How to Keep a Robot Vacuum Clean

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

Find models that have smart features such as remote control of apps and remote access. Apps can be used to plan cleaning sessions and track the progress. Some apps allow you to stop, recharge and then resume where they left off.

1. Battery Life

It's safe to say that the future of cleaning is here. With cars that can drive on their own, drones that fly through the air, and robot vacuums that move through furniture effortlessly It is certain that the future is now upon us. But as with any technology it requires some upkeep to keep it running efficiently.

The cycle of charge and discharge for the battery is the most crucial factor in the life of your robotic device. Keep the dustbin filled and empty. Make sure you check for furs that are tangled and prevent the brushes from jamming.

Another factor is the environment in which your robot is stored, because extreme heat and cold can impact battery performance. You can extend the battery's life by ensuring it is charged to 50% prior to storage, storing it in an environment that is cool and taking it off of power sources when not in use. Most smart devices also have periodic firmware updates that can optimize performance and battery optimization. Check the app to see if there are any updates.

For those with many hard floors, a robotic vacuum is a good choice. It can take away dirt and debris quickly and efficiently and leave your floors sparkling. If you want more than a simple clean-up, you should look for a model that has superior navigation and obstacles avoidance.

Our top-rated robot The Ecovacs Deebot T20, combines advanced navigation with an impressive suction system and a wide range of mopping functions to deliver a thorough, deep clean of your floors. It uses LiDAR cameras and sensors to create detailed maps of your home. This helps it stay on track and avoid getting stuck in furniture legs or power cables. It also can detect objects such as shoes and clutter to automatically clean them. And it's self-emptying, 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 an electric vacuum cleaner for deep cleaning. Even the best robot vacuums are susceptible to getting tangled in cords and toys. They also tend to overlook dirt piles near the baseboards, and struggle to eliminate 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 could take as long as 30 minutes for some models.

Therefore, it's crucial to select a vacuum that has a big dust bin that can be emptied into its dock without having to return to finish the job. You'll also want to consider whether you'd prefer bagged or unbagged models and, if you opt for a bagless version, how much dust will it hold before it has to be cleaned.

In our experiments, we put 100 grams of sand onto carpet with a medium pile and utilized a robot vacuum cleaner to clean the sand. We then weigh the amount of sand that we find in the vacuum's dust bin to determine the amount dirt it has collected. A large amount of dirt indicates that the bin could be filled up faster and could force your robot to pause its cleaning process, or worse, stop working altogether.

The good news is that many top robot vacuums come with an enormous dust bin that can easily be emptied, and you can schedule them to empty into their bases at least once per day or more. Keep a container filled with compressed air on hand to blow out hairs that have become tangled in the rotating brush and to clean the filters in accordance to the manufacturer's instructions.

3. Wi-Fi Connectivity

The top robot vacuums have many connectivity options to connect with your home's Wi-Fi. This lets the robot download and install updates to its software, and gives you the option to monitor your robot using an app or via voice-activated commands. Although not required this feature can be useful and personalization features that improve the overall experience for robot vacuuming.

The majority of models require some form of regular maintenance, such as emptying the dust bin and cleaning the brush roll, to ensure they are operating at peak efficiency. A regular schedule of cleaning, detaching and checking consumable components will also increase the life of their components. Vacuum expert Emily Rairdin at University Vacuum & Sewing states that three to five years is the standard lifespan of a robot vacuum. However, this can differ greatly based on how often you use it, and whether you maintain it properly.

A robot vacuum must be able to navigate around obstacles and determine the floor's layout in order to function. Advanced navigation systems have sensors for cliffs, which warn the robot of steep drops. They also have laser and optical sensors that help "see" the layout of a room. Some robots come with a mopping function that can be used to maintain floors between deep cleanings by using the use of a vacuum.

The most effective 2-in-1 vacuums also mop. This means you don't have to switch between an automatic vacuum and an manual one. One example is the iRobot Roomba 690, which is a powerful and highly efficient robot vacuum that is able to clean up surfaces using its water tank and wash the mop pad automatically. Its superior mapping and obstacle-avoidance skills made it the best robot vacuum award, and an AVTech Editors choice award.

4. Cleaning Patterns

The best robot vacuums in our tests have impressive performance on hard floors and low-pile carpets, removing dirt, dust, and pet hair. They also sweep away dust and crumbs from the edges of rooms and along baseboards. They cannot remove deep-seated dirt or tangles of shag fibers, like an upright or a canister. They can't pick-up spilled liquids, food items, or use heavy metal screws. They might also overlook certain areas (including under furniture).

Many models come with intelligent features that make them more user-friendly. They usually come with an app, allowing you to plan cleaning times and operate the robot remotely. They can also be integrated with your smart-home system so you can use the robots with voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have multiple modes that let you choose between mopping, sweeping, and vacuuming. They can return to their docks for a recharge and pick up where they left off.

The technology for avoiding obstacles has advanced over the years, but it is still necessary to remove cords, toys and any pet debris prior to running the robot. You should also cover any floor-to-ceiling mirrors with cardboard before tracing the room for the first time, because the laser used by certain models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to hit the floor or wall.

Some premium models use lidar to create 3D maps of your surroundings. This helps the robot remember obstacles and design the most efficient path around them. Some models also let you create no-go zones so that the robot can avoid specific areas, like 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. Some robots also have the ability to self-empty into a larger container at their base which can reduce dust release and is an excellent feature for allergy sufferers.


Some robots, like the pricier Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, can even detect objects on the floor and use a camera to teach them to avoid obstacles like power cords, furniture legs or pet toys. This is a remarkable feature, and it's even available in cheaper models. It's crucial to regularly empty your robot's dustbin and check for tangled hairs as they build up.

Certain models can also create 3D representations. This is useful when you have more than one floor. You can then choose specific rooms and set up digital zones for keeping out to ensure that your robot is focused on what you want it to focus on, rather than wandering into areas that don't require cleaning.

robot vacuum reviews are good for midweek cleaning, but they aren't able to replace a plug-in vacuum particularly when it comes to rugs. They are better at removing dirt embedded in carpets than floors that are unfinished, but they're still unable to pick up piles of debris close to baseboards and thresholds, as well as tangled socks and cords. Look for a robot with zones and spot cleaning modes. This allows you to concentrate on certain areas without having to spend time. There are also models that charge and resume the same place they stopped. This is ideal for large houses.