What to Look For in a Robot Vacuum

Depending on the budget you have, you can get a robot vacuum with or without all the bells and whistles. Choose models that can clean a variety of floors. Also, look into buying one that has a self-empty dock.

Lower-priced models tend to include basic bump navigation systems that can be slow and inefficient. The higher-end models have sensors to map out your home and navigate around furniture and other obstacles.

Features

Robot vacuums can aid you in cleaning your home. They are especially beneficial for people who have busy schedules, or who have pets or small children and can't keep pace with the clutter. They're also useful for those living in a tiny apartment or condo with limited storage space. While they're great to automate general cleaning, they don't reach into corners and corners as well as the size of larger vacuums. They can remove toys, cords and socks but not all the dust from under your baseboards or cabinets.

The best robot vacuums have powerful suction that is able to remove dirt and other debris from a variety of flooring types. This information is available in the manufacturer's specifications, which are usually written in Pascals (Pa). Higher Pa values indicate more power. It is a good idea to choose a robot with a minimum of 2000 Pa. This is enough for most homes.

A robot vacuum that can also be used as mop is among the most useful features. Some models come with a spot-cleaning mode that focuses on a particular area of the room. This is a great choice for cleaning up a large spill or sticky mess.

A high-quality robot vacuum should also have an electronic navigation system. The more advanced the system, the more precisely it can determine the layout of your home and return to its dock without becoming lost. This is particularly 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 carpeting throughout your home, select the right robot vacuum with powerful suction. The higher the suction is, the more efficiently the robot can remove dust and other lightweight debris. It must also be able easily move from one floor type to another. A good robot should be able pick up pet hair, cereal crumbs, and lint from carpet fibers and hardwood floors.

In tests, certain models performed better than others on various kinds of flooring. Certain models were more adept at removing cereal from hard floors whereas others struggled with carpet fibers. Think about how often you'll need to maintain your robotic vacuum. It should be emptied often to prevent overflow and the brushes must be cleaned regularly as well.

The best robot vacuums also have a self-emptying base which automatically gets rid of debris and dirt once it's full. This feature can save you money and time in replacing bags, and reduce the frequency of cleaning the robot. Some companies also provide an option with a bin that is removable, which can be emptied with a tap of a finger.

When purchasing a robot vacuum, be sure to cover any mirrors before the device maps out your home for the first time. This is because the LIDAR sensors that the majority of robot vacuums use to navigate bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the machine to "perceive" the mirror as an obstacle. Some robots are also tripped up by dark colored objects like chairs and toys for children. This is because the cliff sensors on robots are sensitive to infrared light which is absorbed on darker surfaces.

App control

Many of the top robot vacuums have an app that allows you to schedule and track cleaning sessions, and establish no-go zones. Some robot vacuums are compatible with Amazon Alexa or other digital voice assistants to provide the convenience of cleaning hands-free. If you're looking to have a more comfortable experience, consider opting for a model with object avoidance technology and stair-recognition. These features will stop the robot from tripping over things like socks, pet toys and power cords.

Most robot vacuums are available in square and round models. The round models can maneuver around furniture legs with ease, but have a harder time reaching the corners. Square models, on the other hand, have a more angular design and can reach corners with ease. They require a bigger space to maneuver around, and can easily run into other objects. To avoid this, be sure to carefully measure your home and choose the right model for your home.

Whatever model you choose, look for a large dust bin and a dock that self-empties. These features will reduce the frequency of emptying and reduce the amount of maintenance required by the device. A robot that has docking stations that can pause, recharge and then go on cleaning the areas it left you an experience that is hands-free.

While robot vacuums are great for everyday touch-ups and routine midweek cleanups but they aren't able to replace an upright or canister vacuum on thick carpets and hard flooring. They can still get caught with rugs, and aren't able to clean up certain particles and can leave out spots of dirt on hard flooring. It is essential to vacuum the entire house before using a robotic vacuum. Also, make sure all cords and clothing including rug fringes and window blind cords, are kept away from the robot's sensors and charging contact points.

Battery life

A good robot vacuum will have a long-lasting battery that will hold its charge throughout the cleaning cycle. If you have a large house or plan to utilize the robot vacuum in multiple rooms, you will want to choose one that has a longer battery life and perhaps a larger dust bin in addition. If you don't intend to clean your floors as often, a model that has a shorter battery should suffice.

During our tests during our tests, the X10 was able to map the entire room in a few runs and clean a full floor in just two hours. It also features some of the most efficient mopping technologies we've seen in an automated. It mops with scrubby, scrubbing motion that assists in getting rid of dried coffee stains and other marks that are stubborn on the floorboards. It also comes with Eufy's top-of-the-line object-avoidance technology, which has been trained as a self-driving vehicle to avoid objects such as socks and slippers.

The ability of a robot vacuum to navigate around corners and stairs is among its most notable characteristics. This feature allows the robot not to run into objects or fall down the stairs. A robot that is equipped with vSLAM navigation (found on models with higher-end features from iRobot) uses cameras to create a 3D map of the surroundings while it is moving.

Other features that make an excellent robot cleaner are a low profile and the capability of reaching tight spaces. Our top picks, like the Shark iRobot vacuum with a self-emptying system, can fit under most furniture. They also feature a large tower chamber that can store months or even years of accumulated debris until you have to empty it.

App navigation

Consider the size of your house and the type of flooring you have when choosing the best robot vacuum. Additionally, you should think about the navigation system of the robot. Some come with built-in sensors that can detect obstacles, while others utilize sensors that combine to create and update maps. The number of sensors, and how they are used together, will determine the size of the space that a robot is able to cover in one charge, and its capacity to move between rooms.

The best robot vacuums for cleaning large spaces feature a range of mapping and navigation capabilities. They use sensors to recognize furniture and walls. Then, they navigate around them without damaging or spreading dirt. They also employ a cliff sensor to detect thresholds that are steep and prevent falls. Bump sensors, which could be found in the form of physical bumpers and touch-sensitive pads are another characteristic of robot vacuums.

You can alter the robot's map of your home and create no-go zones using a smartphone application. You can also schedule cleanings and monitor the robot's progress from your phone. Some robots have smaller battery lives but the majority can clean up to 2000 square feet.

Most robots are unable to reach tight spaces such as the nook between a toilet and bathtub, or the gap between chair legs However, the SwitchBot K10 Plus has a slim design that can get into corners better than most. Its SLAM technology is among the best available, and its MyDyson application lets you see the areas that have been cleaned.

This robot is the cheapest option in this price range. Its lidar mapping is quick and accurate, dividing my room into different zones on the first try. Its ability to stay clear of obstacles is impressive, navigating around shoe and cable clutter and even the fake dog poop I placed in my test.