What to Look For in a Robot Vacuum

Depending on your budget you can pick a vacuum with all the bells, whistles, and features. Consider buying a model with self-emptying docks and one that is able to clean different types of flooring.

The lower-cost models typically have basic bump systems that are inefficient and slow. Higher-end models can use 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're spending cleaning your home. They're particularly beneficial for those with busy schedules, or for those who have young children or pets and can't keep up with the mess. They are also useful for those who live in small condos or apartments with small storage spaces. While they are fantastic to automate general cleaning, they can't reach into corners and corners as well as the size of full-size vacuums. They may be able remove toys, cords and socks, but they will not be able to remove all the dust out of your baseboards or under the cabinets.

The best robot vacuums come with powerful suction, which can eliminate dirt from a variety flooring types. This information is available in the specifications of the manufacturer, which are usually expressed in Pascals (Pa). Higher Pa values indicate more power. It is recommended to select the robot that has at least 2000 Pa. This is enough for most homes.

A robot automatic vacuum that can also be used as mop is among the best features. Certain models have the ability to focus on a specific part of the room. This is a great option when you have to clean up a large spill or sticky mess.

A good robot vacuum should include an electronic navigation system. The better the system, the better it will determine the layout of your home and return to its dock without becoming lost. This is especially important for older homes which can be confusing layout. Make sure that the device has sensors to detect obstacles and avoid them.

Suction

If you have a lot of carpeting in your home, look for a robot vacuum with strong suction capabilities. The greater the suction, the better the robot is able to remove dust and other small particles. It should be able move from one floor type to another. A good robot should be able to pick up pet hair, cereal crumbs, and dust from carpet fibers and hardwood floors.

In tests, certain models performed better than others on different kinds of flooring. Some were able to remove cereal on hard floors, whereas others struggled to pull hair from carpet fibers. Consider how often you'll have to maintain your robotic vacuum cleaner vacuum. It should be emptied often to avoid overflowing, and the brushes should be cleaned regularly too.

The top robot vacuums have a self-emptying base which automatically eliminates dirt and debris when it's full. This feature can save time and money on bags to replace and decrease the frequency at the frequency you need to clean the robot. Some companies also provide models with a removable bin that can be filled by tapping one's finger.

When you purchase a robot vacuum, be sure to cover any mirrors you have before the device determines your home's location for the first time. The LIDAR sensors, which are used by the majority of robo-vacs to navigate, can bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the machine to "perceive", the mirror as a barrier. Some robots are also in danger of being slowed by dark colored objects, such as chairs and toys for children. This is due to the cliff sensors on robots are sensitive to infrared light which is absorbed by darker surfaces.

App control

Some of the best robot vacuums come with an app that allows you to plan and monitor cleaning sessions, as well as set no-go zones. Certain robot vacuums can be used with Amazon Alexa or other digital voice assistants, allowing the convenience of cleaning hands-free. If you want an even more enjoyable experience, then select one with the ability to avoid objects and recognize stairs. These features can stop the robot from falling and running into things such as socks, pet toys, and power cords.

The majority of robot vacuums come in round and square models. The round models can navigate around furniture legs more easily, but have a harder getting to the corners. The square models are more angular and are able to reach corners more easily. They require a bigger space to maneuver around and can easily slide into other objects. To avoid this, make sure to measure your home and choose the right model for your home.

Look for a model that has a large dustbin and a docking station that automatically empties. These features will reduce the frequency of emptying the device and the amount of maintenance required. A robot that has docks that can stop and recharge, and then resume cleaning right where it stopped will give you the most hands-free experience.

Robot vacuums are perfect for midweek routine cleaning and daily touch-ups. However, they can't substitute for an upright or canister on carpets that are thick or hard floors. They can still get caught in rugs, not be able to remove certain debris, and miss dirt spots on hard flooring. For this reason, it's important to vacuum your whole house before using a robot and ensure that all power cords, clothes fringes, rug fringes, as well as 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 life battery and be able to hold its charge for the length of a cleaning process. If you have a large home or plan to make use of the robot vacuum for multiple rooms, you will prefer a model that has a longer battery life and possibly a larger dust bin as well. If you don't intend to clean your floor as often, a model that has smaller batteries should be sufficient.

In our tests, the X10 was able to map the entire room with just one or two runs, and clean the entire floor in just two hours. It also has the top mopping tech we've seen in a robotic vacuum. It uses a scrubby scrubbing motion to get rid of stubborn stains from the floorboards, like dried coffee. It also comes with Eufy's top-of-the-line object-avoidance technology, which has been trained as a self-driving vehicle to avoid things like socks and slippers.

One of the most important features for a robot vacuum is its ability to navigate through corners and stairs. This feature allows the robot not to run into objects or fall down the stairs. A robot equipped with vSLAM navigation (found on models with higher-end features from iRobot) utilizes cameras to create a 3-D map of the surrounding area while it moves.

Apart from corner and stairway navigation other features that make a great robot vacuum are a low profile and the ability to get into difficult areas. Our top robot vacuums, including the Shark iRobot vacuum and self-emptying base station, are able to fit under most furniture. These vacuums also have an enormous chamber that can hold weeks or months worth of debris before needing to be cleaned.

App navigation

Consider the size of your home and the type of flooring you have before choosing the right robot vacuum. Additionally, you should think about the navigation system of the robot. Certain robots have sensors that can detect obstacles, while others combine sensor technologies to create maps and then update them. The number of sensors, and the way they are used will determine the area that a robot can cover in a single charge and also its ability to move between rooms.

The best robot broom vacuums come with a wide range of mapping and navigation features. They use sensors to recognize furniture and walls, then navigate around them without damaging or spreading dirt. They also utilize cliff sensors to detect high thresholds and prevent falling. Bump sensors are another popular feature of robot vacuums. They are typically found in the form of physical bumpers or tactile pads.

You can customize the robot’s map of your house and create zones that are no-go zones with an app for smartphones. You can plan cleanings and track the robot's progress on your smartphone. The majority of robots can clean up to 2,000 square feet on the full charge, although some have shorter battery lives.

Most robots are unable to get into tight spaces, such as the nook between a toilet and bathtub, or the gap between chair legs however, the SwitchBot K10 Plus has a narrow design that gets into corners more efficiently than other. Its SLAM navigation is among the best in the market and it's compatible with Dyson's MyDyson app that lets you see cleaned areas.

This is the most affordable option in this price range. Its lidar mapping is fast and accurate and has divided my room into different zones the first time I tried it. Its obstacle avoidance was impressive, navigating through the clutter of cables and shoes as well as the fake dog poop I threw in my test.