What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?

The top robot vacuums are equipped with powerful motors and a set of bristles or rollers that are tough. They also have large dustbins and a long battery life.

Certain models map homes with smart mapping, and can pause to recharge and then clean up where they left off. They can set up no-go zones and also determine the different surfaces.

Object Avoidance

Object detection is a crucial feature for robot vacuums as it assists them in avoiding hitting small objects such as shoes, socks or toys, or even cords that aren't found on the floor, but instead on furniture or other items. These systems use an integrated camera to identify objects in an AI database, and then instruct the vacuum to stay clear of them. The Eufy S1 Pro, for example, uses a combination of sensors that include 3D Time of Flight (sending light pulses to determine the distance and depth of nearby objects) and 3D Structured Light (beaming a pattern of lights onto the space and analyzing the distortion of light to create a map) to effectively steer away from obstacles.

A recent addition to the obstacle avoidance repertoire is artificial intelligence and visual interpretation, which allows robots to better identify and understand what they're observing. The software makes use of cameras that are either double or single to view the world and analyze it in real time. The ECOVACS DEEBOT uses this software to detect up to 30 different kinds of objects including shoes, cables and pet poop.

Some models use LiDAR for navigation. The technology emits laser beams and records the time it takes for them to bounce back off the surrounding surfaces to create a real-time, 3-D map of the environment. This is useful in the detection of furniture, walls and even stairs. However, it might not work in dim lighting or when working with reflective or transparent objects.

Regardless of which sensor or cameras are being used regardless of the camera or sensor used, a long-lasting battery is crucial to ensure that your robot is able to complete an entire home without having to return to its dock to recharge. Select a model that has a battery life of at least 80 minutes or more depending on the dimensions and layout of your home.

Bases that Self-Empty

Certain robot vacuum cleaners have self-emptying bases, which can reduce the frequency with which you need to empty your bin. They are considered to be a extra feature and increase the cost of a robot vacuum cleaner.

The best robots come with bases that can either house a bin or a removable dustbin that you can easily open and empty when full. This can save you time by cutting down on the time you spend worrying about when to empty a dustbin.

Self-emptying bases are found on all the robots we've reviewed in our review, except for the bare-bones Roomba I3+, which does not have one. This is a pity because this robot performs very well. It had the best mapping results of all the robots that we tested, and also has superior navigational abilities. It has a strong mower and docking system that will empty the water tank automatically when it is required.

It doesn't come with iRobot's sophisticated obstacle avoidance or digital keep-out zones, though it can get tangled up on rugs and cables and can't see rogue socks and shoelaces. It's a great choice for a small home that's well-maintained.

Its other strong points include its navigation technology, including bump sensors and drop sensors, as well as its ability to map the entire house with cameras and laser. It's also easy to set up, has many settings and modes, and also offers excellent mowing and vacuuming performance. Another benefit is its smart-home connectivity, that allows it to function with voice commands using Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This can make it easier to use if you own multiple tablets or smartphones and don't wish to purchase a traditional remote.

App Controls

Some robots are Wi-Fi compatible that allow you to control them from your tablet or smartphone. This feature is particularly beneficial in large homes with multiple floors, where you may have to navigate through a staircase before the robot can come to the bottom of it. This eliminates the need for an extra long cord so you can move your furniture without worrying about the robot getting tangled in it or running out power while cleaning.

The app serves as a central control point for monitoring and scheduling tasks. The app also lets you customize your robotic cleaner's power, cleaning mode and the water level settings. This feature is especially helpful in homes with various types of flooring, like tiles and carpet. You can assign the robot the right power and cleaning mode for each floor.

Certain models have a built-in camera that transmits a live feed to the app. These models are a good choice for pet owners or people with young children who wish to keep an eye on the robot while it's working. Other smart robots come with sensors that detect when they've gotten to the edge of a room. They then return to their base to dock. This prevents them from taking over the area and ensures that they've cleaned the surfaces of your home.

Certain models can empty the dustbin automatically and wash their mop heads and blow dry between cleaning sessions. This will reduce the requirement for manual maintenance and the robot cleaner will perform better for a longer time. You can also choose an option that has a longer battery life which will help you avoid the hassles of mid-cleaning recharge.

Sensors

A lot of robot vacuums are fitted with sensors that let them navigate through your home. best affordable robot vacuum can work on area rugs, carpets and hard floors like tiles and wood. They're not a substitute to an upright or full-size canister cleaner, but provide superior suction and a great way to keep your floor free of dust between deep cleanings.

Sensors assist the robot in navigating your home by spotting obstacles and avoiding falling down stairs. They also allow you to set virtual and physical "no-go" zones with a feature called boundary strips or virtual walls (like the ones employed by Eufy) to stop the robot from entering specific areas of your home. Certain robots also come with cliff sensors, which warn you when the robot is close to crashing into an edge.

The type of navigational system the robot uses is determined by your budget and layout of your home. The most advanced robotic vacuums use LiDAR sensors to map and scan areas to ensure precise navigation. These systems can be costly but provide the most effective results. Cheaper models with basic bump navigation systems are less precise and may miss certain areas. These models are effective in getting around obstacles, but they can miss dirt in crevices or around baseboards.

Pick a model that has a large dust bin and long battery life. You can also find models that recharge and resume where they left off after they dock, which can save you time. In addition to navigation, you can make the most of your robot vacuum by making sure you have everything ready for each cleaning session. Make sure that all power cords as well as toys and other debris are kept away from the robot's path, and empty the bin every cleaning. Also, clean the sensors and charging ports to ensure that the robot is healthy.

Navigation

The top robot vacuums create digital maps of your home's interior using mapping technology in the initial cleaning session. It assists them in recognizing the different textures, such as carpets and hard floors and ensures that all areas are cleaned. It also stops your robots from cleaning the same areas over and over again and can increase efficiency and reduce the amount of battery used. Many high-end models let you save the map for future use. This is perfect for homes with large spaces.

Most robotic vacuums feature some kind of obstacle avoidance that stops them from running into shoes, cords, or socks. These sensors are not always able to detect smaller objects. Manufacturers started adding sensors to robots around a year ago. This allowed them to identify and avoid objects that standard sensor systems could not. These include cliff and wall sensors, which function by bouncing infrared light beams off surfaces to determine distances.

Some sensors are built directly into the robot's base while others need to be purchased separately. In general, these sensors aid the robot in navigating in a safe manner, avoid falling down steps, and stay clear of clutter. Certain models also include anti-drop sensors that will stop the robot from hitting furniture and walls.


LiDAR mapping is the latest and most advanced navigation technology and is an option to look for in a robot vacuum. The system makes use of an ejector that spins on the robot to map out your home. By bouncing infrared beams off of your walls and furniture it can determine the layout of your room. This helps to plan efficient routes and clean your entire home.