always detect small objects. Some time ago manufacturers began adding additional sensors to their robots, allowing them detect and avoid household items that standard sensor systems couldn't. These include cliff sensors as well as wall sensors that operate by reflecting infrared beams light off surfaces to calculate distances.
Certain sensors are built directly into the robot's base while others must be purchased separately. These sensors help the robot to navigate safely and avoid falling off steps, and keep away from clutter. Some models have anti-drop sensors that prevent the robots from crashing against furniture and walls.
LiDAR mapping the most advanced navigation system available is a feature you should look for when purchasing the robot vacuum. This system uses the spinning sensor on the robot to map out your home. By bouncing infrared beams off of your walls and furniture it is able to determine the layout of your room. This information can help it plan efficient paths and clear your entire house.