How to Keep a Robot Vacuum Clean

Robot vacuums can help keep your floors clean. Depending on the model, they can also sweep or mop stairs.

Find models with advanced features, such as remote access and app control. Apps can be used to plan cleaning sessions and track the progress. Some apps can even suspend and recharge, and then pick up where they left off.

1. Battery Life

It's safe to say that future of cleaning is here. With cars that can drive on their own, drones that fly through the air, and robot vacuums that can maneuver through furniture effortlessly It is possible to say that the future is here. But as with any technology it needs some care to ensure it's running smoothly.

The cycle of charging and discharging the battery is the most important aspect for the life of your robot. Maintaining the dust bin full and empty, examining for tangled hairs regularly, and keeping the brushes from getting stuck will aid in running your robot more effectively.

The location that your robot is stored can also impact battery performance. Extreme heat and cold can affect battery performance. You can prolong the lifespan of your robot's battery by charging it up to 50% and then storing it in a cool place. Also, remove it from the power source when not in use. Most smart devices also have periodic firmware updates which can improve performance and optimize battery. Check the app to see if there are any updates.

A robot vacuum is an excellent alternative for those with lots of hard flooring. It is able to get rid of dirt and debris fast and efficiently, leaving your floors sparkling. But if you're looking for more than a simple cleaning, you'll need to look for a model with superior navigation and obstacles-avoiding capabilities.

Our top-rated robot, the Ecovacs Deebot T20, blends advanced navigation and a powerful suction and a wide range of mopping functions to provide an extensive, thorough clean of your floors. It makes use of LiDAR sensors and cameras to create precise maps of your home. This assists it in staying on track and avoid getting caught on furniture legs or power cords. It can also identify items like shoes and clutter, and clean around them automatically. It also self-empties, meaning you don't need to return the vacuum to its base station to empty its bin every cleaning session.

2. Dust Bin

Robots are excellent for quick midweek cleaning however, they lack the suction power to replace the power of a plug-in vacuum cleaner when it comes to deep cleans. Even the top robotic vacuums are prone to getting caught in cords and toys. They also can ignore dirt piles in the vicinity of baseboards and struggle to get rid of the crumbs that have accumulated under furniture. Their dustbins onboard fill up quickly, and they have return to their charging stations to empty themselves. This can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes for some models.

Therefore, it's crucial to look for a robot hoover vacuum that has a big dustbin that can be empty into its dock without having to return to complete the job. You'll need to determine if you prefer a bagged model or a model that is bagless. If you choose the bagless version, you'll need to know how much dust it will hold before you can empty it.

In our tests we applied 100 grams of sand robot vacuum cleaner on carpet with a medium pile and used a robot vacuum cleaner to clean the sand. Weighing the amount of sand in the dust bin onboard allows us to measure the amount of dirt that has been collected. A large amount of dirt indicates that the bin could be filled up faster and may force your robot to pause its cleaning cycle or, even worse, stop working completely.

It's good to know that many robot vacuums have a large dustbin, which can be easily emptied. You can also set up the cleaning of their bases at least one or two times per day. Keep a bin filled with compressed air on hand to blow out any hairs that are tangled in the rotating brush and to clean any filters in accordance with the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

3. Wi-Fi Connectivity

The top robot vacuums have many connectivity options to connect to the Wi-Fi network in your home. This lets the robot update its software and gives you the option of monitoring your robot through an app or using voice commands. This isn't a necessity, but it offers the convenience of customization and can improve the overall robot vacuuming experience.

To keep them operating at their best they require a certain amount of maintenance. For instance emptying the dustbin and cleaning the brushroll. A regular schedule of cleaning, detaching and checking consumable parts will also extend their life. Vacuum expert Emily Rairdin at University Vacuum & Sewing says that three to five years is the average life expectancy for a robot vacuum. However, this can differ greatly based on how often you use it, and whether you take care to maintain it in a proper manner.

A robot vacuum must be able navigate obstacles and determine the floor's layout in order to function. Advanced navigation systems typically include cliff sensors that alert the robot to steep drops, as well as optical and laser sensors that help it "see" a room's layout. Some robots also have a specialized mopping function which is useful for keeping floors clean between deeper cleanings with an upright vacuum.

The most effective 2-in-1 robots vacuum and mop making it possible to skip the step of having to switch between two types of vacuum. The iRobot Roomba 690 is a powerful, highly efficient vacuum cleaner that is able to wash its mop pad, and clean up surfaces with its water tank. Its high-quality mapping and obstacle-avoidance abilities earned it CR's best robot vacuum cleaner and mop robot vacuum award, as well as an AVTech Editors choice award.

4. Cleaning Patterns

The best rated robot vacuum robot vacuums in our tests have impressive performance on carpets with low pile and hard floors, removing dirt, robot vacuum cleaner dust and pet hair. They also get rid of crumbs and debris along the baseboards and at the edges of rooms. However, they cannot eliminate deep down dirt or tangles of the carpet's shag carpet and also an upright or canister vacuum. They can't pick-up spilled liquids and food items, or use heavy metal screws. They may also overlook certain areas (including under furniture).

Many models have sophisticated features that make them more user-friendly. They usually have an app that allows you to plan cleaning times and operate the robot remotely. They can be integrated with your smart home system so that you can use voice commands through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have different modes that let you select between sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming. They can recharge at their docks and keep cleaning where they left off.

The technology for avoiding obstacles has improved in recent years, however you must still clear out cords, toys, and pet messes before running the robot. Before you map out the space, it is recommended 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 a wall or a floor.

Some premium models have advanced mapping capabilities, with some using lidar to generate a 3D map of your surroundings. This helps the robot remember obstacles and determine the most efficient path around them. Some models also let you define no-go zones, so the robot is able to avoid certain areas, such as your pet's food bowls or an expensive rug.

5. App Control

You can create a cleaning schedule and control the robots with an app. This lets you tidy your home even when you're working or away on vacation. Certain robots also automatically empty their debris into a huge bin at the base. This can reduce dust release and is a wonderful feature for those suffering from allergies.

Some robots can spot objects on the ground and use cameras as a way to avoid obstacles such as power cords, furniture leg or pet toys. This amazing feature is also available on less expensive models. It is essential to regularly empty the dustbin of your robot and also look for fur that is tangled as it accumulates.

Some models can also create 3D representations. This is helpful in the event that you have more than one floor. You can then pick specific rooms and set up digital zones for keeping out to ensure that your robot is focused on what you want it to do, instead of wandering around in areas that don't require cleaning.

Robots are good for midweek cleaning, but they cannot replace a plug-in automatic vacuum cleaner and mop especially when it comes to rugs. They are more adept in removing dirt from carpet than bare flooring, but can still miss piles near baseboards and thresholds as well as strangling cords and socks. To make the most of your robot vacuum cleaners best, look for models with zone and spot cleaning modes to target specific areas and reduce the need for cleaning. You can also find models that charge and then resume the same place they left off. This is ideal for houses with large spaces.