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.

Look for models with intelligent features, like remote access and app control. Apps can be used to plan cleaning sessions and track the progress. Some apps allow you to pause, recharge and return to where they stopped.

1. Battery Life

With self-driving cars drones that fly through the skies and robot vacuums that swiftly move around furniture, it's safe say that the future of cleaning is now here. However, as with all technologies it needs some care to ensure it's running smoothly.

The most important aspect in the long-term performance of your robot is the cycle of discharge and charge. Keep the dustbin filled and empty. Be sure to check for furs that have become tangled and keep the brushes from clogging.

Another aspect to consider is the climate in which your robot is stored, as extreme cold and heat can impact the battery's performance. You can extend the battery's life by ensuring it's charged to 50% prior to storage, keeping it in an area that is cool, and taking it off of sources of power when not in use. In addition, the majority of smart devices are equipped with periodic firmware updates that improve performance, including battery optimization, so make sure to check your app for any updates that are available.

A robot vacuum is a fantastic option for those who have a lot of hard flooring. It is able to take away dirt and debris quickly and efficiently leaving your floors sparkling. If you're looking for more than a simple cleaning robot mop and vacuum, you'll need to consider a model that offers superior navigation and obstacles-avoiding capabilities.

Our top-rated robot is the Ecovacs Deebot T20, combines advanced navigation and strong suction and a wide range of mopping functions to provide an extensive, thorough clean of your hard floors. It makes use of LiDAR sensors and cameras to create detailed maps of your home, which helps it stay on the right path and avoid getting stuck on furniture legs or power cords. It can also identify objects like clutter and shoes to automatically clean them. It's also self-emptying, which means you don't need to return the vacuum back to its base station to empty its bin after every cleaning session.

2. Dust Bin

Robots are excellent for quick midweek cleaning however, they lack the suction capacity to replace the power of a plug-in vacuum cleaner for deep cleans. 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. Their dust bins onboard fill up quickly that they need to go back to their charging stations to empty themselves. This could take as long as 30 minutes for certain models.

It is crucial to select a robot vacuum with a large trash bin that can be empty into the dock without needing to return to finish the job. It is also important to think about whether you'd prefer a bagged or bagless model, and if you do choose a bagless option what amount of dust will be able to hold before needing to be emptied.

In our tests we applied 100 grams of sand on a medium-pile carpet surface and used a robot vacuum cleaners best vacuum to vacuum the sand off. We then weigh the amount of sand in the onboard dust bin to determine the amount dirt it has accumulated. A high amount means that the bin onboard could fill up faster and force your robot to stop cleaning.

The good news is that many top robot vacuums come with an enormous dust bin that can easily be emptied and you can set up them to empty their bases at least once per day or more. Keep a container filled with compressed air on hand to blow out hairs that have become tangled up in the rotating brush and to clean the filters in accordance to the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

3. Wi-Fi Connectivity

The top robot vacuums provide many connectivity options to connect to your home's Wi-Fi. This lets the robot download and install updates to its software, as well as allows you to monitor your bot via an app or through voice-activated commands. This feature is not essential however it provides convenience and options for customization that can enhance the overall robot vacuuming experience.

Most models require a certain amount of regular maintenance, like emptying the dust bin or cleaning the brush roll to ensure they are operating at top performance. Monitoring consumable parts and a regular schedule for cleaning and detachment will increase their lifespan as well. Emily Rairdin, a vacuum expert at University Vacuum & Sewing, states that a robot's life is typically between three and five years. However, this could 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 map your floor in order to work. Advanced navigation systems typically have sensors for cliffs that alert the bot to steep drops and optical and laser sensors that help it "see" the layout of a room. Some robots come with mopping capabilities that can be used to keep floors between deep cleanings with a vacuum.

The most effective 2-in-1 vacuums also mop. This means that you don't need to switch between the robot vacuum and an manual one. The iRobot Roomba 690 is a powerful, highly efficient automatic vacuum and mop cleaner that can wash its mop pad, and wipe down surfaces using its water tank. Its mapping and obstacle avoidance skills were so good that it was awarded the the CR's Best Robot Vacuum Best Vacuum Award, and also an AVTech Editors Choice Award.

4. Cleaning Patterns

The top robot vacuums in our tests have excellent pick-up scores for carpets with a low pile and hard floors and remove dust, dirt, and pet hair. They also get rid of crumbs and debris along the baseboards as well as at the edges of rooms. However, they are unable to eliminate deep down dirt or tangles in soft shag carpets as well as canister or upright vacuums. They are also unable to pick up spilled liquids and food, or heavy screws and may also be unable to reach certain areas of the home (including under furniture).

Many models have sophisticated features that make them more user-friendly. Most models have an application that lets you schedule cleaning sessions and also control the robot remotely. They can also be integrated with your smart-home system which means you can control the robots with voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have multiple modes, which allow you to choose between sweeping and mopping or vacuuming. They can recharge at their docks and continue cleaning the area they left off.

The technology for avoiding obstacles has improved in recent years, however you must still clear out cords, toys, and pet messes before running the robot. Before you can map out your space, it is recommended to cover all floor-to-ceiling mirrors with cardboard. The laser employed by some models can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot vacuums that mop to crash against the wall or floor.

Some premium models use lidar to create 3D maps of your space. This helps the robot recognize obstacles and determine the most efficient route to avoid them. Some allow you to set no-go zones, so the robot will not be able to enter certain areas like your pet's food bowls or a rug that is expensive.

5. App Control

Many robots allow you to set a schedule to clean and operate them without hands using an app, meaning you can keep your home clean while you're working or away. Certain robots are also able to self-empty into a larger bin in their base which can reduce dust re-release and is a wonderful feature for allergy sufferers.

Some robots, such as the more expensive Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, can even detect objects on the floor and employ a camera to instruct them to stay clear of obstacles such as power cords, furniture legs or pet toys. This impressive feature is available on even cheaper models. However, it's important to regularly empty your robot's dustbin and check for tangled hairs as they accumulate.

Some models also have the ability to create 3D representations. This is beneficial in the event that you have multiple floors. You can then select specific rooms and set digital keep-out zones to ensure that your robot stays focused on what you want it to focus on, rather than wandering into areas you don't need cleaning.

Robots are great for routine midweek cleaning, but they can't substitute for a full-sized plug-in vacuum, particularly for rugs. They are more adept at removing dirt from carpet than plain flooring, but can still miss piles near baseboards and thresholds as well as knotted cords and socks. Find a robot that has zones and spot cleaning modes. This will allow you to focus on specific areas and not waste time. There are also models that recharges and resumes where it left off, which is an enormous advantage in a big house.