What to Look For in a Good Robot Vacuum

A robot vacuum can help keep you on the top of pet hair and lint on a regular basis. Many robot vacuums are compatible with apps that allow you to schedule cleaning sessions. You can also set virtual boundaries or walls, to keep the vacuum away from areas you don't wish to be cleaned.

This mop and vac creates a home map with its first run, storing your space for future use. It has self-cleaning brush rolls and an extra-large dust bin that empties automatically.

Object Detection

When choosing a robot vacuum cleaner, pick one that can clean up large items like toys and lamp cords and dust particles of fine size. This will ensure that they don't become entangled by the roller brush and aren't left behind on your floors. This is especially important if your robot will be regularly cleaned by pets or children.

A model with an efficient engine and plenty of suction is an ideal choice. This will enable it to be more effective in eliminating pet hair, dust and lint from carpets as well as hardwood flooring.

Another factor to consider is the size of your space. If you have a large home, you might want to opt for one with multiple cleaning zones that can cover your entire house in one go. Some models also come with a mopping function that can be used to keep your floors fresh and clean.

Robot vacuums can last a long time however, they must be cleaned regularly and best robot mop vacuum combo properly. Cleaning the rotating brushes and emptying the dust container and wiping the sensors clean on a regular basis will keep your robot running efficiently for the years to be. Many owners of robot vacuums we chat with have owned the same machine for a period of 10 years or more (and replaced brushes, motors and batteries along the way).

A basic robot is less expensive than a large vacuum cleaner. They'll still be able to do a fantastic job of cleaning surface dirt, pet fur and lint. You can use them to sweep your floors several times per day. They do not have as much technology and are more prone to get stuck or require manual intervention.

Object Avoidance

The most effective robot vacuums utilize sensors, lasers, or cameras to help them navigate your home without falling off or getting stuck on the stairs. They are also able to avoid obstacles like furniture legs and cords, and some models can automatically return to their dock or base when they are running low on power. Some of the more expensive models have mapping capabilities, which allow them to learn your home's layout and therefore spend less time bumping against walls.

You don't need to spend a lot of money on the most expensive robotic cleaner and mop vacuums. You can still find models that do a fantastic job of picking up pet hair and dirt from hard surfaces, such as tile, wood, and low-pile rugs. They also can handle bigger debris like metal screws, rusty nails or discarded toys. Some come with self-emptying bases, which is useful in the event that you don't wish to empty the trash bin after every cleaning session.

Many robotic vacuums also come with advanced features that make your regular stick vacuum appear ancient such as scheduling, zone targeting, and the ability to control them via an app or voice assistant like Alexa. You can also create cleaning zones as well as 'virtual walls to block off areas you don't want the robot to venture.

Certain robotic vacuums like the Eufy 11S and my former favorite Roborock S8 Roborock S8, have obstacle avoidance technology that keeps them from getting sucked into furniture or tangling cords. Other models, like the iRobot Roomba j7+, have more sophisticated AI obstacle avoidance, which uses cameras and processor-powered smarts to detect and avoid objects like shoes, lamp cords, socks and pet waste. It is a little bit more expensive than other bots I've tested, but it does a great job of avoiding obstacles and never is stuck or derails when I'm working on my floor.

While the iRobot j7+ was a great obstacle avoidance tool, it didn't always do well in removing dirt and crumbs from my rugs. It also tended to over-vacuum areas, resulting in an abundance of dust in the filter and an unclean home.

Smart Mapping

The best automatic vacuum and mop robot vacuums come with an app that lets you customize cleaning modes and schedules, as well as view an outline of the floor area that the machine covers. This is a very useful feature that many competitors don't have. It allows you to create profiles that automatically start the robot at specified times and continue to run continuously. For example, cleaning the living area every day, or just before dinner.

A good app will also allow you to control your robot via voice commands. Some models support Amazon's Alexa or Google Assistant and can work completely hands-free. You can say "start cleaning" or "change cleaning mode" without having to use the app.

Find a model that has a large dustbin. This allows you to complete many cleaning sessions without having empty it. You can find models that self-empty, which eliminates the requirement to empty the robot after every time you vacuum.

If you're looking for a robot that is more than simply vacuum, you'll need to look at a model that can mop your floors. These are typically larger than the robotic vacuums, and include a water tank inside which can store many cleaning sessions of dirt and other debris prior to having to be empty.

The most advanced robots create their own maps of your home. They can even keep track of the arrangement from one cleaning to the next, which helps them avoid getting lost or trapped in corners. This can make a significant difference in the efficiency of your robot vacuum since it won't have to go back to where it was when it comes across furniture or walls.

Our test subjects who tested the robot that has this feature discovered it to be extremely efficient. They could easily watch TV or complete other chores while the robot was cleaning. Some models employ laser navigation to create an outline of your home. You can then program them to clean the bedroom after dinner, or throughout the house when you're at work.

App Control

If you're looking to change how often the robot cleans your home and choose a cleaning option, it's best to get one that has an app that can be downloaded on mobile. In the app, you can also check the status of your vacuum as well as its dust bin. Some of the most effective robot vacuums can be controlled via voice with Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri Shortcuts.

It is simple to maintain a robot equipped with an washable filter and self-emptying container, particularly when the filter is easily cleaned and washed. Another great feature is a powerful brush that is able to reach into corners and along baseboards making it much easier to remove dirt and hair. Some robots are better at avoiding chair legs than others, and some even have self-cleaning sensors that can prevent the blockage of brushes that could be a problem in other machines.

Some robo-vacs have navigation tools that aid them in navigating obstacles and to learn about your home. High-end models are equipped with sensors and cameras that recognize obstacles such as furniture, stairs and cords, whereas cheaper 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 young children who leave socks and toys scattered across the house, because it allows your robot to grab these objects instead of scattering them.

We're starting to see more robots with mops, which are useful for those who have hard floors and need to clean them regularly. They come with an integrated water tank into the chassis, or an extra piece which you can change out when it's time to mop. These robots might require frequent refills, but are ideal for homes that have hard floors that can't be cleaned easily with a vacuum.

We've seen some incredible technology in these small robots, and they're a lot less expensive than you might think. You can find a decent one for under $200. It does a decent cleaning job on hard floors, while also navigating around the edges of carpets and carpets. You can program the robot to vacuum a room regularly and can be controlled remotely via the app or by pressing buttons on its side.