How to Keep a Robot Vacuum Clean

Robot vacuums can help keep your floors clean. Based on the model, they may also sweep, mop and even vacuum staircases.

Find models with intelligent features, like remote access and app control. Apps can be used to schedule cleaning sessions or keep track of progress. Some even allow you to pause, recharge and return to where they stopped.

1. Battery Life

With self-driving cars drones that can navigate the skies and robot vacuums that can maneuver around furniture, it's safe to say the future of cleaning is here. However, like all technology, it requires some maintenance to keep it running smoothly.

The cycle of charging and discharging the battery is the most crucial factor in the life of your robotic device. Maintaining the dust bin full and empty, checking for hairs that are tangled regularly, and keeping the brushes from getting stuck will make your robot run more efficiently.

Another factor is the climate in which your robot is kept, as extreme temperatures and cold can affect the battery's performance. You can extend the battery's life by ensuring it is charged to 50% prior to storage, storing it in an environment that is cool and disconnecting it from sources of power when not in use. Most smart devices also have periodic firmware updates that help improve performance and optimize battery. Check the app to see if there are any updates.

A robot vacuum is an excellent option for those who have a lot of hard flooring. It is able to take away dirt and debris quickly and efficiently, leaving your floors sparkling. But if you're looking for more than just a quick cleanup, you'll want to look for a model with superior navigation and obstacles-avoiding capabilities.

Our top-rated robot, the Ecovacs Deebot T20, combines advanced navigation with strong suction and a variety of mopping functions to provide an efficient, deep cleaning of your hard floors. It utilizes LiDAR cameras as well as sensors to create detailed maps of the home. This helps it stay on track and avoid getting stuck in furniture legs or power cables. It can also detect things like clutter and shoes to automatically clean around them. It also self-empties, meaning you won't have to return the vacuum back to its base station to empty its bin after each cleaning session.

2. Dust Bin

Robots are excellent for quick midweek cleaning, but they don't have the suction power to replace the power of a plug-in vacuum cleaner when it comes to deep cleans. Even the top robot vacuums are susceptible to getting tangled in cords and toys. They also tend to miss dirt piles near baseboards and struggle to get rid of dust from under furniture. Their dustbins onboard fill up quickly, and they have to return to their charging stations to empty themselves. This can take up to 30 minutes for some models.

It is crucial to select the right robot vacuum that has an ample dust bin that can be emptied into the dock without having return to finish the task. You'll want to decide whether you prefer bags or a one that doesn't have a bag. If you decide to go with the bagless model, you'll need to know how much dust it can hold before you have to empty it.

In our experiments, we put 100 grams of sand onto carpet with a medium pile and used a robot vacuum cleaner to remove the sand. We then weigh the amount of sand in the onboard dust bin to determine the amount dirt it has accumulated. A large amount of dirt suggests that the bin could be filled up faster and could force your robot to stop its cleaning process, or worse, cease working completely.

It's good to know that most robot vacuums have large dust bins that is easily emptyable. You can also set up them to empty their bases at least two times a day. It is recommended to keep a bottle of compressed air on hand to blow hairs out that are tangled in the rotating brush. Also, clean any filters as suggested by the manufacturer.

3. Wi-Fi Connectivity

The top robot vacuums have various connectivity options for connecting to your home's Wi-Fi. This allows the robot to download and install updates for its software, and also giving you the option to monitor your bot via an app or via voice-activated commands. Although not required this feature can be useful and personalization features that improve the overall experience of robot vacuuming.

The majority of models require some form of regular maintenance, like emptying the dust bin or cleaning the brush roll to ensure that they function at top performance. Monitoring consumable parts and following a regular schedule of cleaning and detachment will increase their life span too. Vacuum expert Emily Rairdin at University Vacuum & Sewing states that three to five years is the typical lifespan of the robot vacuum, but this can differ greatly based on the frequency you use it and if you take care of it in a proper manner.

A robot vacuum best (watch this video) vacuum must be able navigate obstacles and map your floor in order to be able to perform. Advanced navigation systems usually include sensors for cliffs that alert the bot to steep slopes as well as optical and laser sensors that help it "see" a room's layout. Some robots also come with mopping capabilities that are specialized which is useful for maintaining floors in between deeper cleanings with the use of a stand-up vacuum.

The best robot hoover 2-in-1 vacuums can also mop. This means that you don't need to switch between a robot vacuum and an manual one. The iRobot Roomba 690 is a robust, highly efficient robot vacuum cleaner that can clean its mop pad and clean surfaces with its water tank. Its mapping and obstacle avoidance capabilities were so impressive that it was awarded the the CR's Best Robot Vacuum Award, as well an AVTech Editors Choice Award.

4. Cleaning Patterns

The best robotic mop and vacuum robot vacuums that we tested had impressive pick-up scores on hard floors as well as carpets with a low pile. They remove dirt, dust and pet hair. They also remove dust and crumbs from the edges of rooms and along baseboards. They cannot remove deep-seated dirt or tangles of shag fibers such as an upright or canister. They are also unable to pick up spilled liquids and food, or screws made of heavy metal and may also miss a few areas of the home (including under furniture).

Many models are equipped with clever features that make them more user friendly. They usually have an app that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and manage the robot remotely. They can be integrated into your smart home system so that you can make voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Certain models come with different modes that allow users to choose between sweeping and mopping or vacuuming. They can also return to their docks to recharge and resume cleaning where they left off.

The technology to avoid obstacles has advanced over the years, but it's still important to take away cords, toys and pet mess before you run the robot. Before mapping out the room, you'll want to cover all floor-to ceiling mirrors with cardboard. The laser used by some models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to bump against a wall or a floor.

Certain models that are top of the line use lidar to create 3D maps of your surroundings. This allows the robot to identify obstacles and create an efficient path around them. Some allow you to create no-go zones so that the robot will not be able to enter certain areas, like 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 lets you tidy your home even when you're working or away on vacation. Some robots are also able to self-empty to a larger bin at their base, which reduces dust re-release and is a wonderful feature for people suffering from allergies.

Some robots, such as the pricier Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, can even detect objects on the floor and use a camera to teach them to stay clear of obstacles such as power cords, furniture legs or pet toys. This is an impressive capability that is available in cheaper models. It's crucial to clean your robot's trash bin and check for tangled hairs as they accumulate.

Some models also have the ability to create 3D representations. This is helpful in the event that you have more than one floor. You can pick specific rooms, and create digital "keep-out" zones to ensure that your robot only is cleaning the areas you want.

Robots are great for midweek cleaning, but they can't substitute a vacuum cleaner with a plug-in particularly when it concerns rugs. They are better at removing dirt from carpet than bare flooring, but can still miss piles near baseboards and thresholds as well as knotted cords and socks. To make the most of your robot, look for a model with zone and spot cleaning modes to focus on specific areas and reduce the need for cleaning. You can also find a model that recharges and resumes the same place it left off, which is a huge benefit in a large house.