What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?
The best robot vacuums feature an efficient engine and a sturdy set of bristles or rollers. They also have decently sized dustbins and long battery life.
Certain models use smart mapping to identify homes, and they can stop, recharge and then pick up cleaning exactly where they started. They can also set no-go zones and identify different surfaces.
Object Avoidance
Object detection is a key feature of robot vacuums, because it allows them to avoid running into small objects like cords, toys, socks or shoes that aren't on the floor, but instead on furniture. These systems use a built-in camera to recognize objects that are listed in an AI database and then instruct the vacuum how to avoid them. The Eufy S1 Pro uses a combination of sensors, including 3D Time of Flight, which emits light pulses into the room to determine distance and depth of objects and 3D Structured Light, which beams a pattern onto the room, analyzing the distortion of light to create a map, to avoid obstacles.
A new addition to the obstacle avoidance repertoire is artificial intelligence and visual interpretation, which allows robots to better identify and understand what they're observing. The software works with one or two cameras to see 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 such as cables, shoes, and pet poop.
Certain models also use LiDAR to navigate. This technology emits laser beams and measures the time it takes for them to bounce back from nearby surfaces to create a live, 3-D map of the environment. This is helpful in finding furniture, walls, and even stairs. However, it might not work in dim lighting or with transparent or reflective objects.
No matter what cameras or sensors are employed It is essential that your robot has a long-lasting battery so that it can last the duration of a home without having to return to the dock for recharge. Pick a model that has a battery life of at least 80 minutes or more depending on the dimensions and layout of your home.
Bases that Self-Empty
Certain robot vacuum cleaners come with self-emptying bases. This can reduce the frequency at which you need empty your dustbin. They are considered extra feature and increase the cost of a robotic vacuum cleaner.
The best robots come with bases that are able to hold either bins or a movable dustbin. You can open it and empty it when full. This can help you save time by decreasing the amount of time you are occupied with deciding the time to empty a bin.
Self-emptying bases are found on all the robots featured in our review, except for the bare-bones Roomba I3+, which does not have one. This is a pity because the robot performs extremely well. It had the best mapping results out of all the robots that we tested and has superb navigational abilities. It also has good mower power and docking stations that can automatically empty the water tank whenever required.
It doesn't come with iRobot's sophisticated obstacle avoidance or digital keep-out zones, and it gets hung up on rugs and cables and is unable to see the stray socks or shoelaces. That said, it's the perfect choice for a small, well-maintained home.
Its other strong points include its navigation technology, which includes drop sensors and bump sensors, and its ability to map your entire house using cameras and a laser. It is easy to use, has a range of options and settings that are effective when mowing or vacuuming. Its smart-home function allows it to be controlled by voice commands made using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This can make it easier to use if you have multiple tablets or smartphones and do not want to carry an additional remote.
App Controls
Some robots can connect to Wi-Fi, which allows you to control them using your tablet or smartphone. This is particularly beneficial in large homes that have several floors. You might need to navigate down an elevator to reach the robot before it is able to reach the bottom. This removes the need for an extra long cord to move furniture with no worries about the robot becoming tangled in it or running out power when cleaning.
The app functions as a central control point to monitor and schedule tasks. The app also lets you customize your robotic cleaner's power, cleaning mode and water level settings. This feature is especially useful in homes that have various types of flooring, including tiles and carpet. You can assign the robot the proper power and cleaning mode for each floor.
Some models come with a built-in video camera that can send a live feed directly to the app. These models are great for pet owners and people with small children who want to monitor the robot as it works. Some smart robots utilize sensors to detect when they've reached the edge of an area and return to their docking station. This stops them from overrunning an area and ensures they've cleaned every surface in your home.
Some models can automatically empty the dustbin and even blow dry and wash mop heads between cleaning sessions. This reduces the necessity for manual maintenance and the robot cleaner will work better for a longer time. There is also models with an extended battery, which helps you avoid the hassle of mid-cleaning recharges.
Sensors
Many robot vacuums use sensors to navigate around your home and work on hard floors like laminate, tile, and wood as well as carpets with low pile and area rug. They're not an alternative to an actual canister or upright vacuum cleaner, but they do offer excellent suction on dirt and dust and are a wonderful method of keeping the floor free of dirt between deep cleanings with a traditional machine.
Sensors help the robot navigate your home by finding obstacles and avoiding falling down steps. They also allow you to define physical and virtual "no-go" zones using the feature known as boundary strips or virtual walls (like the ones employed by Eufy) to prevent the robot from entering specific areas of your home. Some robots also come with cliff sensors, which warn you when the robot is close to crossing an edge.
The kind of navigational system the robot uses is determined by your budget and the layout of your home. The most advanced robotic vacuums employ LiDAR sensors to scan and map areas that ensure accurate navigation. These systems are costly, but provide the best results. Budget-friendly models with rudimentary bump navigation systems are less precise and may miss certain spots. These models are good at avoidance of major obstacles, but they may be unable to detect dirt in crevices or around baseboards.
Look for a model with an extra-large dust container and an extended battery life. There are also models that can recharge and resume where they left off when they dock to help save time. In addition to navigation and cleaning, you can get the most out of your robot vacuum by preparing for each cleaning session. Make sure that all power cords as well as toys and other junk is cleared of the path of the robot and empty the bin after each cleaning. Cleanse the sensors and charging port to ensure your robot is in good health.
Navigation
The top robot vacuums create digital maps of your home using mapping technology during the initial cleaning session. It assists them in recognizing patterns like hard or carpeted floors and ensures all areas are cleaned. It also stops your robots from having to clean the same areas repeatedly and can increase efficiency and reduce battery consumption. Many high-end models have the option of saving a map of your house for future use, which is great for homes with larger spaces.
Most robotic vacuums feature some kind of obstacle avoidance that prevents them from running into shoes, cords, or socks. However, these sensors do not always detect small objects. Manufacturers added sensors to robots around a year ago. This allowed them to detect and avoid household objects that standard sensor systems could not. These include cliff and wall sensors, which work by bouncing infrared light beams off surfaces to calculate distances.
Certain sensors are built directly into the robot base, while others need to be purchased separately. These sensors assist the robot to navigate safely and avoid falling down steps, and keep away from clutter. Some models have anti-drop sensors, which will stop the robot from hitting walls and furniture.
LiDAR mapping is the newest and most advanced navigation technology and it's a feature that you should look for in robot vacuum. This kind of system utilizes a spinning laser sensor mounted on top of the robot to map your home. It can map your home's layout by bouncing infrared rays off your furniture and walls. This information helps it plan efficient routes and also clean your entire house.