What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?
The best robot vacuums have an efficient engine and a sturdy set of bristles or rollers. They also have adequate dustbins and large battery life.
Certain models map homes using smart mapping. They can stop to recharge, then pick up cleaning where they left off. They can also set up zones that are not allowed to enter, and can identify different surfaces.
Object Avoidance
Object detection is a key feature of robot vacuums, since it allows them avoid getting into small objects such as cords, toys, socks, or shoes that are not on the floor, but instead on furniture. The machines use cameras built into the system to identify objects that appear in an AI database and then teach the vacuum to avoid them. The Eufy S1 Pro, for example, utilizes a mix 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 light onto the room and then analyzing the distortion of light to create a map) to effectively steer away from obstacles.
Artificial intelligence and visual interpretation are more recent innovation in robot obstacle avoidance. They enable robots to better understand and identify what they encounter. This software uses a single or dual camera to observe the world around them, and then analyzes it in real-time. The ECOVACS DEEBOT uses this software to detect up to 30 kinds of objects, including shoes, cables and pet poop.
Some models also use LiDAR to navigate. The technology emits laser beams and measures the time it takes them to bounce back off the surrounding surfaces to create a live, 3D map of the surrounding. This is able to detect walls, furniture and even stairs. However, it may not be as effective in dim lighting or when working with reflective or transparent objects.
Regardless of which sensor or cameras are utilized, a good battery life is important to ensure that your robot is able to completely fill your home without needing to return to its dock to recharge. Choose an option that runs for a minimum of 80 minutes or more, depending on the size of your living area.
Bases that self-eliminate
Some robot vacuum cleaners feature self-emptying bases, which could decrease the frequency you have to empty your bin. They are considered premium feature and can increase the cost of a robot vacuum cleaner.
The best robots come with bases that can hold bins, or a dust bin that is removable. You can open it and empty it once it is full. This can reduce the amount of time that you spend thinking about when to empty your trash bin and can make a significant difference if you have a high-mess household.
Self-emptying bases are found on all the robots we've reviewed in our review, except for the basic Roomba I3+, which does not have one. It's a pity, since this robot is otherwise a very strong performer. It had the best mapping results of all the robots that we tested and has superb navigational capabilities. It has a good mower, and it has a docking system that can empty the water tank automatically when needed.
It's not equipped with iRobot's innovative obstacle avoidance or digital keep-out zones, though, and it gets hung up on cables and rugs and can't see rogue socks and shoelaces. It's still the perfect choice for an apartment that is small and well-maintained.
Other highlights are its navigation technology, which includes bump sensors and a drop sensor, and its ability make your home a map by using lasers and cameras. It's also simple to set up, offers numerous settings and modes, and 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 simpler to use if you have multiple tablets or smartphones and don't want to pick up a remote.
App Controls
Some robots connect to Wi-Fi. This allows users to control them from your tablet or smartphone. This convenience is especially helpful in homes with multiple floors, in which you may need to walk down a staircase before the robot is able to get to the bottom. It also eliminates the requirement for a long cord, allowing you to move furniture around without having to worry about the robot getting tangled up in the cord or running out of power while cleaning.
The app is a central control point for monitoring and scheduling tasks. The app allows you to alter the cleaning mode, power and water level of your robot cleaner. This feature is particularly useful in homes with various floor types, for example, carpet and tile, as you can designate the robot to clean every room with the appropriate power and mode.
Some models come with an integrated video camera that sends a live feed directly to the application. These models are a good choice for pet owners or people with young children who wish to keep an eye on the robot while it's working. Other smart robots come with sensors that detect when they've gotten to the edge of a room and then return to their base to dock. This prevents them from taking over an area and also ensures that they have cleaned all surfaces within your home.
Certain models automatically empty the dustbin and even blow dry and wash mop heads in between cleaning sessions. This will reduce the necessity for manual maintenance and the robot cleaner will function better over a longer period of time. You can also select an option with a longer battery lifespan that will allow you to avoid the hassles of mid-cleaning recharge.
Sensors
Many robot vacuums utilize sensors to navigate your home and work on hard floors, such as wood, tile and laminate as also low pile carpets and area rug. They're not an alternative to an upright or full-size cleaner, but offer excellent suction and a fantastic way to keep your floors free of dust between deep cleanings.
Sensors aid the robot in navigating your space by finding obstacles and avoiding falling down stairs. You can also set up physical and virtual "no go" zones by using boundary strips or a virtual walls (like those employed by Eufy), to prevent the robot entering specific areas of your home. Some robots have cliff sensors that warn you when the robot is close to running into an edge.
The type of navigational system that the robot uses is determined by your budget and the layout of your home. The most advanced robotic vacuums use LiDAR-based sensors to map and scan rooms, which ensures accurate and efficient navigation. These systems can be costly but provide the best results. The budget models that have basic navigation bumps aren't as precise and could miss certain areas. These models are adept at getting around obstacles, but they can be unable to detect dirt in crevices or around baseboards.
Choose a model with an extra-large dust bin and a long battery lifespan. There are also models that can recharge and resume the same place they left off after they dock to help save time. You can get the most value from your robot vacuum, in addition to navigation by prepping each cleaning session. Check that all power cables, toys, and other junk is cleared of the robot’s path and empty the bin after each clean. Also, clean the sensors and charging ports to keep the robot in good health.
Navigation
The best robot vacuum s use mapping technology to create an electronic map of your home prior to the initial cleaning session. It helps them to recognize patterns like carpets or hard floors, and ensures that all areas are cleaned. Mapping also saves your robot from having to clean the same areas that improves efficiency and may reduce the use of batteries. A lot of high-end models allow you to save a map to be used in the future. This is ideal for homes with large spaces.
Most robotic vacuums have some sort of obstacle avoidance system that stops them from running over cords or socks or shoes. However, these sensors can't always detect small objects. A few years ago manufacturers began adding additional sensors to their robots, which allowed them to detect and avoid household items that standard sensor systems couldn't. These include cliff and wall sensors, which work by bouncing light beams infrared off of surfaces to determine distances.
Some of these sensors are integrated in the robot's base while others require a separate attachment. In general, these sensors help the robot navigate safely and avoid falling down stairs and avoid clutter. Certain models also come with anti-drop sensors, which automatically stop the robot from crashing into furniture and walls.
LiDAR mapping is the most recent and most advanced technology for navigation, and it's something you should look for in the robot vacuum. This system uses a spinning sensor mounted on the robot to map your home. By scattering infrared beams across your walls and furniture, it can sense the layout of your home. This helps in planning efficient routes and also clean your entire house.