How to Keep a Robot Vacuum Clean
Robot vacuums can help keep your floors clean. Depending on the model they can also sweep or mop stairs.
Find models with smart features, such as remote access and app control. Apps can be used to plan cleaning sessions and monitor progress. Certain apps even allow you to pause and recharge, then return to where they left off.
1. Battery Life
With cars that drive themselves drones that can navigate the skies and robot vacuums that nimbly maneuver around furniture, it's safe say that the future of cleaning is now here. However, like all technology it needs some care to keep it working efficiently.
The most important aspect in the life of your robot is the battery's charge and discharge cycles. Maintaining the dust bin full and empty, checking for hairs that are tangled regularly and preventing the brushes from becoming blocked will aid in running your robot more effectively.
Another aspect to consider is the climate in which your robot is stored, because extreme heat and cold can impact battery performance. You can extend the life of your robot's battery by charging it to 50% and then storing it in a cool location. Also, disconnect it from the power source when not using it. Additionally, most smart devices receive periodic firmware updates that improve performance, including battery optimization, so make sure to check your app for any updates that are available.
For those with many hard floors, a robot vacuum is a great option. It will get rid of dirt and debris fast and efficiently, leaving your floors sparkling. But if you're looking for more than a simple clean-up, you'll want consider a model that offers superior navigation and obstacle avoidance.
The Ecovacs T20 robot is our top-rated robotic. It combines advanced navigation, powerful suction and a range of mopping options to offer an extensive, thorough cleaning of your flooring. It uses LiDAR sensors and cameras to create precise maps of your home. This assists it in staying on the right path and avoid getting stuck on furniture legs or power cords. It also can detect objects like shoes and clutter, and clean around them automatically. It's also self-emptying, which means you don't need to return the vacuum to its base station to empty its bin after every cleaning session.
2. Dust Bin
Robots are ideal for quick midweek clean-ups however, they lack the suction power to replace a plug-in vacuum cleaner for deep cleaning. Furthermore, even the top robot vacuums can be caught with toys and cords and snooze on piles of dirt close to the baseboards, or struggle with crumbs under furniture. And, their onboard dustbins get so full that they have to return to their charging docks in order to empty themselves, which can take up to half an hour for certain models.
It is essential to select the right robot vacuum that has a large trash bin that can be emptied into the dock without needing to return to complete the task. You'll also want to consider whether you'd prefer a bagged or bagless model and, if you opt for a bagless version, how much dust will it hold before it needs to be empty.
In our tests, we apply 100 grams of sand to an area of medium-pile carpet and use a robot vacuum to sweep it across the carpet. Weighing the amount of sand in the vacuum's dust bin onboard lets us determine the amount dirt that has been collected. A large amount of dirt suggests that the bin could get fuller faster and may force the robot to stop its cleaning cycle or even stop working completely.
The good news is that many premium robot vacuums feature an enormous dust bin which is easily empty and you can set up the emptying of their bases at least once a day or more. Keep a bin filled with compressed air on hand to blow away hairs that have become tangled in the rotating brush, and to clean any filters in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer.
3. Wi-Fi Connectivity
The top robot vacuums have a variety of connectivity options for connecting to your home's Wi-Fi network. This lets the robot update its software and gives you the option of monitoring your bot through an app or using voice commands. This feature isn't essential, but it offers convenience and options for customization that can enhance the overall robot vacuuming experience.
Most models require a certain amount of routine maintenance, such as emptying the dust bin or cleaning the brush roll, to ensure they are operating at their peak performance. A regular schedule of cleaning, detaching and checking consumable parts can also prolong their life. Vacuum expert Emily Rairdin at University Vacuum & Sewing says three to five years is the average life expectancy for a robot vacuum. However, this can differ greatly based on how often you use it and if you maintain it in a proper manner.
To function a robot vacuum, it has to be able to map out your floors and navigate around obstacles. Advanced navigation systems include sensors for cliffs, which warn the robot to steep drops. They also have laser and optical sensors that allow it to "see" the arrangement of rooms. Some robots also have mopping capabilities that are specialized, which can be useful for keeping floors clean between deeper cleanings with the use of a stand-up vacuum.
The best 2-in-1 robots can mop and vacuum and sweep, which means you can avoid the hassle of having to switch between two types of vacuum. One example is the iRobot Roomba 690, which is a powerful and efficient robot vacuum that can also clean up surfaces using its water tank and wash the mop pad automatically. Its mapping and obstacle avoidance skills were so good that it won CR's Best Robot Vacuum Award, as well an AVTech Editors Choice Award.
4. Cleaning Patterns
The top robot vacuums in our tests have impressive pickup scores for carpets with a low pile and hard floors cleaning dust, dirt, and pet hair. vacuum bot remove debris and crumbs from the baseboards and at the edges of rooms. They aren't able to remove dirt that is deep-seated or tangles of shag fibers such as an upright or canister. They also can't pick up spilled liquids and food particles, or screws made of heavy metal and may also be unable to reach certain areas of the home (including under furniture).
Many models have clever features that make them more user friendly. They typically come with an app, which allows you to plan cleaning times and operate the robot remotely. They can also integrate with your smart-home system, which means you can control the robots with voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have different modes that let you choose between mopping, sweeping and vacuuming. They can also recharge at their docks and continue cleaning the area they left.
Obstacle-avoidance technology has advanced in recent years, but you must still clear out toys, cords, and pet messes before running the robot. Before mapping out the room, you'll need to cover all floor-to ceiling mirrors with cardboard. The lasers used by some models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to bump against a wall or a floor.
Some premium models use lidar to create 3D maps of your space. This helps the robot remember obstacles and determine the most efficient path around them. Certain robots let you designate no-go zones so that the robot will avoid certain areas, such as your pet's food bowls, or a rug that is expensive.
5. App Control
Many robots let you set a timer for cleaning and control them without hands using an app, so you can clean your home while you're working or away. Certain robots also automatically empty their dust into a large bin at the base. This can reduce dust release and is an excellent feature for people suffering from allergies.
Some robots, such as the pricier Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, can even spot objects on the floor and employ a camera to instruct them to stay clear of obstacles such as power cords, furniture legs or pet toys. This is a remarkable feature and is even available in cheaper models. However, it's essential to regularly empty your robot's trash bin and check for hairs that are tangled as they build up.
Some models can also create 3D representations. This is useful if you have more than one floor. You can select certain rooms, and set digital "keep-out" zones to ensure your robot only cleans the areas you'd like.
Robots are great for regular midweek cleaning however they aren't able to substitute for a large-sized vacuum, especially on carpets. They are better in removing dirt from carpets than bare flooring, but can still not pick up piles close to baseboards and thresholds, as well as knotted cords and socks. Find a robot that has zones and spot cleaning modes. This allows you to concentrate on certain areas without wasting time. You'll also find a model that recharges and picks up the same place it left off, which is an enormous advantage in a big house.