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 stairs.
Look for models with advanced features, such as remote access and app control. Apps can be used to schedule cleaning sessions or keep track of progress. Some can even stop, recharge and then resume where they stopped.
1. Battery Life
It's safe to say that future of cleaning has arrived. With cars that can drive on their own drones that fly through the air, and robotic vacuums that can maneuver through furniture effortlessly, it is possible to say that the future is now upon us. As with any technology it is necessary to maintain it to keep it running smoothly.
The battery's charge-discharge cycles are the most crucial factor in the life of your robot. Keep the dustbin filled and empty. Check for tangled furs and keep the brushes from clogging.
The location in which your robot is stored may influence the battery's performance. Extreme heat and cold may impact battery performance. You can extend the life of your robot's battery by charging it up to 50% and storing it in a cool location. Also, remove it from the power source when it is not in use. Furthermore, many smart devices are equipped with periodic firmware updates that optimize performance, including battery optimization, so make sure to check your app for any available updates.
A robot vacuum is a fantastic option for those who have lots of hard flooring. It is able to quickly and efficiently remove loose dirt and debris, leaving your floors sparkling clean. If you're looking for more than a simple clean-up, look for a model that has superior navigation and obstacle avoidance.
Our top-rated robot The Ecovacs Deebot T20, combines advanced navigation, a powerful suction and a range of mopping features to offer an efficient, deep cleaning of your floors. It utilizes LiDAR sensors and cameras to create precise maps of your home, which helps it stay on track and avoid getting stuck on furniture legs or power cords. It can also identify objects such as clutter and shoes to automatically clean them. And it's self-emptying, meaning you don't need to return the vacuum back to its base station to empty its bin after every cleaning session.
2. Dust Bin
Robots are ideal for quick midweek clean-ups, but they don't have the suction capacity to replace the power of a plug-in vacuum cleaner when it comes to deep cleaning. In addition, even the most powerful robotic vacuums can become tangled with toys and cords, miss piles of dirt close to the baseboards, or struggle with crumbs that have fallen under furniture. The dust bins on their own are so full that they need to return to their charging docks to self-empty, which can take as long as half an hour for some models.
It is essential to select an automated vacuum cleaner with a large dustbin that can be emptied into the dock without needing to return to complete the task. You'll need to decide if you prefer bags or a bagless one. If you opt for the bagless option you'll need to determine the amount of dust it can hold before you can empty it.
In our tests, we placed 100 grams of sand on carpet with a medium pile and utilized a robot vacuum cleaner to clean the sand. We then weigh the amount of sand that we find in the vacuum's dust bin to determine how much dirt it has accumulated. A high amount of dirt suggests that the bin onboard could be filled up faster and could cause the robot to stop the cleaning process or, even worse, stop working completely.
The good news is that a lot of high-end robot vacuums have an enormous dust bin which is easily empty, and you can schedule them to empty their bases at least once a day or more. It is recommended to keep a can of compressed air on hand to blow hairs out that are tangled in the rotating brush and clean any filters according to the guidelines provided by the manufacturer.
3. Wi-Fi Connectivity
The best robot vacuums offer many connectivity options to connect with your home's Wi-Fi network. This allows the robot to update its software and gives you the possibility of monitoring your robot through an app or voice commands. This feature isn't essential, however it provides the convenience of customization and can improve the overall robot vacuuming experience.
Most models require a certain amount of regular maintenance, like emptying the dust bin or cleaning the brush roll to ensure they are operating at peak efficiency. Regularly cleaning, detaching, and checking consumable parts can also prolong their lifespan. Vacuum expert Emily Rairdin at University Vacuum & Sewing says three to five years is the average life expectancy of a robot vacuum. However, this can differ greatly based on the frequency you use it, and whether you maintain it in a proper manner.
A robot vacuum has to be able to navigate around obstacles and determine the floor's layout in order to be able to perform. Advanced navigation systems have cliff sensors, which alert the robot to steep drops. They also have laser and optical sensors to help it "see" the arrangement of a room. Some robots also have mopping capabilities that are specialized that can be helpful to keep floors clean between deep cleanings using an upright vacuum.
The most efficient 2-in-1 robots vacuum and mop and sweep, which means you can bypass the need to switch between the manual and robot vacuum. One of the best examples is the iRobot Roomba 690, which is a powerful and efficient robot vacuum that can also clean surfaces with its water tank and wash the mop pad in a way that is automatic. Its mapping and obstacle avoidance capabilities were so impressive that it won the CR's Best Robot Vacuum Award, as well an AVTech Editors' Choice Award.
4. Cleaning Patterns
The top robot vacuums we tested in our tests have outstanding pick-up scores for hard floors and low-pile carpets and remove dust, dirt and pet hair. They also remove dust and crumbs from the edges of rooms and along baseboards. robotvacuummops cannot remove deep-seated dirt or tangles of plush shag fibers such as an upright or canister. They also aren't able to remove spilled liquids and food, or screws made of heavy metal and they could miss a few areas of the home (including under furniture).
Many models come with smart features that make them more user-friendly. The majority of models include an app that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions, and remotely control the robot. They can also be integrated with your smart home system, so you can use them via voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Certain models come with multiple modes, which allow you to choose between sweeping and mopping or vacuuming. They can also return to their docks for a recharge and pick up where they left off.
Obstacle-avoidance technology has advanced in recent years, however you still need to clear out any cords, toys and pet messes prior to running the robot. Before mapping out the room, you'll want to cover all floor-to-ceiling mirrors with cardboard. The laser used by certain models could bounce off reflective surfaces causing the robot to crash against walls or floors.
More premium models have advanced mapping capabilities, some using lidar to create an 3D map of your space. This helps the robot remember obstacles and design the most efficient path around them. Some robots allow you to designate no-go zones so that the robot avoids certain areas, such as your pet's food bowls, or a costly rug.
5. App Control
Many robots allow you to set a schedule for cleaning and manage them hands-free using an app, which means you can take care of your home while you're working or away. Certain robots are also able to self-empty into a larger bin in their base, which reduces dust re-release and is a great feature for people suffering from allergies.
Some robots are able to detect objects on the ground and employ cameras as a way to avoid obstacles like power cords, furniture legs or pet toys. This is a remarkable feature and is even available in cheaper models. However, it's important to regularly empty your robot's dustbin and check for hairs that are tangled when they begin to accumulate.
Some models can also create 3D representations. This is beneficial if you have more than one floor. You can pick specific rooms and set up digital "keep-out" zones to ensure that your robot only cleans the areas you'd like.
Robots are ideal for midweek cleaning, but they can't replace a plug-in vacuum cleaner, especially when it comes to rugs. They are better in removing dirt from carpet than plain flooring, but they will not pick up piles close to baseboards and thresholds, as well as tangled cords and socks. To make the most of your robot, look for models with spots and zone cleaning options to target specific areas and reduce the need for cleaning. There are also models that recharges and then resumes where it left off which is a huge advantage in a big house.