How to Keep a Robot Vacuum Clean
Robot vacuums can help keep your floors clean. Based on the model, they can also sweep or mop stairs.
Look for models that include innovative features like remote control and app control. You can use apps to schedule cleaning time or monitor the progress. Some apps allow you to pause, recharge and resume where they stopped.
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 that the future of cleaning is now here. As with all technology there is a need for some maintenance to ensure it's running smoothly.
The cycle of charging and discharging the battery is the most important factor for the longevity of your robot. Keeping robot vacuum cleaner bin full and empty, examining for tangled hairs regularly and preventing the brushes from becoming stuck will make your robot run more efficiently.
The location in which your robot is stored can also impact the battery's performance. Extreme cold and heat can affect battery performance. You can extend the lifespan of your robot's battery by charging it to 50% and then storing it in a cool place. Also, take it away from the power source when not using it. Additionally, most smart devices have periodic firmware updates that optimize performance, including battery optimization. So make sure to check your app for any updates that are available.
A robot vacuum is a fantastic alternative for those with many hard floors. It can remove dirt and debris quickly and efficiently, leaving your floors sparkling. If you're looking for more than a simple cleaning, you should search for a model that has superior navigation and obstacle avoidance.
The Ecovacs T20 robot is our top-rated robotic. It is a combination of advanced navigation, powerful suction and a range of mopping options to offer an efficient, thorough clean of your hard floor. It uses LiDAR cameras and sensors to create precise maps of your home. This helps it stay on track and avoid getting caught in furniture legs or power cables. It can also identify items like shoes and clutter, and clean around them automatically. It also self-empties so you don't need to return it to its base to empty the trash after each cleaning session.
2. Dust Bin
Robots are great for quick midweek cleanups however, they lack the suction capacity to replace an electric vacuum cleaner when it comes to deep cleans. Even the top robotic vacuums can be prone to becoming entangled in cords and toys. They also tend to overlook dirt piles near the baseboards, and struggle to eliminate the crumbs that have accumulated under furniture. The dust bins on their own fill up so quickly that they have to return to their charging docks to self-empty--a process that can take as long as half an hour for certain models.
It is essential to select an automated vacuum cleaner with an ample dust bin that can be emptied into the dock without having to return to complete the job. You'll need to decide if you prefer a bagged model or a bagless one. If you decide to go with the bagless option, you'll need to know the amount of dust it can hold before you empty it.
In our tests we apply 100 grams of sand to the carpet in a medium pile and employ a robot vacuum to vacuum it over the surface. We then weigh the amount of sand we find in the vacuum's onboard dust bin to determine the amount dirt it has accumulated. A high amount means that the bin onboard could be filled faster and force your robot to stop cleaning.
It's a good idea to know that most robot vacuums come with an enormous dust bin that can be easily empty. You can also schedule the cleaning of their bases at least two times per day. Keep a bin filled with compressed air in your bag to blow away hairs that have become tangled in the rotating brush, and to clean any filters according to the instructions of the manufacturer.
3. Wi-Fi Connectivity
The best robot vacuums offer a variety of connectivity options for connecting to your home's Wi-Fi network. This lets the robot update its software and provides you with the option of monitoring your robot through an app or voice commands. Although not required this feature can be useful and personalization features that improve your overall robot vacuuming experience.
Most models require some level of regular maintenance, such as emptying the dust bin and cleaning the brush roll, to ensure they are operating at top performance. Monitoring consumable parts and following a regular schedule of cleaning and detachment will extend their life span as well. Emily Rairdin, a vacuum expert at University Vacuum & Sewing, says that a robot's lifespan expectancy is between three and five years. However, this can differ based on how often you use it and if you take care of it.
A robot vacuum has to be able to navigate obstacles and determine the floor's layout in order to work. Advanced navigation systems have cliff sensors, which alert the robot to steep drops. They also have laser and optical sensors that allow it to "see" the plan of the room. Some robots come with mopping capabilities that can be used to keep floors between deep cleanings using the use of a vacuum.
The most effective 2-in-1 robots mop and vacuum and sweep, which means you can bypass the need to switch between a robot and a manual vacuum. The iRobot Roomba 690 is a powerful, highly efficient vacuum cleaner that can also wash its mop pad, and clean up surfaces with its water tank. Its high-quality mapping and obstacle-avoidance skills made it the best robot vacuum award, and an AVTech Editors choice award.
4. Cleaning Patterns
The best robot vacuums in our tests have impressive pickup scores for carpets with a low pile and hard floors, removing dirt, dust and pet hair. They also clean up crumbs and debris from the edges of rooms and along baseboards. They cannot remove deep-seated dirt or tangles of shag fibers like an upright or canister. They cannot pick up spilled liquids or food items, or heavy metal screws. They may also overlook certain areas (including under furniture).
Many models are equipped with smart features which make them more user friendly. They usually have an app which allows you to plan cleaning times and operate the robot remotely. They can be integrated into your smart home system to allow voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have different modes that allow you to select between mopping and sweeping, or vacuuming. They can return to their docks for a recharge and resume cleaning where they left off.
The technology for avoiding obstacles has improved over years, but it is still important to take away cords, toys and any pet clutter before operating the robot. You'll also want to cover any mirrors that are 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 hit the floor or wall.
More premium models have advanced mapping capabilities, some using lidar to generate a 3D map of your surroundings. This helps the robot to identify obstacles and create an efficient path around them. Some allow you to define no-go zones, so the robot is able to avoid certain areas, such as your pet's food bowls, or an expensive rug.
5. App Control
You can create a cleaning schedule and control the robots with an app. This lets you take care of your home while you're working or on vacation. Certain robots also automatically empty their trash into a large bin at the base. This can reduce dust release and is an excellent feature for allergy sufferers.
Some robots, like the pricier Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, can even detect objects on the floor and use a camera to teach them to stay clear of obstacles such as furniture legs, power cords or pet toys. This feature is also available on smaller models. It's important that you regularly empty the robot's dustbin and also look for fur that is tangled as it gets accumulated.
A high-end model can also store multiple floor maps, which is helpful if you live on multiple levels, and some can create 3D models of your house. You can then select specific rooms and set up digital keep-out zones to ensure your robot is focused on what you want it to focus on, instead of wandering around areas you don't need cleaning.
Robots are great for regular midweek cleaning however they aren't able to replace a full-size plug-in vacuum, especially on carpets. They are better in removing dirt from carpet than bare flooring, but can still not pick up piles close to baseboards and thresholds as well as tangled cords and socks. To get the most out of your robot, look for models that have zone and spot cleaning modes to target specific areas and reduce the need for cleaning. You can also find a model that recharges and then resumes the same place it left off, which is a major benefit in a large house.