How to Keep a Robot Vacuum Clean
Robot vacuums can help keep your floors clean. Depending on the model they can also sweep or mop stairs.
Find models that have clever features, such as remote control of apps and remote access. Apps can be used to plan cleaning sessions and track progress. Some apps can even pause and recharge, then pick up where they stopped.
1. Battery Life
With cars that drive themselves drones that can navigate the skies, and robot vacuums that nimbly maneuver around furniture, it's safe to say the future of cleaning is now here. But as with any technology it requires some upkeep to ensure it's running smoothly.
The cycle of charging and discharging the battery is the most crucial factor in the longevity of your robotic device. Keep the dustbin filled and empty. Check for tangled furs and keep the brushes from getting jammed.
Another factor is the environmental conditions where your robot is stored, as extreme temperatures and cold can impact the battery's performance. You can prolong the battery's life by ensuring it is charged to 50% prior to storage, storing it in an area that is cool, and removing it from power sources when not in use. In addition, the majority of smart devices are equipped with periodic firmware updates that optimize performance, including battery optimization, so make sure to check your app for any updates that are available.
automatic vacuum is an excellent option for those who have many hard floors. It's able to swiftly and efficiently get rid of dirt and other debris and leave your floors sparkling clean. If you're looking for more than just a quick cleaning, you should search for a model that has superior navigation and obstacles avoidance.
Our top-rated robot The Ecovacs Deebot T20, combines advanced navigation with strong suction and a variety of mopping features to offer a thorough, deep clean of your floors. It makes use of LiDAR cameras and sensors to create detailed maps of the home. This allows it to stay on course and avoid getting stuck in furniture legs or power cables. It can also detect items like clutter and shoes and then clean them up. It also self-empties so you don't have to return it to its base to empty the bin after every cleaning session.
2. Dust Bin
Robots are excellent for quick midweek cleaning however, they lack the suction capacity to replace the power of a plug-in vacuum cleaner when it comes to deep cleans. Even the top robotic vacuums can be prone to getting tangled in cords and toys. They also can ignore dirt piles in the vicinity of baseboards and struggle to remove dust from under furniture. The dust bins on their own fill up so quickly that they must return to their charging docks to empty themselves, which can take as long as half an hour for some models.
It is crucial to select the right robot vacuum that has a large trash bin that can be empty into the dock without needing to return to complete the job. You'll need to determine if you prefer a bagged model or a bagless one. If you opt for the bagless model you'll need to know how much dust it will hold before you empty it.
In our tests we applied 100 grams of sand on a medium-pile carpet surface and used a robot vacuum to vacuum the sand off. We then weigh the amount of sand in the onboard dust bin to determine the amount of dirt it has collected. A high amount means that the bin could get fuller and force the robot to stop cleaning.
It's good to know that many robot vacuums have large dust bins that can be easily empty. You can also set up them to empty their bases at least two times per day. It is recommended to keep a bottle of compressed air handy to blow hairs out that have tangled in the rotating brush. Also, clean any filters according to the guidelines provided by the manufacturer.
3. Wi-Fi Connectivity
The top robot vacuums provide a variety of connectivity options for connecting to your home's Wi-Fi network. This allows the robot to update its software and gives you the possibility of monitoring your robot via an app or voice commands. Although not required it is a useful feature and a variety of customization options that will enhance your overall robot vacuuming experience.
Most models require a certain amount of regular maintenance, like emptying the dust bin and cleaning the brush roll, to ensure that they function at their peak performance. Keeping tabs on consumable components and a regular schedule of cleaning and detachment will increase their lifespan as well. Emily Rairdin, a vacuum expert at University Vacuum & Sewing, says that a robot's life expectancy is between three and five years. However, this could vary based on the frequency you use it and whether you take care to maintain it.
To function, a robot vacuum needs to be able to map your floors and navigate around obstacles. Advanced navigation systems typically have sensors that detect cliffs and alert the robot to a steep drop as well as optical and laser sensors that allow it to "see" the layout of a room. Certain robots have mopping functions that can be used to maintain floors between deep cleanings using vacuums.
The best 2-in-1 robots can mop and vacuum and sweep, which means you can avoid the hassle of having to switch between a robot and a manual vacuum. The iRobot Roomba 690 is a robust, highly efficient robot vacuum cleaner that can also clean its mop pad and clean surfaces with its water tank. Its mapping and obstacle avoidance skills were so good that it was awarded the CR's Best Robot vacuum Award, along with an AVTech Editors Choice Award.
4. Cleaning Patterns
The best robot vacuums that we tested have impressive pickup scores on hard floors and low pile carpets. They remove dust, dirt and pet hair. They also remove dust and crumbs from the edges of rooms and along baseboards. They aren't able to remove dirt that is deep-seated or tangles of shag fibers, like canisters or uprights. They also can't pick up spilled liquids and food particles, or screws made of heavy metal and they could be unable to reach certain areas of the home (including under furniture).
Many models come with smart features which make them more user-friendly. They typically have an app allowing you to plan cleaning times and operate the robot remotely. They also can be integrated with your smart-home system, so you can use the robots with voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have multiple modes that let you choose between mopping, sweeping, and vacuuming. They can also recharge at their docks and continue cleaning the area they left.
Obstacle-avoidance technology has improved in recent years, however you still need to clear out any cords, toys and pet messes prior running the robot. Before you map out the space, it is recommended to cover all floor-to ceiling mirrors with cardboard. The lasers used by certain models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to hit a wall or a floor.
automatic vacuum of the top models utilize lidar to create 3D maps of your surroundings. This allows the robot to identify obstacles and create an efficient path around them. Certain robots let you create no-go zones so that the robot is able to avoid certain areas, for example, 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 allows you to take care of your home while you're working or on vacation. Certain robots also have the capability to self-empty into a larger bin at their base which helps reduce dust release and is a great feature for people suffering from allergies.
Some robots, like the pricier Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, can even detect objects on the floor and use a camera to coach them to avoid obstacles like power cords, furniture legs or pet toys. This is an impressive capability and is even available in cheaper models. However, it's important to clean your robot's trash bin and check for tangled hairs as they accumulate.
Certain models can also create 3D representations. This is useful in the event that you have more than one floor. You can pick certain rooms, and create digital "keep-out" zones to ensure that your robot only cleans the areas you want.
Robots are great for midweek cleaning however they aren't able to substitute for a large-sized vacuum, particularly on carpets. They are more adept in removing dirt from carpets than bare flooring, but they will not pick up piles close to baseboards and thresholds, as well as tangled cords and socks. To get the most value from your robot, look for a model with spots and zone cleaning modes to target specific areas and avoid wasteful cleaning. You can also find a model that recharges and resumes where it left off which is a huge benefit in a large house.