What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?
The best robot vacuums come with an engine that is powerful and a sturdy set of bristles or rollers. They also have large dustbins and large battery life.
Certain models map homes with smart mapping. They can stop to recharge, then clean up where they left off. They can also set no-go zones and identify different surfaces.
Object Avoidance
Object detection is a crucial feature of robot vacuums since it helps them avoid hitting small objects such as socks, shoes or toys, or even cords that aren't found on the floor, but instead on furniture or other items. These systems use an integrated camera to recognize objects in an AI database, and then teach the vacuum 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 measure the distance and depth of nearby objects) and 3D Structured Light (beaming a pattern of lights onto the room and analyzing the distortion of light to create a map) to efficiently steer clear of obstacles.
A recent addition to the obstacle avoidance arsenal is artificial intelligence and visual interpretation, which enables robots to recognize and comprehend what they're facing. 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, such as shoes and cables.
Certain models employ LiDAR to navigate. The technology emits laser beams and measures the amount of time it takes them to bounce back from the surrounding surfaces to create a live, 3D map of the surrounding. This can be used to detect walls, furniture and even stairs. It might not work in dim light or with transparent or reflective objects.
More what cameras or sensors are employed, it is important that your robot has a long battery life so that it can last the duration of your home without having to return to the dock to recharge. Look for models that can run for at least an hour or more, depending on the size of your living space.
Bases that self-empty
Some robot vacuum cleaners feature self-emptying bases, which can decrease the frequency you need to empty your trash. They're considered to be a luxury feature, and usually add to the cost of a robot.
The best robots have bases that can hold either a bin or a dustbin that you can easily open and empty when full. This can reduce the amount of time you're worrying about when to empty your bin and could make a big difference in the case of a messy household.
You'll find self-emptying bases on all the robots in our review, except for the basic Roomba I3+, which doesn't have one. That's a shame, because this robot is otherwise an extremely strong performer. It had the best mapping results of all the robots that we tested, and it has superb navigation capabilities. It also has excellent mower power and a docking station that can automatically empty the water tank whenever it is required.
It lacks iRobot’s advanced obstacle avoidance system and digital keep-out zones, but it can get tangled up in cables and rugs and is unable to see rogue shoelaces or socks. However, it's an excellent choice for a small, well-maintained house.
Other strong points are its navigation system that includes bump sensors and drop sensors, as well as its ability to make your home a map with lasers and cameras. It is simple to use, has a range of settings and modes and is a great choice for cleaning or mowing. Another benefit is its smart-home connectivity, which allows it to work with voice commands via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. That can make it simpler to use if you have multiple smartphones or tablets and don't want to pick up a remote.
App Controls
Some robots connect to Wi-Fi. This allows you to control them with your smartphone or tablet. This is especially useful in homes with several floors. You might require navigating down an escalator to reach the robot before it can reach the bottom. This removes the need for an additional long cord, allowing you to move furniture with no worries about the robot becoming tangled in it or running out of power when cleaning.
The app functions as a central control point to monitor and schedule tasks. The app also allows you to customize your robot cleaner's power, cleaning mode and the water level settings. This feature is particularly beneficial in homes with different flooring types -- for instance, carpet and tile because you can assign the robot to clean each room using the appropriate power and mode.
Certain models have an inbuilt camera that can send live feeds to the app. These models are a good choice for pet owners or people with young children who need to keep an eye on the robot while it's working. Some smart robots utilize sensors to know when they reach the edges of a space, and then return to their docking station. This stops them from overrunning an area and makes sure they have cleaned all surfaces within your home.
Some models can automatically empty the dustbin and wash their mop heads and blow dry them between cleaning sessions. This reduces the requirement for manual maintenance and the robot cleaner will function better for longer. 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 use sensors to navigate your home and work on hard floors like laminate, wood, and tile as well as low pile carpets and area rugs. They're not a substitute to an upright or full-size canister cleaner, but provide superior suction and a fantastic way to keep your floors clean in between deep cleanings.
Sensors help the robot navigate your home by spotting obstacles and avoiding falling down stairs. You can also set up physical and virtual "no go" zones using boundary strips or virtual wall (like those employed by Eufy) to prevent the robot from entering certain areas within your home. Some robots have cliff sensors which alert you when your robot is about to run into an obstacle.
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 sensors to map and scan areas to ensure precise navigation. These systems can be costly however they provide the most efficient results. Budget-friendly models with rudimentary bump navigation systems are less precise and could miss some areas. They're great for avoiding big obstacles, but they may still miss dirt in crevices and around baseboards.
Choose a model that has a large dust bin and long battery life. There are models that dock and recharge and then resume where they were when they left. This can save time. You can make the most of your robot vacuum in addition to navigation, by making sure that you are prepared for each cleaning session. Make sure that all power cords, toys, and other debris is tucked out from the robot's path. Then empty the bin after each clean. Also, clean the sensors and charging ports to ensure that the robot is healthy.
Navigation
The top robot vacuums utilize mapping technology to create digital maps of your home during the initial cleaning session. It assists them in recognizing textures such as hard or carpeted floors and ensures all areas are cleaned. It also prevents your robots from having to clean the same areas repeatedly to increase efficiency and reduce battery consumption. Many high-end models have the option to save a map of your house for future use, which is great for homes with larger spaces.
The majority of robotic vacuums have some kind of obstacle avoidance technology that stops them from slamming into cords or socks, or shoes. However, these sensors do not always recognize smaller objects. Manufacturers added sensors to robots a few years ago. They were able to identify and avoid objects that standard sensor systems could not. They include cliff sensors and wall sensors that function by reflecting infrared beams of light off surfaces to determine distances.
Some sensors are built directly into the robot base, while others need to be purchased separately. These sensors assist the robot to navigate safely and avoid falling down stairs, and stay away from clutter. Some models have anti-drop sensors which prevent the robots from crashing against furniture and walls.
LiDAR mapping the most advanced navigation system available is a feature that you should look for when buying the robot vacuum. This kind of system makes use of a spinning laser sensor mounted on the top of the robot in order to map your home. By bouncing infrared beams off of furniture and walls, it can sense the layout of your home. This helps it plan efficient paths and clear your entire house.