What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?
The top robot vacuums have a powerful engine and a robust set of bristles or rollers. They also have large dustbins and large battery life.
Certain models map homes using smart mapping. They can pause to recharge and then resume cleaning where they stopped. They can also set no-go zones and identify different surfaces.
Object Avoidance
Object detection is an essential feature of robot vacuums since it helps them avoid hitting small objects such as shoes, socks, toys or cords that aren't on the floor, but instead on furniture or other objects. These systems use an integrated camera to identify 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 emits light pulses into the room to measure distance and depth of objects and 3D Structured Light, which beams a pattern of light onto the space, and then analyzes the distortion of light to create a map, to steer clear of obstacles.
A recent addition to the obstacle avoidance repertoire is artificial intelligence and visual interpretation, which allows robots to better identify and understand what they're encountering. This software uses cameras that are either dual or single to observe the world around them, and then analyzes it in real-time. The ECOVACS DEEBOT uses this software to detect up to 30 types of objects including cables, shoes and pet poop.
Certain models also employ LiDAR to navigate. This technology emits lasers and analyzes the time it takes for them to bounce off the surfaces around them to create an 3D map. This is able to detect furniture, walls and even stairs. It may not work well in dim light or with transparent or reflective objects.
Whatever sensors or cameras are used, it is important that your robot has a long battery lifespan so that it can last the duration of your home without having to return to the dock for recharge. Find an option that runs for at least 80 minutes or more, depending on the size of your living space.
Bases that Self-Empty
Some robot vacuum cleaners have self-emptying bases. This could reduce the frequency at which you have to empty your trash. They're considered to be a top feature that typically increases the overall price of a robot.
The best robots come with bases that can either house bins or a removable dust bin that you can open and empty when it's full. This can cut down on the amount of time that you spend worrying about when to empty your trash bin and can make a big difference when you have a busy household.
Self-emptying bases are present on all the robots in our review, with the exception of the bare-bones Roomba I3+, which doesn't have a self-emptying base. This is a pity because this robot is extremely efficient. It had the top mapping results of all the robots we tested, and also has superior navigational abilities. It also has a good mower power, as well as docking stations that automatically empty the water tank whenever needed.
It isn't equipped with iRobot's sophisticated obstacle avoidance and digital keep-out zone, but it can get tangled up in rugs and cables, and it isn't able to detect the stray shoelaces or socks. It's a great option for a small house that is well-maintained.
Other strong points of the product include its navigation technology, including drop sensors and bump sensors, as well as its ability to map out your entire house using cameras and laser. It's also easy to set up, offers numerous settings and modes, and provides excellent mowing and vacuuming performance. Its smart-home feature allows it to be controlled by voice commands made using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This makes it easier to operate if you own multiple smartphones or tablets, and don't wish to pick up the traditional remote.
App Controls
Certain robots come with Wi-Fi connectivity which allows users to control them from your smartphone or tablet. This is especially useful in large homes that have several floors. You may require navigating down an escalator to reach the robot before it is able to reach the bottom. It also eliminates the requirement for a long cord, so you can move furniture around without worrying about your robot getting caught in the cord or running out of energy during cleaning.
The app acts as a single-stop control center for monitoring and scheduling tasks. The app allows you to customize your robot cleaner's cleaning mode, power and levels of water. This feature is particularly useful in homes with multiple floor types -- for instance, carpet and tile, as you can designate the robot to clean each area using the appropriate power and mode.
Certain models have an inbuilt camera that can send live feeds to the app. These models are a good choice for pet owners or parents of children who need to keep an eye on the robot while it's working. Other smart robots use sensors to detect when they've reached the edge of a space and return to their docking station. This prevents them from taking over an area and ensures they've cleaned every surface in your home.
Some models can empty the dustbin automatically and even wash their mop heads and blow dry between cleaning sessions. This will reduce the necessity for manual maintenance and the robot cleaner will function better for longer. You can also find models with 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 let them navigate through your home. They can work on carpets, area rugs and hard floors such as tile and wood. They're not an alternative to the full-size canister or upright vacuum cleaner, but they provide excellent suction for dust and dirt and are a fantastic way to keep your floor free of dirt between deep cleanings with the traditional vacuum.
Sensors enable the robot to navigate around your home, finding obstacles and avoiding falling off steps. They also allow you to define physical and virtual "no-go" zones with the feature known as boundary strips or virtual walls (like the ones employed by eufy) to prevent the robot from entering specific areas of your home. Certain robots have cliff sensors which alert you when your robot is about to crash into the edge of a cliff.
The kind of navigational system the robot utilizes is determined by your budget and the layout of your home. Some of the most advanced robotic vacuums make use of LiDAR sensors to map and scan rooms, which ensures accurate and efficient navigation. These systems are expensive but they deliver the best results. Models that are budget-friendly with basic navigation bumps are less precise and can miss some areas. These models are adept at avoidance of major obstacles, but they may miss dirt in crevices or around baseboards.
Look for a model with an extra-large dust bin and a long battery lifespan. There are models that recharge and dock and then resume where they were when they left. This can save time. You can get the most value from your robot vacuum, as well as navigation, by preparing each cleaning session. Make sure that all power cords, toys, and other debris is removed of the robot’s path and empty the bin after each cleaning. Also, wipe down the charging ports and sensors to keep the robot healthy.
Navigation
The best robot vacuums can create a digital map of your home's interior using mapping technology in the initial cleaning session. It allows them to recognize different patterns, like hard floors and carpets and ensures that all areas are thoroughly cleaned. It also prevents your robots from having to clean the same areas again, which can improve efficiency and decrease battery consumption. self cleaning vacuum of high-end models allow you to save maps to be used in the future. This is perfect for large homes.
The majority of robotic vacuums have some sort of obstacle avoidance system that stops them from slamming into cords, socks, or shoes. The sensors don't always detect smaller objects. Manufacturers began adding sensors to robots in the past few years. This allowed them to identify and avoid objects that sensors could not. These include wall and cliff sensors, which work by bouncing infrared light beams off surfaces to calculate distances.
Some of these sensors are integrated in the robot's base while others require you to purchase an additional attachment. These sensors assist the robot to navigate safely and avoid falling down stairs, and stay away from clutter. Certain models come with anti-drop sensors that prevent the robot from colliding with furniture and walls.
LiDAR mapping is the latest and most advanced navigation technology and it's an option to look for in the robot vacuum. This kind of system makes use of a spinning laser sensor mounted on the top of the robot to map your home. By scattering infrared beams across furniture and walls, it can sense the layout of your space. This helps to plan efficient routes and clear your entire house.