How to Keep a Robot Vacuum Clean
Robot vacuums can help keep your floors clean. Depending on the model, they may also sweep, mop and even vacuum staircases.
Look for models with innovative features like remote control of apps and remote access. Apps can be used to schedule cleaning sessions or monitor progress. Certain apps even allow you to suspend and recharge, and then resume where they were when they left.
1. Battery Life
With cars that drive themselves, drones that navigate the skies and robot vacuums that nimbly maneuver around furniture, it's safe to say that the future of cleaning is now here. As with any technology, some maintenance is required to keep it running smoothly.
The cycle of charge and discharge for the battery is the most important factor for the life of your robot. Keep the dust bin filled and empty, checking for hairs that are tangled regularly, and making sure that the brushes are not stuck will make your robot run more efficiently.
Another factor is the environment in which your robot is stored, as extreme temperatures and cold can impact the battery's performance. You can prolong the life of your robot's battery by charging it up to 50% and then storing it in a cool area. Also, disconnect it from the power source when using it. The majority of smart devices also come with periodic firmware updates that can improve performance and optimize battery. Check the app to see if there's any updates.
For those with a lot of hard floors, a robot vacuum is a good choice. It can quickly and effectively get rid of dirt and other debris and leave your floors sparkling clean. However, if you're looking to do more than just a quick cleanup, you'll want to choose a model that has superior navigation and obstacles-avoiding capabilities.
Our top-rated robot The Ecovacs Deebot T20, combines advanced navigation and a powerful suction and a wide range of mopping features to offer an extensive, thorough clean of your hard floors. It uses cameras and LiDAR sensors to create detailed maps of your home. This allows it to stay on the right track and avoid getting caught on furniture legs or power cords. It can also identify items like clutter and shoes and then clean them up. And it's self-emptying, meaning you won't have to return the vacuum to its base station to empty its bin every cleaning session.
2. Dust Bin
Robots are great for quick midweek cleanups, but they don't have the suction capacity to replace an electric vacuum cleaner for deep cleans. Even the most powerful robotic vacuums are prone to getting caught in cords and toys. They also can ignore dirt piles in the vicinity of baseboards and struggle to get rid of dust from under furniture. And, their onboard dustbins get so full that they must return to their charging docks in order to empty themselves, which can take up to an hour for certain models.
As such, it's important to select a vacuum that has a large dustbin and can empty into its dock without returning to finish the job. You'll also want to consider whether you'd prefer bagged or unbagged models If you decide to choose a bagless option, how much dust will it hold before it has to be empty.
In our tests, we placed 100 grams of sand on a medium-pile carpet surface and used a robot vacuum to clean the sand. We then weigh the amount of sand we find in the onboard dust bin to determine the amount dirt it has accumulated. A high amount indicates that the bin onboard could get fuller and force the robot to stop cleaning.
It's a good idea to know that most robot vacuums have a large dustbin, which can be easily emptied. You can also set up that they empty their bases at least one or two times a day. It is recommended to keep a container of compressed air on hand to blow hairs out that have become entangled in the rotating brush and clean any filters according to the guidelines provided by the manufacturer.
3. Wi-Fi Connectivity
The top robot vacuums provide various connectivity options to connect to the Wi-Fi network in your home. This lets the robot download and install updates for its software, as well as gives you the option to monitor your bot via an app or voice-activated commands. cheap robot vacuum isn't a necessity, however it provides convenience and customization options that can enhance the overall robot vacuuming experience.
To ensure they're operating at their best the majority of models require a certain level of maintenance. For example emptying the dustbin and cleaning the brushroll. Maintaining a close eye on consumable components and a regular schedule for cleaning and detachment can extend their lifespan as well. Vacuum expert Emily Rairdin at University Vacuum & Sewing states that three to five years is the standard lifespan of the robot vacuum, but it can differ significantly based on the frequency you use it and if you take care of it properly.
A robot vacuum has to be able to navigate obstacles and determine the floor's layout in order to work. Advanced navigation systems incorporate sensors for cliffs, which warn the bot of steep drops. They also have optical and laser sensors to help it "see" the arrangement of rooms. Certain robots have a mopping function that can be used to keep floors between deep cleanings by using vacuums.
The best 2-in-1 vacuums also mop. This means that you won't have to switch between an automatic vacuum and a manual one. One of the best examples is the iRobot Roomba 690, which is a powerful and highly efficient robot vacuum that can clean up surfaces using its water tank and wash its mop pad automatically. Its obstacle avoidance and mapping abilities were so effective that it was awarded the the CR's Best Robot vacuum Award, as well an AVTech Editors Choice Award.
4. Cleaning Patterns
The top robot vacuums we test have excellent pickup scores on hard floors as well as carpets with a low pile. They get rid of dirt, dust and pet hair. They also remove crumbs and debris along the baseboards and at the edges of rooms. However, they cannot eliminate deep down dirt or tangles of soft shag carpets and also an upright or canister vacuum. They also can't pick up spilled liquids and food, or heavy metal screws and they could miss a few areas of the house (including under furniture).
Many models have smart features which make them more user-friendly. They typically have an app that allows you to plan cleaning times and operate the robot remotely. They can be integrated with your smart home system so that you can use voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Certain models come with multiple modes that let you choose between mopping, sweeping and vacuuming. They can also recharge at their docks and continue cleaning the area they left off.
The technology for avoiding obstacles has improved in recent years, but it is still necessary to clean out cords, toys, and pet messes prior running the robot. Before mapping out the space, it is recommended to cover all ceiling-to-floor mirrors with cardboard. The lasers employed by some models can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to crash against the wall or floor.
Some premium models have advanced mapping capabilities, with some using lidar to create a 3D map of your space. This helps the robot recognize obstacles and devise an efficient route around them. Some robots let you designate no-go zones so that the robot avoids certain areas, such as your pet's food bowls or a rug that is expensive.
5. App Control
Many robots let you create a schedule for cleaning and control them hands-free using an app, which means you can clean your home while you're working or away. Some robots are also able to self-empty into a larger container at their base which helps reduce dust re-release and is a great option for those suffering from allergies.
Certain robots can detect objects on the ground and employ cameras as a way to avoid obstacles like power cords, furniture leg or pet toys. This is an impressive feature, and it's even available in cheaper models. It is essential to regularly empty the dust bin of your robot and also look for fur that is tangled as it builds up.
A top-quality model can also store multiple floor maps, which can be helpful if you live on more than one floor and some models can even create 3D models of your home. You can pick specific rooms, and set up digital "keep-out" zones to ensure your robot only is cleaning the areas you want.
Robots are great for regular midweek cleanups, but they can't substitute for a large-sized vacuum, especially on rugs. They are better at removing dirt from carpet than plain flooring, but they will not pick up piles close to baseboards and thresholds as well as strangling cords and socks. To make the most of your robot, look for models that have spots and zone cleaning modes to focus on particular areas and prevent unnecessary cleaning. There are also models that can charge and resume the same place they left off. This is ideal for homes with large rooms.
