Blog entry by Jade Ketner
robot vacuum cleaners reviews (published here)
A robot vacuum is an effective device to keep your home clean of pet hair, dirt and other dust particles that can cause allergies. They must be maintained regularly for them to work at their best.
Even the most expensive models could be stuck under thresholds for doors, furniture or get tangled up in shoelaces and cords. To keep your robot vacuum running smoothly, you should consider these suggestions:
Object Detection
A good set of sensors to detect obstacles is crucial for robots. They can't reach tight corners or climb stairs and therefore they must be able to detect them. They make it easier for them to avoid running into things and falling over them. Some robots have cliff sensors that bounce infrared light off walls and floor to measure the distance of a drop. If the robot gets close to a ledge or a steep threshold it will back away and return to its original position.
Advanced robots also employ other sensors to detect objects such as furniture legs and wall edges, allowing them to navigate around them with greater precision. They can then vacuum dirt that has accumulated at the edge of furniture or in a room.
You can add additional features to a robot vacuum by selecting one that has an app that allows you to create maps of your home, set up zones of exclusion and schedule cleaning times. Some have an integrated alarm that sounds an alert when it's time to clean the filter or dust bin. These apps allow you to control other functions, like changing the suction and letting the machine clean your carpets, floors or walls by adjusting the settings.
The best robots are able to recognize a wide range of things such as fine dust particles, orzo pasta, metal screws, tangled dog hair and pet hair. They can pick up most wet messes too however they aren't able to do so quite as quickly as a manual automatic vacuum cleaner cleaner.
Your robot is likely to last for years as long as you regularly check and remove any tangled or stuck on hair, empty the dustbin after each cleaning session, and clean any sensors or cameras (and recharge ports if necessary) between cleanings. Ask your manufacturer for directions on how to clean the rotating brushes. You can also replace any components that require replacement. Some manufacturers have even heard tales from people who have used the same robot for over 10 years!
Mapping
It is important that your robot vacuum cleaner is aware of the exact location it will avoid bumping into things or falling down the stairs. This is why mapping technology in robot vacuum cleaners is such an important piece of engineering.
Most robot vacuums will start cleaning immediately after they are turned on. However, more advanced models may map out the entire room or home before they begin cleaning. Usually, you'll be able to see this map within the app that goes with it and make use of it to assist your robot move around more easily.
The robot bounces infrared off the floor to make the map. It then uses that map to determine the distance to it. This helps it identify obstacles such as walls, furniture or a sunken room. It will then back up or change direction if necessary to avoid running into them.
More advanced robots will also have cliff sensors that are designed to detect when the distance between the base of the robot and the floor suddenly changes. This could mean that it's close to the edge of a staircase, for instance, and will reverse up to prevent it from falling over.
In spite of all this however, it's impossible for robots to "see" a staircase or ledge from its own point of view. To avoid obstacles, obstacle-avoidance systems are now a standard feature on many robots to help them weave their way through shoes and toys as well as cords.
Most robots allow you to create your own exclusion zone by drawing virtual boundaries into the app. You can then mark the areas you don't want the robot to move. This is a great option for those who live in a messy home and aren't confident in their robot to avoid things by itself. Be aware that this kind of mapping can take lots of energy, which could mean a shorter robot runtime and a lower performance.
Battery Life
Robots are far more sophisticated than vacuum cleaners. However, they do require a battery. Like any battery it's batteries will decrease over time. Proper care can prolong the lifespan of a robot, such as charging it completely prior to each use and wiping down the docking contacts and the robot using a dry cloth on a regular basis to prevent corrosion. It is also important to avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures and to use it less often.
It is important to note that battery life varies between models. Some models can clean a whole home with just one charge, whereas others are only able to clean a small space or room. It's also important to think about whether the device comes with a charging dock or requires manual plug-ins between cleaning chores, as this could affect the time it takes to charge between runs.
The size of the dustbin is another thing to consider, since smaller bins fill more quickly. If you're looking for a self-emptying bin choose a container that has a minimum capacity of 400ml.
Another way to conserve battery power is to make the robot clean areas that are frequently used by your home more often than rooms that are less frequented, for example by scheduling a daily mowing schedule for your kitchen and mudroom, while still running the whole house on a regular basis. Some robots have a low-power mode that can save battery power for routine tasks.
Avoiding products with a short warranty is another point to keep in mind. These tend to be less reliable. Registering your robot vacuum cleaner with the manufacturer will allow you to take advantage of their customer support and warranty service which will assist you in resolving any issues that may arise over time. It's also worth keeping an eye out for discounts and sales on robotic cleaner and mop vacuums during holidays and other shopping events, since they can be a great opportunity to save money on a quality product.
Connectivity
A robot vacuum mop cleaner robot can cut out the stress that comes with cleaning floors, and more and more models are now able to mop. It's not necessary to carry around a heavy cord or hoses, and a lot can be controlled from a smartphone app (or even voice commands via smart speakers). Certain models let you create virtual barriers that they will keep out of the way; this is ideal for homes that have numerous places to be kept out of like playpens for kids or dog beds.
These machines move autonomously on wheels and suck dirt into their suction areas or into a dustbin that has filters. These machines can be programmed to clean in accordance with an established schedule, or to return to the charging station once they're done.
The majority of robots have a variety of sensors that assist them in navigating and mapping their environments, including sensors for cliffs that warn them when they're nearing the stairs or sunken living spaces as well as lasers to look for walls and furniture. It is important to avoid obstacles, but they are not completely safe. We've seen robots get stuck on shoes or socks or even get caught into curtains tassels.
When it comes to maintenance it is necessary to check the side and brush for tangled hairs from time to time clean and empty the dust bin (if appropriate) after each cleaning session and wipe down any sensors or cameras between sessions. An app that is up-to-date allows you to schedule your robot's cleaning robot mop and vacuum and adjust the intensity.
The iRoborock Q5 Max+ is one of the best robots we've ever tested, and has excellent navigation and mapping across multiple surfaces. It was able to sweep the entire surface of our test home in just over an hour, and avoided all of the obstacles, and didn't miss a lot of dirt and dust in corners. Although the mops didn't remove as much water based debris as we'd like but they still did a great job in general. The app is simple and easy to use and it's compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant for hands-free control. The app allows users to set no-go zones and design customized maps of your home.