The Ultimate Glossary Of Terms About Best Robot Vacuum
Best Robot Vacuums
The top robot vacuums are great at picking up pet hair, dust and other debris from hard and carpet floors. However, they leave a lot on the baseboards and furniture.
Many models can be controlled with apps for smartphones, however others require the use of a physical remote to operate. Certain models have advanced features like LiDAR navigation or floor plans that can be modified.
Object Avoidance
The best robot vacuum for the money robot vacuums come with sophisticated navigation systems that allow them to avoid obstacles such as cords, walls and furniture. They also have technology for object-avoidance to recognize pets, toys and other items that could get in the path or get caught in the suction blades. These features can help you save time in cleaning by preventing your robot from being stuck under the couch or behind the bed and making it able to complete its assigned room cleanup more efficiently.
Some of the most advanced robots such as the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra or Samsung Jet Bot AI+ use lasers and cameras to create an outline map. This allows them to navigate more accurately and precisely. They can also detect changes in your living space, such as if you move an item of furniture. This isn't a feature that every robot is equipped with, but it can be a significant improvement in the performance and ease of your new appliance.
Many of the less expensive models rely on basic bump sensors to guide them through your home. They can be useful in a variety of situations, but they can easily get caught up in objects that are too close like shoes and lamp cords. These robots are also less expensive and don't have the ability to learn when obstacles are missed. It is possible to create digital zones around your home to keep certain objects out.
Even the most efficient robot vacuums can get caught up in larger objects, like large dog poop spills or chairs legs. The robot vacuum will not be able to lift large objects and may be forced to push them around or over the edges of the room. This could leave ugly scratches on your floors. If you have a dog or cat, you may have to block their path with a box or furniture. Some robots will allow you to create a virtual barrier within the application.
The more advanced robotic vacuums listed here make use of object detection, which works in low and optimal light conditions to see what's in front of them. The DEEBOT OMNI and X1 OMNI robots, for example, have TrueDetect 3D obstacle avoidance that can detect up to 30 different types of obstacles with optimal lighting.
Self-Emptying Bases
Self-emptying bases can be beneficial, especially if you have allergies or simply don't have time to manually empty the robot vacuum's dustbin at the end of every cleaning session. They can hold between 45 to 60 days of trash, which means they need to be emptied much less frequently than the robot's onboard bin.
Many of the top-rated robotic vacuums have this feature such as the iRobot Roomba i3+ and i7+ models, Shark's AI robot, the Roborock S8, and several others. You'll need purchase the self-emptying base separately unless it is included with the robot.
Aside from cutting down on the time you spend on cleaning bases that self-empty will also help you save money on replacement dust bags and keep your home cleaner. Based on the manufacturer, some bases have separate filters that are able to trap allergens, but they may need to be cleaned out periodically. Always use the manufacturer's recommended filters and accessories to maintain the highest performance.
The suction power of a robot is a different aspect to take into consideration. There isn't a standard power scale utilized by all companies, however some provide Pascal (Pa) which gives you an idea of how the robot performs. In general the higher the Pa rating is, the more powerful the vacuum.
Finally, a good robot should have easy-to-use features and a user's manual that is easy to comprehend. A well-written manual can help you learn about the basics and solve issues that arise, which is essential as these machines aren't cheap robot vacuum cleaner. You should seek out an instruction manual that contains tips on maintenance and setup as well as troubleshooting. If you're using a mobile app to control the robot, you should be able to see the list of available settings and configure them by rooms, zones or floor surfaces. Some apps let you schedule specific cleaning sessions and even command the robot by voice. A few of the top brands let you set virtual no-go zones and create customized cleaning plans. The most effective robots let you save a cleaning schedule and then return to it at any time. Then, if you forget to finish the task the robot will start where it started.
Long-Lasting Batteries
Robot vacuums might not have the same power as the larger upright corded models or cordless stick vacuums, but their motors are energy efficient. The best robot vacuums are able to last for a long time on a single charge of batteries. They also recharge themselves and resume cleaning once they have reached their destination, without having to accompany them there. In our tests, a battery's lifespan of 90-100 minutes is the ideal time for most households, and will allow you to clean an entire house in one step.
The dust bin of a robot vacuum needs to be cleaned out after every couple of cleanings. This is a tedious task, especially when you have a large home or a lot of pet hair and dander to remove from your floors. This is why self-emptying robot vacuums can save you some major frustration. This feature allows the machine to empty its own bin and blow dry and wash its filter after each use, so it's ready for its next cleaning session.
The majority of robot vacuums come with a removable or built-in water tank, which allows them to mop hard surfaces. This is especially beneficial for tiled floors or hardwood floors that require some extra attention between regular vacuuming sessions. These mopping robots don't usually have the same suction power as traditional vacuums and are unable to remove liquid spills.
If you want a robot that can also mop and vacuum, think about a one-stop combo robot such as the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo or the Shark IQ XL. Both of these top picks have excellent performance and offer excellent value. Both models have a high level of suction and have a large self-emptying station. They might not have the advanced navigation capabilities of our top-rated robots so they might not be able tackle the entire house with a single charge.
Another alternative for a hands-free cleaning robot is the Eufy 11S. The cheapest model doesn't include a removable or integrated water reservoir. However, it has a good level of suction (2,500 Pa) and can be used to sweep, mop or spot clean your floors. The 11S isn't an ideal vacuum for furniture or stairs however it can be used to keep your floors clean between manual vacuuming and mopping.
Easy Maintenance
Robot vacuums are great for reducing time and effort but they require daily maintenance. There are some models that require less effort than others. For instance, you can choose a model with a self-emptying base to reduce the number of times you have to empty the trash can manually during cleaning runs. This feature is particularly useful if your pets shed often, or if it's an habit to not remember to clean up and mop.
Most of our top picks have additional features that can cut down on the time needed to clean. These include rotating brushes and suction. You should consider a multi-surface vacuum with a removable mopping pad that's easy to attach and holds well or a vacuum that has LiDAR navigation that detects dirt spots in your home, and slows down to thoroughly clean them.
Certain models let you set a schedule for cleaning and also designate the rooms that need to be cleaned, and even use voice assistants for smart homes to control the vacuum with your voice. Some have advanced software that can learn the layout of your house and navigate around obstacles, but you'll have to pay more for these features.
There are robot vacuum ebay vacuums that will fit into any budget, from the $100 ILife V3s Pro that can work on wood floors only to the $1,600 RoborockQ5 Max+, which can mop and vacuum carpeting and hardwoods. As with everything else that you purchase, if you require more features it will cost more but there are options to suit every budget.
If you're looking for an ordinary bump-and-roll vacuum or one with smart mapping that can clean your washing machine while you're away, we have the ideal robot vacuum for you. This Black and Decker X40 has outstanding object-avoidance technology that allows it to move around furniture and toys without getting stuck. It's also equipped with WiFi and is compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant so you can plan cleaning schedules and remotely control the vacuum.
Read our guide on robotic vacuums as well as our guide to robotic vacuum cleaner deals mops for additional tips. And don't miss the cutoff dates for shipping to ensure that your holiday gift is on time.