What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?
The most effective robot vacuums feature a powerful engine and a durable set of bristles or rollers. They also have adequate dustbins and large battery life.
Some models use smart mapping to create maps of homes. They can pause, recharge and pick up cleaning exactly where they stopped. They can even define no-go zones, and even identify different surfaces.
Object Avoidance
Object detection is an essential feature for robot vacuums, because it allows them to avoid running into small items like cords, toys, socks, or shoes that aren't on the floor, but instead on furniture. The systems utilize an inbuilt camera to detect objects that are 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 emits light pulses into the room to measure distance and the 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 more recent addition to the obstacle avoidance arsenal is artificial intelligence and visual interpretation, which enables robots to more easily identify and understand what they're observing. This software uses a single or dual camera to view the world around them and analyzes it in real time. The ECOVACS DEEBOT uses this software to detect up to 30 different kinds of objects such as shoes, cables and pet poop.
Some models use LiDAR for navigation. The technology emits laser beams and records the time it takes for them to bounce back at nearby surfaces to create a live, 3D map of the surrounding. This is useful for detecting walls, furniture and even stairs. It might not work in dim lighting or with transparent or reflective objects.
Whatever sensor or cameras are being used regardless of the camera or sensor used, a long-lasting battery is important to ensure that your robot is able to complete an entire home without needing to return to its dock to recharge. Find models that can run for at least an hour or more, based on the size of your living space.
Self-Emptying Bases
Some robot vacuum cleaners come with self-emptying bases, which could decrease the frequency you have to empty your trash. They are considered premium and add to the cost of a robotic vacuum cleaner.
The best robots come with bases that hold either bins or a dust bin that is removable. It is possible to open the bin and empty it when it is full. This will reduce the amount of time you're worrying about when you should empty your bin and could make a significant difference if you have a high-mess household.
All the robots we reviewed have self-emptying bases, with the exception of the Roomba I3+. It's a pity, since this robot is otherwise extremely efficient. It had the top mapping results of all the robots we tested, and also has superior navigational capabilities. It has a strong mower and docking system that can empty the water tank automatically if it is required.
It doesn't have iRobot's advanced obstacle avoidance or digital keep-out zones it can get tangled up on rugs and cables and is unable to see the stray socks or shoelaces. It's a great choice for a small house that's well-maintained.
Other highlights are its navigation technology, which includes bump sensors and a drop sensor, and its ability map out your whole house using cameras and lasers. It's also easy to set up, has a wide variety of settings and modes, and provides outstanding mowing and vacuuming performance. Another advantage is its smart-home connectivity, which allows it to work with voice commands via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This can make it easier to use in the event that you own multiple tablets or smartphones and don't wish to buy a traditional remote.
App Controls
Certain robots come with Wi-Fi connectivity which allows users to control them from your smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful in homes with multiple floors, where you might have to navigate your way down a flight of stairs before the robot can come to the bottom of it. It also eliminates the need for a lengthy cord, which means you can move furniture freely without having to worry about your robot getting caught up in the cord or running out of energy during cleaning.
The app functions as a one-stop control center to monitor and schedule tasks. The app lets you modify the cleaning mode, power and the water level of your robot cleaner. This feature is particularly useful in homes with different flooring types -- for instance, carpet and tile -- because you can set the robot to clean every room with the correct power and mode.
Some models have an inbuilt camera that can send live feeds to the app. These models are ideal for pet owners and those with small children who wish to watch the robot while it operates. Some smart robots utilize sensors to know when they are near the edges of an area and return to their docking station. This prevents them from encroaching on an area and also ensures that they've cleaned every surface in your home.
Some models can automatically empty the dustbin and even wash their mop heads and blow dry between cleaning sessions. This reduces the need for manual maintenance and helps keep the cleaner in good working order for a longer duration. You can also choose a model with an extended battery, which helps you avoid the hassle of having to recharge mid-cleaning.
Sensors
Many robot vacuums come with sensors that let them navigate through your home. They can work on area rugs, carpets as well as hard floors such as tile and wood. They are not a replacement to an upright or full-size cleaner, but offer excellent suction and are a great way to keep your floors free of dust between deep cleanings.
Sensors allow the robot to navigate around your home by detecting obstacles and avoiding falling off stairs. You can also set up virtual and physical "no go" zones using boundary strips or virtual wall (like those employed by Eufy), to prevent the robot from entering certain areas in your home. Some robots have cliff sensors which alert you when your robot is set to crash into a cliff.
The kind of navigational system robot employs is determined by your budget and layout of your home. Some of the most advanced robotic vacuums utilize LiDAR sensors to scan and map areas that ensure accurate navigation. These systems are costly, but provide the most effective results. Budget-friendly models with rudimentary bump navigation systems are less precise and may miss certain places. They're great for avoiding big obstacles, but they can still fail to spot dirt in crevices and around baseboards.
Choose a model with an extra-large dust bin as well as an extended battery life. There are models that dock and recharge and then resume where they left off. This saves time. In addition to navigation and cleaning, you can make the most of your robot vacuum by preparing for each cleaning session. Check that all power cords and toys are removed and out of the robot's path. Also, empty the bin every cleaning. Wipe down the sensors and charging port to keep your robot healthy.
Navigation
The best robot vacuums use mapping technology to create an electronic map of your home prior to the initial cleaning session. It allows them to recognize different patterns, like carpets and hard floors, and ensures that all areas are cleaned. Mapping also saves your robot from re-cleaning the same spots that improves efficiency and can reduce battery consumption. Many top models come with the option to save the map of your home to be used in the future which is a great feature for larger homes.
Most robotic Vacuum Cleaner best vacs have some kind of obstacle avoidance that keeps them from crashing into cords, shoes, or socks. These sensors do not always detect smaller items. In the past few years manufacturers began adding more sensors to their robots, allowing them to detect and avoid household objects that traditional sensors could not. These include cliff and wall sensors, which operate by bouncing light beams infrared off surfaces to determine distances.
Certain sensors are integrated directly into the robot base, however, others require being purchased separately. They generally help the robot navigate safely and avoid falling down stairs and avoid clutter. Some models have anti-drop sensors which prevent the robots from hitting furniture and walls.
LiDAR mapping is the newest and most advanced technology for navigation and it's something you should look for in the robot vacuum. This kind of system makes use of a spinning laser sensor mounted on top of the robot to map your home. By bouncing infrared beams off of your walls and furniture it is able to determine the layout of your room. This helps in planning efficient routes and also clean your entire house.