What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?

The top robot vacuums come with an efficient engine and a durable set of bristles or rollers. They also come with large dustbins and an extended battery life.

Some models map homes using smart mapping, and can stop to recharge, and then resume cleaning where they have left off. They can even define no-go zones, and even identify different surfaces.

Object Avoidance

Object detection is an essential feature for robot vacuums as it allows them to avoid hitting small objects such as shoes, socks or toys that aren't on the floor, but instead on furniture or other objects. The systems utilize a built-in camera to recognize objects that are listed in an AI database, and then teach the vacuum to avoid them. The Eufy S1 Pro, for instance, makes use of a variety of sensors, including 3D Time of Flight (sending light pulses to determine the distance and depth of the surrounding objects) and 3D Structured Light (beaming a pattern of lights onto the room and analyzing the distortion of light to create an image) to effectively steer clear of obstacles.

A recent addition to the arsenal of obstacle avoidance is artificial intelligence and visual interpretation, which allows robots to recognize and comprehend what they're facing. This software works with one or two cameras to view the world around them, and then analyzes it in real-time. The ECOVACS DEEBOT uses this software to detect up to 30 kinds of objects including cables, shoes and pet poop.

Some models use LiDAR for navigation. This technology emits lasers, and measures the time taken to bounce off the surfaces around them to create a 3-D map. This is helpful in detecting walls, furniture and even stairs. However, it may not be as effective in dim lighting or with transparent or reflective objects.

No matter what cameras or sensors are employed, it is important that your robot has a long battery lifespan to be able to complete a home without having to return to the dock for recharge. Choose a model that can run for at least an hour or more, based on the dimensions of your living space.

Bases that self-empty

Some robot vacuum cleaners come with self-emptying bases that can decrease the frequency you must empty your bin. They are considered a premium feature and can increase the price of a robotic vacuum cleaner.


The best robots come with bases that can either house either a bin or a dustbin that is easy to open and empty when it's full. This will reduce the amount of time you're worrying about when to empty your dustbin and can make a significant difference when you have a busy household.

You'll find self-emptying bases on all the robots we've reviewed in our review, except for the bare-bones Roomba I3+, which doesn't have one. This is a shame, as this robot is an extremely strong performer. It has the best mapping results of all the robots we tested, and it has great navigation abilities. It also has good mower power and docking stations that automatically empty the water tank if needed.

It doesn't have iRobot's advanced obstacle avoidance system and digital keep-out zone, but it can become tangled in cables and rugs, and is unable to see the stray shoelaces or socks. It's a great option for a smaller home which is well-maintained.

Other strong points are its navigation technology, which includes bump sensors and a drop sensors, as well as its ability to map out your whole house using cameras and lasers. It's also easy to set up, offers many settings and modes, and also offers excellent mowing and vacuuming performance. Its smart-home feature allows it to be controlled by voice commands made using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This can make it easier to use in the event that you own multiple smartphones or tablets, and don't wish to purchase the traditional remote.

App Controls

Some robots connect to Wi-Fi. This allows you to control them using your tablet or smartphone. This is especially useful in large homes that have multiple floors. It is possible that you will require navigating down a staircase to reach the robot before it is able to reach the bottom. It also removes the need for a lengthy cord, so you can move furniture without worrying about your robot getting caught in the cord or running out of energy during cleaning.

The app functions as central control point for monitoring and scheduling tasks. The app lets you alter the power, cleaning mode and water level of your robotic cleaner. This feature is particularly useful in homes that have various flooring types, such as tile and carpet. You can assign the robot the proper power and cleaning mode for every area.

Some models come with an inbuilt camera that can send live feeds to the app. robot vacuum sale are great for pet owners and people with small children who want to monitor the robot as it functions. Other smart robots come with sensors that detect when they've reached the edges of a room. They then return to their base to dock. This prevents them from overrunning the area and ensures that they've cleaned the surfaces in your home.

Some models can empty the dustbin automatically and wash their mop heads and blow dry between cleaning sessions. This helps reduce the need for manual maintenance and keeps the cleaner in good working order for a longer period of time. You can also pick an option with a longer battery life that will allow you to avoid the hassles of mid-cleaning recharging.

Sensors

Many robot vacuums make use of sensors to navigate your home and work their magic on hard floors such as wood, tile and laminate as well as carpets with low pile and area rugs. They're not a substitute to a full-size canister or upright cleaner, but provide superior suction and are a great method to keep your floor free of dust between deep cleanings.

Sensors assist the robot in navigating your space by finding obstacles and avoiding falling down stairs. They also allow you to define physical and virtual "no-go" zones by using the feature known as boundary strips or virtual walls (like the ones used by Eufy) to prevent the robot from entering specific areas of your home. Certain robots have cliff sensors that alert you when your robot is set to run into an obstacle.

The kind of navigation system that the robot uses depends on your budget and home layout. Some of the most advanced robotic vacuums make use of LiDAR sensors to scan and map rooms, which ensures accurate and efficient navigation. These systems are costly, however they provide the most efficient results. Models that are budget-friendly with basic navigation bumps are less precise and could miss certain spots. These models are effective in avoidance of major obstacles, but they may be unable to detect dirt in crevices or around baseboards.

Look for a model with an extra-large dust bin as well as an extended battery life. You can also find models that recharge and resume where they left off when they dock to help save time. In addition to navigation, you can get the most out of your robot vacuum by making sure you have everything ready for each cleaning session. Make sure that power cords and toys are removed and away from the robot's path, and empty the bin after each cleaning. Clean the charging port and sensors to ensure your robot is in good health.

Navigation

The best robot vacuums create a digital mapping of your home's interior using mapping technology in the first cleaning session. It allows them to recognize the different textures of hard or carpeted floors and ensures all areas are cleaned. It also prevents your robots from having to clean the same areas again and can increase efficiency and reduce battery consumption. A lot of high-end models let you save a map to be used in the future. This is ideal for large homes.

Most robotic vacs have some kind of obstacle avoidance, which prevents them from running into shoes, cords, or socks. However, these sensors do not always detect small objects. Manufacturers added sensors to robots a few years ago. They were able to identify and avoid objects that standard sensor systems could not. These include cliff sensors and wall sensors that work by reflecting infrared beams light off surfaces to calculate distances.

Certain sensors are built directly into the robot's base, while others need to be purchased separately. These sensors generally assist the robot to navigate without danger, avoid falling down steps, and stay clear of clutter. Some models come with anti-drop sensors, which will stop the robot from crashing into furniture or walls.

LiDAR mapping, the most advanced navigation system, is a feature you should look for when purchasing robot vacuum. The system makes use of a spinning sensor mounted on the robot to map out your home. It can map your home by bouncing infrared beams off your walls and furniture. This helps it design efficient routes and clear your entire house.