How to Keep a Robot Vacuum Clean

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

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

1. Battery Life

With cars that drive themselves drones that can navigate the skies, and robot vacuums that can maneuver around furniture, it's safe say the future of cleaning is now here. As with all technology, some maintenance is required to keep it running smoothly.

The most important factor in the long-term performance of your robot is the cycle of discharge and charge. Keeping the dust bin full and empty, examining for hairs that have become tangled frequently and preventing the brushes from becoming jammed will all aid in running your robot more efficiently.

Another factor is the environmental conditions where your robot is stored, as extreme cold and heat can affect the battery's performance. You can prolong the lifespan of your robot's battery by charging it up to 50% and then storing it in a cool place. Also, remove it from the power source when being used. Most smart devices also have periodic firmware updates that help improve performance and optimize battery. Check the app to see if there's any updates.

For those with many hard floors, a robot vacuum is a good choice. It will take away dirt and debris quickly and efficiently leaving your floors sparkling. If you want more than just a quick clean-up, look for a model with superior navigation and obstacle avoidance.

The Ecovacs T20 robot is our top-rated robot. It is a combination of advanced navigation, powerful suction, and a variety of mopping options to offer an efficient, thorough clean of your hard floor. It uses LiDAR cameras and sensors to create detailed maps of your home. This allows it to keep its course and avoid getting caught in furniture legs or power cables. It also can detect objects like shoes and clutter, and clean them up automatically. It's also self-emptying, so you don't have to return it to its base to empty the bin after each cleaning session.

2. Dust Bin

Robots are great for quick midweek cleanups however, they lack the suction power to replace an electric vacuum cleaner when it comes to deep cleaning. Even the most powerful robotic vacuums are prone to getting caught in cords and toys. They also can overlook dirt piles near baseboards and struggle to remove dust from under furniture. And, their onboard dustbins fill up so quickly that they have to return to their charging docks in order to empty themselves, which can take as long as half an hour for some models.

auto vacuum cleaner is essential to select the right robot vacuum that has a large trash bin which can be emptied into the dock without needing to return to finish the task. You should also consider whether you'd prefer bagged or unbagged models, and if you do choose a bagless option what amount of dust will it hold before it has to be cleaned.

In our tests we apply 100 grams of sand onto an area of medium-pile carpet and use a robot vacuum to vacuum it over the surface. Weighing the amount of sand in the vacuum's dust bin onboard allows us to determine the amount of dirt that has been collected. A large amount of dirt suggests that the bin onboard could be filled up faster and could cause the robot to stop its cleaning process, or worse, stop working altogether.

It's a good idea to know that a lot of robot vacuums come with large dust bins that can be easily emptied. You can also set up them to empty their bases at least two times per day. It's important to keep a can of compressed air handy to blow out hairs that are tangled in the rotating brush. Also, clean any filters as recommended by the manufacturer.

3. Wi-Fi Connectivity


The best robot vacuums offer many connectivity options to connect with the Wi-Fi network in your home. This lets the robot update its software and gives you the possibility of monitoring your robot through an app or voice commands. This feature is not essential however it provides the convenience of customization and can enhance your robot's overall vacuuming experience.

The majority of models require some form of regular maintenance, such as emptying the dust bin or cleaning the brush roll to ensure they are operating at peak efficiency. Monitoring consumable parts and following a regular schedule of cleaning and detachment can extend their lifespan as well. Vacuum expert Emily Rairdin at University Vacuum & Sewing states that three to five years is the standard lifespan of the robot vacuum, but this can vary significantly depending on the frequency you use it, and whether you take care to maintain it in a proper manner.

In order to operate a robot vacuum, it has to be able to map out your floors and navigate around obstacles. Advanced navigation systems include sensors for cliffs, which warn the robot to steep drops. They also have optical and laser sensors to help it "see" the layout of the room. Some robots have a mopping function that can be used to maintain floors between deep cleanings by using vacuums.

The most effective 2-in-1 vacuums also mop. This means that you don't need to switch between an automatic vacuum and manual vacuum. The iRobot Roomba 690 is a powerful, highly efficient robot vacuum cleaner that is able to wash its mop pad and wipe down surfaces using its water tank. Its obstacle avoidance and mapping skills were so good that it was awarded the CR's Best Robot vacuum Award, as well an AVTech Editors' Choice Award.

4. Cleaning Patterns

The top robot vacuums we test have excellent pickup scores on hard floors and carpets with low pile. They remove dust, dirt and pet hair. They also remove crumbs and debris along the baseboards and at the edges of rooms. However, they are unable to eliminate deep down dirt or tangles that are a part of the carpet's shag carpet and also an upright or canister vacuum. They aren't able to pick up spilled liquids, food items, or heavy metal screws. They might also miss certain areas (including under furniture).

Many models have clever features that make them more user friendly. They usually come with an app, which allows you to plan cleaning times and operate the robot remotely. They can also integrate with your smart-home system, so you can use them with voice commands through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have different modes that let you select between mopping, sweeping, and vacuuming. They can recharge at their docks and keep cleaning where they left off.

Obstacle-avoidance technology has improved in recent years, but you must still clear out cords, toys, and pet messes before operating the robot. Before you map out the room, you'll need to cover all floor-to-ceiling mirrors with cardboard. The laser used by certain models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to crash against a wall or a floor.

Certain models that are top of the line use lidar to create 3D maps of your surroundings. This allows the robot to remember obstacles and plan an efficient path around them. Some models also let you define no-go zones, so the robot can avoid specific areas, such as your pet's food bowls, or an expensive rug.

5. App Control

Many robots allow you to set a timer to clean and operate them without hands using an app, meaning you can take care of your home when you're at work or away. Certain robots also have the ability to self-empty into a larger container in their base, which reduces dust re-release and is a great option for those suffering from allergies.

Some robots can spot objects on the ground and utilize cameras as a way to avoid obstacles like power cords, furniture leg or pet toys. This is an impressive capability and is even offered in less expensive models. However, it's important to regularly empty the dustbin of your robot and look 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 floor, and some can create 3D models of your house. You can then select specific rooms and set digital zones for keeping out to ensure that your robot stays focused on what you want it to do, instead of wandering around areas that you don't need to clean.

Robots are great for midweek cleaning, but they aren't able to substitute a vacuum cleaner with a plug-in, especially when it comes to rugs. They are better at picking up dirt from carpets than bare flooring, but they can miss piles near baseboards and thresholds, as well as strangling cords and socks. To get the most out of your robot, look for a model with spots and zone cleaning options to target particular areas and prevent unnecessary cleaning. You can also find a model that recharges and resumes where it left off which is a major advantage in a big house.