The No. #1 Question That Everyone In Good Robot Vacuum Should Be Able To Answer
What to Look For in a Good Robot Vacuum
A robot vacuum can help keep you on the top of pet hair and lint on a daily basis. Many work with apps to allow you to schedule cleaning times and create virtual boundaries, or 'walls' to keep them from areas you don't want cleaned.
This smart vacuum and mop creates a map of your home with its first run, memorizing your home's layout for future tasks. It has an extra-large dustbin that automatically empties and a self-cleaning, brush roll.
Object Detection
When choosing a robot vacuum cleaner, pick one that is able to pick up large items like lamps and toys and dust particles of fine size. This will ensure that they don't get caught in the roller brush or strewn across your floor. This feature is particularly important if you have pets or children, and may need to clean the robot on a regular basis.
It's also a good idea to select a model that has strong motors and lots of suction power. This will enable it to be more efficient in eliminating dust, pet hair and lint from carpets and hardwood flooring.
The size of your house is a different factor to consider. If you have a large home, you may want to opt for a model with multiple cleaning zones that can clean the entire home in one go. Certain models have mopping features that can be utilized to keep floors fresh and clean.
Robot vacuums can last for a long time however, they must be cleaned regularly and properly. Cleaning the rotating brushes, emptying the dust bin and wiping the sensors clean regularly will keep your robot running smoothly for long time to come. Many owners of robot vacuums we speak with have had the same model for 10 years or more (and have replaced motors, brushes and batteries as they went along).
A basic robot will cost less than a large-sized vacuum cleaner, however they'll still do an excellent job at removing dirt on the surface, pet hair, and dust. They're an excellent maintenance cleaner that you can send out often throughout the week to keep your floor tidy. They aren't as technologically advanced and are more prone to getting jammed or needing manual intervention.
Object Avoidance
The best robot vacs use sensors, lasers or cameras to guide them around your home without getting stuck or falling down the staircase. Some models can return to their dock or base when their batteries are low. They also can avoid obstacles such as furniture legs and cords. The ones that are more expensive usually have mapping capabilities that allow them to learn the design of your home and spend less time running into walls.
If you don't want to splurge on the most advanced robotic vacuums, you can still locate a model that does a great job of removing pet hair dirt, dust, and debris from floors that are hard like tiles and wood, as well as carpets with a low pile. They can also do a decent job of handling larger objects such as metal screws and staples that are rusty or even discarded toys. Some have a base that automatically empties itself, which is a great feature for those who don't want to empty it after each cleaning session.
Some robotic vacuums have smart features that make the look of a stick vacuum outdated. They include scheduling, zone-targeting and the ability to control them through an app or a voice assistants, such as Alexa. You can also design cleaning zones and virtual walls to block off areas you don't wish the robot to enter.
Certain robotic vacuums, such as the Eufy 11S or my former top choice, Roborock S8, come with obstacle avoidance technology to stop them from falling over furniture or cords. Certain robot vacuums, such as the iRobot Roomba j7+ have more advanced AI obstacle-avoidance technology that uses sensors, cameras and smarts to avoid items like lamp cords and pet waste. It's a bit more expensive than other bots that I've tested, but it does an excellent job of avoiding obstacles and never is stuck or derails when working on my floor.
The iRobot J7+ was a fantastic obstacle avoidance robot, but it did not always succeed in avoiding crumbs or dirt on my carpets. It also was prone to over-vacuum certain areas resulting in dust accumulation in the filters, and an unclean home.
Smart Mapping
The best robot vacuums have an app that lets you set up cleaning modes, set schedules and see a map of your area of floor that the machine covers. This is an extremely useful feature that other models do not have. This lets you create profiles that automatically start the robot at certain times and run it continuously. For example, it could be cleaning the living room each day, or just before dinner.
A good app can also let you control your robot via voice commands. Some models are compatible with Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant, which allows you to control your robot using voice commands.
To enjoy best robot vacuum for pet hair -free and effortless experience, look for models with a large dust bin that can accommodate several cleaning sessions before having to be empty. There are models that are self-emptying that take some of the burden of emptying the robot after each vacuuming run.
If you're looking for a robotic that does more than vacuum, you should consider the models that have a mopping function. They are usually larger than the robotic vacuums, and include an internal water tank which can store many cleaning sessions of dirt and debris before needing to be cleaned.
Robots that are more advanced can create their own maps, and can remember the layout of your home from one cleaning session to the next, which prevents them from getting lost or stuck. This can make a big difference in the efficiency of your robot vacuum since it won't have to return to where it was when it encounters walls or furniture.
Our test subjects found that robots with this feature were extremely efficient. They could sit and watch TV or complete other tasks while the robot was cleaning. Some models use laser navigation to create an outline of your home. You can then program them to clean your bedroom after dinner, or in all rooms while you are at work.
App Control
If you'd like to alter the frequency at which the robot cleans your home and select a cleaning option it is recommended to purchase one that has a mobile app. Within the app, you can also examine the status of your vacuum and its dust bin. Some of the top robot vacuums can be operated by voice using Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri Shortcuts.
A robot that has a self-emptying bin and washable filters is simple to keep clean, especially when you are able to access the filter and take it off it to rinse it. Another feature that is great is a high-powered brush that gets into corners and along baseboards, making it easier to clean up hair and dirt. Certain robots are better at avoiding chair leg than others. Some have sensors that automatically clean brushes to prevent clogging.
Some robot vacuums come with navigation tools that assist them in navigating around obstacles and learn your home. High-end models are equipped with sensors and cameras that can detect obstacles like furniture, stairs and cords, while cheaper models often use boundary strips you place on the floor to mark off areas you don't want to go. Avoidance of objects is particularly useful for families with children who scatter socks and toys around the home. This helps your robot to gather these items, instead of scattering them.
We're seeing more robots that have mops, which are beneficial for those who have hard floors and require to mop them regularly. These robots have water tanks built into the chassis or a separate piece you can put in when it's time to mop. They might need to be filled more frequently than other types of robots, however they're ideal for homes with hard floors that can't be easily cleaned with a vacuum.
We've seen some amazing technology in these small robots and they're cheaper than you think. You can find a quality one for under $200. It can do a decent job of cleaning on hard floors while navigating around the edges of carpets and area rug. The robot can be programmed to vacuum a particular room on a regular schedule. It can be controlled remotely through an app or by pressing buttons.