10 Tips For Getting The Most Value From Robot Vacuum
How to Find the Best Robot Vacuum
If you don't need advanced features like mapping, and don't mind emptying your dustbin every 60 to 90 days, a basic robotic vacuum could be for you. Select a model with clean and tidy base that is compatible with voice assistants.
It excels at picking up dirt, cat litter and pet hair on tile floors, hardwood floors and carpeting that is lower-pile better than any other vacuum we've tried. It also has the ability to map out and set virtual no-go zones for rooms or areas.
1. Powerful Suction
A robot vacuum can keep clean of the pet hair, dust and dander that accumulates on your floors on a day-to-day basis. It can also cut down on the frequency at which you have to clean your floors, saving your time and effort. The most effective model comes with powerful suction that is able to clean up most mess and leave your home sparkling clean.
Choosing a robot vacuum that can also mop can help you cover more ground by using just one machine. This is especially beneficial in a larger home. Choose models that have a water reservoir either in the chassis or as a separate piece that you put in after vacuuming is complete. You'll have to empty it and fill it up, however, so this is an additional task that will require some extra effort on your part.
In a perfect world it would be ideal to clean your floors before using your robot vacuum, preventing it from hitting anything. However, in the majority of homes, this isn't possible or desirable. The majority of models let you use an app that you can install on your phone to create virtual barriers that the robot can observe. Some include no-go zones, which can be used to mark areas you don't want it access, such as children' rooms or a pile of device cords in the corner.
If you're looking to buy a basic robot vacuum that doesn't have all the bells and whistles, this model made by networking company TP-Link is a good choice. It's quiet, it works on both hard floors as well as low-pile carpets and can be programmed via the app to mop and vacuum at your convenience. It's got a long battery life that can last up to 180 minutes.
2. Easy to operate
In general robot vacuums require little input from you. They utilize navigation tools like sensors, lasers and cameras to maneuver through obstacles and collect food particles, dust and pet hair from flooring, tile carpets, and hardwood. Many have boundary strips that aid in staying within the walls of a room while pricier models can be set to automatically wake up and start cleaning at a predetermined time. Some models even have fall detection technology that prevents tumbling down stairs or getting caught in electrical cords.
If you'd like to control your robot vacuum from the comfort of a couch, you should look for models that can work with voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant. You can also select Wi-Fi models that allow you to begin a cleaning session anywhere using an app. Depending on how big your house is, you may prefer a model with a long-lasting battery and a roomy dustbin that doesn't need to be emptying frequently.
Certain robot vacuums are also mopping. They make use of water reservoirs to clean the floor. This is ideal for mopping, but not ideal for difficult messes such as pet poop or other wet spills. You can choose hybrids that have a removable microfiber mopping pad or a self-emptying option that allows you to stay for up to 60 days without emptying the base.
3. Smart Mapping
Some robots use advanced mapping technology to create a detailed map while they clean. This makes it easier to avoid bumping into furniture and getting caught on cords or legs of chairs. This feature is usually only available on higher-end models, but it's certainly one of the most effective ways to ensure that your robot has an accurate understanding of the layout of your home and knows where to go next when it's running out of battery.
The majority of robots allow you to create virtual barriers. This can be done via an app or physically-based boundary strips. You can block off areas that you don't wish your robot to access, so that it can focus on the rooms that need the most attention.
Many robots can also automatically navigate to different floorings depending on the surface they're cleaning, whether that's changing between carpet and hard flooring or focusing on certain areas of your home, such as corners and baseboards. In our tests this was a helpful feature that improved their performance in picking up carpeting that is low-pile and hardwood. However, it's still important to tuck away furniture and cords that are loose prior to running your robot vacuum so that it doesn't get caught or get into something it shouldn't.
4. Remote Control
Most robot vacuums have WiFi capabilities and can be controlled with voice commands, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa or Siri Shortcuts. Many connect to smart home systems and build a map of your space after each cleaning session so they can "learn" your layout and devise more efficient routes for future runs. Certain models have obstacles avoidance built-in to prevent them from causing damage to furniture or getting stuck on objects like loose charging cables or pet hair.
Robot Vacuum Mops are equipped with a remote control that can be used to guide them around your house. However, most can also be controlled with an app on your mobile that comes with additional options. You can set up multiple cleaning schedules and make an agenda of your most-loved rooms. You can also manually guide the robot using direction arrows.
Certain models have no-go zones. These are virtual barriers that you can set up in the app to prevent the robot from accessing certain areas (like toys for children or dishes and dog beds). Some apps let you draw an image of your home and provide detailed information on the floors. The app we ranked as our top pick, the Roborock S7+, has numerous options to help you tidy your home, however its interface isn't as polished as those from iRobot and Shark.
5. Long Battery Life
Robot vacuums that can sweep your entire home without stopping for a recharge or to empty their bins save time and effort. Certain robot vacuums can work with smart home platforms like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri Shortcuts to allow hands-free operation. They can also build a map of your space and allow you to program them to clean specific areas or rooms and stay clear of obstacles.
Most robot vacuums offer some level of object detection however, higher-end models like the iRobot J7 have advanced features like "home mapping" and advanced obstacle avoidance that will simplify your life (although our test bot did "eat" the socks of a pair). socks). If you're looking to improve the quality of your home maintenance, think about a robot mop with a water container that you can fill and empty.
While none of the models we tested could match the dirt-picking ability of a standup vacuum, they were able to do a fantastic job cleaning hard floors as well as carpets with a low pile. They excel at picking up food crumbs and dirt that has been tracked in. They are also able to handle screws and nuts made of metal, as well as cats' litter. The best robot vacs can effortlessly work around furniture, and they are great at cleaning edges and corners as well. Eufy 11S is a relatively inexpensive and basic model.
6. Convenient Self-Charging
With the proper setup and the right setup, a robotic vacuum can help you keep your home looking and feeling cleaner on a regular basis without much work from you. It is possible to schedule cleanings with the app, and you can create no-go zones so that the robot won't walk on your plants or favorite chair. Many of our top picks also automatically empty their trash bins and clean their docking stations for you.
The best robot vacuums can be programmed to clean your floors on a regular basis for weeks or even months at a stretch, freeing you from the arduous task of manually mopping and sweeping your floors on a daily or weekly basis. This allows you to enjoy more time doing things you like and reduces the amount of time required to clean your floors manually.
In our tests, the Q Revo was able to capture fine particles like baking soda and oatmeal as well as heavier debris such metal screws and nails and even fluffy matter such as hair of pets. It's not equipped with the sophisticated mapping and object avoidance features found in our top picks, but it's sufficient for most families.
The j7's best feature is its ability to spot and avoid obstacles such as power cords and socks, shoes and pet waste. This means that you don't have to clean up before using your robot. However, cluttered rooms may cause your bot to get stuck and do poorly.