What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?
The most effective robot vacuums come with a powerful engine and a durable set of bristles or rollers. They also have large dustbins and long battery life.
Certain models map homes with smart mapping, and can stop to recharge and then resume cleaning where they left off. They can even set no-go zones and identify different surfaces.
Object Avoidance
Object detection is a crucial feature for robot vacuums because it allows them to avoid running into small objects like socks, toys, cords or shoes that are not on the floor, but rather on furniture. The systems utilize an integrated camera to recognize objects in an AI database, and instruct the vacuum to stay clear of them. The Eufy S1 Pro, for instance, makes use of a variety of sensors that include 3D Time of Flight (sending light pulses to determine the distance and depth of the surrounding objects) and 3D Structured Light (beaming a pattern of light onto the space and analyzing the light distortion to build an image) to effectively steer away from obstacles.
Artificial intelligence and visual interpretation are a more recent innovation in robot obstacle avoidance. They enable robots to better comprehend and recognize what they come across. This software utilizes a single or double camera to view the world and analyze it in real time. This software is used by the ECOVACS DEEBOT to detect up 30 different objects, such as shoes and cables.
Certain models also use LiDAR to navigate. The technology emits laser beams and records the time it takes them to bounce back from surrounding surfaces to create a real-time, 3D map of the surrounding. This can be used to identify furniture, walls and even stairs. However, it might not be as effective in low lighting or with reflective or transparent objects.
Whatever sensor or cameras are being used regardless of the camera or sensor, a long battery life is crucial to ensure that your robot can completely fill your home without the need to return to its dock to recharge. Choose a model with an endurance of at least 80 minutes, or longer depending on the dimensions and layout of your home.
Bases that Self-Empty
Certain robot vacuum cleaners have self-emptying bases, which could decrease the frequency you have to empty your trash. They are considered to be a premium feature and can increase the cost of a robotic vacuum cleaner.
The best robots come with bases that can either house bins or a removable dustbin that you can easily open and empty when it’s full. This will save you time by cutting down on the time you are occupied with deciding the time to empty a bin.
All the robots we reviewed have self-emptying bases. The only exception is the Roomba I3+. This is a shame because the robot performs extremely well. It had the top mapping results out of all the robots we tested and has excellent navigation capabilities. It also has good mower power and docking stations which can automatically empty the water tank whenever required.
It doesn’t have iRobot’s advanced obstacle avoidance technology or digital keep-out zones it can get tangled up on cables and rugs and doesn’t have the ability to detect the stray socks or shoelaces. It’s a great choice for a small house that is well-maintained.
Its other strong points include its navigation technology, which includes bump sensors and drop sensors, as well as its ability to map out the entire house with cameras and a laser. It’s also easy to set up, has a wide variety of settings and modes, and provides an excellent performance in mowing and vacuuming. Its smart-home functionality allows it to be controlled with voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. That can make it simpler to use if you have multiple tablets or smartphones and don’t want to grab a remote.
App Controls
Certain robots come with Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing you to control them from your smartphone or tablet. This convenience is especially helpful in large homes with multiple floors, in which you may have to navigate your way down a staircase before the robot is able to get to the bottom. This removes the need for an additional long cord, allowing you to move furniture with no worries about the robot getting caught in it or running out of power while cleaning.
The app functions as an important control point to monitor and schedule tasks. The app also lets you modify your robotic cleaner’s power, cleaning modes and levels of water. This feature is especially helpful in homes that have different types of flooring, like carpet and tile. You can assign the robot the right power and cleaning mode for each area.
Certain models have an inbuilt camera that can send a live feed to the app. These models are perfect for pet owners as well as those with small children who wish to monitor the robot as it works. Other smart robots come with sensors that detect when they’ve gotten to the edge of a room, and return to their base to dock. This prevents them from taking over the area and ensures that they’ve cleaned all the surfaces within your home.
Certain models are able to automatically empty the dustbin, and wash and blow dries its mop heads between cleaning sessions. This eliminates the necessity for manual maintenance and the robot cleaner will perform better over a longer period of time. You can also select a model with a longer battery lifespan that will allow you to avoid the hassles of mid-cleaning recharge.
Sensors
Many robot vacuums use sensors to navigate your home and work on hard floors such as laminate, wood, and tile as well as low pile carpets and area rug. They’re not an alternative to the full-size canister or upright vacuum cleaner, but they provide excellent suction for dirt and dust and can be a great method of keeping the floor free of dirt between deep cleanings with an upright machine.
Sensors enable the robot to navigate around your home, detecting obstacles, and also avoiding falling down steps. They also allow you to set virtual and physical «no-go» zones with the feature known as boundary strips or virtual walls (like the ones employed by eufy) to prevent the robot from entering certain areas of your home. Certain robots also come with cliff sensors, which warn you when the robot is close to crossing an edge.
The type of navigation system the robot uses depends on your budget and layout of your home. Some of the most advanced robotic vacuums employ LiDAR sensors to map and scan areas that ensure accurate navigation. These systems can be costly but they deliver the most effective results. Models that are budget-friendly with basic navigation bumps aren’t as precise and may miss spots. They are great for avoiding major obstacles, but they can still be unable to detect dirt in crevices or around baseboards.
Select a model with a an extensive dust bin as well as long battery life. There are models that recharge and dock, then resume where they left off. This saves time. In addition to navigation it is possible to make the most of your robot vacuum by making sure you have everything ready for each cleaning session. Make sure that power cords as well as toys and other debris are kept out of the path of the robot, and empty the bin every cleaning. Also, clean the charging ports and sensors to keep the robot in good health.
Navigation
The most effective robot vacuums create a digital mapping of your home’s interior using mapping technology in the initial cleaning session. It assists them in recognizing textures such as carpets or hard floors, and ensures that all areas are cleaned. It also prevents your robots from cleaning the same areas over and over again to increase efficiency and reduce the amount of battery used. A majority of top models allow you to save a map for future use. This is ideal for homes with large spaces.
Most robotic vacuums come with some sort of obstacle avoidance system that prevents them from running over cords or socks or shoes. These sensors are not always able to detect smaller items. Manufacturers started adding sensors to robots around a year ago. This enabled them to recognize and avoid household objects that standard sensor systems could not. These include cliff sensors and wall sensors that operate by reflecting infrared beams light off surfaces to determine distances.
Some of these sensors are integrated in the robot’s base while others require you to purchase an additional attachment. These sensors help the robot to move safely and avoid falling down stairs, and stay away from clutter. Some models have anti-drop sensors that automatically stop the robots from crashing against furniture and walls.
LiDAR mapping is the newest and most advanced technology for navigation, and it’s a feature that you should look for in a robot vacuum. It uses an ejector that spins on the robot to map your home. By scattering infrared beams across furniture and walls, it can sense the layout of your home. This information can help it plan efficient paths and clear your entire house.