How To Outsmart Your Boss Robot Vacuum
How to Find the Best Robot Vacuum
If you don't require advanced features like mapping, and do not mind cleaning your trash bin every 60 to 90 days, a basic robotic vacuum is likely to be the best choice for you. Select a model with an uncluttered base that can work with voice assistants.
It excels at removing dirt, cat litter and pet hair on hardwood floors, tile and carpeting with less pile than any other robo vacuum we've tried. It can also map out and create virtual no-go zones in rooms or specific areas.
1. Powerful Suction
A robot vacuum is able to stay clean of the pet hair, dust and dander that collects on your floors on a daily basis. It can also reduce the frequency of deep cleaning, saving you time and effort. The best models come with powerful suction, which will take on the majority of messes and leave your house cleaner.
You can take care of more space by using a robot vacuum as well as a mop, which is especially useful if you have an extensive home. Look for a model that has water reservoirs either in the chassis or as a separate piece that you can swap out when vacuuming is complete. It will have to be emptied and refilled in order to complete the task.
In a perfect universe you would clean your floors before you use your robot vacuum, preventing it from running into anything. In the majority of homes, however this isn't possible or desirable. The majority of models let you use an app that you can install on your phone to create virtual barriers that the robot will see. Some include no-go zones, which you can use to mark areas you don't want it enter, such as kids' rooms or a pile of device cords in the corner.
If you're looking for a simple robot vacuum with no bells and bells, this model from networking company TP-Link is a great option. It's quiet, and it works on hard floors and low-pile rugs. It can be scheduled via the app to mop or vacuum at any time. It comes with a battery life of up to 180 minutes.
2. Easy to operate
In general, robot vacuums require very little input from you. They use navigational tools such as sensors, lasers, and cameras to move and collect dust, pet hair, and food crumbs from hard floors, tiles and hardwood. Many have boundary strips to allow them to stay within a room's walls, while more expensive models can be set to automatically wake up and begin cleaning at a scheduled time. Some models have fall detection technology to help them avoid falling down stairs or getting caught in cords.
Look for models that you can control from your couch via voice assistants, such as Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also select Wi-Fi models that allow users to start a cleaning session anywhere using an app. You may want to select a model that has a long-lasting battery, as well as an enormous dust bin, based on the size of your home.
Some robot vacuums are also mopping. They utilize water reservoirs to clean the floor. This is great for mopping, but not ideal for tough messes like pet poop and other wet spills. You can select hybrids that have an able mopping pad made of microfiber, or a self-emptying version that lets you go up to 60 days before emptying the base.
3. Smart Mapping
Certain robots employ advanced mapping technologies to build a detailed map of your floorplan while they clean the floor, which makes it easier for them to avoid bumping mindlessly into furniture or falling over things such as cords or chairs. This feature is only available on the top models, but it allows your robot to be aware of your home's layout and know where to move when the battery runs out.
Most robots let you create virtual barriers. This can be done via an application or even physical boundary strips. This allows you to create zones that you don't want your robot to venture into, so it can focus its attention on the areas that require the most cleaning.
A lot of robots can also automatically change floors based on the kind of floor they are cleaning. This can be accomplished by switching from carpet to hard flooring, or by focussing on particular areas of your home like corners and baseboards. In our tests, this was a useful feature that improved their scores on picking up hardwood and low-pile carpeting. It is essential to put away any furniture or cords that are loose before using your robot vacuum so that it doesn't become caught.
4. Remote Control
Most robot vacuums are WiFi-enabled and can be controlled by Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri Shortcuts, which allow you to control them via voice commands or through your smartphone. Many connect to smart home systems that create a map of your space after each cleaning session to "learn" your layout and design more efficient routes for future runs. Certain models have obstacle avoidance features built in to prevent them from causing damage to furniture or getting stuck on things such as loose charging cables or pet hair.
Most robots have an remote control that can be used to guide them around your home. However, most can also be controlled via an app for mobile devices that offers more features. You can create multiple cleaning schedules, and create a list with your favorite rooms. You can also manually guide the robot with direction Arrows.
Some models provide no-go zones that are virtual barriers that you can set up in the app to block the robot from entering certain areas (like kids' toys or dog bowls and beds). Certain apps let you draw an image of your home and provide detailed information about the floors. The Roborock S7+ app has a number of useful features to assist you in cleaning your home. However the interface isn't as polished as iRobot or Shark.
5. Long Battery Life
Robotic vacs that can clean throughout the house without stopping to recharge or empty their dust bins save you time and effort. Some are compatible with smart home platforms such as Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri Shortcuts for hands-free operation. They can also make an outline of your space that allows you to program them to clean specific rooms or areas and stay clear of obstacles.
The majority of robot vacuums come with some degree of detection of objects, but higher-end models like the iRobot j7 offer sophisticated features such as "home mapping" and advanced obstacle avoidance that will simplify your life (although our test bot did "eat" a pair of socks). If you're trying to improve your home maintenance, you should consider a robot mop with a water container that can be filled and then empty.
While none of the models we tested compete with the power of a stand-up vacuum, they all do a great job at cleaning carpets and hard floors. They are great in sweeping up dust and debris, food dust, tracked-in dirt, and pet hair. They are also able to handle screws and nuts made of metal and the stray cat litter. The top robot vacuums can clean corners and edges and work around furniture. For a basic model that works by itself and is comparatively inexpensive, check out the Eufy 11S.
6. Convenient Self-Charging
A robot vacuum can keep your home tidy and clean without you having to do much work. You can schedule cleanings through the app, and you can set up no-go areas so that your robot doesn't step on your favorite chair or plants. Many of our top picks will also empty their dustbins for you and clean their docking station.
The most effective robot vacuums can be programmed to clean your floors on a regular basis for weeks or even months at a stretch, freeing you from the tedious chore of manually mopping and sweeping your floors on a daily or weekly basis. This helps you spend more time doing things you enjoy and reduces the amount of time your floors have to be cleaned manually.
In our tests, Q Revo was able to capture fine particles such as baking soda and oatmeal. It also picked up larger particles like metal screws and nails and fluffy stuff like pet hair. It does not have the advanced mapping and objects-avoiding features of our top picks, but it is still a great option for most families.
The best thing about the j7 is its ability to detect and avoid obstacles like power cords as well as socks and shoes as well as pet waste. This means that you don't need to tidy up before using your robot. However, cluttered rooms may cause your bot to become stuck and do poorly.