How to Keep a Robot Vacuum Clean
Robot vacuums can help keep your floors clean. Based on the model, they can also sweep, mop and even vacuum staircases.
Find models with advanced features, such as remote access and app control. Apps can be used to schedule cleaning time or monitor progress. Certain apps even allow you to stop and recharge, then pick up where they were when they left.
1. Battery Life
It's safe say that the future of cleaning is here. With cars that drive by themselves drones that fly through the air, and robot vacuums that move through furniture effortlessly, it is certain that the future is here. As with any technology there is a need for some maintenance to keep it running smoothly.
The cycle of charging and discharging the battery is the most important factor for the life of your robotic device. Keep the dustbin filled and empty. Make sure you check for furs that are tangled and stop the brushes from getting jammed.
The conditions in which your robot is stored can also impact the performance of your battery. Extreme heat and cold could affect battery performance. You can prolong the life of your battery by ensuring it's charged to 50% prior to storage, storing it in a cool place, and removing it from sources of power when it is not in use. In addition, the majority of smart devices have periodic firmware updates that improve performance, including battery optimization, so be sure to check the app for any available updates.
A robot vacuum is an excellent option for those who have many hard floors. It is able to quickly and efficiently take away dirt and other debris, leaving your floors sparkling clean. If you want more than a quick clean-up, look for a model with superior navigation and obstacle avoidance.
Our top-rated robot is the Ecovacs Deebot T20, blends advanced navigation and an impressive suction system and a variety of mopping functions to provide a thorough, deep clean of your floors. It utilizes LiDAR cameras as well as sensors to create detailed maps of the home. This helps it stay on track and avoid getting stuck in furniture legs or power cables. It also can detect objects such as clutter and shoes, and then clean them up. It's also self-emptying, so you don't need to return it to its base to empty the bin after every cleaning session.
2. Dust Bin
Robots are ideal for quick midweek cleaning however, they lack the suction to replace a plug-in vacuum cleaner for a thorough clean. Even the most powerful robot vacuums are susceptible to getting caught in cords and toys. They also can miss dirt piles near baseboards and struggle to remove crumbs from under furniture. The dust bins onboard are filled quickly that they need return to their charging stations to empty themselves. This can take up to 30 minutes for some models.
Therefore, it's crucial to choose a vacuum that has a big dustbin and can empty into its dock without having to return to finish the task. You'll also want to consider whether you'd prefer a bagged or bagless model and, if you opt for a bagless version what amount of dust will it hold before it needs to be cleaned.
In our tests we apply 100 grams of sand onto an area of medium-pile carpet and use a robot vacuum to vacuum it over the surface. We then weigh the amount of sand that we find in the onboard dust bin to determine the amount dirt it has collected. A high amount means that the bin onboard may fill up faster and force the robot to stop cleaning.
best rated robot vacuum is that many high-end robot vacuums have a large dust bin which is easily empty and you can set up them to empty into their bases at least once per day or more. It's also a good idea to keep a can of compressed air in your bag to blow hairs out that have become entangled in the rotating brush. Also, clean any filters as recommended by the manufacturer.
3. Wi-Fi Connectivity
The top robot vacuums have various connectivity options for connecting to the Wi-Fi network in your home. This allows the robot to update its software and gives you the option of monitoring your bot through an app or voice commands. This feature is not essential however it provides the convenience of customization and can enhance the overall robot vacuuming experience.
To keep them operating at their best, most models require a certain level of maintenance. For instance, emptying the dustbin and cleaning the brushroll. Keeping tabs on consumable components and a regular schedule for cleaning and detachment can extend their life span as well. Vacuum expert Emily Rairdin at University Vacuum & Sewing states that three to five years is the typical life expectancy for the robot vacuum, but it can differ significantly based on the frequency you use it and whether you maintain it properly.
To be able to function, a robot vacuum needs to be able to map out your floors and navigate around obstacles. Advanced navigation systems typically have cliff sensors that alert the bot to a steep drop and laser and optical sensors that allow it to "see" a room's layout. Some robots come with a mopping function that can be used to keep floors between deep cleanings by using the use of a vacuum.
The best 2-in-1 robots can vacuum and mop and sweep, which means you can bypass the need to switch between a robot and a manual vacuum. The iRobot Roomba 690 is a powerful, highly efficient robot vacuum cleaner that can also wash its mop pad, and wipe down surfaces using its water tank. Its superior mapping and obstacle-avoidance capabilities have earned it the CR's top robot vacuum award, and an AVTech Editors Choice award.
4. Cleaning Patterns
The best robot vacuums that we test have excellent pickup scores on hard floors as well as low pile carpets. They remove dirt, dust and pet hair. They also sweep away crumbs and debris from the edges of rooms and along baseboards. But they can't get rid of deep down dirt or tangles of plush shag carpet fibers as well as canister or upright vacuums. They also can't pick up spilled liquids and food particles, or heavy metal screws and may also be unable to reach certain areas of the home (including under furniture).
Many models have smart features that make them more user-friendly. They usually come with an app, which allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and manage the robot remotely. They also can be integrated with your smart-home system so you can use the robots with voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Certain models come with multiple modes that let you pick between mopping, sweeping and vacuuming. They can return to their docks to recharge and continue cleaning the area they left.
The technology for avoiding obstacles has improved over years, but it's still essential to get rid of cords, toys and any pet debris prior to running the robot. Before mapping out the space, it is recommended to cover all ceiling-to-floor mirrors with cardboard. The lasers used by certain models could bounce off reflective surfaces causing the robot to hit the wall or floor.
More premium models have advanced mapping capabilities, some using lidar to generate a 3D map of your space. This allows the robot to remember obstacles and plan the most efficient route around them. Some models also let you define no-go zones, so the robot can avoid specific areas, like your pet's food bowls, or a rug that is expensive.
5. App Control
You can create a cleaning schedule and control the robots using an app. This allows you to tidy your home even when you're working or away on vacation. Certain robots also automatically empty their dust into a large bin at the base. This can reduce dust rerelease and is a great feature for those suffering from allergies.
Some robots are able to detect objects on the ground and use cameras as a guide to avoid obstacles like power cords, furniture legs or pet toys. This is an impressive feature that is available in less expensive models. However, it's important to regularly empty your robot's dustbin and check for hairs that are tangled when they begin to accumulate.
Certain models can also create 3D representations. This is beneficial when you have multiple floors. You can then select specific rooms and set up digital keep-out zones to ensure your robot stays focused on what you want it to focus on, rather than wandering into areas that don't require cleaning.
Robots are great for routine midweek clean-ups but they're not able to substitute for a large-sized vacuum, especially on carpets. They're better at picking up dirt embedded in carpets than bare floors, but they're not able to spot piles of debris that are close to baseboards and thresholds, and cords and socks that are tangled. To make the most of your robot, choose models that have spots and zone cleaning options to focus on specific areas and avoid wasteful cleaning. There are also models that charge and then resume where they left off. This is ideal for large houses.