How to Keep a Robot Vacuum Clean
Robot vacuums can help keep your floors clean. Depending on the model, they can also sweep, mop, and even vacuum staircases.
Look for models with advanced features, such as remote access and app control. Apps can be used to plan cleaning sessions and monitor progress. Some can even suspend, recharge and resume where they were when they left.
1. Battery Life
With self-driving cars drones that can navigate the skies, and robot vacuums that swiftly move around furniture, it's safe to say the future of cleaning is now here. However, like all technology it requires some upkeep to ensure it's running smoothly.
The most important aspect in the life of your robot is the battery's charge and discharge cycles. Make sure the dustbin is full and empty. Be sure to check for furs that have become tangled and prevent the brushes from jamming.
The conditions in which your robot is stored may affect the performance of your battery. Extreme heat and cold can affect the battery's performance. You can help preserve the life of your battery by ensuring it is fully charged prior to storage, keeping it in an environment that is cool and removing it from sources of power when not in use. In addition, the majority of smart devices receive periodic firmware updates that improve performance, including battery optimization, so be sure to check the app for any available updates.
A robot vacuum is a fantastic option for those who have many hard floors. It is able to remove dirt and debris quickly and efficiently and leave your floors sparkling. But if you're looking for more than just a quick cleaning, you'll need to choose a model that has superior navigation and obstacles-avoiding capabilities.
Our top-rated robot, the Ecovacs Deebot T20, blends advanced navigation and strong suction and a range of mopping functions to deliver a thorough, deep clean of your hard floors. It makes use of LiDAR cameras and sensors to create detailed maps of the home. This allows it to keep its course and avoid getting caught in furniture legs or power cables. It can also identify items such as clutter and shoes, and clean them up automatically. And it's self-emptying, meaning you don't need to return the vacuum to its base station to empty its bin after each cleaning session.
2. Dust Bin
Robots are great for quick midweek cleaning but lack the suction to replace a plug in vacuum cleaner for a thorough clean. Even the best robot vacuums are susceptible to becoming entangled in cords and toys. They also tend to overlook dirt piles near baseboards and struggle to remove dust from under furniture. And, their onboard dustbins are so full that they must return to their charging docks to empty themselves, which can take up to half an hour for some models.
It is essential to select a robot vacuum with a large dustbin that can be empty into the dock without having to return to complete the task. You'll want to decide whether you prefer bagged models or a one that doesn't have a bag. If you opt for the bagless model, you'll need to know the amount of dust it can hold before you empty it.
In our tests, we apply 100 grams of sand to an area of carpet with a medium pile and use a robot vacuum to vacuum it over the surface. Weighing the amount of sand in the vacuum's dust bin onboard allows us to measure the amount of dirt that has been collected. A large amount suggests that the bin onboard may fill up faster and force your robot to stop cleaning.
It's a good idea to know that most robot vacuums come with large dust bins that can be easily empty. It is also possible to schedule the cleaning of their bases at least one or two times per day. Keep a bin filled of compressed air nearby to blow away hairs that have gotten caught in the rotating brush and to clean any filters in accordance with the instructions provided by the manufacturer.
3. Wi-Fi Connectivity
The top robot vacuums provide various connectivity options for connecting to your home's Wi-Fi. This allows the robot to download and install updates for its software, as well as giving you the option to monitor your robot via an app or through voice-activated commands. This feature is not essential however it provides convenience and options for customization that can enhance your robot's overall vacuuming experience.
The majority of models require some form of regular maintenance, like emptying the dust bin and cleaning the brush roll, to ensure that they function at peak efficiency. A regular schedule of cleaning, detaching and checking consumable parts can also prolong the life of their components. Vacuum expert Emily Rairdin at University Vacuum & Sewing states that three to five years is the standard life expectancy of a robot vacuum. However, it can differ significantly based on the frequency you use it and whether you take care of it properly.
A robot vacuum has to be able to navigate around obstacles and map your floor in order to work. Advanced navigation systems usually include sensors that detect cliffs and alert the robot to steep slopes and optical and laser sensors that help it "see" a room's layout. affordable robot vacuum have mopping capabilities that can be used to keep floors between deep cleanings by using the use of a vacuum.
The best 2-in-1 robots can vacuum and mop and sweep, which means you can bypass the need to switch between two types of vacuum. The iRobot Roomba 690 is a robust, highly efficient robot vacuum cleaner that is able to clean its mop pad and clean surfaces with its water tank. Its high-quality mapping and obstacle-avoidance abilities made it the best robot vacuum award, as well as an AVTech Editors choice award.
4. Cleaning Patterns
The best robot vacuums that we test have excellent pickup scores on hard floors as well as carpets with low pile. They get rid of dirt, dust and pet hair. They also take out debris and crumbs from the baseboards as well as at the edges of rooms. However, they are unable to remove deep-down dirt or tangles in plush shag carpet fibers as well as canister or upright vacuums. They aren't able to pick up spilled liquids or food items, or large screws made of metal. They might also overlook certain areas (including under furniture).
Many models are equipped with smart features which make them more user-friendly. Most models come with an app that lets you schedule cleaning sessions, and control the robot remotely. They can be integrated with your smart home system, so that you can use voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have multiple modes, allowing you to select between sweeping and mopping or vacuuming. They can recharge at their docks and keep cleaning where they left off.
Obstacle-avoidance technology has improved in recent years, but you must still clear out any cords, toys and pet messes prior to operating the robot. It is also recommended to cover any floor-to-ceiling mirrors with cardboard prior to tracing out the room for the first time, because the laser used by certain models may bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to hit walls or floors.
Certain models that are top of the line use lidar to create 3D maps of your space. This helps the robot remember obstacles and design the most efficient path around them. Some robots allow you to 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
Many robots allow you to create a schedule for cleaning and control their movements hands-free with an app, so you can keep your home clean while you're working or away. Some robots can also self-empty their dust into a large bin at the base. This helps reduce dust rerelease and is a great feature for those suffering from allergies.
Some robots, like the pricier Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, can even spot objects on the floor and use a camera to coach them to stay clear of obstacles such as furniture legs, power cords or pet toys. This amazing feature is available on less expensive models. It's essential to regularly empty the dust bin of your robot and also examine it for fur that has become tangled as it accumulates.
A high-end model is also able to store multiple floor maps, which can be beneficial if you live in more than one floor, and some can create 3D representations 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, rather than wandering into areas that don't require cleaning.
Robots are great for regular midweek cleanups however they aren't able to replace a full-size plug-in vacuum, particularly for rugs. They are more adept at removing dirt from carpet than plain flooring, but they will be unable to find piles near baseboards or thresholds, as well as knotted cords and socks. Find a robot that has spots and zones cleaning modes. This allows you to focus on specific areas and not waste time. You can also find models that charge and then resume the same place they stopped. This is ideal for homes with large rooms.