What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?

The most effective robot vacuums are equipped with a powerful motor and a bristles or rollers that are tough. They also come with large dustbins and a long battery life.

Certain models use smart mapping to create maps of homes. They can pause, recharge and clean up right where they started. They can also create no-go zones and recognize different surfaces.

Object Avoidance

Object detection is a key feature of robot vacuums, since it allows them avoid crashing into small objects like socks, toys, cords or shoes that aren't on the floor, but rather on furniture. The systems utilize an inbuilt camera to detect objects that are listed in an AI database and then instruct the vacuum how to avoid them. The Eufy S1 Pro, for example, utilizes a mix of sensors including 3D Time of Flight (sending light pulses to determine the distance and depth of nearby objects) and 3D Structured Light (beaming a pattern of light onto the room and analyzing the distortion of light to create a map) to effectively steer clear of obstacles.

Artificial intelligence and visual interpretation are a more recent addition to robot obstacle avoidance. They enable robots to understand and identify what they encounter. This software utilizes cameras that are either double or single to look around and analyze it in real time. The ECOVACS DEEBOT uses this software to detect up to 30 types of objects such as shoes, cables and pet poop.

Certain models employ LiDAR to navigate. The technology emits lasers and determines the amount of time it takes to bounce off the surfaces around them in order to create an 3D map. This is useful in detecting walls, furniture and even stairs. However, it might not be as effective in low lighting or with reflective or transparent objects.

Whatever cameras or sensors are utilized, it is important that your robot has a long battery lifespan so that it can last the duration of a home without having to return to the dock for recharging. Pick a model that has a battery life of at least 80 minutes, or longer depending on the dimensions and layout of your home.

Self-Emptying Bases

Some robot vacuum cleaners have self-emptying bases. This can reduce the frequency at which you need empty your dustbin. They're considered a premium feature, and usually add to the price of the robot.

The best robot hoover robots come with bases that can either house either a bin or a dust bin that you can open and empty when full. This can reduce the amount of time you're thinking about when to empty your dustbin and can be a huge benefit if you have a high-mess household.

All the robots we reviewed have self-emptying bases, with the exception of the Roomba I3+. It's a pity, since this robot is extremely efficient. It has the best cheap robot vacuum results in mapping of all the robots we tested, and it has great navigating abilities. It also has good mowing power and docking station that can automatically empty the water tank whenever needed.

It doesn't have iRobot's advanced obstacle avoidance or digital keep-out zones, though it can get tangled up on rugs and cables and can't see the stray socks or shoelaces. It's an excellent choice for a smaller home that's well-maintained.

Its other strong points include its aforementioned navigation technology, which includes bump sensors and drop sensors, and the ability to map out your entire home using cameras and laser. It is simple to use, comes with a variety of options and settings that are effective when mowing or vacuuming. Another advantage is its smart-home connectivity that allows it to function with voice commands using Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This makes it easier to use if have multiple tablets or smartphones and don't want to pick up a remote.

App Controls

Some robots are Wi-Fi compatible, allowing users to control them from your smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful in homes with multiple floors, where you may need to walk down a flight of stairs before the robot can come to the bottom. This eliminates the need for an additional long cord so you can move your furniture without worrying about the robot becoming tangled in it or running out power when cleaning.

The app is a central control point to monitor and schedule tasks. The app allows you to modify the cleaning mode, power and water level of your robot cleaner. This feature is especially beneficial in homes with different flooring types -- for instance, carpet and tile -- because you can designate the robot to clean each area using the appropriate power and mode.

Certain models have a built-in camera that transmits live feeds to the app. These models are a good choice for pet owners and people with young children who need to keep an eye on the robot while it's working. Some smart robots utilize sensors to detect when they reach the edges of a space, and then return to their docking station. This prevents them from taking over an area and makes sure they've cleaned all surfaces within your home.

Certain models are able to automatically empty the dustbin and even blow dry and wash its mop heads between cleaning sessions. This eliminates the need for manual maintenance, and the robot cleaner will work better for longer. You can also find a model with an extended battery which allows you to avoid the hassle of mid-cleaning recharges.

Sensors

Many robot vacuums utilize sensors to navigate around your home and work their magic on hard floors such as laminate, tile, and wood as well as carpets with low pile and area rug. They're not the same as a full-size, upright or canister vacuum cleaner, but they do offer excellent suction on dust and dirt and are a fantastic way to keep the floor clean between deep cleanings using an upright machine.

Sensors let the robot navigate around your home by detecting obstacles, and avoiding falling off the stairs. They also allow you to create physical and virtual "no-go" zones using the feature known as boundary strips or virtual walls (like the ones used by eufy) to stop the robot from entering specific areas of your home. Some robots have cliff sensors that warn you when your robot is set to run into the edge of a cliff.

The type of navigational system that robot employs is determined by your budget and layout of your home. The most advanced robotic vacuum cleaners vacuums use LiDAR sensors to map and scan the area that ensure accurate navigation. These systems are costly however they give the best results. Budget-friendly models with rudimentary bump navigation systems are less precise and may miss certain spots. These models are effective in avoidance of major obstacles, but they may fail to spot dirt in crevices and around baseboards.

Select a model with a a large dust bin and long battery life. There are also models that recharge and then resume the same place they left off after they dock, which can save you time. In addition to navigation and cleaning, you can get the most out of your robot vacuum by prepping for each cleaning robots session. Check that all power cords or toys, as well as other junk is cleared of the path of the robot and empty the bin after each cleaning. Wipe down the sensors and charging port to ensure your robot is in good health.

Navigation

The best robot vacuums use mapping technology to create digital maps of your home during the initial cleaning session. It allows them to recognize the different textures of carpets or hard floors, and ensures that all areas are cleaned. Mapping also prevents your robot from re-cleaning the same spots, which improves efficiency and may reduce battery usage. Many top models come with the option of saving the map of your house to be used in the future, which is great for larger homes.

Most robotic vacuums feature some form of obstacle avoidance, which prevents them from running into shoes, cords or socks. The sensors don't always detect small objects. In the past few years manufacturers began adding more sensors to their robots, allowing them to detect and avoid household items that conventional sensors couldn't. These 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's base however, others require being purchased separately. They generally aid the robot in navigating without danger and avoid falling down stairs, and stay clear of clutter. Certain models have anti-drop sensors which prevent the robots from crashing against furniture and walls.

LiDAR mapping is the most recent and most advanced technology for navigation, and it's an option to look for in a robot vacuum. This type of system uses the spinning laser sensor that is placed on the top of the robot to map your home. It can map your home by bouncing infrared rays off the walls and furniture. This helps it plan efficient paths and clean your entire home.