How to Keep a Robot Vacuum Clean
Robot vacuums can help keep your floors clean. Based on the model, they can also sweep, mop and even vacuum stairs.
Find models that have clever features, such as remote control and app control. Apps can be used to plan cleaning sessions and monitor the progress. Certain apps even allow you to suspend and recharge, and then return to where they were when they left.
1. Battery Life
With cars that drive themselves drones that can navigate the skies, and robot vacuums that can maneuver around furniture, it's safe to say the future of cleaning is here. But as with any technology it requires some upkeep to keep it running efficiently.
The most crucial factor in the long-term performance of your robot is the cycle of discharge and charge. Keeping the dust bin full and empty, examining for hairs that are tangled regularly and keeping the brushes from getting blocked will help your robot run more effectively.
Another aspect to consider is the climate in which your robot is kept, as extreme temperatures and cold can affect the battery's performance. You can prolong the life of your battery by ensuring that it is fully charged prior to storage, storing it in an environment that is cool and taking it off of power sources when not in use. Many smart devices also feature periodic firmware updates which can improve performance and optimize battery. Check the app to see if there are any updates.
If you have lots of hard floors, a robot vacuum is an excellent option. It can get rid of dirt and debris fast and efficiently, leaving your floors sparkling. If you're looking for more than just a quick cleaning, you'll need to look for a model with superior navigation and obstacles-avoiding capabilities.
Our top-rated robot, the Ecovacs Deebot T20, blends advanced navigation and a powerful suction and a wide range of mopping functions to provide an extensive, thorough clean of your hard floors. It utilizes cameras and LiDAR sensors to create precise maps of your home, which assists it in staying on track and avoid getting stuck on furniture legs or power cords. It can also identify items such as clutter and shoes, and then clean them up. It's also self-emptying so you don't have to return it to its base to empty the bin after each cleaning session.
2. Dust Bin
Robots are excellent for quick midweek cleaning however, they lack the suction power to substitute for a plug-in vacuum cleaner when it comes to deep cleaning. Moreover, even the best robotic vacuums can become tangled up in cords and toys and snooze on piles of dirt close to the baseboards, and struggle with crumbs on furniture. Their dust bins onboard fill up so fast that they have to return to their charging stations to empty themselves. This can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes for certain models.
It is essential to select a robot vacuum with a large dustbin which can be emptied into the dock without having to return to finish the job. You'll also want to consider whether you'd prefer bagged or unbagged models and, if you opt for a bagless version, how much dust will it hold before it has to be emptied.
In our tests, we placed 100 grams of sand on carpet with a medium pile and used a robot vacuum cleaner to vacuum the sand off. We then weigh the amount of sand in the onboard dust bin to determine the amount of dirt it has collected. A large amount of dirt indicates that the onboard bin may fill up more quickly and could force your robot to stop its cleaning cycle or even stop working altogether.
The good news is that a lot of high-end robot vacuums have a large dust bin which is easily empty and you can even schedule them to empty their bases at least once per day or more. It's recommended to keep a can of compressed air handy to blow out hairs that have tangled in the rotating brush. You can also clean any filters as suggested by the manufacturer.
3. Wi-Fi Connectivity
The top robot vacuums have many options to connect to your home's WiFi network. This allows the robot to update its software and also gives you the possibility of monitoring your robot through an app or voice commands. This isn't a necessity, but it offers the convenience of customization and can enhance the overall robot vacuuming experience.
To ensure they're operating at their best, most models require a certain amount of maintenance. For instance emptying the dustbin or cleaning the brushroll. Maintaining a close eye on consumable parts and following a regular schedule for cleaning and detachment will extend their life span too. Vacuum expert Emily Rairdin at University Vacuum & Sewing states that three to five years is the typical life expectancy of a robot vacuum, though this can differ greatly based on the frequency you use it, and whether you take care to maintain it properly.
A robot vacuum has to be able to navigate obstacles and map your floor in order to function. Advanced navigation systems typically have sensors that detect cliffs and alert the robot to steep drops, as well as optical and laser sensors that help it "see" the layout of a room. Certain robots have mopping functions that can be used to maintain floors between deep cleanings using a vacuum.
The best 2-in-1 vacuums also mop. This means that you don't have to switch between an automatic vacuum and manual vacuum. A prime example is the iRobot Roomba 690, which is a powerful and highly efficient robot vacuum that can also clean surfaces with its water tank and wash its mop pad in a way that is automatic. Its top-quality mapping and obstacle-avoidance capabilities earned it CR's best robot vacuum award, and an AVTech Editors' Choice award.
4. Cleaning Patterns
The top robot vacuums in our tests have excellent pick-up scores for hard floors and low-pile carpets, removing dirt, dust and pet hair. They also remove crumbs and debris from the edges of rooms and along baseboards. But they can't eliminate deep down dirt or tangles in soft shag carpets and also canister or upright vacuums. They cannot pick up spilled liquids and food items, or the weight of metal screws. They may also miss certain areas (including under furniture).
Many models have clever features that make them more user friendly. Most models have an app that lets you schedule cleaning times and remotely control the robot. They also can be integrated with your smart-home system, which means you can control them via voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Certain models come with different modes that allow you to choose between sweeping and mopping or vacuuming. good robot vacuum can also recharge at their docks and continue cleaning where they left off.
Obstacle-avoidance technology has improved in recent years, however it is still necessary to clean out cords, toys, and pet messes before operating the robot. You should also cover any mirrors from floor to ceiling with cardboard prior to tracing out the space for the first time as the laser used by certain models may bounce off reflective surfaces and cause the robot to bump into a wall or floor.
Some premium models have advanced mapping capabilities, with some making use of lidar to create a 3D map of your surroundings. This allows the robot to remember obstacles and plan the most efficient route to avoid them. Some models also let you define no-go zones, so the robot is able to avoid certain areas like your pet's food bowls or a rug that is expensive.
5. App Control
Many robots let you create a schedule for cleaning and manage their movements hands-free with an app, so you can clean your home while you're working or away. Some robots also have the ability to self-empty into a larger bin at the base of their machine, which reduces dust re-release and is an excellent option for those suffering from allergies.
Some robots are able to detect objects on the ground and utilize cameras as a guide to avoid obstacles like power cords, furniture legs or pet toys. This feature is available on even less expensive models. It's crucial to regularly empty your robot's trash bin and check for hairs that have become tangled as they build up.
A high-end model can also store multiple floor maps, which is useful if you live on multiple levels Some models also create 3D models of your house. You can then choose specific rooms and set up digital keep-out zones to ensure that your robot is focused on what you want it to, instead of wandering around areas you don't need cleaning.
Robots are great for midweek cleaning, but they can't substitute for a full-sized plug-in vacuum, particularly for rugs. They're better at removing dirt embedded in carpet than bare floors, but they're still unable to pick up piles of debris close to thresholds and baseboards as well as tangled socks and cords. To get the most value from your robot, choose a model with zone and spot cleaning modes to target particular areas and prevent unnecessary cleaning. You can also find a model that recharges and resumes where it left off, which is an enormous advantage in a big house.