What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?
The best robot vacuums have a powerful motors and a set of rollers or bristles that are durable. They also have large dustbins and large battery life.
Certain models use smart mapping to identify homes, and they can pause, recharge and clean up right where they started. They can create no-go zones, and identify different surfaces.
Object Avoidance
Object detection is a crucial feature for robot vacuums, as it helps them avoid getting into small objects such as cords, toys, socks or shoes that aren't on the floor, but instead on furniture. These systems employ an integrated camera to identify objects in an AI database, and teach the vacuum to avoid them. The Eufy S1 Pro uses a combination of sensors, including 3D Time of Flight, which transmits light waves into the room to measure distance and depth of objects, and 3D Structured Light, which emits a pattern of light onto the room and analyzes the light distortion, to build a map to steer clear of obstacles.
Artificial intelligence and visual interpretation are a newer addition to robot obstacle avoidance. They enable robots to understand and identify what they encounter. The software works with a single or dual camera to view 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 employ LiDAR to navigate. This technology emits lasers, and measures the time taken to bounce off surrounding surfaces in order to create an 3D map. This can be used to detect furniture, walls and even stairs. However, it might not work in dim lighting or when working with transparent or reflective objects.
Whatever cameras or sensors are employed it is crucial that your robot has a long battery life so that it can complete an entire home without needing to return to the dock for recharging. Select a model that has an endurance of at least 80 minutes or longer depending on the dimensions and layout of your home.
Self-Emptying Bases
Some robot vacuum cleaners have self-emptying bases. This can decrease the frequency that you have to empty your trash. They're considered to be a top feature and typically add to the price of a robot.
The best robots come with bases that can either hold a bin or a removable dustbin that is easy to open and empty when it's full. This can save you time by decreasing the amount of time spent worrying about the time to empty a bin.
Self-emptying bases are found on all the robots we've reviewed in our review, with the exception of the bare-bones Roomba I3+, which does not have one. This is a shame since the robot performs extremely well. It had the best roborock vacuum mapping results out of all the robots that we tested, and also has superior navigational capabilities. It has a great mowing ability and a docking system that will empty the water tank automatically when it is required.
It isn't equipped with iRobot's sophisticated obstacle avoidance technology and digital keep-out zone, but it is prone to getting caught in rugs and cables, and cannot see shoes or socks that are not in good order. However, it's an excellent choice for an apartment that is small and well-maintained.
Other strong points are its navigation system, which includes bump sensors as well as a drop sensor, and its ability map out your whole house by using lasers and cameras. It is easy to use, has a range of options and settings, and performs well when cleaning or mowing. Another advantage is its smart-home connectivity that allows it to function with voice commands using Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. That can make it easier to use if you have multiple tablets or smartphones and don't want to grab a remote.
App Controls
Some robots connect to Wi-Fi, allowing you to control them with your tablet or smartphone. This is particularly beneficial in homes with multiple floors. You might require navigating down an elevator to reach the robot before it is able to reach the bottom. This will eliminate the need for an additional long cord to move furniture with no worries about the robot becoming tangled in it or running out of power when cleaning.
The app functions as a central control point for monitoring and scheduling tasks. The app also lets you customize your robotic cleaner's cleaning mode, power and levels of water. This feature is especially useful in homes with multiple floor types -- for instance, carpet or tile -- because you can assign the robot to clean each area with the appropriate power and mode.
Some models have a built-in video camera that transmits live video directly to the application. These models are great for pet owners as well as those with children who need to monitor the robot as it functions. Other smart robots come with sensors that can detect when they've gotten to the edge of a room and then return to their base to dock. This prevents them from overrunning the area and also ensures that they've cleaned all the surfaces within your home.
Some models can automatically empty the dustbin, and blow dry and wash its mop heads between cleaning sessions. This helps reduce the need for manual maintenance and keeps the robot cleaner running smoothly for a longer period of time. You can also find a model that has an extended battery which allows you to avoid the hassle of having to recharge mid-cleaning.
Sensors
Many robot vacuums use sensors to navigate your home and work on hard floors, such as wood, tile and laminate as well as low pile carpets and area rugs. They're not an alternative to a full-size, upright or canister vacuum cleaner, but they offer excellent suction on dirt and dust. They are a wonderful way to keep your floor clean between deep cleanings using the traditional vacuum.
Sensors assist the robot in navigating your home by finding obstacles and avoiding falling down steps. You can also create physical and virtual "no go" zones using boundary strips or virtual wall (like those used by Eufy) to prevent the robot entering specific areas of your home. Some robots come with cliff sensors that warn you when your robot is set to crash into a cliff.
The kind of navigational system the robot uses is determined by your budget and home layout. Some of the most advanced robotic vacuums employ LiDAR sensors to scan and map areas that ensure accurate navigation. These systems are costly, however they provide the best results. Budget-friendly models with rudimentary bump navigation systems aren't as precise and could miss some spots. They're good for avoiding major obstacles, but they can still fail to spot dirt in crevices and around baseboards.
Choose a model that has a large dust bin and long battery life. You can also find models that recharge and resume where they left off after they dock to help save time. You can maximize the use of your robot automatic vacuum, in addition to navigation by preparing each cleaning session. Check that all power cords and toys are tucked away and away from the path of the robot, and empty the bin every cleaning. Also, clean the sensors and charging ports to ensure that the robot is healthy.
Navigation
The top robot vacuums utilize mapping technology to create an electronic map of your home during the initial cleaning session. It helps them recognize textures, such as carpets and hard floors, and ensures that all areas are thoroughly cleaned. Mapping also saves your robot from cleaning the same spots which increases efficiency and may reduce the use of batteries. Many high-end models have the option of saving a map of your house to use in the future, which is great for larger homes.
Most robotic vacs have some kind of obstacle avoidance that keeps them from crashing into shoes, cords or socks. These sensors do not always detect smaller items. Manufacturers started adding sensors to robots around a year ago. They were able to identify and avoid objects that standard sensor systems could not. They include cliff sensors and wall sensors that work by reflecting infrared beams of light off surfaces to determine distances.
Some of these sensors are built in the robot's base while others require a separate attachment. In general, these sensors aid the robot vacuum cleaner review in navigating without danger and avoid falling down steps and keep clear of clutter. Some models even include anti-drop sensors that prevent the robot from hitting furniture and walls.
LiDAR mapping is the latest and most advanced navigation technology and is an option to look for in the robot vacuum. This kind of system utilizes an ejector-type laser that is mounted on the top of the robot to map your home. By bouncing infrared beams off of furniture and walls it is able to determine the layout of your space. This information can help to plan efficient routes and also clean your home.