What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?

The best robot vacuums come with an efficient engine and a sturdy set of bristles or rollers. They also have adequate dustbins and large battery life.

Certain models use smart mapping to map homes, and they can pause, recharge and resume cleaning right where they started. They can even create no-go zones and recognize different surfaces.

Object Avoidance

Object detection is an essential feature of robot vacuums since it helps them avoid hitting small objects such as socks, shoes or toys that aren't on the floor but on furniture or other things. The machines 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, such as 3D Time of Flight, which transmits light waves into the room to measure the distance and the depth of objects, and 3D Structured Light, which beams a pattern onto the room, analyzing the light distortion, to create a map, to steer clear of obstacles.

A recent addition to the obstacle avoidance arsenal is artificial intelligence and visual interpretation, which enables robots to better identify and understand what they're encountering. The software makes use of a single or double camera to view the world and analyze it in real-time. The ECOVACS DEEBOT uses this software to detect up to 30 different 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 at the surrounding surfaces to create a real-time, 3D map of the surrounding. This is useful in detecting walls, furniture and even stairs. However, it may not be as effective in low lighting or with reflective or transparent objects.

No matter what sensors or cameras are used regardless of the camera or sensor, a long battery life is important to ensure that your robot is able to complete the entire house without the need to return to its dock to recharge. Choose a model with a battery life of at least 80 minutes or longer depending on the dimensions and shape of your home.

Self-Emptying Bases

Certain robot vacuum cleaners have self-emptying bases that can reduce the frequency you have to empty your dustbin. They are considered to be a premium feature and can increase the cost of a robot vacuum cleaner.

The best robots have bases that can either house bins or a removable dust bin that you can open and empty when it's full. This will save you time by reducing the amount of time spent worrying about the time to empty a bin.

All the robots we reviewed have self-emptying bases, with the exception of the Roomba I3+. It's a pity, since this robot is a very strong performer. It had the best mapping results out of all the robots that we tested, and also has superior navigational abilities. It also has a good mower power and a docking station which can automatically empty the water tank whenever needed.

It lacks iRobot’s advanced obstacle avoidance and digital keep-out zones, but it is prone to getting caught in cables and rugs and cannot see shoes or socks that are not in good order. It's a great choice for a small home which is well-maintained.

Other strengths include its navigation technology, including bump sensors and drop sensors, and the ability to map out your entire home using cameras and laser. It's also easy to set up, offers a wide variety of settings and modes, and provides an excellent performance in mowing and vacuuming. Another benefit is its smart-home connectivity which enables it to work with voice commands using Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This makes it simpler to use if you have multiple tablets or smartphones and do not want to carry the remote.

App Controls

Certain robots are able to connect to Wi-Fi, allowing users to control them from your smartphone or tablet. This convenience is especially helpful in homes with multiple floors, where you might have to navigate your way through a staircase before the robot can come to the bottom of it. This eliminates the need for an extra long cord to move furniture without worrying about the robot getting tangled in it or running out of power while cleaning.

The app serves as an important control point for monitoring and scheduling tasks. The app allows you to customize your robot cleaner's power, cleaning mode and the water level settings. This feature is especially helpful for homes with various types of flooring, including tile and carpet. You can assign the robot the right power and cleaning mode to clean every area.

Certain models come with a built-in video camera that transmits live feeds directly to the app. These models are ideal for pet owners and those with children who need to watch the robot while it works. Other smart robots have sensors that detect when they've reached the edges of a room and then return to their base to dock. This prevents them from taking over the area and also ensures that they've cleaned all the surfaces within your home.

Certain models automatically empty the dustbin, and blow dry and wash its mop heads in between cleaning sessions. This will reduce the need for manual maintenance, and the robot cleaner will work better over a longer period of time. You can also choose a model with a longer battery life that helps you avoid the hassle of having to recharge mid-cleaning.

Sensors

Many robot vacuums come with sensors that allow them to navigate through your home. They can work on area rugs, carpets as well as hard floors such as tile and wood. They're not an alternative to an upright or full-size cleaner, but provide superior suction and a great way to keep your floor free of dust between deep cleanings.

Sensors aid the robot in navigating your space by spotting obstacles and avoiding falling down steps. They also allow you to set virtual and physical "no-go" zones using boundaries or virtual walls (like the ones used by eufy) to stop the robot from entering certain areas of your home. Certain robots have cliff sensors which alert you when your robot is about to crash into a cliff.

The type of navigation system the robot employs is contingent on your budget and the layout of your home. Some of the most advanced robotic vacuums employ LiDAR sensors to scan and map areas to ensure precise navigation. These systems are expensive however they deliver the most effective results. Cheaper models with basic bump navigation systems are less precise and could miss some places. These models are effective in avoidance of major obstacles, but they may miss dirt in crevices or around baseboards.

Choose a model that has an extensive dust bin as well as long battery life. You can also find models that can recharge and resume where they left off after they dock to help save time. In addition to navigation it is possible to get the most out of your robot vacuum by prepping for each cleaning session. Check that all power cords or toys, as well as other junk is cleared of the robot’s path and empty the trash bin after each cleaning. Cleanse the charging port and sensors to keep your robot healthy.

Navigation

The most effective robot vacuums can create a digital map of your home using mapping technology during the initial cleaning session. It assists them in recognizing textures such as hard or carpeted floors and ensures that all areas are clean. Mapping also saves your robot from having to clean the same areas that improves efficiency and can reduce battery usage. Many top models come with the option to save a map of your house for future use, which is great for homes with larger spaces.

Most robotic vacs have some kind of obstacle avoidance, which prevents them from running into shoes, cords, or socks. These sensors do not always detect small objects. Manufacturers started adding sensors to robots around a year ago. This allowed them to identify and avoid objects that standard sensor systems could not. These include cliff sensors as well as wall sensors that operate by reflecting infrared beams of light off surfaces to calculate distances.

Certain sensors are built directly into the robot's base however, others require being purchased separately. In general, these sensors assist the robot to navigate safely, avoid falling down steps and keep clear of clutter. Some models have anti-drop sensors, which will stop the robot from crashing into furniture or walls.

LiDAR mapping is the latest and most advanced technology for navigation, and it's something you should look for in Robot Vacuum Mops vacuum. This kind of system makes use of a spinning laser sensor mounted on top of the robot to map your home. By bounced infrared beams off furniture and walls, it can sense the layout of your space. This information can help to plan efficient routes and clean your entire home.