How to Keep a Robot Vacuum Clean
Robot vacuums can help keep your floors clean. Based on the model, they could also sweep, mop, and even vacuum stairs.
Look for models with smart features, such as remote access and app control. You can use apps to schedule cleaning sessions or keep track of the progress. Some apps allow you to pause and recharge, then return to where they left off.
1. Battery Life
It's safe to say that future of cleaning is here. With cars that can drive independently drones that fly through the air and robot vacuums that can maneuver around furniture in a snap, it is certain that the future is now here. However, like all technology, it requires some maintenance to keep it running smoothly.
The cycle of charging and discharging the battery is the most important aspect for the longevity of your robot. Maintaining the dust bin full and empty, examining for tangled hairs regularly, and preventing the brushes from becoming stuck will aid in running your robot more effectively.
Another factor is the climate in which your robot is stored, because extreme heat 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 storing it in a cool place. Also, take it away from the power source when it is not using it. Furthermore, many smart devices are equipped with periodic firmware updates that can improve performance, such as battery optimization. So make sure to check your app for any updates that are available.
A robot vacuum is a great option for those who have many hard floors. It will get rid of dirt and debris fast and efficiently leaving your floors sparkling. However, if you're looking to do more than a simple clean-up, you'll want look for a model with superior navigation and obstacle avoidance.
Our top-rated robot, the Ecovacs Deebot T20, combines advanced navigation, a powerful suction and a wide range of mopping features to offer a thorough, deep clean of your hard floors. It utilizes LiDAR sensors and cameras to create precise maps of your home. This assists it in staying on track and avoid getting caught on furniture legs or power cords. It can also identify objects like clutter and shoes to automatically clean them. It also self-empties, meaning you won't have 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 when it comes to deep cleaning. Moreover, even the best robotic vacuums can get tangled with toys and cords and miss piles of dirt near the baseboards, and struggle with crumbs under furniture. The dust bins onboard are filled quickly that they need to return to their charging stations to empty themselves. This can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes for some models.
As such, it's important to look for a robot vacuum with a large dust bin that can be emptied into its dock without returning to complete the job. You'll want to decide whether you prefer a bagged model or a bagless one. If you opt for the bagless model you'll need to know how much dust it will hold before you empty it.
In our tests we apply 100 grams of sand onto the carpet in a medium pile and employ a robot vacuum to sweep it across the carpet. The amount of sand that is weighed in the vacuum's dust bin onboard lets us determine the amount dirt that has been accumulated. A high amount indicates that the bin onboard could be filled faster and cause your robot to stop cleaning.
The good news is that many premium robot vacuums feature a large dust bin which is easily empty and you can set up them to empty into their bases at least once per day or more. Keep a bin filled with compressed air in your bag to blow away hairs that have become tangled up in the rotating brush, and to clean the filters in accordance to the instructions of the manufacturer.
3. Wi-Fi Connectivity
The top robot vacuums have a variety of connectivity options to connect with your home's Wi-Fi network. This allows the robot to download and install updates for its software, and also allows you to monitor your bot via an app or via voice-activated commands. This isn't a necessity, however it provides convenience and options for customization that can enhance your robot's overall vacuuming experience.
To ensure they are running at their best they require some level of maintenance. For example emptying the dustbin or cleaning the brushroll. A regular schedule of cleaning, detaching and examining consumable parts will also extend their lifespan. Emily Rairdin, a vacuum expert at University Vacuum & Sewing, states that a robot's life expectancy is between three and five years. However, it can vary based on the frequency you use it and whether you take care of it.
To be able to function the robot vacuum, it needs to be able to map out your floors and navigate around obstacles. robot cleaner have sensors for cliffs that alert the bot to steep drops as well as laser and optical sensors that help it "see" a room's layout. Some robots also come with mopping functions that are specifically designed for them, which can be useful for keeping floors clean between deep cleanings using a stand-up vacuum.
The best 2-in-1 robots can mop and vacuum, allowing you to skip the step of having to switch between the manual and robot vacuum. A prime example is the iRobot Roomba 690, which is a powerful and highly efficient robot vacuum that is able to clean up surfaces using its water tank and wash its mop pad automatically. Its high-quality mapping and obstacle-avoidance capabilities made it the best robot vacuum award, as well as an AVTech Editors choice award.
4. Cleaning Patterns
The best robot vacuums that we tested had impressive pick-up scores on hard floors as well as low pile carpets. They remove dust, dirt and pet hair. They also remove particles and crumbs along the baseboards and at the edges of rooms. They aren't able to remove dirt that is deep-seated or tangles of shag fibers like canisters or uprights. They also can't pick up spilled food and liquids or screws made of heavy metal, and they may be unable to reach certain areas of the home (including under furniture).
Many models have clever features that make them more user-friendly. They usually include an app, allowing you to plan cleaning times and operate the robot remotely. They can be connected to your smart home system, to allow voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Certain models come with multiple modes that let you pick between mopping, sweeping and vacuuming. They can recharge at their docks and keep cleaning where they left off.
The technology for avoiding obstacles has improved in recent years, but it is still necessary to clean out toys, cords, and pet messes before running the robot. Before you map out the room, you'll need to cover all floor-to ceiling mirrors with cardboard. The laser used by certain models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to crash against a wall or a floor.
Some of the top models utilize lidar to create 3D maps of your space. This allows the robot to recognize obstacles and devise an efficient route around them. Some allow you to define no-go zones, so the robot is able to avoid certain areas like your pet's food bowls, or a rug that is expensive.
5. App Control
You can create an agenda for cleaning and control the robots using an app. This allows you to clean your home while you're working or on vacation. Some robots will also empty their debris into a huge bin at the base. This helps reduce dust release and is an excellent feature for allergy sufferers.
Certain robots can detect objects on the ground and employ cameras as a way to avoid obstacles like power cords, furniture legs or pet toys. This is a remarkable feature that is offered in less expensive models. However, it's important to regularly empty the dustbin of your robot and look for hairs that are tangled as they build up.
Some models can also create 3D representations. This is helpful in the event that you have more than one floor. You can then choose specific rooms and set digital keep-out zones to ensure that your robot stays focused on what you want it to, instead of wandering around in areas you don't need cleaning.
Robots are ideal for midweek cleaning, but they can't replace a plug-in vacuum cleaner particularly when it concerns rugs. They are more adept at removing dirt from carpets than bare flooring, but they can miss piles near baseboards and thresholds as well as tangled cords and socks. To get the most value from your robot, choose models with spots and zone cleaning modes to focus on specific areas and reduce the need for cleaning. You can also find models that can charge and resume the same place they have left off. This is great for large houses.