What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?
The top robot vacuums have an efficient engine 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. They can pause to recharge and then pick up cleaning where they have left off. They can create zones that are not allowed to enter, and can determine the different surfaces.
Object Avoidance
Object detection is an essential feature of robot vacuums, as it helps 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 a built-in camera to recognize objects that are in an AI database and then teach the vacuum how to avoid them. The Eufy S1 Pro, for example, uses a combination of sensors including 3D Time of Flight (sending light pulses to gauge the distance and depth of the surrounding objects) and 3D Structured Light (beaming a pattern of light onto the room and analyzing the light distortion to create an image) to ensure that it is clear of obstacles.
Artificial intelligence and visual interpretation are a more recent addition to robot obstacle avoidance. They enable robots to better comprehend and identify what they encounter. This software works with one or two cameras to view the world around them, and analyzes it in real time. The ECOVACS DEEBOT uses this software to detect up to 30 kinds of objects such as shoes, cables and pet poop.
Certain models also employ LiDAR to navigate. This technology emits laser beams and measures the time it takes for them to bounce back off surrounding surfaces to create a live, 3-D map of the surroundings. This is useful for finding furniture, walls, and even stairs. It might not work in low light or with reflective or transparent objects.
Whatever cameras or sensors are employed it is crucial that your robot has a long battery life so that it can last the duration of a home without having to return to the dock for recharging. Look for models that can run for a minimum of 80 minutes or more, depending on the size of your living area.
Self-Emptying Bases
Some robot vacuum cleaners come with self-emptying bases, which can reduce the frequency you must empty your trash. They're considered a premium feature, and usually add to the price of a robot.
The best robots come with bases that hold either bins or a dust bin that is removable. It is possible to open it and empty it once full. This will save you time by reducing the amount of time you are occupied with deciding when to empty the dustbin.
All the robots we reviewed have self-emptying bases. The only exception is the Roomba I3+. This is a shame since the robot performs extremely well. It got the highest mapping performance of all the robots we tested, and it has superb navigation capabilities. It has a great mowing ability and a docking system that can empty the water tank automatically when required.
It lacks iRobot’s advanced obstacle avoidance technology and digital keep-out zone, but it can get tangled up in cables and rugs and cannot see shoes or socks that are not in good order. It's an excellent choice for a small home that's well-maintained.
Other strengths include its navigation technology, including drop sensors and bump sensors, as well as its ability to map out your entire home using cameras and laser. It's also easy to set up, comes with a wide variety of settings and modes, and also offers an excellent performance in mowing and vacuuming. Its smart-home feature allows it to be controlled with voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This makes it easier to operate in the event that you own several tablets or smartphones, and don't want to buy the traditional remote.
App Controls
Some robots connect to Wi-Fi, allowing you to control them with your smartphone or tablet. This feature is particularly beneficial in homes with multiple floors, in which you may have to navigate down a flight of stairs before the robot can get to the bottom of it. It also removes the need for a long cord, allowing you to move furniture without having to worry about the robot getting caught up in the cord or running out of power while cleaning.
The app serves as central control point 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 especially useful in homes that have multiple types of flooring, like carpet and tile. You can assign the robot the proper power and mode to clean every area.
Certain models have a built-in camera that transmits a live feed to the app. These models are great for pet owners and those with small children who want to monitor the robot as it works. Other smart robots come with sensors that recognize when they've gotten to the edge of a room. They then return to their base to dock. This stops them from overrunning an area and makes sure they've cleaned all surfaces within your home.
Some models can automatically empty the dustbin and even wash their mop heads and blow dry between cleaning sessions. This eliminates the necessity for manual maintenance and the robot cleaner will work better over a longer period of time. You can also select an option with a longer battery lifespan that will allow you to avoid the hassles of mid-cleaning recharging.
Sensors
A lot of robot vacuums are fitted with sensors that allow them to navigate around your home. They can work on carpets, area rugs, and hard floors such as wood and tile. They're not an alternative to a full-size canister or upright cleaner, but offer excellent suction and a fantastic way to keep your floors free of dust between deep cleanings.
Sensors enable the robot to navigate around your home, finding obstacles and avoiding falling off the stairs. They also let you set virtual and physical "no-go" zones by using a feature called boundary strips or virtual walls (like the ones employed by Eufy) to block the robot from entering specific areas of your home. Certain robots also have cliff sensors that alert you when the robot is close to crossing an edge.
The type of navigational system robot employs is determined by your budget and home layout. Some of the most advanced robotic vacuums employ LiDAR sensors to scan and map areas that ensure accurate navigation. These systems can be expensive however they give the most effective results. The budget models that have basic navigation bumps are less precise and can miss some spots. These models are good at getting around obstacles, but they can fail to spot dirt in crevices and around baseboards.
Look for a model with an extra-large dust container and a long battery life. There are models that recharge and resume where they left off when they dock to save time. You can make the most of your robot vacuum, as well as navigation, by preparing each cleaning session. Check that all power cables as well as toys and other junk is cleared of the robot’s path and empty the trash bin after each cleaning. Cleanse the sensors and charging port to ensure that your robot is healthy.
Navigation
The most effective robot vacuums employ mapping technology to create digital maps of your home prior to the initial cleaning session. It allows them to recognize different the different textures, like carpets and hard floors and ensures that all areas are clean. It also prevents your robots from cleaning the same areas over and over again, which can improve efficiency and decrease battery consumption. Many top models come with the option to save the map of your home to use in the future which is ideal for homes with larger spaces.
Most robotic vacs have some kind of obstacle avoidance that prevents them from running into cords, shoes, or socks. These sensors are not always able to detect smaller objects. In the past few years manufacturers began adding more sensors to their robots, allowing them detect and avoid household items that conventional sensors couldn't. They include cliff sensors and wall sensors that operate by reflecting infrared beams light off surfaces to calculate distances.
Some sensors are built directly into the robot's base however, others require being purchased separately. These sensors help the robot to move safely and avoid falling off stairs, and stay away from clutter. Some models even come with anti-drop sensors, which automatically stop the robot from colliding with walls and furniture.
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 scattering infrared beams across furniture and walls it can determine the layout of your space. This helps to plan efficient routes and also clean your entire house.