What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?
The most effective robot vacuums have a an efficient motor and a bristles or rollers that are durable. They also have adequate dustbins and large battery life.
Certain models employ smart mapping to map homes, and they can stop, recharge and then resume cleaning right where they left off. They can also set no-go zones and identify different surfaces.
Object Avoidance
Object detection is a crucial feature for robot vacuums because it allows them avoid getting into small items like socks, toys, cords or shoes that are not on the floor, but instead on furniture. These systems employ an integrated camera to recognize objects in an AI database, and instruct the vacuum to stay clear of them. The Eufy S1 Pro uses a combination of sensors, including 3D Time of Flight, which emits light pulses into the room to measure the distance and depth of objects and 3D Structured Light, which beams a pattern of light onto the space, and then analyzes the light distortion to build a map to steer clear of 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 utilizes two cameras to observe the world and analyze it in real time. Check This Out uses this software to detect up to 30 different kinds of objects including shoes, cables and pet poop.
Certain models also use LiDAR to navigate. This technology emits lasers and determines the amount of time it takes for them to bounce off surrounding surfaces in order to create a 3-D map. This is able to identify furniture, walls, and even stairs. However, it might not be as effective in low lighting or with reflective or transparent objects.
No matter which cameras or sensors are employed, it is important that your robot has a long-lasting battery so that it can complete your home without having to return to the dock for recharging. Choose a model that can run for a minimum of 80 minutes or more, depending on the size of your living area.
Self-Emptying Bases
Some robot vacuum cleaners have self-emptying bases. This can reduce the frequency you have to empty your trash. They are considered to be a premium feature and can increase the cost of a robot vacuum cleaner.
The most effective robots have bases that can either house either a bin or a dust bin that you can open and empty when full. This can reduce the amount of time that you spend worrying about when you should empty your bin and could make a big difference when you have a busy household.
All the robots we reviewed have self-emptying bases, except the Roomba I3+. It's a pity, since the robot is an extremely strong performer. It got the best results in mapping of all the robots we tested, and it has great navigation abilities. It has a great mowing ability and a docking system that can empty the water tank on its own when it is it is required.
It lacks iRobot’s advanced obstacle avoidance technology and digital keep-out zone, however it can get tangled up in cables and rugs and cannot see shoes or socks that are not in good order. It's still an excellent choice for a small, well-maintained house.
Its other strong points include its aforementioned navigation technology, including drop sensors and bump sensors, and the ability to map out your entire house using cameras and a laser. It's also simple to set up, has many settings and modes, and offers outstanding mowing and vacuuming performance. Another perk is its smart-home functionality, that allows it to function using voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This can make it easier to use if have multiple smartphones or tablets and do not want to carry the remote.
App Controls
Some robots are Wi-Fi compatible which allows you to control them using your smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful for homes with several floors. You may need to navigate down an elevator to reach the robot before it can reach the bottom. This will eliminate the need for an extra long cord so you can move furniture with no worries about the robot getting caught in it or running out power while cleaning.
The app serves as an important control point to monitor and schedule tasks. The app also lets you modify your robotic cleaner's cleaning mode, power and the water level settings. This feature is especially helpful for homes with multiple types of flooring, including carpet and tile. You can assign the robot the appropriate power and cleaning mode to clean each area.
Some models come with a built-in video camera that sends live video directly to the application. These models are great for pet owners as well as those with small children who wish to watch the robot while it functions. Other smart robots come with sensors that 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 also ensures that they've cleaned all surfaces within your home.
Some models can automatically empty the dustbin and even wash and blow dries its mop heads in between cleaning sessions. This helps reduce the need for manual maintenance and keeps the cleaner performing well for a longer time. You can also pick one that has a longer battery life which will help you avoid the hassles of recharging mid-cleaning.
Sensors
A lot of robot vacuums are fitted with sensors that allow them to navigate through your home. They can be used on area rugs, carpets and hard floors such as tiles and wood. They're not an alternative to an actual canister or upright vacuum cleaner, but they provide excellent suction for dirt and dust and are a wonderful way to keep the floor clean between deep cleanings with a traditional machine.
Sensors assist the robot in navigating your space by detecting obstacles and avoiding falling down steps. You can also create virtual and physical "no go" zones by using boundary strips or a virtual walls (like the ones employed by Eufy), to prevent the robot from entering certain areas of your home. Certain robots also have cliff sensors that alert you when the robot is getting close to crossing an edge.
The kind of navigation system that the robot utilizes will depend on your budget and the layout of your home. Some of the most advanced robotic vacuums employ LiDAR sensors to map and scan the area, ensuring accurate navigation. These systems are expensive however they provide the most efficient results. The budget models that have basic navigation bumps aren't as precise and can miss some places. They're great for avoiding big obstacles, but they may still fail to spot dirt in crevices and around baseboards.
Choose a model that has a large dust bin and long battery life. There are also models that recharge and resume where they left off after they dock, which can save you time. In addition to navigation it is possible to make the most of your robot vacuum by prepping for each cleaning session. Make sure that all power cords as well as toys and other junk is cleared of the path of the robot and empty the bin after each cleaning. Wipe down the sensors and charging port to keep your robot healthy.
Navigation
The most effective robot vacuums employ mapping technology to create digital maps of your home prior to the initial cleaning session. It allows them to recognize textures such as hard or carpeted floors and ensures that all areas are clean. It also stops your robots from cleaning the same areas repeatedly to increase efficiency and reduce the amount of battery used. Many high-end models have the option to save the map of your home to use in the future which is a great feature for larger homes.
Most robotic vacs have some form of obstacle avoidance, which stops them from running into shoes, cords or socks. These sensors are not always able to detect smaller items. Some time ago manufacturers began adding additional sensors to their robots, which allowed them to identify and avoid household items that traditional sensors could not. These include wall and cliff sensors, which operate by bouncing infrared light beams off surfaces to calculate distances.
Some of these sensors are integrated into the robot's base, while others require you to purchase an additional attachment. They generally aid the robot in navigating in a safe manner and prevent falling down steps, and stay clear of clutter. Some models even have anti-drop sensors, which automatically stop the robot from hitting walls and furniture.
LiDAR mapping is the latest and most advanced navigation technology and is an option to look for in robot vacuum. It uses the spinning sensor on the robot to map your home. By scattering infrared beams across furniture and walls, it can sense the layout of your home. This helps to plan efficient routes and clear your entire house.