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.
Find models that have clever features, such as remote control and app control. Apps can be used to schedule cleaning time or keep track of the progress. Some apps allow you to pause, recharge and pick up where they were when they left.
1. Battery Life
It's safe to say that the future of cleaning is here. With cars that can drive by themselves drones that flutter through the air and robot vacuums that can move through furniture effortlessly, it is safe to say that the future is here. However, as with all technologies it requires some upkeep to keep it running smoothly.
The battery's charge-discharge cycles are the most important factor for the longevity of your robotic device. Make sure the dustbin is full and empty. Make sure you check for furs that are tangled and keep the brushes from jamming.
Another aspect is the environmental conditions where your robot is kept, as extreme temperatures and cold can affect the battery's performance. You can prolong the lifespan of your robot's battery by charging it up to 50% and then storing it in a cool location. Also, remove it from the power source when not using it. Additionally, most smart devices receive periodic firmware updates that can improve performance, such as battery optimization. So make sure to check your app for updates.
A robot vacuum is an excellent option for those who have a lot of hard flooring. It can remove dirt and debris quickly and efficiently leaving your floors sparkling. However, if you're looking to do more than a simple clean-up, you'll want consider a model that offers superior navigation and obstacle avoidance.
Our top-rated robot is the Ecovacs Deebot T20, blends advanced navigation, strong suction and a variety of mopping features to offer a thorough, deep clean of your hard floors. It uses LiDAR cameras and sensors to create precise maps of your home. This allows it to stay on track and avoid getting caught in furniture legs or power cables. It also can detect objects such as clutter and shoes, and then automatically clean them. And it's self-emptying, meaning that you don't have to return the vacuum back to its base station to empty its bin after every cleaning session.
2. Dust Bin
Robots are great for quick midweek cleaning but lack the suction to replace a plug-in vacuum cleaner for more thorough cleaning. Furthermore, even the top robotic vacuums can get tangled up in cords and toys, miss piles of dirt that are close to the baseboards, and have to contend with crumbs that have fallen under furniture. And, their onboard dustbins fill up so quickly that they must return to their charging docks to self-empty, which can take as long as half an hour for certain models.
It's therefore important to look for a robot vacuum with a large dustbin and can empty into its dock without having to return to finish the task. You'll also want to consider whether you'd prefer bagged or unbagged models, and if you do choose a bagless option what amount of dust will be able to hold before needing to be cleaned.
In our experiments, we put 100 grams of sand onto the carpet's surface in a medium pile. We utilized a robot vacuum cleaner to remove the sand. We then weigh the amount of sand we find in the vacuum's dust bin to determine the amount dirt it has collected. A high amount indicates that the bin onboard may be filled faster and force your robot to stop cleaning.
Robot Vacuum Mops is that many top robot vacuums come with a large dust bin that is easily empty and you can even schedule them to empty into their bases at least once per day or more. Keep a can with compressed air in your bag to blow away hairs that have become tangled up in the rotating brush and to clean any filters in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer.
3. Wi-Fi Connectivity
The best robot vacuums offer various connectivity options to connect to your home's Wi-Fi network. This allows the robot to download and install updates to its software, and also allows you to monitor your robot using an app or voice-activated commands. This isn't a necessity, however it provides the convenience of customization and can enhance your robot's overall vacuuming experience.
Most models require a certain amount of regular maintenance, like emptying the dust bin or cleaning the brush roll, to keep them functioning at top performance. A regular schedule of cleaning, detaching, and checking consumable components will also increase their lifespan. Vacuum expert Emily Rairdin at University Vacuum & Sewing says that three to five years is the typical life expectancy for the robot vacuum, but this can vary significantly depending on how often you use it, and whether you take care of it in a proper manner.
To be able to function a robot vacuum, it has to be able to map your floors and navigate around obstacles. Advanced navigation systems typically have cliff sensors that alert the robot to a steep drop as well as laser and optical sensors that allow it to "see" the layout of a room. Certain robots also have mopping functions that are specifically designed for them, which can be useful to keep floors clean between deep cleanings using the use of a stand-up vacuum.
The most efficient 2-in-1 robots vacuum and mop, allowing you to bypass the need to switch between a robot and a manual vacuum. A prime example is the iRobot Roomba 690, which is a powerful and highly efficient robot vacuum that can also wipe down surfaces with its water tank and wash the mop pad automatically. Its high-quality mapping and obstacle-avoidance capabilities earned it CR's best robot vacuum award, and an AVTech Editors Choice award.
4. Cleaning Patterns
The best robot vacuums that we tested have impressive pickup scores on hard floors and carpets with a low pile. They remove dust, dirt and pet hair. They also remove dust and crumbs from the edges of rooms and along baseboards. They cannot remove deep-seated dirt or tangles of shag fibers such as an upright or a canister. They cannot pick up spilled liquids or food, or the weight of metal screws. They might also overlook certain areas (including under furniture).
Many models have sophisticated features that make them more user-friendly. They typically come with an app, allowing you to plan cleaning times and operate the robot remotely. They can be integrated into your smart home system so that you can use voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have multiple modes that let you choose between mopping, sweeping, and vacuuming. They can also recharge at their docks and continue cleaning where they left off.
The technology to avoid obstacles has improved over the years, but it is still necessary to remove cords, toys, and pet mess before you run the robot. Before you map out the room, you'll need to cover all floor-to-ceiling mirrors with cardboard. The lasers used by some models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to bump against the wall or floor.
Some premium models have advanced mapping capabilities, with some using lidar to create an 3D map of your space. This allows the robot to remember obstacles and design the most efficient route to avoid them. Some also allow you to create no-go zones so that the robot is able to avoid certain areas, like your pet's food bowls, or an expensive rug.
5. App Control
Many robots let you set a schedule for cleaning and manage them without hands using an app, which means you can take care of your home when you're at work or away. Some robots can also self-empty their trash into a large bin at the base. This reduces dust release and is a wonderful feature for allergy sufferers.
Certain robots, like the more expensive Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, can even spot objects on the floor and employ a camera to instruct them to avoid obstacles such as furniture legs, power cords or pet toys. This impressive feature is available on even smaller models. However, it's essential to clean your robot's dustbin and check for hairs that have become tangled as they build up.
Some models can also create 3D representations. This is beneficial in the event that you have more than one floor. You can then select specific rooms and set up digital keep-out zones to ensure your robot focuses on what you want it to do, rather than wandering into areas that don't require cleaning.
Robots are great for regular midweek clean-ups but they're not able to replace a full-size plug-in vacuum, especially on carpets. They are better at removing dirt from carpets than bare flooring, but can still miss piles near baseboards and thresholds as well as strangling cords and socks. Look for a robot with spot and zone cleaning modes. This allows you to concentrate on certain areas without having to spend time. You can also find models that charge and then resume the same place they stopped. This is ideal for houses with large spaces.