What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?
The most effective robot vacuums come with a powerful motors and a bristles or rollers that are tough. They also have large dustbins and a long battery life.
Certain models map homes using smart mapping. They can stop to recharge, then pick up cleaning where they left off. They can even define no-go zones, and even identify different surfaces.
Object Avoidance
Object detection is a key feature of robot vacuums, because it allows them to avoid running into small objects such as cords, toys, socks or shoes that aren't on the floor, but instead on furniture. These systems use an inbuilt camera to detect objects that are listed in an AI database and then teach the vacuum how to avoid them. The Eufy S1 Pro, for instance, makes use of a variety of sensors including 3D Time of Flight (sending light pulses to gauge the distance and depth of the surrounding objects) and 3D Structured Light (beaming a pattern of lights onto the space and analyzing the distortion of light to create an image) to effectively steer clear of obstacles.
A recent addition to the arsenal of obstacle avoidance is artificial intelligence and visual interpretation, which allows robots to more easily identify and understand what they're encountering. The software works with one or two cameras to see the world around them, and analyzes it in real time. The ECOVACS DEEBOT uses this software to detect up to 30 different kinds of objects, including cables, shoes, and pet poop.
Some models also use LiDAR to navigate. This technology emits lasers, and analyzes the time it takes for them to bounce off surfaces to create an 3D map. This is useful for the detection of furniture, walls and even stairs. However, it may not work in low lighting or with transparent or reflective objects.
No matter which cameras or sensors are utilized it is crucial that your robot has a long battery lifespan so that it can complete your 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.
Self-Emptying Bases
Some robot vacuum cleaners have self-emptying bases. This can decrease the frequency you have to empty your trash. They are considered extra feature and increase the cost of a robot vacuum cleaner.
The best robots have bases that can hold bins or a removable dust bin that you can open and empty when it's full. This will reduce the amount of time that you spend worrying about when you should empty your dustbin and can be a huge benefit if you have a high-mess household.
Self-emptying bases are found on all the robots featured in our review, except for the bare-bones Roomba I3+, which doesn't have one. This is a pity because this robot is extremely efficient. It had the best mapping results out of all the robots that we tested, and also has superior navigation capabilities. It has a great mowing ability and a docking system that can empty the water tank automatically if it is needed.
It isn't equipped with iRobot's sophisticated obstacle avoidance and digital keep-out zone, but it can get tangled up in cables and rugs and it isn't able to detect rogue shoelaces or socks. However, it's an excellent option for an apartment that is small and well-maintained.
Other strengths are its navigation technology, which includes bump sensors as well as a drop sensors, as well as its ability to make your home a map using cameras and lasers. It is simple to use, comes with a variety of options and settings and is a great choice for mowing or vacuuming. Its smart-home functionality allows it to be controlled via voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This makes it easier to use in the event that you own multiple tablets or smartphones and don't want to pick up the traditional remote.
App Controls
Certain robots come with Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to control them from your tablet or smartphone. This feature is particularly beneficial in homes with a lot of floors, where you might need to walk down a staircase before the robot can come to the bottom. It also eliminates the need for a long cord, which means you can move furniture freely without worrying about your robot getting tangled up in the cord or running out of power while cleaning.
The app acts as a central control point for monitoring and scheduling tasks. The app lets you alter the cleaning mode, power and water level of your robotic cleaner. This feature is particularly useful in homes with multiple floor types -- for instance, carpet or tile -- because you can set the robot to clean every room with the correct power and mode.
Some models have a built-in camera that transmits a live feed directly to the application. These models are a great option for pet owners or those with children who wish to keep an eye on the robot as it works. Other smart robot s come with sensors that recognize when they've gotten to the edge of a room and then return to their base to dock. This prevents them from taking over the area and also ensures that they've cleaned all of the surfaces of your home.
Certain models automatically empty the dustbin and even blow dry and wash mop heads between cleaning sessions. This will reduce the necessity for manual maintenance and the robot cleaner will work better over 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 are equipped with sensors that let them navigate around your home. They can work on carpets, area rugs as well as hard floors like wood and tile. They're not a replacement for a full-size, canister or upright vacuum cleaner, but they offer great suction on dirt and dust. They are a wonderful method of keeping the floor clean between deep cleanings using a traditional machine.
Sensors let the robot navigate around your home by finding obstacles and also avoiding falling down the stairs. You can also set up virtual and physical "no go" zones using boundary strips or virtual walls (like the ones employed by Eufy), to prevent the robot from entering certain areas of your home. Some robots have cliff sensors that alert you when the robot is getting close to running into an edge.
The kind of navigation system that the robot employs is contingent on your budget and layout of your home. The most advanced robotic vacuums utilize LiDAR sensors to scan and map areas that ensure accurate navigation. These systems are expensive however they provide the best results. Budget-friendly models with rudimentary bump navigation systems aren't as precise and may miss certain places. These models are effective in getting around obstacles, but they can be unable to detect dirt in crevices or around baseboards.
Choose a model with an extra-large dust container and a long battery lifespan. You can also find models that recharge and resume the same place they left off after they dock to save time. In addition to navigation and cleaning, you can make the most of your robot vacuum by making sure you have everything ready for each cleaning session. Make sure that all power cords as well as toys and other debris are tucked away and away from the robot's path. Also, empty the bin after each cleaning. Also, wipe down the sensors and charging ports to ensure that the robot is healthy.
Navigation
The most effective robot vacuums employ mapping technology to create digital maps of your home during the initial cleaning session. It assists them in recognizing the different patterns, like hard and carpeted floors, and ensures that all areas are cleaned. Mapping also prevents your robot from having to clean the same spots which increases efficiency and can reduce battery consumption. Many high-end models let you save the map for future use. This is ideal for large homes.
The majority of robotic vacuums have an obstacle avoidance system that prevents them from running over cords or socks, or shoes. These sensors do not always detect small objects. Manufacturers started adding sensors to robots in the past few years. They were able to detect and avoid household objects that standard sensor systems could not. These include cliff and wall sensors, which function by bouncing light beams infrared off of surfaces to calculate distances.
Certain sensors are integrated directly into the robot's base, however, others require being purchased separately. These sensors aid the robot to navigate safely, avoid falling on stairs, and stay away from clutter. Some models have anti-drop sensors that prevent the robot from colliding with furniture and walls.
LiDAR mapping, the most advanced navigation system is a feature that you should consider when purchasing a robot vacuum. The system makes use of a spinning sensor mounted on the robot to map out your home. It can map your home by bouncing infrared beams off your furniture and walls. This helps to plan efficient routes and also clean your entire house.