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.
Find models with advanced features, such as remote access and app control. Apps can be used to plan cleaning sessions and monitor progress. Some even allow you to stop, recharge and then resume where they stopped.
1. Battery Life
With self-driving cars, drones that navigate the skies, and robot vacuums that nimbly maneuver around furniture, it's safe to say the future of cleaning is here. As with all technology there is a need for some maintenance to keep it running smoothly.
The cycle of charge and discharge for the battery is the most crucial factor in the life of your robotic device. Keep the dustbin filled and empty. Make sure you check for furs that are tangled and stop the brushes from jamming.
Another aspect to consider is the climate in which your robot is stored as extreme cold and heat can affect battery performance. You can extend the lifespan of your robot's battery by charging it up to 50% and then storing it in a cool place. Also, remove it from the power source when using it. Most smart devices also have periodic firmware updates that help improve performance and optimize battery. Check the app to see if there's any updates.
For those who have lots of hard floors, a robotic vacuum is a great option. It can take away dirt and debris quickly and efficiently and leave your floors sparkling. If you're looking for more than a simple cleaning, you should search for a model with superior navigation and obstacles avoidance.
Our top-rated robot is the Ecovacs Deebot T20, combines advanced navigation and strong suction and a wide range of mopping functions to deliver an extensive, thorough clean of your floors. It uses LiDAR cameras and sensors to create detailed maps of the home. This helps it stay on course and avoid getting caught in furniture legs or power cables. It can also detect 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 after every cleaning session.
2. Dust Bin
Robots are good for quick midweek cleaning but they aren't able to replace a plug-in vacuum cleaner for a thorough clean. Furthermore, even the top robot vacuums can be caught with toys and cords and miss piles of dirt close to the baseboards, and have to contend with crumbs that have fallen under furniture. And, their onboard dustbins are so full that they need to return to their charging docks to self-empty, which can take as long as half an hour for some models.
It is important to choose an automated vacuum cleaner with an ample dust bin that can be emptied into the dock without having to return to finish the task. You should also consider whether you'd like a bagged or bagless model, and if you do choose a bagless model, how much dust will it hold before it has to be emptied.
In robot vacuum reviews apply 100 grams of sand to an area of carpet with a medium pile and employ a robot vacuum to sweep it across the carpet. Weighing the amount of sand in the vacuum's dust bin onboard allows us to measure the amount of dirt that has been accumulated. A high amount indicates that the bin could be filled faster and cause your robot to stop cleaning.
The positive side is that many premium robot vacuums feature a large dust bin that is easily empty, and you can schedule the emptying of their bases at least once a day or more. Keep a bin filled of compressed air nearby to blow out any hairs that are tangled up in the rotating brush and to clean the filters in accordance to the manufacturer's instructions.
3. Wi-Fi Connectivity
The top robot vacuums have various connectivity options for connecting to your home's Wi-Fi. This allows the robot to update its software and gives you the option of monitoring your robot through an app or voice commands. While not essential this feature can be useful and customization features that can enhance the overall experience of robot vacuuming.
To ensure they're functioning at their peak, most models require a certain level of maintenance. For example emptying the dustbin or cleaning the brushroll. Maintaining a close eye on consumable parts and a regular schedule for cleaning and detachment will extend their lifespan as well. Vacuum expert Emily Rairdin at University Vacuum & Sewing says that three to five years is the standard life expectancy of a robot vacuum. However, this can differ greatly based on how often you use it and if you take care of it properly.
A robot vacuum has to be able to navigate obstacles and determine the floor's layout in order to be able to perform. Advanced navigation systems have cliff sensors that alert the robot to steep drops. They also have optical and laser sensors that help "see" the layout of a room. Some robots also have a specialized mopping function that can be helpful for keeping floors clean between deep cleanings with an upright vacuum.
The most effective 2-in-1 robots vacuum and mop, allowing you to skip the step of having to switch between the manual and robot vacuum. The iRobot Roomba 690 is a powerful, highly efficient robot vacuum cleaner that is able to wash its mop pad, and clean surfaces with its water tank. Its obstacle avoidance and mapping abilities were so effective that it was awarded the CR's Best Robot Vacuum Award, as well an AVTech Editors Choice Award.
4. Cleaning Patterns
The best robot vacuums that we tested had impressive pick-up scores on hard floors as well as carpets with low pile. They get rid of dust, dirt and pet hair. They also take out debris and crumbs from the baseboards and along the edges of rooms. But they can't remove deep-down dirt or tangles that are a part of soft shag carpets as well as an upright or canister vacuum. They can't pick-up spilled liquids or food, or large screws made of metal. They might also miss certain areas (including under furniture).
Many models come with clever features that make them more user-friendly. The majority of models come with an app that lets you schedule cleaning times and control the robot remotely. They can be integrated with your smart home system so that you can use voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Certain models come with multiple modes, allowing users to choose between mopping and sweeping or vacuuming. They can recharge their docks and continue cleaning the area they left.
The technology to avoid obstacles has improved over years, but it's still necessary to remove cords, toys and pet mess before you run the robot. Before you map out the room, you'll want to cover all floor-to-ceiling mirrors with cardboard. The lasers used by some models may bounce off reflective surfaces causing the robot to hit a wall or a floor.
Some premium models use lidar to create 3D maps of your surroundings. This helps the robot recognize obstacles and determine the most efficient route around them. Some robots let you designate no-go zones so that the robot is able to avoid certain areas, for example, your pet's bowls of food or a rug that is expensive.
5. App Control
Many robots allow you to create a schedule for cleaning and control their movements hands-free with an app, so you can clean your home while you're working or away. Some robots can also self-empty their dust into a large bin at the base. This reduces dust rerelease and is a great feature for those suffering from allergies.
Some robots, such as the more expensive Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, can even spot objects on the floor and employ a camera to instruct them to stay clear of obstacles such as furniture legs, power cords or pet toys. This impressive feature is available on smaller models. It's essential to regularly empty the dustbin of your robot, and that you look for fur that is tangled as it accumulates.
A top-quality model can also store multiple floor plans, which are beneficial if you live in more than one level and some models can even create 3D models of your house. You can choose specific rooms and create digital "keep-out" zones to ensure that your robot only cleans the areas you'd like.
Robots are ideal for midweek cleaning, but they can't replace a plug-in vacuum particularly when it comes to rugs. They are better at removing dirt from carpet than bare flooring, but they can miss piles near baseboards and thresholds, as well as knotted cords and socks. To get the most out of your robot, search for a model with zone and spot cleaning modes to focus on specific areas and avoid wasteful cleaning. There are also models that recharges and resumes where it left off which is a major benefit in a large house.