What to Look For in a Good Robot Vacuum

A quality robot vacuum will help you stay on top of pet hair, lint and dust on a regular basis. Many robot vacuums are compatible with applications that let you schedule cleaning times. You can also set virtual boundaries or 'walls,' to ensure that the vacuum is kept away from areas that you don't want to be cleaned.

This smart vac and mop creates a home map with its first run, memorizing your space for future jobs. It has an extra-large dustbin that automatically emptys, as well as self-cleaning brush roll.

Object Detection

When picking a robot vacuum, look for one that is able to pick up large items, like lamps and toys as well as fine dirt. This will ensure that they don't get caught by the roller brush and don't end up on your floors. This is particularly important if your robot will be cleaned frequently by pets or children.

A model with an engine that is powerful and lots of suction is also an excellent option. This will make it more effective in removing pet hair, lint and dust from your hardwood and carpet floors.

Another factor to consider is the size of your home. If you have a large house, you may want to opt for one with multiple cleaning zones that can clean the entire home in one go. Certain models have mopping features that can be used to keep floors looking clean and fresh.

Robot vacuums are tough however, they must be maintained and cleaned regularly. Cleaning the rotating brushes regularly, emptying your dust bin, and wiping your sensors will ensure that your robot mop is running smoothly for a long time. Many of the owners of robot vacuums we chat with have had the same model for 10 years or more (and have replaced motors, brushes and batteries as they went along).

A basic robot will cost less than a large-sized vacuum cleaner, however they'll still do an excellent job at keeping up with surface dirt, pet hair and lint. You can use them to scrub your floors several times per day. They aren't as technologically advanced and are more susceptible to get stuck or require manual intervention.

Object Avoidance

The top robot vacuums robot make use of cameras, sensors or lasers to navigate your home and avoid getting stuck or falling on the stairs. Certain models are able to return to their dock or base when their batteries are low. They can also avoid obstacles like furniture legs and cords. Some of the most expensive models come with the ability to map, which allows them to learn the layout of your home and spend less time bouncing off walls.

If you don't want to spend the money on the most sophisticated robotic vacuums, you can find one that does an excellent job of picking up pet hair, dirt, dust and dust from floors made of tile and wood as well as low-pile carpets. They also do a decent job of handling larger objects such as metal screws or staples that have rust, or discarded toys. Some come with self-emptying bases, which is useful for those who don't want to empty the trash bin after every clean-up.

Some robotic vacuums have clever features that make the look of a stick vacuum old-fashioned. These include schedules, zone-targeting, and the ability to control them through an app or a voice assistant, like Alexa. You can also set up cleaning zones and virtual walls to block off areas where you do not want the robot to enter.

Some robotic vacuums, like the Eufy 11S or my former top choice, Roborock S8, come with obstacle avoidance technology to stop them from falling over furniture or cords. Others, such as the iRobot Roomba j7+, have more sophisticated AI obstacle avoidance, which uses a camera and processor-powered smarts to see and avoid items like lamp cords, shoes, socks, and pet waste. It's a little more expensive than other bots I've tried, but it does a great job of avoiding obstacles, and never is stuck or derails when I'm working on my floor.

Although the iRobot J7+ was a great obstacle avoidance robot, it didn't always do an excellent job of avoiding dust and crumbs from my rugs. It also had a tendency to over-vacuum certain areas, which resulted in a lot of extra dust in the filter and a less clean house.

Smart Mapping

Some of the best robots vacuums include an app that lets you alter cleaning modes, create schedules, and see a map of the floor area covered by the machine. This is a great feature that other models don't have. It allows you to create profiles which will automatically start the robot at certain times, and keep it running continuously. For example, it could be cleaning the living room each day or before dinner.

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

Find a model that has a large dust bin. This allows you to complete many cleaning sessions without needing empty it. There are also models that are self-emptying that take some of the burden of emptying the machine after each cleaning run.

If you're looking for a machine that can do more than just vacuum, you'll want to look into a model which can mop your floors. They are typically larger than robotic vacuums, and have a water tank that can store multiple cleaning sessions worth of dust and dirt before it needs to be empty.

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 big difference in the efficiency of your robot vacuums, as it won't need to spend time going back to the beginning of the room if it comes across walls or furniture.

Our test participants found that the robots with this feature were very efficient. They could sit and watch television or perform other things while the robot cleaned. Some models use laser navigation to create an outline of your home. You can then program them to clean the bedroom after dinner, or throughout the house while you're working.

App Control

It is recommended to select one that comes with an app for mobile devices in case you wish to alter the frequency of cleaning and vacuums robot choose cleaning mode. In the app, you can check the status of your vacuum as well as its dust bin. Some of the best robotic vacuums can be controlled using Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri Shortcuts.

It is simple to maintain a robot that has an washable filter and self-emptying container, particularly if the filter can be easily cleaned and washed. A powerful brush is another fantastic feature that allows you to reach into corners and along baseboards to remove hair and dirt. Certain robots are better in avoiding chair legs than others. Others have a sensor that automatically cleans brushes to prevent obstruction.

Some robo-vacs have navigation tools to assist them in navigating around obstacles and to learn about your home. The top models come with sensors and cameras that detect obstacles such as furniture, stairs and cords, while cheaper models may use boundary strips you place on the floor to mark off areas you don't want to leave. Avoidance of objects is crucial for families with young children who leave socks and toys scattered around the house, since it assists your robot in capturing these objects instead of scattering them.

More robots are coming with mop heads. This is beneficial for those with hard floors who require to mop frequently. They have a reservoir of water built into their chassis or as a separate piece you swap in when they're ready to mop. They may need to be refilled more often than other types of robots, but they're great for homes with floors made of wood that aren't easily cleaned with a vacuum.

These robots are packed with impressive technology, and they cost a lot less than you'd expect. You can find a decent one for less than $200, and it does a decent job cleaning on hard floors while navigating around the edges of carpets and rug. The robot can be programmed to vacuum specific rooms on a regular schedule. It can also be controlled remotely using an app or by pressing buttons.