What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?

The top robot vacuums have an engine that is powerful and a robust set of bristles or rollers. They also have large dustbins as well as a long battery life.

Certain models use smart mapping to identify homes, and they can be able to pause, recharge and clean up right where they started. They can create zones that are not allowed to enter, and can determine the different surfaces.

Object Avoidance

Object detection is an essential feature for robot vacuums as it helps them avoid hitting small objects such as shoes, socks or toys that aren’t in the floor, but instead on furniture or other things. These systems use cameras built into the system to identify objects that are in an AI database and then instruct the vacuum to avoid them. The Eufy S1 Pro, for example, uses a combination 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 light distortion to create an image) to ensure that it is away from obstacles.

Artificial intelligence and visual interpretation are more recent innovation in robot obstacle avoidance. They enable robots to better understand and recognize what they come across. This software works with one or two cameras to view the world around them and then analyzes it in real-time. The ECOVACS DEEBOT uses this software to detect up to 30 types of objects, including shoes, cables and pet poop.

Some models utilize LiDAR to navigate. The technology emits laser beams and measures the time it takes them to bounce back from nearby surfaces to create a live 3D map of the surrounding. This is able to identify furniture, walls and even stairs. However, it may not be as effective in low lighting or with transparent or reflective objects.

Whatever sensor or cameras are used, a good battery life is crucial to ensure that your robot will be able to complete the entire house without needing to return to its dock to recharge. Select a model that has an endurance of at least 80 minutes, or more depending on the size and shape of your home.

Bases that Self-Empty

Some robot vacuum cleaners feature self-emptying bases. This could reduce the frequency that you need empty your dustbin. They’re considered a premium feature and typically add to the price of a robot.

The best robots come with bases that hold either a bin, or a movable dustbin. It is possible to open it and empty it once full. This can cut down on the amount of time you’re thinking about when to empty your trash bin and can be a huge benefit when you have a busy household.

Self-emptying bases are found on all the robots in our review, with the exception of the basic Roomba I3+, which doesn’t have a self-emptying base. This is a shame because the robot performs extremely well. It had the best mapping results of all the robots we tested and has excellent navigation capabilities. It has a great mower and docking system that will empty the water tank automatically if it is needed.

It’s not equipped with iRobot’s innovative obstacle avoidance or digital keep-out zones, and it gets hung up on rugs and cables and doesn’t have the ability to detect the stray socks or shoelaces. It’s an excellent choice for a small home that is well-maintained.

Its other strong points include its aforementioned navigation technology, which includes bump sensors and drop sensors, and the ability to map the entire house with cameras and a laser. It’s also easy to set up, has many settings and modes, and offers outstanding mowing and vacuuming performance. Its smart-home feature allows it to be controlled by voice commands made using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. That can make it simpler to use if you have multiple tablets or smartphones and do not want to carry the remote.

App Controls

Some robots can connect to Wi-Fi. This allows users to control them from your smartphone or tablet. This convenience is especially helpful in large homes with multiple floors, in which you may need to walk through a staircase before the robot is able to get to the bottom. It also removes the requirement for a long cord, which means you can move furniture freely without having to worry about the robot getting caught in the cord or running out of energy during cleaning.

The app functions as a one-stop control center to monitor and schedule tasks. The app lets you modify your robotic cleaner’s cleaning mode, power and levels of water. This feature is especially helpful for homes with different flooring types, such as tiles and carpet. You can assign the robot the right power and cleaning mode for each floor.

Some models come with an inbuilt camera that can send live feeds to the app. These models are great for pet owners and those with children who need to monitor the robot as it works. Some smart robots also have sensors that can detect when they’ve reached the edges of a room, and return to their base to dock. This prevents them from encroaching on an area and makes sure they have cleaned all surfaces within your home.

Certain models automatically empty the dustbin, and blow dry and wash mop heads in between cleaning sessions. This will reduce the necessity for manual maintenance and the robot cleaner will function better for longer. There is also models with an extended battery which allows you to avoid the hassle of having to recharge mid-cleaning.

Sensors

Many robot vacuums utilize sensors to navigate around your home and work on hard floors, such as laminate, wood, and tile as well as carpets with low pile and area rugs. They’re not an alternative to a full-size canister or upright cleaner, but offer excellent suction and a fantastic method to keep your floor free of dust between deep cleanings.

Sensors assist the robot in navigating your home by detecting obstacles and avoiding falling down steps. They also allow you to set virtual and physical “no-go” zones by using boundaries or virtual walls (like the ones employed by eufy) to stop the robot from entering specific areas of your home. Some robots come with cliff sensors that alert you when your robot is about to fall into the edge of a cliff.

The kind of navigation system that the robot employs is contingent on your budget and home layout. The most advanced robotic vacuums utilize LiDAR sensors to scan and map areas that ensure accurate navigation. These systems can be expensive however they deliver the most efficient results. Budget-friendly models with rudimentary bump navigation systems aren’t as precise and can miss spots. These models are adept at avoidance of major obstacles, but they may be unable to detect dirt in crevices or around baseboards.

Pick a model that has a large dust bin and long battery life. You can also find models that can recharge and resume the same place they left off after they dock to help save time. You can get the most value from your robot vacuum in addition to navigation by prepping each cleaning session. Check that all power cords as well as toys and other debris are tucked away and out of the path of the robot, and empty the bin every cleaning. Wipe down the charging port and sensors to keep your robot healthy.

Navigation

The top robot vacuums utilize mapping technology to create digital maps of your home during the initial cleaning session. It allows them to recognize different the different textures, like hard floors and carpets, and ensures that all areas are clean. It also stops your robots from having to clean the same areas over and over again to increase efficiency and decrease battery consumption. Many high-end models let you save the map for future use. This is great for large homes.

Most robotic vacuum cleaner best vacuums feature some kind of obstacle avoidance that stops them from running into cords, shoes, or socks. These sensors are not always able to detect smaller objects. A few years ago manufacturers began adding more sensors to their robots, which allowed them to detect and avoid household items that standard sensor systems couldn’t. They include cliff sensors and wall sensors that work by reflecting infrared beams of light off surfaces to calculate distances.

Some of these sensors are built into the robot’s base, while others require you to purchase a separate attachment. These sensors assist the robot navigate in a safe manner, avoid falling on stairs, and stay clear from clutter. Some models have anti-drop sensors that automatically stop the robots from hitting furniture and walls.

LiDAR mapping is the newest and most advanced technology for navigation and is an option to look for in the robot vacuum. It uses the spinning sensor on the robot to map your home. By scattering infrared beams across your walls and furniture it can determine the layout of your space. This helps in planning efficient routes and clear your entire house.