How to Keep a Robot Vacuum Clean

Robot Vacuum best vacuums can help keep your floors clean. Depending on the model, they can also sweep or mop stairs.

Find models that have smart features such as remote control of apps and remote access. Apps can be used to schedule cleaning sessions and monitor progress. Some apps can even pause and recharge, then pick up where they left off.

1. Battery Life

With cars that drive themselves drones that can navigate the skies and robot vacuums that can maneuver around furniture, it's safe to say that the future of cleaning is now here. But as with any technology it requires some upkeep to keep it running smoothly.

The cycle of charge and discharge for the battery is the most crucial factor in the longevity of your robot. Maintaining the dust bin full and empty, examining for hairs that have become tangled frequently and making sure that the brushes are not jammed will all help your robot run more efficiently.

The location the robot is stored can also influence the performance of your battery. Extreme heat and cold can affect the battery's performance. You can extend the lifespan of your robot's battery by charging it to 50% and then storing it in a cool area. Also, disconnect it from the power source when using it. Most smart devices also have periodic firmware updates that can optimize performance and battery optimization. Check the app to check if there are any updates.

For those with lots of hard floors, a robot vacuum is an excellent option. It can quickly and effectively get rid of 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 with superior navigation and obstacle avoidance.

The Ecovacs T20 robot is our top-rated robot. It combines advanced navigation, powerful suction, and a variety of mopping options to offer a deep, thorough clean of your flooring. It makes use of LiDAR cameras and sensors to create detailed maps of your home. This allows it to keep its course and avoid getting stuck in furniture legs or power cables. It can also identify items like shoes and clutter, and then clean them up. And it's self-emptying, meaning you don't need to return the vacuum to its base station to empty its bin every cleaning session.

2. Dust Bin

Robots are great for quick midweek cleaning, however, they lack the suction to replace a plug-in vacuum cleaner for deep cleans. Moreover, even the best robotic vacuums can become tangled in cords and toys and miss piles of dirt that are close to the baseboards, and struggle with crumbs on furniture. The dust bins on their own are so full that they have to return to their charging docks in order to self-empty--a process that can take as long as half an hour for some models.

It is crucial to select the right robot vacuum that has a large dustbin that can be empty into the dock without needing to return to complete the task. It is also important to think about whether you'd like a bagged or bagless model, and if you do opt for a bagless version what amount of dust will be able to hold before needing to be empty.

In our tests we applied 100 grams of sand onto the carpet's surface in a medium pile. We used a robot vacuum that vacuums and mops vacuum cleaner to vacuum the sand off. The amount of sand that is weighed in the bin of dust onboard allows us to measure the amount dirt that has been collected. A high amount of dirt indicates that the bin could fill up more quickly and could force your robot to pause its cleaning cycle or, even worse, cease working completely.

The good news is that a lot of high-end robot vacuums have a large dust bin which is easily empty and you can even schedule the emptying of their bases at least once a day or more. It is recommended to keep a can of compressed air in your bag to blow hairs out that have tangled in the rotating brush. Also, clean any filters as recommended by the manufacturer.

3. Wi-Fi Connectivity

The top robot vacuums come with a variety options for connecting to your home's WiFi network. This lets the robot update its software and gives you the option of monitoring your bot through an app or using voice commands. This feature is not essential however it provides convenience and customization options that can enhance the overall robot vacuuming experience.

Most models require some level 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 components will also increase their life. Vacuum expert Emily Rairdin at University Vacuum & Sewing states that three to five years is the average life expectancy for the robot vacuum, but this can differ greatly based on how often you use it and if you maintain it properly.

A robot vacuum that mops vacuum must be able to navigate obstacles and map your floor to be able to perform. Advanced navigation systems incorporate cliff sensors that alert the robot to steep drops. They also have optical and laser sensors that allow it to "see" the arrangement of the room. Certain robots also have mopping capabilities that are specialized which is useful to keep floors clean between deep cleanings using the use of a stand-up vacuum.

The best automatic vacuum cleaner 2-in-1 robots can mop and vacuum making it possible to avoid the hassle of having to switch between a robot and a manual vacuum. A prime example is the iRobot Roomba 690, which is a powerful and highly efficient robot vacuum that can clean surfaces with its water tank and wash the mop pad automatically. Its obstacle avoidance and mapping capabilities were so impressive that it was awarded the CR's Best Robot vacuum Award, and also an AVTech Editors' Choice Award.

4. Cleaning Patterns

The top robot vacuums we tested in our tests have outstanding performance on carpets with a low pile and hard floors, removing dirt, dust and pet hair. They also clean up dust and crumbs from the edges of rooms and along baseboards. However, they are unable to remove deep-down dirt or tangles that are a part of the carpet's shag carpet and also an upright or canister vacuum. They can't pick-up spilled liquids or food, or large screws made of metal. They can also overlook certain areas (including under furniture).

Many models have smart features that make them more user-friendly. They usually have an app which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and manage the robot remotely. They can be integrated with your smart-home system so that you can use voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have multiple modes, allowing you to select between mopping and sweeping or vacuuming. They can recharge their docks and keep cleaning where they left off.

The technology for avoiding obstacles has advanced over the years, but it is still necessary to remove cords, toys and any pet debris prior to running the robot. Before you can map out your room, you'll want to cover all floor-to-ceiling mirrors with cardboard. The lasers employed by some models can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot cleaner with mop to bump against a wall or a floor.

The most expensive models come with advanced mapping capabilities, with some making use of lidar to create a 3D map of your surroundings. This helps the robot recognize obstacles and devise an efficient route around them. Some allow you to set no-go zones, so the robot is able to avoid certain areas like your pet's food bowls or a rug that is expensive.

5. App Control

You can set up an agenda for cleaning and control the robots using an app. This lets you take care of your home while you are at work or away on vacation. Certain robots also automatically empty their dust into a large bin at the base. This helps reduce dust release and is a wonderful feature for people suffering from allergies.

Some robots can spot objects on the ground and employ a camera as a guide to avoid obstacles such as power cords, furniture legs or pet toys. This is an impressive capability, and it's even offered in less expensive models. It's important that you regularly empty the robot's dustbin and examine it for fur that has become tangled as it accumulates.

A high-end model can also store multiple floor plans, which are beneficial if you live in more than one floor Some models also create 3D models of your home. You can then pick specific rooms and set up digital keep-out zones to ensure that your robot is focused on what you want it to, instead of wandering around areas that don't require cleaning.

Robots are good for midweek cleaning, but they aren't able to replace a plug-in vacuum cleaner particularly when it is a rug. They're better at removing dirt embedded in carpets than bare floors, but they're not able to spot piles of debris near thresholds and baseboards and cords and socks that are tangled. Find a robot vacuum and mop that has spots and zones cleaning modes. This allows you to concentrate on certain areas and not waste time. You'll also find a model that recharges and then resumes where it left off which is a huge advantage in a big house.