What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?

The top robot vacuums have an engine that is powerful and a durable set of bristles or rollers. They also have large dustbins and an extended battery life.

Some models map homes using smart mapping. They can stop to recharge, then clean up where they stopped. They can even set no-go zones and identify different surfaces.

Object Avoidance

Object detection is a crucial feature for robot vacuums as it allows them to avoid hitting small objects such as socks, shoes or toys that aren't found on the automatic floor cleaner, but instead on furniture or other things. These systems use cameras built into the system to identify objects that appear in an AI database and then teach the vacuum how to avoid them. The Eufy S1 Pro, for instance, makes use of a variety of sensors including 3D Time of Flight (sending light pulses to determine the distance and depth of nearby objects) and 3D Structured Light (beaming a pattern of lights onto the room and analyzing the light distortion to build a map) to ensure that it is clear of obstacles.

A recent addition to the arsenal of obstacle avoidance is artificial intelligence and visual interpretation, which enables robots to better identify and understand what they're observing. The software works with cameras that are either dual or single to observe the world around them, and then analyzes it in real-time. The ECOVACS DEEBOT uses this software to detect up to 30 types of objects including cables, shoes and pet poop.

Some models also use LiDAR to navigate. This technology emits laser beams and measures the time it takes them to bounce back at nearby surfaces to create a real-time, 3-D map of the surroundings. This is helpful in detecting walls, furniture and even stairs. It might not work in dim lighting or with transparent or reflective objects.

No matter which cameras or sensors are employed, it is important that your robot has a long-lasting battery so that it can last the duration of an entire home without needing to return to the dock to recharge. Choose a model with a battery life of at least 80 minutes, or longer depending on the size and shape of your home.

Self-Emptying Bases

Certain robot vacuum cleaners come with self-emptying bases. This could reduce the frequency that you need empty your dustbin. They are considered a premium feature and can increase the cost of a robot vacuum cleaner.

The best automatic vacuum cleaner robots come with bases that can either hold either a bin or a dustbin that is easy to open and empty when it's full. This can cut down on the amount of time you spend worrying about when to empty your trash bin and can be a huge benefit if you have a high-mess household.

The robots we examined have self-emptying bases, except the Roomba I3+. This is a pity because this robot is extremely efficient. It had the best mapping results of all the robots we tested and has superb navigational capabilities. It has a strong mower and docking system that will empty the water tank on its own when it is needed.

It's not equipped with iRobot's innovative obstacle avoidance or digital keep-out zones, though it can get tangled over cables and rugs and doesn't have the ability to detect rogue socks and shoelaces. It's still the perfect choice for a small, well-maintained house.

Its other strong points include its navigation technology, which includes drop sensors and bump sensors, and the ability to map the entire house with cameras and a laser. It's also simple to set up, has numerous settings and modes, and also offers outstanding mowing and vacuuming performance. Another perk is its smart-home connectivity that allows it to function using voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This can make it easier to use when you have multiple tablets or smartphones and don't wish to purchase the traditional remote.

App Controls

Some robots can connect to Wi-Fi. This allows you to control them with your tablet or smartphone. This feature is particularly beneficial in homes with a lot of floors, in which you may need to walk through a staircase before the robot can come to the bottom of it. It also removes the need for a long cord, so you can move furniture freely without having to worry about the robot getting caught up in the cord or running out of power during cleaning.

The app functions as a single-stop control center to monitor and schedule tasks. The app allows you to customize your robot cleaner's power, cleaning modes and the water level settings. This feature is especially helpful for homes with different types of flooring, like tile and carpet. You can assign the robot the appropriate power and cleaning mode to clean every area.

Some models come with a built-in video camera that can send a live feed directly to the app. These models are ideal for pet owners and people with small children who wish to watch the robot while it works. Some smart robots utilize sensors to detect when they've reached the edge of an area and return to their docking station. This prevents them from encroaching on an area and makes sure they've cleaned every surface within your home.

Some models can automatically empty the dustbin and blow dry and wash mop heads in between cleaning sessions. This reduces the need for manual maintenance and keeps the robot cleaner running smoothly for a longer time. You can also find a model with a longer battery life that helps you avoid the hassle of mid-cleaning recharges.

Sensors

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

Sensors allow the robot to navigate around your home, detecting obstacles, and avoiding falling off steps. They also allow you to create physical and virtual "no-go" zones using the feature known as boundary strips or virtual walls (like the ones employed by Eufy) to block the robot from entering specific 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 navigational system the robot utilizes is determined by your budget and layout of your home. Some of the most advanced robotic vacuums utilize LiDAR-based sensors to scan and map rooms, ensuring precise and efficient navigation. These systems are expensive but provide the best results. Models that are budget-friendly with basic navigation bumps are less precise and could miss certain spots. They're great for avoiding big obstacles, but they can still fail to spot dirt in crevices and around baseboards.

Pick a model that has an extensive dust bin as well as long battery life. There are also models that can recharge and resume where they left off when they dock to help save time. You can maximize the use of your robot vacuum, as well as navigation, by making sure that you are prepared for each cleaning session. Make sure that power cords as well as toys and other debris are tucked away and out of the path of the robot, and empty the bin every cleaning. Clean the charging port and sensors 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 assists them in recognizing textures such as hard or carpeted floors and ensures all areas are cleaned. The mapping also stops your robot from having to clean the same areas, which improves efficiency and reduces battery consumption. Many high-end models have the option to save the map of your house to use in the future which is ideal for larger homes.

Most robotic vacs have some kind of obstacle avoidance that stops them from running into shoes, cords, or socks. However, these sensors can't always recognize smaller objects. Manufacturers started adding sensors to robots in the past few years. They were able to detect and avoid household objects that sensors could not. These include cliff and wall sensors, which function by bouncing infrared light beams off of surfaces to calculate distances.

Certain sensors are integrated directly into the robot's base, however, others require being purchased separately. They generally aid the robot in navigating safely and prevent falling down stairs and avoid clutter. Certain models have anti-drop sensors which prevent the robots from hitting furniture and walls.

LiDAR mapping is the most recent and most advanced navigation technology and is something you should look for in robot vacuum. This kind of system makes use of a spinning laser sensor mounted on the top of the robot to map your home. By bounced infrared beams off your walls and furniture it is able to determine the layout of your space. This helps to plan efficient routes and clean your entire house.