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 come with large dustbins and a long battery life.
Certain models use smart mapping to map homes, and they can be able to pause, recharge and pick up cleaning exactly where they started. They can also define no-go zones, and even identify different surfaces.
Object Avoidance
Object detection is an essential feature for robot vac uums since it allows them avoid crashing into small objects like cords, toys, socks, or shoes that are not on the floor, but on furniture. These systems use a built-in camera to recognize objects that are in an AI database, and then teach the vacuum to avoid them. The Eufy S1 Pro, for instance, makes use of a variety of sensors that include 3D Time of Flight (sending light pulses to measure the distance and depth of the surrounding objects) and 3D Structured Light (beaming a pattern of lights across the room and then analyzing the light distortion to build a map) to effectively steer away from obstacles.
Artificial intelligence and visual interpretation are a more recent addition to robot obstacle avoidance. They enable robots to better understand and detect what they encounter. This software utilizes two cameras to observe the world and analyze it in real time. This software is used by the ECOVACS DEEBOT to detect up 30 different objects, such as shoes and cables.
Some models utilize LiDAR to navigate. The technology emits lasers and determines the amount of time it takes to bounce off surrounding surfaces to create a 3-D map. This is useful for the detection of furniture, walls and even stairs. It may not work well in low light or with transparent or reflective objects.
No matter which cameras or sensors are utilized, it is important that your robot has a long battery lifespan so that it can complete your home without having to return to the dock to recharge. Choose models that can run for a minimum of 80 minutes or more, depending on the size of your living space.
Bases that self-eliminate
Certain robot vacuum cleaners have self-emptying bases that can reduce the frequency with which you need to empty your bin. They're considered a premium feature and typically add to the cost of a robot.
The most effective robots have bases that can either house bins or a removable dustbin that is easy to open and empty when it's full. This will save you time by cutting down on the time spent worrying about when to empty the dustbin.
The robots we examined have self-emptying bases. The only exception is the Roomba I3+. That's a shame, because this robot is otherwise a very strong performer. It has the best mapping results of all the robots that we tested, and it has great navigating abilities. It also has excellent mower power, as well as docking station that automatically empty the water tank if required.
It doesn't come with iRobot's sophisticated obstacle avoidance or digital keep-out zones, though, and it gets hung over cables and rugs and is unable to see the stray socks or shoelaces. That said, it's an excellent choice for a small, well-maintained home.
Its other strong points include its navigation technology, which includes drop sensors and bump sensors, as well as its ability to map out your entire house using cameras and a laser. It is easy to use, comes with a variety of settings and modes and is a great choice for cleaning or mowing. Its smart-home functionality allows it to be controlled by voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This makes it simpler to use if you have multiple smartphones or tablets and do not want to carry an additional remote.
App Controls
Some robots connect to Wi-Fi. This allows you to control them with your tablet or smartphone. This is particularly useful in homes with a lot of floors, where you might have to navigate your way down a flight of stairs before the robot can come to the bottom. It also eliminates the need for a lengthy cord, so you can move furniture without having to worry about the robot getting caught in the cord or running out of power during cleaning.
The app functions as central control point to monitor and schedule tasks. The app lets you modify the cleaning mode, power and water level of your robotic cleaner. This feature is particularly beneficial in homes with different flooring types -- for example, carpet and tile -- because you can assign the robot to clean each room with the correct power and mode.
Some models come with a built-in video camera that transmits a live feed directly to the application. These models are ideal for pet owners as well as those with children who need to keep an eye on the robot as it operates. Other smart robots come with sensors that can detect when they've gotten to the edge of a room. They then return to their base to dock. This prevents them from encroaching on an area and makes sure they have cleaned all surfaces in your home.
Certain models can empty the dustbin on their own and wash their mop heads and blow dry them between cleaning sessions. This minimizes the frequency of manual maintenance and keeps the robot cleaner performing well for a longer time. There is also models with an extended battery duration that helps you avoid the hassle of mid-cleaning recharges.
Sensors
Many robot vacuums are equipped with sensors that let them navigate around your home. They can work on carpets, area rugs as well as hard floors such as wood and tile. They're not an alternative to an actual upright or canister vacuum cleaner, but they do offer excellent suction on dirt and dust. They are a fantastic method of keeping the floor clean between deep cleanings using a traditional machine.
Sensors assist the robot in navigating your home by detecting obstacles and avoiding falling down steps. You can also set up virtual and physical "no go" zones using boundary strips or a virtual walls (like those used by Eufy) to stop the robot entering specific areas within your home. Some robots come with cliff sensors, which warn you when the robot is close to crashing into an edge.
The type of navigation system the robot uses depends on your budget and layout of your home. Some of the most advanced robotic vacuums employ LiDAR sensors to scan and map areas, ensuring accurate navigation. These systems are expensive but they deliver the most effective results. The budget models that have basic navigation bumps aren't as precise and could miss certain places. These models are adept at avoiding major obstacles but can miss dirt in crevices or around baseboards.
Choose a model with an extra-large dust bin and an extended battery life. There are also models that can recharge and resume where they left off after they dock, which can save you time. In addition to navigation and cleaning, you can make the most of your robot vacuum by prepping for each cleaning session. Make sure that all power cords, toys and other debris are removed and out of the robot's path. Also, empty the bin after each cleaning. Wipe down the sensors and charging port to keep your robot healthy.
Navigation
The best robot vacuums create a digital mapping of your home using mapping technology in the initial cleaning session. It assists them in recognizing patterns like carpets or hard floors and ensures that all areas are clean. It also stops your robots from having to clean the same areas over and over again, which can improve efficiency and reduce the amount of battery used. 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 vacuums have an obstacle avoidance system that prevents them from slamming into cords or socks, or shoes. These sensors do not always detect smaller objects. Manufacturers started adding sensors to robots around a year ago. This allowed them to detect and avoid household objects that sensors could not. These include wall and cliff sensors, which function by bouncing infrared light beams off of surfaces to determine distances.
Some of these sensors are built into the robot's base, while others require an additional attachment. These sensors assist the robot navigate in a safe manner, avoid falling on steps, and keep away from clutter. Certain models come with anti-drop sensors that automatically stop the robots from hitting furniture and walls.
LiDAR mapping is the latest and most advanced navigation technology and it's an option to look for in robot vacuum. This kind of system utilizes an ejector-type laser that is mounted on top of the robot to map your home. By bounced infrared beams off furniture and walls it is able to determine the layout of your home. This helps in planning efficient routes and clear your entire house.