What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?
The best robot vacuums feature an engine that is powerful and a robust set of bristles or rollers. They also have adequate dustbins and large battery life.
Certain models use smart mapping to create maps of homes. They can stop, recharge and then clean up right where they left off. They can set up zones that are not allowed to enter, and can identify different surfaces.
Object Avoidance
Object detection is an essential feature for robot vacuums since it allows them avoid crashing into small objects such as socks, toys, cords, or shoes that are not on the floor, but instead on furniture. These systems use an integrated camera to identify objects in an AI database, and then instruct the vacuum to stay clear of them. The Eufy S1 Pro uses a combination of sensors, such as 3D Time of Flight, which transmits light waves into the room to determine distance and the depth of objects, and 3D Structured Light, which beams a pattern onto the space, and then analyzes the light distortion, to create a map, to steer clear of obstacles.
Artificial intelligence and visual interpretation are newer addition to robot obstacle avoidance. They enable robots to better understand and identify what they encounter. This software uses one or two cameras to view the world around them and analyzes it in real time. The ECOVACS DEEBOT uses this software to detect up to 30 types of objects, including cables, shoes and pet poop.
Certain models employ LiDAR for navigation. best affordable robot vacuum emits laser beams and measures the time it takes for 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. It might not work in dim light or with reflective or transparent objects.
Regardless of which sensor or cameras are being used, a good battery life is essential to ensure that your robot will be able to completely fill your home without having to return to its dock to recharge. Find a model that can run for a minimum of 80 minutes or more, depending on the dimensions of your living space.
Self-Emptying Bases
Some robot vacuum cleaners come with self-emptying bases that can reduce the frequency with which you must empty your bin. They're considered a premium feature that typically increases the price of a robot.
The most effective robots have bases that hold either bins, or a removable dustbin. It is possible to open it and empty it once it is full. This can reduce the amount of time you're worrying about when to empty your bin and could be a huge benefit when you have a busy household.
The robots we examined have self-emptying bases, except the Roomba I3+. This is a pity because this robot is extremely efficient. It had the top mapping results of all the robots that we tested, and also has superior navigation capabilities. It has a strong mower and docking system that will empty the water tank automatically if it is needed.
It doesn't come with iRobot's sophisticated obstacle avoidance system or digital keep-out zones, though, and it gets hung over cables and rugs and is unable to see rogue socks and shoelaces. It's a great choice for a smaller home that is well-maintained.
Its other strong points include its aforementioned navigation technology, which includes bump sensors and drop sensors, and its ability to map out your entire house using cameras and laser. It's also simple to set up, comes with a wide variety of settings and modes, and also offers excellent mowing and vacuuming performance. Its smart-home functionality allows it to be controlled with voice commands made using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. That can make it simpler to use if you have multiple tablets or smartphones and don't want to pick up the remote.
App Controls
Some robots are Wi-Fi enabled that allow you to control them from your tablet or smartphone. This is particularly beneficial in homes with multiple floors. You may need to navigate down a staircase to reach the robot before it is able to reach the bottom. It also removes the need for a lengthy cord, allowing you to move furniture without having to worry about your robot getting tangled up in the cord or running out of power during cleaning.
The app serves as a single-stop control center to monitor and schedule tasks. The app allows you to customize your robot cleaner's power, cleaning mode and water level settings. This feature is particularly beneficial in homes with various floor types, for example, carpet and tile, as you can designate the robot to clean each room with the appropriate power and mode.
Some models have a built-in video camera that transmits live video directly to the app. These models are a good choice for pet owners and parents of children who wish to keep an eye on the robot while it's in operation. Other smart robots have sensors that can detect when they've gotten to the edge of a room, and return to their base to dock. This prevents them from encroaching on an area and makes sure they've cleaned all surfaces in your home.
Some models can automatically empty the dustbin and even wash their mop heads and blow dry between cleaning sessions. This reduces the need for manual maintenance and keeps the cleaner running smoothly for a longer time. You can also pick a model with a longer battery life, which will help you avoid the hassles of mid-cleaning recharge.
Sensors
Many robot vacuums make use of sensors to navigate around your home and work their magic on hard floors such as laminate, tile, and wood as also low pile carpets and area rug. They're not the same as the full-size upright or canister vacuum cleaner, but they do offer great suction on dirt and dust and are a fantastic way to keep your floor clean between deep cleanings using the traditional vacuum.
Sensors enable the robot to navigate around your home by detecting obstacles and also avoiding falling down stairs. They also let you create physical and virtual "no-go" zones with the feature known as boundary strips or virtual walls (like the ones used by Eufy) to stop the robot from entering specific areas of your home. Some robots have cliff sensors which alert you when your robot is about to run into the edge of a cliff.
The kind of navigation system that the robot uses depends on your budget and home layout. Some of the most advanced robotic vacuums make use of LiDAR sensors to scan and map rooms, ensuring accurate and efficient navigation. These systems can be expensive, but they provide the most effective results. The budget-friendly models that have basic bump navigation systems aren't as precise and could miss some spots. They're good for avoiding major obstacles, but they may still be unable to detect dirt in crevices or around baseboards.
Look for a model with an extra-large dust bin and a long battery lifespan. There are models that can recharge and resume where they left off when they dock, which can save you time. In addition to navigation, you can make the most of your robot vacuum by prepping for each cleaning session. Check that all power cables or toys, as well as other junk is cleared of the path of the robot and empty the bin after each cleaning. Also, wipe down the charging ports and sensors to ensure that the robot is healthy.
Navigation
The best robot vacuums use mapping technology to create an electronic map of your home prior to the initial cleaning session. It helps them recognize the different textures, like carpets and hard floors, and ensures that all areas are cleaned. It also stops your robots from cleaning the same areas repeatedly, which can improve efficiency and reduce battery consumption. A lot of high-end models allow you to save the map to use in the future. This is perfect for homes with large spaces.
The majority of robotic vacuums come with some form of obstacle avoidance that prevents them from running into shoes, cords or socks. However, these sensors can't always detect smaller objects. A few years ago, manufacturers began adding additional sensors to their robots, allowing them identify and avoid household items that standard sensor systems couldn't. These include cliff and wall sensors, which operate by bouncing light beams infrared off of surfaces to determine distances.
Some sensors are built directly into the robot's base, while others need to be purchased separately. They generally assist the robot to navigate in a safe manner and prevent falling down stairs and avoid clutter. Certain models have anti-drop sensors that prevent the robots from crashing against furniture and walls.
LiDAR mapping is the most recent and most advanced navigation technology and is a feature that you should look for in a robot vacuum. This kind of system utilizes the spinning laser sensor that is placed on top of the robot to map your home. By scattering infrared beams across furniture and walls, it can sense the layout of your room. This information then helps it plan efficient paths and also clean your home.