Jade Ketner

How to Keep a Robot Vacuum Clean

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

Look for models with smart features such as remote control and app control. Apps can be used to plan cleaning sessions and keep track of progress. Some apps allow you to pause and recharge, then return to where they stopped.

1. Battery Life

With self-driving cars drones that can navigate the skies, and robot vacuums that swiftly move around furniture, it's safe to say that the future of cleaning is here. As with all technology there is a need for some maintenance to ensure it's running smoothly.

The most important aspect in the longevity of your robot is the cycle of discharge and charge. Keeping the dust bin full and empty, examining for tangled hairs regularly and preventing the brushes from becoming stuck will help your robot run more efficiently.

The conditions that your robot is stored may influence the performance of your battery. Extreme heat and cold could affect the battery's performance. You can extend the lifespan of your robot's battery by charging it up to 50% and storing it in a cool place. Also, take it away from the power source when not using it. In addition, the majority of smart devices have periodic firmware updates that improve performance, such as battery optimization. So make sure to check your app for any updates that are available.

A robot vacuum is a fantastic option for those who have a lot of hard flooring. It will remove dirt and debris quickly and efficiently leaving your floors sparkling. However, if you're looking to do more than just a quick clean-up, you'll want look for a model with superior navigation and obstacle avoidance.

Our top-rated robot The Ecovacs Deebot T20, blends advanced navigation, an impressive suction system and a variety of mopping functions to provide a thorough, deep clean of your floors. It uses LiDAR cameras and sensors to create detailed maps of your home. This allows it to keep its course and avoid getting stuck in furniture legs or power cables. It can also identify items like clutter and shoes and clean them up automatically. It also self-empties, meaning you don't need to return the vacuum back to its base station to empty its bin after each cleaning session.

2. Dust Bin

Robots are great for quick midweek cleanups, but they don't have the suction power to replace the power of a plug-in vacuum cleaner when it comes to deep cleans. In addition, even the most powerful robot vacuums can be caught in cords and toys and snooze on piles of dirt that are close to the baseboards, and struggle with crumbs under furniture. And, their onboard dustbins get so full that they must return to their charging docks in order to self-empty, which can take up to half an hour for certain models.

It is crucial to select the right robot vacuum best vacuum that has an ample dust bin which can be emptied into the dock without having to return to complete the task. You'll also want to consider whether you'd prefer a bagged or bagless model, and if you do choose a bagless model, how much dust will it hold before it has to be empty.

In our tests we applied 100 grams of sand onto a medium-pile carpet surface and utilized a robot vacuum cleaner to remove the sand. Weighing the amount of sand in the vacuum's dust bin onboard allows us to determine the amount dirt that has been accumulated. A high amount means that the bin could fill up faster and force your robot to stop cleaning.

The positive side is that many premium robot vacuums feature a large dustbin which is easily empty, and you can schedule the emptying of their bases at least once per day or more. It's also a good idea to keep a can of compressed air in your bag to blow out hairs that have tangled in the rotating brush and clean any filters as suggested by the manufacturer.

3. Wi-Fi Connectivity

The top robot vacuums have various connectivity options to connect with your home's Wi-Fi. This enables the robot vacuum and mop to download and install updates to its software, and allows you to monitor your bot via an app or via voice-activated commands. This feature isn't essential, however it provides convenience and customization options that can enhance your robot's overall vacuuming experience.

To ensure they are running at their best automatic vacuum cleaner the majority of models require some level of maintenance. For example emptying the dustbin and cleaning the brushroll. Keeping tabs on consumable parts and a regular schedule for cleaning and detachment will increase their lifespan as well. Emily Rairdin, a vacuum expert at University Vacuum & Sewing, says that a robot's lifespan is typically between three and five years. However, this can vary based on the frequency you use it and if you take care of it.

A robot vacuum has to be able navigate obstacles and map your floor to work. Advanced navigation systems typically have sensors for cliffs that alert the bot to a steep drop and laser and optical sensors that allow it to "see" a room's layout. Certain robots also have a specialized mopping function, which can be useful for maintaining floors in between deeper cleanings with an upright vacuum.

The best 2-in-1 vacuums also mop. This means that you won't need to switch between an automatic vacuum and an manual one. A prime example is the iRobot Roomba 690, which is a powerful and efficient robot vacuum that can clean surfaces with its water tank and wash its mop pad in a way that is automatic. Its high-quality mapping and obstacle-avoidance abilities earned it CR's best robot vacuum award, and an AVTech Editors Choice award.

4. Cleaning Patterns

The best robot vacuums we tested had impressive pick-up scores on hard floors as well as carpets with low pile. They get rid of dirt, dust and pet hair. They also get rid of debris and crumbs from the baseboards and at the edges of rooms. However, they are unable to get rid of deep down dirt or tangles in plush shag carpet fibers and also canister or upright vacuums. They also aren't able to remove spilled liquids and food, or heavy metal screws and may also be unable to reach certain areas of the home (including under furniture).

Many models have clever features that make them more user-friendly. Many models have an app that lets you schedule cleaning sessions and remotely control the robot. They can also integrate with your smart-home system, which means you can control them via voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have multiple modes, allowing you to select between mopping and sweeping, or vacuuming. They can return to their docks to recharge and continue cleaning the area they left.

The technology for avoiding obstacles has improved over years, but it is still important to take away cords, toys and any pet mess before you run the robot. Before you map out the space, it is recommended to cover all ceiling-to-floor mirrors with cardboard. The laser employed by some models can bounce off reflective surfaces causing the robot to bump against the wall or floor.

More premium models have advanced mapping capabilities, with some making use of lidar to create an 3D map of your surroundings. This helps the robot to identify obstacles and create an efficient path around them. Some models also let you define no-go zones, so the robot will not be able to enter certain areas, such as your pet's food bowls, or a rug that is expensive.

5. App Control

You can set up a schedule for cleaning and manage the robots using an app. This lets you take care of your home while you're at work or away on vacation. Certain robots also have the ability to self-empty into a larger bin in their base which helps reduce dust re-release and is an excellent option for those suffering from allergies.

Some robots can spot objects on the ground and employ cameras as a guide to avoid obstacles like power cords, furniture legs or pet toys. This impressive feature is available on even smaller models. It's essential to regularly empty the dustbin of your robot and examine it for fur that has become tangled as it builds up.

A high-end model is also able to store multiple floor plans, which are beneficial if you live in more than one floor and some models can even create 3D representations of your home. You can then select specific rooms and set digital keep-out zones to ensure that your robot stays focused on what you want it to, rather than wandering into areas that you don't need to clean.

Robots are great for midweek cleanups however they aren't able to replace a full-size plug-in vacuum, particularly for carpets. They're better at removing dirt that's embedded in carpet than floors that are unfinished, but they can still miss piles of debris near baseboards and thresholds, as well as cords and socks that have become tangled. Choose a model that has spots and zones cleaning modes. This will allow you to concentrate on specific areas without having to spend time. There are also models that can charge and resume where they left off. This is great for houses with large spaces.