What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?
The top robot vacuums have a powerful engine and a robust set of bristles or rollers. They also have adequate dustbins and long battery life.
Certain models map homes using smart mapping, and can pause to recharge and then resume cleaning where they have left off. They can also set up no-go zones, and recognize different surfaces.
Object Avoidance
Object detection is an essential feature for robot vacuums because it helps them avoid getting into small objects like socks, shoes or toys that aren't in the floor but on furniture or other things. The systems utilize an inbuilt camera to detect objects that are in an AI database and then teach the vacuum to avoid them. The Eufy S1 Pro, for example, utilizes a mix 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 lights across the room and then analyzing the light distortion to build a map) to efficiently steer clear of obstacles.
A more recent addition to the obstacle avoidance arsenal is artificial intelligence and visual interpretation, which allows robots to recognize and comprehend what they're facing. This software uses one or two cameras to see the world around them and then analyzes it in real-time. The ECOVACS DEEBOT uses this software to detect up to 30 types of objects such as cables, shoes and pet poop.
Some models utilize LiDAR to navigate. This technology emits lasers and analyzes the time it takes for them to bounce off surrounding surfaces in order to create an 3D map. This is helpful in detecting walls, furniture and even stairs. It may not work well in dim light or with transparent or reflective objects.
No matter what cameras or sensors are employed, 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 to recharge. Pick a model that has an endurance of at least 80 minutes, or more, depending on the size and shape of your home.
Bases that self-eliminate
Some robot vacuum cleaners have self-emptying bases. This can reduce the frequency you have to empty your trash. They're considered a premium feature and typically add to the price of a robot.
The best robots come with bases that are able to hold either bins or a removable dustbin. You can open it and empty it when full. This will save you time by decreasing the amount of time you are occupied with deciding when to empty the dustbin.
The robots we examined have self-emptying bases, except the Roomba I3+. This is a pity because the robot performs extremely well. It has the best results in mapping of all the robots we tested and it has great navigation abilities. It has a good mowing ability and a docking system that will empty the water tank on its own when it is needed.
It lacks iRobot’s advanced obstacle avoidance system and digital keep-out zone, but it is prone to getting caught in rugs and cables, and cannot see the stray shoelaces or socks. That said, it's the perfect choice for a small, well-maintained home.
Other strengths include its aforementioned navigation technology, which includes drop sensors and bump sensors, and the ability to map the entire house with cameras and a laser. It is simple to use, has many options and settings and is a great choice for mows or vacuuming. Another benefit is its smart-home functionality, which enables it to work using voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This makes it easier to use if you have multiple tablets or smartphones and do not want to carry the remote.
App Controls
Some robots can connect to Wi-Fi, which allows you to control them with your smartphone or tablet. This is especially useful for homes with several floors. It is possible that you will have to climb a staircase to reach the robot before it is able to reach the bottom. This eliminates the need for an extra long cord to move furniture with no worries about the robot becoming tangled in it or running out of power while cleaning.
The app functions as central control point for monitoring and scheduling tasks. The app lets you alter the cleaning mode, power and water level of your robotic cleaner. This feature is particularly useful in homes with various flooring types, such as carpet and tile. You can assign the robot the proper power and cleaning mode to clean each floor.
Some models come with cameras built-in that send a live feed to the app. These models are perfect for pet owners and people with small children who want to keep an eye on the robot as it functions. Other smart robots use sensors to know when they've reached the edge of an area and return to their docking station. This stops them from overrunning an area and also ensures that they've cleaned all surfaces in your home.
Certain models can automatically empty the dustbin and wash their mop heads and blow dry them between cleaning sessions. This minimizes the frequency of manual maintenance and helps keep the cleaner performing well for a longer duration. You can also pick a model with a longer battery life which will help you avoid the hassles of recharging mid-cleaning.
Sensors
Many robot vacuums come with sensors that allow them to navigate through your home. They can work on area rugs, carpets, and hard floors like tile and wood. They are not a replacement to an upright or full-size canister cleaner, but offer excellent suction and are a great way to keep your floors clean between deep cleanings.
Sensors let the robot navigate around your home by detecting obstacles, and also avoiding falling down the stairs. They also allow you to set virtual and physical "no-go" zones using a feature called boundary strips or virtual walls (like the ones employed by Eufy) to prevent the robot from entering certain areas of your home. Some robots come with cliff sensors which alert you when your robot is about to fall into the edge of a cliff.
The type of navigational system that robot employs is determined by your budget and the layout of your home. Some of the most advanced robotic vacuums employ LiDAR sensors to map and scan areas, ensuring accurate navigation. self cleaning vacuum are costly, but provide the most efficient results. The budget-friendly models that have basic bump navigation systems aren't as precise and may miss certain spots. They're great for avoiding big obstacles, but they could still fail to spot dirt in crevices and around baseboards.
Pick a model that has an enormous dust bin and long battery life. There are models that recharge and then resume the same place they left off after they dock to help save time. You can make the most of your robot vacuum, in addition to navigation, by making sure that you are prepared for each cleaning session. Check that all power cords, toys, and other debris is tucked out of the path of the robot and empty the bin after each cleaning. Wipe down the charging port and sensors to ensure that your robot is healthy.
Navigation
The top robot vacuums create digital maps of your home with mapping technology during the initial cleaning session. It allows them to recognize textures such as carpets or hard floors, and ensures all areas are cleaned. It also prevents your robots from cleaning the same areas repeatedly and can increase efficiency and decrease battery consumption. A majority of top models allow you to save the map to be used in the future. This is perfect for homes with large spaces.
Most robotic vacuums have some kind of obstacle avoidance system that prevents them from slamming into cords or socks or shoes. However, these sensors can't always recognize smaller objects. Manufacturers started adding sensors to robots a few years ago. This enabled them to recognize and avoid household objects that traditional sensors could not. These include wall and cliff sensors, which operate by bouncing light beams infrared off surfaces to calculate distances.
Certain sensors are built directly into the robot's base, while others must be purchased separately. These sensors generally assist the robot to navigate in a safe manner and prevent falling down steps and avoid clutter. Some models even have anti-drop sensors, which automatically stop the robot from colliding with furniture or walls.
LiDAR mapping is the latest and most advanced navigation technology, and it's an option to look for in the robot vacuum. The system makes use of the spinning sensor on the robot to map out your home. It can map your home's layout by bouncing infrared rays off the walls and furniture. This helps it design efficient routes and clear your entire house.