What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?
The most effective robot vacuums have an engine that is powerful and a durable set of bristles or rollers. They also come with large dustbins and an extended battery life.
Some models use smart mapping to identify homes, and they can be able to pause, recharge and resume cleaning right where they started. They can also define no-go zones, and even identify different surfaces.
Object Avoidance
Object detection is a key feature for robot vacuums, since it allows them avoid crashing into small items like socks, toys, cords, or shoes that aren't on the floor, but instead on furniture. The systems utilize an integrated camera to recognize objects in an AI database, and then teach the vacuum to avoid them. The Eufy S1 Pro uses a combination of sensors, such as 3D Time of Flight, which sends light pulses into the room to measure distance and depth of objects and 3D Structured Light, which emits a pattern of light onto the room and analyzes the light distortion to create a map to avoid obstacles.
Artificial intelligence and visual interpretation are newer addition to robot obstacle avoidance. They enable robots to understand and detect what they encounter. This software uses cameras that are either double or single to view the world and analyze it in real time. Robot Vacuum Mops uses this software to detect up to 30 different kinds of objects including shoes, cables and pet poop.
Certain models also use LiDAR to navigate. This technology emits laser beams and measures the amount of time it takes them to bounce back at nearby surfaces to create a live 3D map of the surrounding. This is able to identify furniture, walls and even stairs. It might not be effective in dim lighting or with reflective or transparent objects.
Whatever sensor or cameras are utilized regardless of the camera or sensor used, a long-lasting battery is essential to ensure that your robot is able to complete the entire house without needing to return to its dock to recharge. Choose a model that can run for a minimum of 80 minutes or more, based on the size of your living space.
Bases that self-eliminate
Some robot vacuum cleaners feature self-emptying bases. This can reduce the frequency that you must empty your bin. They're considered to be a top feature that typically increases the cost of the robot.
The most effective robots have bases that are able to hold either a bin, or a dust bin that is removable. It is possible to open it and empty it when it is full. This can cut down on the amount of time you're worrying about when you should empty your trash bin and can make a significant difference in the case of a messy household.
All the robots we reviewed have self-emptying bases, with the exception of the Roomba I3+. This is a shame because this robot performs very well. It had the best mapping results of all the robots that we tested, and it has superb navigating abilities. It also has a good mower power and docking station which can automatically empty the water tank if needed.
It isn't equipped with iRobot's sophisticated obstacle avoidance and digital keep-out zones, but it is prone to getting caught in cables and rugs, and cannot see the stray shoelaces or socks. It's a great option for a small house which is well-maintained.
Other highlights include its navigation technology, which includes bump sensors as well as a drop sensor, and its ability create a map of your entire home by using lasers and cameras. It's also simple to set up, offers many settings and modes, and also offers outstanding mowing and vacuuming performance. Its smart-home feature allows it to be controlled with voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This can make it easier to operate in the event that you own several tablets or smartphones, and don't wish to pick up the traditional remote.
App Controls
Certain robots come with Wi-Fi connectivity which allows you to control them from your smartphone or tablet. This feature is particularly beneficial in homes with a lot of floors, where you might need to walk down a staircase before the robot is able to get to the bottom. This will eliminate the need for an extra long cord to move furniture with no worries about the robot getting tangled in it or running out power when cleaning.
The app serves as an important control point to monitor and schedule tasks. The app lets you modify your robotic cleaner's power, cleaning mode and levels of water. This feature is particularly beneficial in homes with different flooring types -- for example, carpet and tile -- because you can set the robot to clean each area with the appropriate power and mode.
Some models come with cameras built-in that send a live feed to the app. These models are perfect for pet owners as well as those with small children who want to keep an eye on the robot as it functions. Other smart robots have sensors that detect when they've reached the edges of a room and then return to their base to dock. This prevents them from taking over the space and makes sure that they've cleaned all the surfaces in your home.
Certain models automatically empty the dustbin, and blow dry and wash mop heads in between cleaning sessions. This reduces the need for manual maintenance and keeps the robot cleaner performing well for a longer period of time. You can also choose a model that has an extended battery duration 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 be used on area rugs, carpets, and hard floors such as tile and wood. They're not an alternative to an upright or full-size cleaner, but they provide excellent suction and are a great way to keep your floors clean between deep cleanings.
Sensors enable the robot to navigate around your home by detecting obstacles and also avoiding falling down stairs. You can also set up virtual and physical "no go" zones using boundary strips or virtual walls (like the ones used by Eufy), to prevent the robot entering specific areas within your home. Some robots have cliff sensors that warn you when your robot is about to run into an obstacle.
The kind of navigation system that the robot utilizes will depend on your budget and layout of your home. The most advanced robotic vacuums utilize LiDAR-based sensors to map and scan rooms, ensuring accurate and efficient navigation. These systems can be costly but they deliver the best results. The budget models that have basic navigation bumps are less precise and may miss spots. These models are adept at avoiding major obstacles but can fail to spot dirt in crevices and around baseboards.
Select a model with a an enormous dust bin and long battery life. There are models that recharge and dock, then resume where they stopped. This will save you time. You can maximize the use of your robot vacuum, in addition to navigation, by prepping each cleaning session. Check that all power cords or toys, as well as other junk is cleared of the path of the robot and empty the bin after each clean. Wipe down the sensors and charging port to ensure your robot is in good health.
Navigation
The top robot vacuums can create a digital map of your home's interior using mapping technology in the first cleaning session. It helps them recognize textures, such as hard floors and carpets, and ensures that all areas are clean. It also prevents your robots from having to clean the same areas over and over again to increase efficiency and reduce the amount of battery used. A majority of top models allow you to save maps to use in the future. This is great for homes with large spaces.
The majority of robotic vacuums come with some form of obstacle avoidance, which prevents them from running into shoes, cords or socks. However, these sensors can't always detect smaller objects. In the past few years, manufacturers began adding additional sensors to their robots, allowing them to detect and avoid household objects that standard sensor systems couldn't. These include wall and cliff sensors, which work by bouncing light beams infrared off of surfaces to determine distances.
Certain sensors are built directly into the robot base, while others must be purchased separately. These sensors help the robot to navigate safely and avoid falling down steps, and keep away from clutter. Some models come with anti-drop sensors, which automatically stop the robot from crashing into furniture or walls.
LiDAR mapping, the most advanced navigation system is a feature that you should consider when buying a robot vacuum. This type of system uses the spinning laser sensor that is placed on top of the robot to map your home. It can map your home's interior by bounces of infrared beams off your walls and furniture. This information then helps to plan efficient routes and clean your entire home.