How to Keep a Robot Vacuum Clean
Robot vacuums can help keep your floors clean. Depending on the model, they can also sweep or mop stairs.
Look for models with clever features, such as remote control of apps and remote access. Apps can be used to schedule cleaning sessions or keep track of the progress. Some apps allow you to stop, recharge and then resume where they were when they left.
1. Battery Life
With cars that drive themselves drones that fly through the skies and robot vacuums that can maneuver around furniture, it's safe say the future of cleaning is now here. As with all technology, some maintenance is required to ensure it's running smoothly.
The most important factor in the long-term performance of your robot is the cycle of discharge and charge. Keep the dustbin filled and empty. Make sure you check for furs that are tangled and prevent the brushes from clogging.
The conditions that your robot is stored may influence the battery's performance. Extreme cold and heat can affect the battery's performance. You can extend the life of your robot's battery by charging it up to 50% and then storing it in a cool place. Also, take it away from the power source when it is not in use. Additionally, most smart devices receive periodic firmware updates that improve performance, including battery optimization, so be sure to check the app for updates.
A robot vacuum is an excellent option for those who have many hard floors. It is able to quickly and efficiently remove loose dirt and debris, leaving your floors sparkling clean. If you want more than a quick clean-up, look for a model that has superior navigation and obstacle avoidance.
Our top-rated robot The Ecovacs Deebot T20, blends advanced navigation with a powerful suction and a variety of mopping functions to provide an extensive, thorough clean of your floors. It uses LiDAR sensors and cameras to create detailed maps of your home. This allows it to stay on the right the right path and avoid getting stuck on furniture legs or power cords. It can also identify items like shoes and clutter, and clean them up automatically. And it's self-emptying, meaning that you don't have to return the vacuum back to its base station to empty its bin every cleaning session.
2. Dust Bin
Robots are excellent for quick midweek cleaning however, they lack the suction power to replace the power of a plug-in vacuum cleaner for deep cleaning. Furthermore, even the top robotic vacuums can get tangled up in cords and toys and miss piles of dirt near the baseboards, or struggle with crumbs on furniture. And, their onboard dustbins get so full that they must return to their charging docks to self-empty--a process that can take up to half an hour for some models.
As such, it's important to look for a robot vacuum that has a big dustbin and can empty into its dock and not return to complete the job. You'll need to determine if you prefer bags or a one that doesn't have a bag. If you choose the bagless option you'll need to determine how much dust it will hold before you empty it.
In our tests we apply 100 grams of sand onto an area of medium-pile carpet and employ a robot vacuum to vacuum it over the surface. We then weigh the amount of sand in the onboard dust bin to determine the amount of dirt it has accumulated. A high volume of dirt indicates that the bin onboard could fill up more quickly and could force your robot to pause its cleaning cycle or even stop working altogether.
The positive side is that many top robot vacuums come with a large dust bin that is easily empty and you can set up the emptying of their bases at least once a day or more. Keep a bin filled of compressed air nearby to blow away hairs that have gotten caught in the rotating brush and to clean the filters in accordance to the instructions of the manufacturer.
3. Wi-Fi Connectivity
The best robot vacuums offer a variety of connectivity options to connect to your home's Wi-Fi network. This lets the robot update its software and gives you the option of monitoring your bot via an app or voice commands. Although not required this feature can be useful and personalization features that improve the overall experience for robot vacuuming.
Most models require a certain amount of regular maintenance, such as emptying the dust bin and cleaning the brush roll, to keep them functioning at top performance. Regularly cleaning, detaching and checking consumable parts will also extend their life. Emily Rairdin, a vacuum expert at University Vacuum & Sewing, says that a robot's lifespan expectancy is between three and five years. However, this could differ based on how often you use it, and also if you take care of it.
robot vacuum cleaner best must be able navigate obstacles and map your floor in order to function. Advanced navigation systems usually include cliff sensors that alert the bot to steep drops as well as optical and laser sensors that allow it to "see" the layout of a room. Some robots also have a specialized mopping function which is useful for keeping floors clean between deep cleanings using the use of a stand-up vacuum.
The most effective 2-in-1 robots vacuum and mop making it possible to avoid the hassle of having to switch between the manual and robot vacuum. A prime example is the iRobot Roomba 690, which is a powerful and efficient robot vacuum that is able to clean up surfaces using its water tank and wash the mop pad automatically. Its top-quality mapping and obstacle-avoidance abilities made it the best robot vacuum award, and an AVTech Editors choice award.
4. Cleaning Patterns
The top robot vacuums we tested had impressive pick-up scores on hard floors and carpets with low pile. They get rid of dirt, dust and pet hair. They also get rid of particles and crumbs along the baseboards as well as at the edges of rooms. They can't remove deep-seated dirt or tangles of plush shag fibers, like an upright or a canister. They are also unable to pick up spilled liquids and food, or screws made of heavy metal and they could miss a few areas of the house (including under furniture).
Many models come with clever features that make them more user-friendly. Most models include an app that lets you schedule cleaning sessions and control the robot remotely. They also can be integrated with your smart home system, which means you can control them via voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have different modes that let you choose between mopping, sweeping and vacuuming. They can return to their docks for a recharge and continue cleaning where they left off.
The technology to avoid obstacles has advanced over the years, but it is still necessary to remove cords, toys, and 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 some models may bounce off reflective surfaces causing the robot to bump against the wall or floor.
More premium models have advanced mapping capabilities, some using lidar to generate a 3D map of your surroundings. This allows the robot to remember obstacles and design the most efficient path around them. Some robots allow you to create no-go zones to ensure that the robot is able to avoid certain areas, like your pet's food bowls, or a rug that is expensive.
5. App Control
Many robots let you set a timer for cleaning and manage them without hands using an app, meaning you can clean your home when you're at work or away. Some robots will also empty their debris into a huge bin at the base. This can reduce dust release and is an excellent feature for allergy sufferers.
Certain robots, like the pricier Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, can even detect objects on the floor and use a camera to coach them to stay clear of obstacles such as furniture legs, power cords or pet toys. This amazing feature is available on smaller models. It is essential to regularly empty the dust bin of your robot, and that you check for tangled fur as it builds up.
Certain models can also create 3D representations. This is useful when you have more than one floor. You can select specific rooms and create digital "keep-out" zones to ensure your robot only cleans the areas you want.
Robots are good for midweek cleaning, but they can't replace a plug-in vacuum cleaner especially when it concerns rugs. They are better in removing dirt from carpet than plain flooring, but they will be unable to find piles near baseboards or thresholds as well as strangling cords and socks. To get the most value from your robot, search for models that have zone and spot cleaning modes to target particular areas and prevent unnecessary cleaning. You can also find models that charge and resume the same place they left off. This is great for homes with large rooms.