How to Keep a Robot Vacuum Clean
Robot vacuums can help keep your floors clean. Depending on the model they can also sweep or mop stairs.
Look for models that have smart features, such as remote access and app control. Apps can be used to schedule cleaning sessions and monitor the progress. Some apps allow you to pause and recharge, then pick up where they stopped.
1. Battery Life
With self-driving cars drones that can navigate the skies, and robot vacuums that swiftly move around furniture, it's safe to say that the future of cleaning is now here. But as with any technology, it requires some maintenance to keep it running smoothly.
The cycle of charging and discharging the battery is the most important aspect for the longevity of your robot. Maintaining the dust bin full and empty, checking for hairs that have become tangled frequently and making sure that the brushes are not blocked will help your robot run more effectively.
Another aspect to consider is the climate in which your robot is stored as extreme cold and heat can affect battery performance. You can extend the life of your robot's battery by charging it up to 50% and then storing it in a cool location. Also, disconnect it from the power source when not in use. The majority of smart devices also come with periodic firmware updates that can improve performance and optimize battery. Check the app to check if there are any updates.
For those with lots of hard floors, a robotic vacuum is a great option. It's able to swiftly and efficiently take away dirt and other debris and leave your floors sparkling clean. If you're looking for more than just a quick clean-up, look for a model that has superior navigation and obstacle avoidance.
The Ecovacs T20 robot is our top-rated robot. It is a combination of advanced navigation, powerful suction, and a variety of mopping features to provide an extensive, thorough cleaning of your hard floor. It uses LiDAR sensors and cameras to create detailed maps of your home, which allows it to stay on the right track and avoid getting stuck on furniture legs or power cords. It can also identify objects such as shoes and clutter to automatically clean around them. It's also self-emptying, so you don't need to return it to its base to empty the bin after every cleaning session.
2. Dust Bin
Robots are ideal for quick midweek clean-ups however, they lack the suction power to substitute for the power of a plug-in vacuum cleaner when it comes to deep cleans. Even the most powerful robotic vacuums can be prone to getting caught in cords and toys. robot vacuums best can overlook dirt piles near baseboards and struggle to remove dust from under furniture. And, their onboard dustbins are so full that they have to return to their charging docks in order to self-empty, which can take up to an hour for some models.
It's therefore important to select a vacuum that has a big dustbin and can empty into its dock without returning to complete the job. It is also important to think about whether you'd prefer bagged or unbagged models, and if you do opt for a bagless version the amount of dust be able to hold before needing to be empty.
In our tests, we placed 100 grams of sand on a medium-pile carpet surface and utilized a robot vacuum cleaner to remove the sand. We then weigh the amount of sand in the vacuum's dust bin to determine how much dirt it has collected. A large amount suggests that the bin onboard may fill up faster and cause your robot to stop cleaning.
It's a good idea to know that a lot of robot vacuums have an enormous dust bin that can be easily empty. You can also schedule the cleaning of their bases at least one or two times per day. Keep a can of compressed air nearby to blow away hairs that have gotten caught in the rotating brush and to clean any filters in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
3. Wi-Fi Connectivity
The best robot vacuums offer many connectivity options to connect with your home's Wi-Fi network. This allows the robot to download and install updates to its software, and giving you the option to monitor your bot via an app or through voice-activated commands. This feature isn't essential, but it offers the convenience of customization and can enhance your robot's overall vacuuming experience.
The majority of models require some form of regular maintenance, such as emptying the dust bin and cleaning the brush roll to keep them functioning at top performance. A regular schedule of cleaning, detaching and checking consumable parts can also prolong the life of their components. Emily Rairdin, a vacuum expert at University Vacuum & Sewing, says that a robot's life is typically between three and five years. However, it can differ based on how often you use it and whether you take care to maintain it.
A robot vacuum has to be able navigate obstacles and map your floor to function. Advanced navigation systems typically have sensors that detect cliffs and alert the robot to steep drops, as well as optical and laser sensors that allow it to "see" a room's layout. Certain robots also have mopping functions that are specifically designed for them which is useful for keeping floors clean between deep cleanings with an upright vacuum.
The best 2-in-1 vacuums also mop. This means that you won't need to switch between the robot vacuum and an manual one. A prime example is the iRobot Roomba 690, which is a powerful and efficient robot vacuum that can wipe down surfaces with its water tank and wash the mop pad in a way that is automatic. Its high-quality mapping and obstacle-avoidance skills earned it CR's best robot vacuum award, and an AVTech Editors' Choice award.
4. Cleaning Patterns
The best robot vacuums we test have excellent pickup scores on hard floors as well as carpets with low pile. They get rid of dust, dirt and pet hair. They also clean up particles and crumbs from the edges of rooms and along baseboards. They can't remove deep-seated dirt or tangles of shag fibers such as an upright or canister. They aren't able to pick up spilled liquids, food items, or heavy metal screws. They may also overlook certain areas (including under furniture).
Many models come with smart features which make them more user-friendly. They typically include an app, that allows you to plan cleaning times and operate the robot remotely. They can be integrated with your smart home system so that you can make voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Certain models come with multiple modes, which allow users to choose between sweeping and mopping or vacuuming. They can recharge at their docks and continue cleaning the area they left off.
The technology to avoid obstacles has improved over the years, but it is still essential to get rid of cords, toys and any pet mess before you run the robot. Before you map out the room, you'll need to cover all ceiling-to-floor mirrors with cardboard. The lasers used by some models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to crash against walls or floors.
The most expensive models come with advanced mapping capabilities, some using lidar to generate an 3D map of your space. This helps the robot recognize obstacles and plan the most efficient path around them. Some allow you to define no-go zones, so the robot can avoid specific areas, such as your pet's food bowls, or an expensive rug.
5. App Control
You can set up a schedule for cleaning and manage the robots using an app. This allows you to take care of your home while you are at work or away on vacation. Some robots will also empty their debris into a huge bin at the base. This helps reduce dust release and is an excellent feature for allergy sufferers.
Some robots, such as the pricier Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, can detect objects on the floor and employ a camera to instruct them to stay clear of obstacles such as power cords, furniture legs or pet toys. This is an impressive capability and is even offered in less expensive models. It's crucial to clean the dustbin of your robot and look for tangled hairs as they accumulate.
A high-end model can also store multiple floor maps, which can be useful if you live on more than one floor and some models can even create 3D representations of your home. You can then select specific rooms and set digital keep-out zones to ensure your robot is focused on what you want it to do, rather than wandering into areas that you don't need to clean.
Robots are ideal for midweek cleaning, but they can't replace a plug-in vacuum particularly when it comes to rugs. They're better at picking up dirt embedded in carpet than floors that are unfinished, but they can still miss piles of debris close to thresholds and baseboards as well as tangled socks and cords. To make the most of your robot, search for a model with spots and zone cleaning modes to focus on particular areas and prevent unnecessary cleaning. You can also find models that can charge and resume where they have left off. This is ideal for houses with large spaces.