What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?

The top robot vacuums feature an efficient engine and a durable set of bristles or rollers. They also have large dustbins and an extended battery life.

Certain models employ smart mapping to create maps of homes. They can stop, recharge and then resume cleaning right where they stopped. They can also set up zones that are not allowed to enter, and can identify different surfaces.

Object Avoidance

Object detection is a crucial feature for robot vacuums as it helps them avoid running into small things like socks, shoes, toys or cords that aren't in the floor but on furniture or other items. These systems use an inbuilt camera to detect objects that appear in an AI database, and then teach the vacuum how to avoid them. The Eufy S1 Pro uses a combination of sensors, including 3D Time of Flight, which transmits light waves into the room to gauge the distance and depth of objects and 3D Structured Light, which beams a pattern of light onto the room and analyzes the distortion of light to create a map, to steer clear of obstacles.

Artificial intelligence and visual interpretation are newer addition to robot obstacle avoidance. They allow robots to better understand and identify what they encounter. This software uses a single or dual camera to see the world around them and analyzes it in real time. The ECOVACS DEEBOT uses this software to detect up to 30 kinds of objects such as cables, shoes and pet poop.

Some models also use LiDAR to navigate. The technology emits laser beams and measures the amount of time it takes them to bounce back off nearby surfaces to create a real-time, 3D map of the surrounding. This is able to identify furniture, walls and even stairs. However, it might not work in low lighting or with transparent or reflective objects.

No matter what sensors or cameras are being used, a good battery life is important to ensure that your robot can complete the entire house without the need to return to its dock to recharge. Select a model that has an extended battery life of at least 80 minutes or more depending on the size and shape of your home.

Self-Emptying Bases

Some robot vacuum cleaners feature self-emptying bases, which can decrease the frequency you need to empty your dustbin. They are considered premium and add to the cost of a robot vacuum cleaner.

The most effective robots have bases that are able to hold either bins or a removable dustbin. You can open it and empty it once full. This can reduce the amount of time you spend worrying about when to empty your dustbin and can make a significant difference when you have a busy household.

All of the robots we tested have self-emptying bases, with the exception of the Roomba I3+. This is a shame since this robot is extremely efficient. It had the best mapping results of all the robots that we tested and has superb navigational capabilities. It has a strong mower and docking system that can empty the water tank automatically when it is required.

It lacks iRobot’s advanced obstacle avoidance system and digital keep-out zones, but it can become tangled in cables and rugs, and cannot see the stray shoelaces or socks. It's a great option for a small house which is well-maintained.

Other strong points include its navigation technology that includes bump sensors and a drop sensor, and its ability make your home a map with lasers and cameras. It is simple to use, has a range of settings and Automatic Floor Cleaners modes, and performs well when mows or vacuuming. Another advantage is its smart-home connectivity, which enables it to work with voice commands via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. That can make it simpler to use if you have multiple smartphones or tablets 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 tablet or smartphone. This is particularly useful in large homes that have several floors. It is possible that you will require navigating down a staircase to reach the robot before it is able to reach the bottom. It also removes the need for a long cord, which means you can move furniture around without worrying about your robot getting caught up in the cord or running out of power while cleaning.

The app serves as a single-stop control center to monitor and schedule tasks. The app also lets you modify your robotic cleaner's power, automated cleaning mode and the water level settings. This feature is especially helpful in homes that have different types of flooring, like carpet and tile. You can assign the robot the right power and cleaning mode for every area.

Some models come with cameras built-in that send live feeds to the app. These models are a great choice for pet owners or people with young children who wish to keep an eye on the robot as it works. Some smart robots also have sensors that can detect when they've reached the edges of a room and then 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 can automatically empty the dustbin and even wash their mop heads and blow dry between cleaning sessions. This minimizes the frequency of manual maintenance and keeps the robot cleaner running smoothly for a longer time. You can also find a model with an extended battery that helps you avoid the hassle of having to recharge mid-cleaning.

Sensors

Many robot vacuums come with sensors that let them navigate around your home. They can be used on carpets, area rugs as well as hard floors like wood and tile. They are not a replacement to an upright or full-size canister cleaner, but they provide excellent suction and are a great way to keep your Automatic floor cleaners clean between deep cleanings.

Sensors enable the robot to navigate around your home by finding obstacles and avoiding falling off stairs. They also let you create physical and virtual "no-go" zones by using the feature known as boundary strips or virtual walls (like the ones used by Eufy) to prevent the robot from entering specific areas of your home. Some robots have cliff sensors which alert you when your robot is set to run into the edge of a cliff.

The type of navigation system the robot uses depends on your budget and the layout of your home. Some of the most sophisticated robotic vacuums make use of LiDAR sensors to map and scan rooms, ensuring accurate and efficient navigation. These systems are expensive however they deliver the most effective results. Budget models with rudimentary navigation bumps aren't as precise and can miss some places. They're great for avoiding big obstacles, but they could still miss dirt in crevices and around baseboards.

Choose a model with an extra-large dust bin as well as an extended battery life. You can find models that dock and recharge and then pick up where they left off. This will save you time. You can maximize the use of your robot automated vacuum, in addition to navigation by prepping each cleaning session. Check that power cords, toys and other debris are tucked away and out of the robot's path. Also, empty the bin every cleaning. Clean the sensors and charging port to keep your robot healthy.

Navigation

The most effective robot vacuums employ mapping technology to create an electronic map of your home during the initial cleaning session. It helps them recognize the different textures, like carpets and hard floors and ensures that all areas are thoroughly cleaned. It also stops your robots from cleaning the same areas again and can increase efficiency and decrease battery consumption. A lot of high-end models allow you to save a map to use in the future. This is great for large homes.

Most robotic vacuum cleaners vacuums come with some sort of obstacle avoidance system that prevents them from tripping over cords, socks, or shoes. However, these sensors can't always detect small objects. Manufacturers added sensors to robots a few years ago. This enabled them to recognize and avoid household objects that sensors could not. These include wall and cliff sensors, which function by bouncing light beams infrared off surfaces to determine distances.

Certain sensors are integrated directly into the robot's base, while others need to be purchased separately. These sensors aid the robot navigate in a safe manner and avoid falling down stairs, and stay clear from clutter. Certain models also include anti-drop sensors that automatically stop the robot from crashing into furniture or walls.

LiDAR mapping, the most advanced navigation system available is a feature you should consider when buying robot vacuum. This kind of system makes use of a spinning laser sensor mounted on top of the robot to map your home. It can map your home's layout by bouncing infrared rays off the furniture and walls. This helps in planning efficient routes and clean your entire house.