What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?
The top robot vacuums come with an engine that is powerful and a robust set of bristles or rollers. They also have decently sized dustbins and large battery life.
Some models map homes using smart mapping, and can pause to recharge, and then resume cleaning where they stopped. They can even set no-go zones and identify different surfaces.
Object Avoidance
Object detection is a crucial feature of robot vacuums since it helps them avoid getting into small objects like shoes, socks or toys, or even cords that aren't found on the floor but on furniture or other items. The machines use a built-in camera to recognize objects that appear in an AI database, and then teach the vacuum how to avoid them. The Eufy S1 Pro uses a combination of sensors, including 3D Time of Flight, which sends light pulses into the room to gauge the distance and depth of objects, and 3D Structured Light, which emits a pattern of light onto the room, analyzing the light distortion to create a map, to avoid obstacles.
A recent addition to the obstacle avoidance repertoire is artificial intelligence and visual interpretation, which allows robots to more easily identify and understand what they're encountering. This software uses cameras that are either double or single to view the world and analyze it in real-time. The ECOVACS DEEBOT uses this software to detect up to 30 types of objects such as cables, shoes, and pet poop.
Some models also use LiDAR to navigate. The technology emits lasers and determines the amount of time it takes to bounce off the surfaces around them in order to create a 3-D map. This is useful for the detection of furniture, walls and even stairs. It might not be effective in low light or with transparent or reflective objects.
Whatever sensor or cameras are used regardless of the camera or sensor, a long battery life is essential to ensure that your robot can complete an entire home without the need to return to its dock to recharge. Choose a model that can run for at least 80 minutes or more, based on the size of your living space.
Bases that Self-Empty
Some robot vacuum cleaners come with self-emptying bases, which can decrease the frequency you have to empty your dustbin. They're considered to be a top feature that typically increases the price of the robot.
The best robots come with bases that hold either bins or a movable dustbin. You can open the bin and empty it when full. This can cut down on the amount of time you spend worrying about when to empty your dustbin and can make a big difference in the case of a messy household.
All the robots we reviewed have self-emptying bases, except the Roomba I3+. This is a shame since this robot is extremely efficient. It has the best results in mapping of all the robots we tested and it has great navigation abilities. It also has excellent mower power, as well as docking stations which can automatically empty the water tank if needed.
It doesn't come with iRobot's sophisticated obstacle avoidance or digital keep-out zones, though it can get tangled up on rugs and cables and doesn't have the ability to detect the stray socks or shoelaces. That said, it's the perfect choice for a small, well-maintained home.
Other strong points of the product include its aforementioned navigation technology, including bump sensors and drop sensors, as well as its ability to map your entire home using cameras and laser. It is simple to use, has many options and settings and is a great choice for cleaning or mowing. Another advantage is its smart-home connectivity, that allows it to function with voice commands via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This can make it easier to operate in the event that you own multiple smartphones or tablets, and don't wish to pick up a traditional remote.
App Controls
Some robots are Wi-Fi enabled that allow you to control them using your smartphone or tablet. This feature is particularly beneficial in homes with a lot of floors, where you may have to navigate your way down a flight of stairs before the robot can come to the bottom. It also eliminates the requirement for a long cord, allowing you to move furniture without worrying about your robot getting tangled up in the cord or running out of energy during cleaning.
The app serves as a central control point for monitoring and scheduling tasks. The app lets you alter the cleaning mode, power and the water level of your robot cleaner. This feature is particularly useful in homes that have various flooring types, such as tile and carpet. You can assign the robot the proper power and cleaning mode for each floor.
Some models have cameras built-in that send live feeds to the app. These models are a great choice for pet owners or those with children who need to keep an eye on the robot while it's in operation. Other smart robots have sensors that can detect when they've reached the edge of a room, and return to their base to dock. This prevents them from encroaching on an area and makes sure they've cleaned every surface in your home.
Certain models automatically empty the dustbin and even blow dry and wash mop heads in between cleaning sessions. This will reduce the necessity for manual maintenance and the robot cleaner will function better for a longer time. You can also choose a model that has an extended battery, which helps you avoid the hassle of mid-cleaning recharges.
Sensors
Many robot vacuums make use of sensors to navigate around your home and work their magic on hard floors such as laminate, wood, and tile as also low pile carpets and area rugs. They're not an alternative to a full-size, upright or canister vacuum cleaner, but they do offer excellent suction on dirt and dust. They can be a great way to keep your floor clean between deep cleanings with an upright machine.
Sensors assist the robot in navigating your space by finding obstacles and avoiding falling down stairs. You can also create virtual and physical "no go" zones using boundary strips or virtual wall (like those employed by Eufy) to prevent the robot entering specific areas of your home. Some robots come with cliff sensors which alert you when your robot is about to crash into the edge of a cliff.
The kind of navigational system the robot utilizes is determined by your budget and home layout. Some of the most sophisticated robotic vacuums use LiDAR-based sensors to map and scan rooms, ensuring precise and efficient navigation. These systems are costly, however they provide the most effective results. Models that are budget-friendly with basic navigation bumps are less precise and may miss spots. They're good for avoiding major obstacles, but they can still be unable to detect dirt in crevices or around baseboards.
Choose a model that has an extensive dust bin as well as long battery life. You can find models that can dock and recharge, then resume where they left off. This will save you time. You can make the most of your robot vacuum in addition to navigation, by making sure that you are prepared for each cleaning session. Check that all power cables, toys, and other debris is removed from the robot's path. Then empty the trash bin after each cleaning. Wipe down robot vacuum cleaner best and charging port to ensure your robot is in good health.
Navigation
The best robot vacuums create a digital mapping of your home with mapping technology in the first cleaning session. It helps them recognize the different textures, like carpets and hard floors, and ensures that all areas are cleaned. The mapping also stops your robot from re-cleaning the same areas that improves efficiency and may reduce battery consumption. Many top models come with the option of saving the map of your home to be used in the future which is a great feature for larger homes.
Most robotic vacuums have an obstacle avoidance system that prevents them from slamming into cords or socks, or shoes. However, these sensors can't always detect small objects. In the past few years manufacturers began adding additional sensors to their robots, allowing them to detect and avoid household items that standard sensor systems couldn't. They include cliff sensors and wall sensors that operate by reflecting infrared beams light off surfaces to determine distances.
Some sensors are built directly into the robot base, however, others require being purchased separately. These sensors help the robot to navigate safely, avoid falling on stairs, and stay away from clutter. Some models have anti-drop sensors that prevent the robot from colliding with furniture and walls.
LiDAR mapping the most advanced navigation system available is a feature that you should look for when buying robot vacuum. The system makes use of a spinning sensor mounted on the robot to map your home. By scattering infrared beams across your walls and furniture it can determine the layout of your room. This information then helps it design efficient routes and also clean your home.