What to Look For in a Good Robot Vacuum

A robot vacuum can keep you on top of pet hair and Robot vacuum & mop lint on daily bases. Many robot vacuums are compatible with applications that allow you to schedule cleaning times. You can also set virtual boundaries, or "walls," to keep the vacuum away from areas you don't want to be cleaned.

This smart vac-mop makes an outline of your home using its first run. It then remembers the area for future cleaning jobs. It has an extra-large dustbin that automatically empties and a self-cleaning, brush roll.

Object Detection

When selecting a robot vacuum cleaner, pick one that can pick-up large items like toys and lamp cords and dust particles of fine size. This will ensure they don't get snarled in the roller brush, and aren't left behind on your floors. This feature is particularly important if you have pets or children, and may need to clean the robot on a regular basis.

A model with a powerful engine and lots of suction is also a good option. This will allow it to be more effective in removing dust, pet hair, and lint from carpets as well as hardwood floors.

Another important consideration is the size of your space. If you live in an area that is large, you may want to pick a model that has multiple cleaning zones, so you can clean your entire home in one session. Some models also have mopping functions that can be used to keep your floors looking fresh and clean.

Robot vacuums last a long time, but they'll need to be maintained and cleaned regularly. Cleaning the rotating brushes and emptying the dust bin and wiping down the sensors regularly will ensure that your robot is functioning efficiently for many long time to be. Many of the owners of robot vacuums we have spoken to have been using their machines for 10 years or longer (and have replaced motors, brushes and batteries along with time).

A basic robot will cost you less than a large-sized vacuum cleaner, however they'll do a fantastic job of keeping up with dirt and pet hair, and lint. They're a great maintenance cleaner that you can distribute every week to keep your floor clean. They don't have as much technology and are more prone to get stuck or require manual intervention.

Object Avoidance

The best robot vacs use sensors, lasers, or cameras to guide them around your home without getting stuck or falling down the staircase. Some models can return to their dock or base when the battery is low. They can also stay clear of obstacles such as furniture legs and cords. The more expensive ones often feature mapping capabilities that allow them to remember the layout of your home and spend less time running into walls.

If you don't want splurge on the most advanced robotic vacuums, you can find a model that does a great job of picking up pet hair dirt, dust, and crumbs from hard floors like wood and tile and low-pile carpets. They also do a good job of handling larger objects such as metal screws and staples that are rusty or even discarded toys. Some models even have a self-emptying base, which is useful if you don't want to empty your trash bin after every clean-up.

Some robotic vacuums have clever features that make the look of a stick vacuum quaint. These include schedules, zone-targeting, and the ability to control them via an app or a voice assistant, like Alexa. You can also set up cleaning zones as well as 'virtual walls' to block off areas you don't want the robot to go.

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

The iRobot J7+ was an excellent obstacle avoidance robot however, it didn't always do a great job at avoiding crumbs and dirt on my rugs. It also tended to over-vacuum areas, which resulted in an abundance of dust in the filter and a less clean house.

Smart Mapping

Some of the top robot vacuums have an application that lets you modify cleaning modes, make schedules, and look at the floor area covered by the machine. This is a great feature that many competitors don't have. It allows you to create profiles which will automatically start the robot at specific times and run it regularly. For example, robot vacuum & Mop cleaning the living area every day or before dinner.

A good app will also allow you to control your robot with 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.

For a truly hands-free experience, opt for models with a large dust bin that can hold several cleaning sessions before having to be empty. There are models that self-empty, which eliminates the need to empty the machine after each vacuuming session.

If you're looking to purchase a robot that is more than a vacuum, consider one that has a mopping function. They are typically larger than robotic vacuums and include a tank of water that can store multiple cleaning sessions' worth of dirt and dust before it needs to be empty.

The most advanced robots create their own maps of your house and can even keep track of the layout between cleanings which can help them avoid getting lost or trapped in corners. This can make a significant difference in the efficiency of your robot vacuum because it won't need to go back to where it started when it comes across furniture or walls.

Our testers found that robots with this feature were extremely efficient. They could watch TV or do other things while the robot was cleaning. Some models employ laser navigation to create the map of your home. You can program them to clean your bedroom after dinner, or all rooms while you're working.

App Control

If you'd like to alter how often the robot vacuum & mop cleans your house and select the cleaning mode, it's best mapping robot vacuum to get one that is compatible with an app that can be downloaded on mobile. In the app, you can check the status of your vacuum as well as its dust bin. Some of the most effective robot vacuums can even be controlled via voice with Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri Shortcuts.

It is easy to maintain a robot equipped with the ability to wash the filter and a self-emptying container, especially when the filter can be easily removed and rinsed. A powerful brush is another great feature that can reach into corners and along baseboards to get rid of dirt and hair. Some robots are better in avoiding chairs' legs than others, and some even have a self-cleaning sensor that prevents the obstruction of brushes that may occur in other robots.

Some robot vacuums come with navigation tools to aid them in navigating obstacles and to learn about your home. High-end models are equipped with sensors and cameras that recognize obstacles like stairs, furniture and cords, whereas cheaper models may utilize boundary strips that you place on the floor to mark areas you don't want to leave. Avoidance of objects can be particularly beneficial for families with children who scatter toys and socks all over the house. This can help your bagless robot vacuum collect the items instead of scattering.

We're starting to see more robots that have mops, which are beneficial for those who have hard floors and require to mop them regularly. They come with water tanks built into the chassis or an additional piece that which you can change out when you're ready to mop. These robots may require refilling frequently however, they are perfect for homes with hard floors that aren't cleaned with vacuums.

These robots come with some amazing technology, and cost a lot less than you'd expect. You can find a quality one under $200, which does a decent job cleaning on hard floors, while also navigating around the edges of carpets and area rug. You can program the robot to vacuum rooms every day, and it can be controlled remotely using the app or by pressing buttons on its side.