What to Look For in a Good Robot Vacuum

A good robot vacuum can keep you on top of pet hair, lint and dust on a regular basis. Many use apps that let you schedule cleaning sessions and set virtual boundaries or "walls" to keep them from areas that you don't want to be cleaned.

This mop and vac creates a home map with its first trip, and then it will remember your space for future jobs. It has self-cleaning brush rolls as well as an extra-large dust bin that empties automatically.

Object Detection

When choosing a robot vacuum, look for one that can pick up large objects, such as lamp cords and toys, as well as dust particles. This will ensure that they don't get stuck in the roller brush or strewn across your floor. This feature is especially crucial if your robot is going to be cleaned regularly by pets or children.

It's also a good idea to choose a model with strong motors and plenty of suction power. This will enable it to be more effective in getting rid of pet hair, dust and lint from carpets as well as hardwood floors.

The size of your house is another crucial factor to consider. If you live in a big house, you may prefer models with multiple cleaning zones that can cover your entire house in a single session. Some models also have mopping functions that can be used to keep your floors fresh and clean.

Robot vacuums last a long time however they'll need to be maintained and cleaned regularly. Cleaning the rotating brushes regularly and emptying your dust bin, and wiping the sensors will keep your machine running smoothly for a long time. Many owners of robot vacuums that we have spoken with have had the same model for a period of 10 years or more (and Pure clean robot vacuum changed motors, brushes and batteries along the way).

A basic robot is much less expensive than a large vacuum cleaner. They'll be able to do a fantastic job of cleaning the surface of dirt, pet fur and lint. You can use them to scrub your floors several times per day. They aren't as technologically advanced and are more prone to becoming jammed or requiring manual intervention.

Object Avoidance

The most effective robot vacuums utilize sensors, lasers or cameras to help them navigate your home without getting stuck or falling down the stairs. They also can stay clear of obstacles such as furniture legs and cords, and some models can automatically return to their base or dock when they run out of energy. Some of the more expensive models have the ability to map, which allows them to memorize your home's layout and therefore spend less time bumping against walls.

If you don't want to spend a lot of money on the latest robotic vacuums, you can locate a model that does an excellent job of removing pet hair dirt, dust, and dust from floors made of wood and tile and carpets with low pile. They can also handle larger debris such as nails that are rusty, metal screws or even toys that have been discarded. Some even come with self-emptying bases which is helpful in the event that you don't wish to empty your trash bin after every cleaning session.

The majority of robotic vacuums have smart features that make your standard stick vacuum seem prehistoric with features like schedules, zone targeting and the ability to control them via an app or a voice assistant such as Alexa. You can also set up cleaning zones and virtual walls to block off areas you don't want robots to access.

Some robotic vacuums, such as the Eufy 11S or my former favorite, Roborock S8, come equipped with obstacle avoidance technology to prevent them from tripping over cords or furniture. Some robot vacuums, like the iRobot Roomba j7+ have more advanced AI obstacle-avoidance technology that uses sensors, cameras and smarts to avoid items like lamp cords as well as pet waste. It's a bit more expensive than the other bots I've tested, but it does a great job of avoiding obstacles and rarely gets stuck or derailed while working on my floor.

The J7+ from iRobot was a great obstacle-avoiding robot, but it did not always succeed at avoiding crumbs and dirt on my rugs. It also tends to over-vacuum areas, resulting in an abundance of dust in the filter, and a less-clean house.

Smart Mapping

Some of the top robot vacuums come with an app that allows you to customize cleaning modes, create schedules, and see the floor area covered by the machine. This is a great feature that other models don't have. This allows you to create profiles that will automatically start your robot vacuum with docking station at specific time intervals and run it on a regular basis, like cleaning your living room prior to dinner or every other day.

A good app will also let you control your robot via voice commands. Certain models can be controlled by Amazon's Alexa or Google Assistant and can work completely hands-free. You can say "start cleaning" or "change cleaning mode" without using the app.

Choose a model that has a large dust bin. This will allow you to perform many cleaning sessions without needing to empty it. You can find models that self-empty, eliminating the requirement to empty the machine after each vacuuming session.

If you're looking for a robot that does more than vacuum, you should consider the models that have a mopping function. These are usually bigger than the robotic vacuums and come with a water tank inside which can store many cleaning sessions of dirt and debris before needing to be cleaned.

Robots that are more advanced can develop their own maps and remember the layout of your home from one cleaning session to the next, preventing them from getting lost or stuck. This can make a significant difference in the efficiency of your robot vacuum, because it won't need to return to where it started when it encounters furniture or walls.

Our test subjects who tested the robot that has this capability found it to be extremely efficient. They could watch TV or complete other chores while the robot cleaned. Some models use laser navigation to create an outline of your home. You can then program them to clean your bedroom after dinner, or in all rooms while you're working.

App Control

If you're looking to change the frequency at which the robot cleans your home and choose a cleaning mode, it's best to get one that works with an app for mobile devices. Within the app, you can also examine the status of your vacuum as well as its dust bin. Some of the best vacuums that are robotic can be controlled using Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri Shortcuts.

It is simple to maintain a robot equipped with a washable filter and a self-emptying container, especially if the filter can be easily cleaned and pure clean robot vacuum washed. A powerful brush is another fantastic feature that allows you to reach into corners and along baseboards for removal of dirt and hair. Some robots are more adept at avoiding chair legs than others, and some also have an auto-cleaning sensor that helps prevent the blockage of brushes that could be a problem in other machines.

Some robo-vacs have navigation tools to aid them in navigating obstacles and to learn about your home. The top models come with sensors and cameras that recognize obstacles like furniture, stairs and cords. On the other hand, less expensive models often use boundary strips you place on the floor to mark areas you don't want to leave. Avoidance of objects is particularly important for families with children who leave toys and socks scattered throughout the house, as it allows your robot to grab those items instead of scattering them.

More robots are coming with mop heads. This is great for those with hard floors who need to clean regularly. These robots come with a water tank built into the chassis or an extra piece which you can change out when you're ready to mop. They may need to be filled more frequently than other types of robots, but they're perfect for homes with hard floors which aren't easy to clean with a vacuum.

These robots are packed with impressive technology, and cost much less than you'd expect. You can find a quality one for under $200. It does a decent cleaning job on hard floors, while also navigating around the edges of carpets and rug. The robot can be programmed to Pure Clean Robot Vacuum specific rooms on a regular basis. It can be controlled remotely through an app or by pressing buttons.