What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?
The most effective robot vacuums have a an efficient motor and a set of rollers or bristles that are tough. They also have large dustbins and large battery life.
Certain models use smart mapping to create maps of homes. They can pause, recharge and resume cleaning right where they started. They can also set up zones that are not allowed to enter, and can recognize different surfaces.
Object Avoidance
Object detection is a crucial feature for robot vacuums as it helps them avoid getting into small objects like cords, toys, socks, or shoes that are not on the floor, but rather on furniture. The systems utilize an integrated camera to detect 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 that include 3D Time of Flight (sending light pulses to determine the distance and depth of the surrounding objects) and 3D Structured Light (beaming a pattern of light onto the room and then analyzing the light distortion to build a map) to effectively steer clear of obstacles.
Artificial intelligence and visual interpretation are more recent innovation in robot obstacle avoidance. They allow robots to better understand and detect what they encounter. The software makes use of two cameras to view the world and analyze it in real time. This software is used by the ECOVACS DEEBOT to detect up 30 different objects, which includes cables and shoes.
Some models also use LiDAR to navigate. This technology emits lasers and determines the amount of time it takes to bounce off the surfaces around them to create a 3-D map. This is able to identify furniture, walls, and even stairs. However, it may not work in low lighting or with reflective or transparent objects.
No matter what cameras or sensors are employed, it is important that your robot has a long battery lifespan to be able to complete a home without having to return to the dock for recharging. Choose a model that can run for at least an hour or more, depending on the size of your living area.
Bases that Self-Empty
Some robot vacuum cleaners come with self-emptying bases, which could reduce the frequency you must empty your trash. They are considered extra feature and increase the price of a robotic vacuum cleaner.
The best robots come with bases that hold either a bin, or a removable dustbin. It is possible to open the bin and empty it when full. This will save you time by cutting down on the time spent worrying about when to empty a dustbin.
All of the robots we tested have self-emptying bases. The only exception is the Roomba I3+. This is a shame since this robot performs very well. It had the best mapping results of all the robots that we tested, and also has superior navigational abilities. It has a strong mower and docking system that can empty the water tank on its own when it is it is required.
It doesn't have iRobot's advanced obstacle avoidance system 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 an excellent choice for a small house which is well-maintained.
Other strengths include its aforementioned navigation technology, which includes drop sensors and bump sensors, as well as its ability to map out your entire house using cameras and laser. It's also simple to set up, has numerous settings and modes, and also offers excellent mowing and vacuuming performance. Its smart-home function allows it to be controlled via voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This can make it easier to operate when you have multiple smartphones or tablets, and don't wish to buy a traditional remote.
App Controls
Some robots are Wi-Fi enabled, allowing you to control them using your tablet or smartphone. This convenience is especially helpful in large homes with multiple floors, where you might have to navigate your way down a flight of stairs before the robot can come to the bottom of it. This eliminates the need for an extra long cord to move furniture with no worries about the robot becoming tangled in it or running out of power while cleaning.
The app acts as a one-stop control center for monitoring and scheduling tasks. The app lets you customize the power, cleaning mode and the water level of your robot cleaner. This feature is particularly useful inside homes that have different flooring types -- for example, carpet and tile, as you can assign the robot to clean every room using the appropriate power and mode.
Some models come with an inbuilt camera that can send live feeds to the app. These models are great for pet owners as well as those with small children who want to keep an eye on the robot as it operates. Other smart robots use sensors to determine when they are near the edges of a space, and then return to their docking station. This prevents them from overrunning the area and ensures that they've cleaned the surfaces in your home.
Some models can automatically empty the dustbin and wash their mop heads and blow dry between cleaning sessions. This minimizes the frequency of manual maintenance and keeps the robot cleaner performing well for a longer time. You can also choose one that has a longer battery life that will allow you to avoid the hassles of recharging mid-cleaning.
Sensors
Many robot vacuums are equipped with sensors that let them navigate around your home. They can work on area rugs, carpets and hard floors like wood and tile. They're not a replacement for the full-size upright or canister vacuum cleaner, but they do offer great suction on dirt and dust and can be a great method of keeping the floor clean between deep cleanings using an upright machine.
Sensors let the robot navigate around your home, detecting obstacles and avoiding falling on stairs. You can also set up virtual and physical "no go" zones using boundary strips or a virtual wall (like the ones employed by eufy) to prevent the robot entering specific areas within your home. Certain robots have cliff sensors which alert you when your robot is about to crash into a cliff.
The type of navigation system the robot utilizes will depend on your budget and the layout of your home. Some of the most sophisticated robotic vacuums use LiDAR-based sensors to map and scan rooms, which ensures accurate and efficient navigation. These systems are expensive however they provide the best results. The budget-friendly models that have basic bump navigation systems are less precise and could miss some places. They're good for avoiding major obstacles, but they may still fail to spot dirt in crevices and around baseboards.
Find a model that has an extra-large dust bin and a long battery lifespan. There are also models that recharge and resume where they left off when they dock to save 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 as well as toys and other debris are tucked away and away from the robot's path. Also, empty the bin between each cleaning. Wipe down the sensors and charging port to ensure that your robot is healthy.
Navigation
The top robot vacuums utilize mapping technology to create a digital map of your home during the initial cleaning session. It helps them to recognize patterns like carpets or hard floors, and ensures that all areas are clean. Mapping also prevents your robot from having to clean the same spots that improves efficiency and can reduce battery consumption. Many top models come with the option to save the map of your house to use in the future, which is great for larger homes.
The majority of robotic vacuums come with some kind of obstacle avoidance, which stops them from running into shoes, cords, or socks. These sensors are not always able to detect smaller objects. A few years ago manufacturers began adding additional sensors to their robots, allowing them detect and avoid household items that traditional sensors could not. These include cliff and wall sensors, which work by bouncing infrared light beams off of surfaces to determine distances.
Certain sensors are integrated directly into the robot's base while others must be purchased separately. In general, these sensors assist the robot to navigate in a safe manner, avoid falling down stairs and keep clear of clutter. Some models have anti-drop sensors that automatically stop the robots from crashing against furniture and walls.
LiDAR mapping is the most recent and most advanced navigation technology and is a feature that you should look for in a robot vacuum. The system makes use of an ejector that spins on the robot to map your home. By scattering infrared beams across furniture and walls, it can sense the layout of your space. This information can help to plan efficient routes and also clean your home.