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 schedule cleaning sessions and track progress. Some even allow you to stop, recharge and then pick up where they stopped.

1. Battery Life

With self-driving cars, drones that navigate the skies and robot vacuum cleaner reviews vacuums that nimbly maneuver around furniture, it's safe to say the future of cleaning is now here. However, as with all technologies, it requires some maintenance to keep it running smoothly.

The most important aspect in the long-term performance of your robot is the battery's charge and discharge cycles. Keep the dust bin filled and empty, examining for hairs that are tangled regularly, and keeping the brushes from getting stuck will make your robot run more efficiently.

Another aspect is the climate in which your robot is stored because extreme heat and cold can affect battery performance. You can prolong the life of your battery by ensuring it's charged to 50% prior to storage, storing in a cool place, and disconnecting it from sources of power when it is not in use. In addition, the majority of smart devices are equipped with periodic firmware updates that optimize performance, including battery optimization, so be sure to check your app for any updates that are available.

A robot vacuum is a fantastic option for those who have lots of hard flooring. It is able to remove dirt and debris quickly and efficiently and leave your floors sparkling. If you're looking for more than just a quick cleaning, you should search for a model with superior navigation and obstacle avoidance.

Our top-rated robot vacuum cleaner best is the Ecovacs Deebot T20, combines advanced navigation with an impressive suction system and a range of mopping features to offer an efficient, deep cleaning of your hard floors. It utilizes LiDAR cameras as well as sensors to create detailed maps of your home. This allows it to stay on course and avoid getting caught in furniture legs or power cables. It can also identify items like clutter and shoes and clean around them automatically. And it's self-emptying, meaning that you don't have to return the vacuum back to its base station to empty its bin after each cleaning session.

2. Dust Bin

Robots are good for quick midweek cleaning however, they lack the suction to replace a plug in vacuum cleaner for more thorough cleaning. Moreover, even the best robot vacuums can be caught in cords and toys and snooze on piles of dirt that are close to the baseboards, or struggle with crumbs under furniture. Their dust bins onboard fill up so fast that they have return to their charging stations to empty themselves. This could take as long as 30 minutes for certain models.

Therefore, it's crucial to select a vacuum that has a large dust bin that can be emptied into its dock without having to return to finish the task. You'll need to decide if you prefer a bagged model or a model that is bagless. If you opt for the bagless model you'll need to know how much dust it will hold before you can empty it.

In our tests we apply 100 grams of sand onto the carpet in a medium pile and employ a robot vacuum to vacuum it over the surface. The amount of sand that is weighed in the dust bin onboard lets us determine the amount dirt that has been accumulated. A large amount suggests that the bin onboard could get fuller and force your robot to stop cleaning.

The positive side is that many top robot vacuums come with an enormous dust bin which is easily empty, and you can schedule them to empty into their bases at least once a day or more. Keep a bin filled of compressed air nearby to blow away hairs that have become tangled up in the rotating brush, and to clean the filters in accordance to the instructions of the manufacturer.

3. Wi-Fi Connectivity

The best robot vacuums offer various connectivity options to connect with the Wi-Fi network in your home. This allows the robot to update its software and provides you with the possibility of monitoring your robot through an app or voice commands. This feature isn't essential, but it does provide convenience and customization options that can enhance the overall robot vacuuming experience.

Most models require some level of routine maintenance, such as emptying the dust bin and cleaning the brush roll to ensure that they function at their peak performance. Monitoring consumable parts and a regular schedule for cleaning and detachment can extend their lifespan as well. Emily Rairdin, a vacuum expert at University Vacuum & Sewing, says that a robot's life expectancy is between three and five years. However, this could vary based on the frequency you use it, and also if you maintain it properly.

To be able to function, a robot vacuum needs to be able to map out your floors and navigate around obstacles. Advanced navigation systems typically have sensors for cliffs that alert the bot to steep slopes as well as optical and laser sensors that allow it to "see" the layout of a room. Certain robots also have mopping functions that are specifically designed for them, which can be useful for keeping floors clean between deeper cleanings with the use of a stand-up vacuum.

The most effective 2-in-1 vacuums also mop. This means that you don't have to switch between an automatic vacuum and manual vacuum. One example is the iRobot Roomba 690, which is a powerful and efficient robot vacuum that can also clean up surfaces using its water tank and wash its mop pad in a way that is automatic. Its obstacle avoidance and mapping capabilities were so impressive that it was awarded CR's best robot vacuum and mop Robot Vacuum Award, along with an AVTech Editors' Choice Award.

4. Cleaning Patterns

The best robot vacuums that we test have excellent pickup scores on hard floors and low pile carpets. They remove dirt, dust and pet hair. They also remove crumbs and debris along the baseboards as well as at the edges of rooms. They cannot remove deep-seated dirt or tangles of plush shag fibers such as canisters or uprights. They also aren't able to remove spilled food and liquids or screws made of heavy metal and may also leave a few spots in the house (including under furniture).

Many models have sophisticated features that make them more user-friendly. Most models come with an app that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and control the robot remotely. They can also integrate with your smart-home system which means you can control them via voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Certain models come with multiple modes, which allow you to choose between mopping and sweeping or vacuuming. They can return to their docks for a recharge and pick up the area they left.

The technology for avoiding obstacles has improved over the years, but it is still essential to get rid of cords, toys and any pet debris prior to running the robot. Before you can map out your space, it is recommended to cover all floor-to-ceiling mirrors with cardboard. The lasers used by certain models could bounce off reflective surfaces, robotic hoovers causing the robot to crash against the wall or floor.

Some premium models use lidar to create 3D maps of your surroundings. This helps the robot remember obstacles and determine the most efficient route to avoid them. Some robots let you create no-go zones to ensure that the robot will avoid certain areas, like your pet's bowls of food or a rug that is expensive.

5. App Control

Many robots let you set a timer to clean and operate their movements hands-free with an app, so you can clean your home while you're working or away. Some robots will also empty their debris into a huge bin at the base. This can reduce dust release and is an excellent feature for allergy sufferers.

Some robots, such as the more expensive Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, can even spot objects on the floor and use a camera to coach them to avoid obstacles like furniture legs, Robot Vacuum Best power cords or pet toys. This amazing feature is also available on smaller models. However, it's important to regularly empty your robot's dustbin and check for hairs that are tangled as they build up.

A high-end model can also store multiple floor plans, which are helpful if you live on more than one level and some models can even create 3D models of your house. You can then pick specific rooms and set up digital keep-out zones to ensure your robot vacuum best is focused on what you want it to focus on, instead of wandering around areas you don't need cleaning.

Robots are great for midweek cleanups but they're not able to substitute for a large-sized vacuum, especially on carpets. They are better at picking up dirt from carpets than bare flooring, but they can not pick up piles close to baseboards and thresholds, as well as strangling cords and socks. To get the most value from your robot, search for a model with spots and zone cleaning options to focus on specific areas and reduce the need for cleaning. There are also models that charge and resume where they have left off. This is ideal for houses with large spaces.