What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?

The most effective robot vacuums come with a a powerful motor and a bristles or rollers that are durable. They also have adequate dustbins and long battery life.

Certain models map homes using smart mapping, and can be able to pause for recharge, then clean up where they stopped. They can set up no-go zones and also determine the different surfaces.

Object Avoidance

Object detection is an essential feature of robot vacuums, because it allows them avoid crashing into small objects such as socks, toys, cords, or shoes that aren't on the floor, but rather on furniture. These systems use an integrated camera to recognize objects in an AI database, and then instruct the vacuum to stay clear of them. The Eufy S1 Pro, for example, uses a combination of sensors including 3D Time of Flight (sending light pulses to measure the distance and depth of surrounding objects) and 3D Structured Light (beaming a pattern of lights onto the room and analyzing the distortion of light to create an image) to efficiently steer away from obstacles.

A new addition to the obstacle avoidance arsenal is artificial intelligence and visual interpretation, which enables robots to more easily identify and comprehend what they're facing. The software works with a single or dual camera to see the world around them and analyzes it in real time. The ECOVACS DEEBOT uses this software to detect up to 30 different kinds of objects including cables, shoes, and pet poop.

Certain models employ LiDAR for navigation. This technology emits laser beams and records the time it takes for them to bounce back at nearby surfaces to create a live 3D map of the surrounding. This is helpful in detecting walls, furniture and even stairs. However, it may not work as well in dim 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 can complete the entire house without needing to return to its dock to recharge. Look for a model that can run for at least an hour or more, depending on the size of your living area.

Self-Emptying Bases

Some robot vacuum cleaners feature self-emptying bases, which could reduce the frequency with which you have to empty your bin. They're considered a premium feature, and usually add to the cost of the robot.

The best robots come with bases that can either house bins or a removable dust bin that you can open and empty when it's full. This can help you save time by cutting down on the time you spend worrying about the time to empty a bin.

Self-emptying bases are present on all the robots featured in our review, with the exception of the basic Roomba I3+, which doesn't have one. 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 excellent navigation capabilities. It has a strong mower and docking system that can empty the water tank automatically when needed.

It's not equipped with iRobot's innovative obstacle avoidance technology or digital keep-out zones, though it can get tangled up on rugs and cables and doesn't have the ability to detect rogue socks and shoelaces. It's an excellent choice for a smaller home which is well-maintained.

Other strengths include its navigation technology, which includes bump sensors as well as a drop sensor, and its ability map out your whole house by using lasers and cameras. It's also simple to set up, has numerous settings and modes, and offers an excellent performance in mowing and vacuuming. Its smart vacuum cleaner-home functionality allows it to be controlled with voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This can make it simpler to use if you have multiple smartphones or tablets and don't want to grab the remote.

App Controls

Some robots connect to Wi-Fi, allowing users to control them from your tablet or smartphone. This is particularly useful in large homes with multiple floors, where you may need to walk down a flight of stairs before the robot can get to the bottom of it. This eliminates the need for an extra long cord to move furniture with no worries about the robot getting caught in it or running out power when cleaning.

The app functions as a central control point for monitoring and scheduling tasks. The app also lets you modify your robotic cleaner's cleaning mode, power and levels of water. This feature is especially helpful for homes with various flooring types, such as carpet and tile. You can assign the robot the appropriate power and cleaning mode to clean each automatic floor vacuum.

Some models come with a built-in camera that transmits a live feed to the app. These models are a great choice for pet owners or people with young children who need to keep an eye on the robot while it's working. Other smart robots have sensors that recognize when they've reached the edges of a room and then return to their base to dock. This stops them from sweeping over the area and also ensures that they've cleaned all the surfaces of your home.

Some models can automatically empty the dustbin and even blow dry and wash mop heads between cleaning sessions. This minimizes the frequency of manual maintenance and keeps the robot cleaner performing well for a longer time. You can also find models with an extended battery, which helps you avoid the hassle of having to recharge mid-cleaning.

Sensors

Many robot vacuums make use of sensors to navigate your home and work their magic on hard floors such as laminate, tile, and wood as also low pile carpets and area rugs. They're not a replacement for the full-size canister or upright vacuum cleaner, but they offer great suction on dust and dirt and are a fantastic method of keeping the floor clean between deep cleanings with a traditional machine.

Sensors allow the robot to navigate around your home by detecting obstacles, and avoiding falling off the stairs. They also allow you to define physical and virtual "no-go" zones using a feature called boundary strips or virtual walls (like the ones employed by eufy) to stop the robot from entering specific areas of your home. Some robots come with cliff sensors that alert you when your robot is about to run into the edge of a cliff.

The type of navigation system the robot employs is contingent on your budget and home layout. The most advanced robotic vacuums employ LiDAR sensors to map and scan areas to ensure precise navigation. These systems are costly, but they provide the best results. The budget-friendly models that have basic bump navigation systems aren't as precise and may miss certain spots. They are great for avoiding major obstacles, but they may still fail to spot dirt in crevices and around baseboards.

Choose a model with an extra-large dust bin and an extended battery life. You can find models that recharge and dock and then pick up where they were when they left. This saves time. In addition to navigation and cleaning, you can get the most out of your robot vacuum by making sure you have everything ready for each cleaning session. Check that all power cables, toys, and other debris is tucked out of the path of the robot and empty the trash bin after each cleaning. Clean the sensors and charging port to keep your robot healthy.

Navigation

The best robot vacuums can create a digital map of your home's interior using mapping technology in the initial cleaning session. It allows them to recognize different textures, such as hard and carpeted floors and ensures that all areas are cleaned. It also stops your robots from having to clean the same areas repeatedly and can increase efficiency and decrease battery consumption. Many top robot vacuum cleaner models come with the option to save the map of your house to use in the future which is ideal for homes with larger spaces.

The majority of robotic vacuums have some sort of obstacle avoidance technology that stops them from tripping over cords or socks, or shoes. However, these sensors do not always detect smaller objects. Manufacturers began adding sensors to robots in the past few years. They were able to identify and avoid objects that sensors could not. These include wall and cliff sensors, which work by bouncing infrared light beams off surfaces to determine distances.

Some of these sensors are integrated in the robot's base while others require you to purchase a separate attachment. These sensors generally assist the robot to navigate safely, avoid falling down stairs, and stay clear of clutter. Some models even include anti-drop sensors that will stop the robot from colliding with furniture and walls.

LiDAR mapping, the most advanced navigation system available is a feature that you should consider when purchasing the robot vacuum. The system makes use of a spinning sensor mounted on the robot to map your home. It can map your home's layout by bouncing infrared rays off your walls and furniture. This information can help it design efficient routes and clean your entire home.