"The Robot Vacuum Best Awards: The Top, Worst, Or Strangest Things We've Ever Seen

How to Keep a Robot Vacuum Clean

Robot vacuums can help keep your floors clean. Depending on the model, they can also sweep, mop, and even vacuum stairs.

Look for models that include smart features such as remote control and app control. You can use apps to schedule cleaning time or monitor progress. Some apps allow you to suspend, recharge and return to where they left off.

1. Battery Life

It's safe to say that the future of cleaning has arrived. With cars that can drive independently, drones that fly through the air, and robot vacuums that mop vacuums that can maneuver around furniture with ease, it is safe to say that the future is here. Like all technologies there is a need for some maintenance to keep it running smoothly.

The cycle of charging and discharging the battery is the most important aspect for the life of your robot. Maintaining the dust bin full and empty, examining for hairs that have become tangled frequently and making sure that the brushes are not jammed will all aid in running your robot more efficiently.

Another aspect is the environment in which your robot is kept, as extreme temperatures and cold can impact the battery's performance. You can prolong the lifespan of your robot's battery by charging it to 50% and then storing it in a cool area. Also, take it away from the power source when it is not in use. In addition, the majority of smart devices receive periodic firmware updates that improve performance, including battery optimization, so be sure to check the app for updates.

A robot vacuum is an excellent alternative for those with many hard floors. It can quickly and effectively take away dirt and other debris and leave your floors sparkling clean. If you're looking for more than just a quick cleaning, you'll need to look for a model with superior navigation and obstacles-avoiding capabilities.

The Ecovacs T20 robot is our top-rated robotic. It combines advanced navigation, powerful suction, and a range of mopping features to provide a deep, thorough clean of your hard floor. It makes use of LiDAR cameras and sensors to create detailed maps of your home. This helps it stay on track and avoid getting caught in furniture legs or power cables. It also can detect objects like clutter and shoes and clean them up automatically. It also self-empties, meaning that you don't have to return the vacuum to its base station to empty its bin after each cleaning session.

2. Dust Bin

Robots are great for quick midweek cleaning but lack the suction to replace a plug-in auto vacuum and mop cleaner for deep cleans. Even the top robotic vacuums can be prone to becoming entangled in cords and toys. They also can ignore dirt piles in the vicinity of the baseboards, and struggle to eliminate crumbs from under furniture. Their dust bins onboard fill up quickly, and they have to go back to their charging stations to empty themselves. This could take as long as 30 minutes for some models.

It is crucial to select a robot vacuum with a large trash bin that can be empty into the dock without having to return to complete the task. You'll also want to consider whether you'd like bagged or unbagged models and, if you choose a bagless option the amount of dust it hold before it needs to be empty.

In our tests we applied 100 grams of sand to carpet with a medium pile and used a robot vacuum cleaner to vacuum the sand off. We then weigh the amount of sand in the onboard dust bin to determine the amount of dirt it has accumulated. A high amount means that the bin could fill up faster and force your robot to stop cleaning.

The positive side is that many high-end robot vacuums have a large dustbin which is easily empty and you can set up the emptying of their bases at least once a day or more. Keep a can with compressed air on hand to blow out hairs that have become tangled in the rotating brush, and to clean any filters according to the instructions of the manufacturer.

3. Wi-Fi Connectivity

The top robot vacuums come with a variety options for connecting to your home's WiFi network. This enables the robot to download and install updates to its software, as well as giving you the option to monitor your robot via an app or through voice-activated commands. While not essential it is a useful feature and a variety of customization options that will enhance your overall robot vacuuming experience.

Most models require some level of regular maintenance, like emptying the dust bin and cleaning the brush roll to keep them functioning at their peak performance. Maintaining a close eye on consumable parts and following a regular schedule of cleaning and detachment will extend their life span as well. Vacuum expert Emily Rairdin at University Vacuum & Sewing says that three to five years is the standard life expectancy for a robot vacuum. However, it can differ significantly based on the frequency you use it and whether you take care of it in a proper manner.

A robot vacuum must be able navigate obstacles and map your floor in order to function. Advanced navigation systems include cliff sensors, which alert the robot to steep drops. They also have optical and laser sensors to help it "see" the plan of a room. Some robots also come with mopping functions that are specifically designed for them, which can be useful for maintaining floors in between deeper cleanings with the use of a stand-up vacuum.

The most effective 2-in-1 vacuums also mop. This means that you won't need to switch between an automatic vacuum and an manual one. The iRobot Roomba 690 is a powerful, highly efficient robot vacuum cleaner that can also clean its mop pad and clean surfaces with its water tank. Its top-quality mapping and obstacle-avoidance abilities earned it CR's best rated robot vacuum robot vacuum award, and an AVTech Editors Choice award.

4. Cleaning Patterns

The top robot vacuums in our tests have outstanding pick-up scores for carpets with low pile and hard floors, removing dirt, dust, and pet hair. They also sweep away crumbs and debris from the edges of rooms and along baseboards. However, they are unable to remove deep-down dirt or tangles in plush shag carpet fibers and also canister or upright vacuums. They can't pick-up spilled liquids, food items, or use the weight of metal screws. They may also leave out certain areas (including under furniture).

Many models are equipped with clever features that make them more user friendly. The majority of models come with an application that lets you schedule cleaning times and remotely control the robot. They also can be integrated with your smart home system, which means you can control the robots with voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have multiple modes, which allow users to choose between mopping and sweeping or vacuuming. They can return to their docks to recharge and continue cleaning where they left off.

Obstacle-avoidance technology has advanced in recent years, but you must still clear out any cords, toys and pet messes prior to operating the robot. You'll also want to cover any floor-to-ceiling mirrors with cardboard before mapping out the space for the first time as the laser used by some models can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to bump into walls or floors.

Some of the top models utilize lidar to create 3D maps of your space. This helps the robot remember obstacles and plan the most efficient path around them. Some robots let you create no-go zones so that the robot avoids certain areas, like your pet's food bowls or an expensive rug.

5. App Control

You can create an agenda for cleaning and control the robots using an app. This allows you to take care of your home while you're at work or away on vacation. Some robots will also empty their trash into a large bin at the base. This can reduce dust release and is a wonderful feature for those suffering from allergies.

Some robots can spot objects on the ground and use cameras as a way to avoid obstacles such as power cords, furniture leg or pet toys. This amazing feature is available on even less expensive models. It's essential to regularly empty the robot's dustbin and examine it for fur that has become tangled as it builds up.

A top-quality model can also store multiple floor maps, which can be beneficial if you live in multiple levels, and some can create 3D models of your home. You can pick specific rooms and set digital "keep-out" zones to ensure your robot only cleans the areas you want.

Robots are great for midweek cleaning, but they aren't able to replace a plug-in vacuum cleaner, especially when it comes to rugs. They are more adept at removing dirt from carpet than bare flooring, but can still miss piles near baseboards and thresholds, as well as tangled cords and socks. Find a robot that has spot and zone cleaning modes. This allows you to concentrate on specific areas without wasting time. There are also models that charge and resume the same place they have left off. This is great for homes with large rooms.