What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?

The most effective robot vacuums feature a powerful engine and a robust set of bristles or rollers. They also come with large dustbins and a long battery life.

Certain models employ smart mapping to map homes, and they can stop, recharge and then resume cleaning right where they stopped. They can also set up no-go zones and also recognize different surfaces.

Object Avoidance

Object detection is a key feature for robot vacuums since it allows them to avoid running into small objects such as socks, toys, cords, or shoes that aren't on the floor, but instead on furniture. The machines use a built-in camera to recognize objects that are in an AI database and then instruct the vacuum to avoid them. The Eufy S1 Pro uses a combination of sensors, including 3D Time of Flight, which transmits light waves into the room to measure distance and depth of objects, and 3D Structured Light, which emits a pattern of light onto the room and analyzes the distortion of light to create a map, to steer clear of obstacles.

Artificial intelligence and visual interpretation are a newer addition to robot obstacle avoidance. They allow robots to better comprehend and identify what they encounter. The software works with one or two cameras to see the world around them, and analyzes it in real time. The ECOVACS DEEBOT uses this software to detect up to 30 different kinds of objects including cables, shoes, and pet poop.

Certain models also employ LiDAR to navigate. This technology emits laser beams and measures the amount of time it takes them to bounce back off the surrounding surfaces to create a live 3-D map of the surroundings. This is useful in the detection of furniture, walls and even stairs. However, it might not work as well in dim lighting or with transparent or reflective objects.

Whatever sensor or cameras are being used regardless of the camera or sensor, a long battery life is crucial to ensure that your robot will be able to complete the entire house without the need to return to its dock to recharge. Find a model that can run for at least an hour or more, based on the dimensions of your living space.

Self-Emptying Bases

Certain robot vacuum cleaners come with self-emptying bases. This can decrease the frequency you need empty your dustbin. They're considered to be a top feature, and usually add to the cost of a robot.

The most effective robots have bases that can either house either a bin or a dustbin that is easy to open and empty when it's full. This can cut down on the amount of time you spend thinking about when to empty your bin and could make a big difference when you have a busy household.

The robots we examined have self-emptying bases, except the Roomba I3+. This is a shame because this robot performs very well. It got the highest mapping performance of all the robots we tested, and it has great navigating abilities. It also has good mower power and docking station that can automatically empty the water tank if it is required.

It isn't equipped with iRobot's sophisticated obstacle avoidance and digital keep-out zones, but it is prone to getting caught in cables and rugs, and is unable to see rogue shoelaces or socks. It's a great choice for a small house which is well-maintained.

Other highlights are its navigation system that includes bump sensors and drop sensors, as well as its ability to create a map of your entire home with lasers and cameras. It is simple to use, comes with a variety of options and settings, and performs well when mows or vacuuming. Its smart-home feature allows it to be controlled via voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. That can make it easier to use if you have multiple tablets or smartphones and do not want to carry the remote.

App Controls

Some robots can connect to Wi-Fi. This allows you to control them with your tablet or smartphone. This is particularly beneficial for homes with several floors. It is possible that you will have to climb an escalator to reach the robot before it is able to reach the bottom. It also removes the requirement for a long cord, allowing you to move furniture freely without worrying about your robot getting caught up in the cord or running out of energy during cleaning.

The app serves as a central control point to monitor and schedule tasks. The app also allows you to customize your robot cleaner's cleaning mode, power and levels of water. This feature is especially helpful in homes with various types of flooring, including tiles and carpet. You can assign the robot the proper power and cleaning mode to clean each area.


Some models come with an integrated video camera that sends live feeds directly to the app. These models are ideal for pet owners and those with small children who want to keep an eye on the robot as it works. Other smart robots come with sensors that can detect when they've reached the edges of a room, and return to their base to dock. This prevents them from encroaching on an area and makes sure they have cleaned all surfaces within your home.

Some models can empty the dustbin automatically and wash their mop heads and blow dry them between cleaning sessions. This will reduce the necessity for manual maintenance and the robot cleaner will perform better for longer. You can also select a model with a longer battery lifespan that will allow you to avoid the hassles of mid-cleaning recharging.

Sensors

Many robot vacuums come with sensors that allow them to navigate around your home. They can work on carpets, area rugs, and hard floors like tile and wood. They're not the same as a full-size, canister or upright vacuum cleaner, but they provide excellent suction for dirt and dust. They are a fantastic method of keeping the floor clean between deep cleanings using a traditional machine.

Sensors allow the robot to navigate around your home by finding obstacles and also avoiding falling down steps. You can also create physical and virtual "no go" zones using boundary strips or a virtual wall (like those employed by eufy) to prevent the robot entering specific areas within your home. Some robots come with cliff sensors, which warn you when the robot is getting close to crashing into an edge.

The type of navigation system the robot employs is contingent on your budget and home layout. Some of the most advanced robotic vacuums make use of LiDAR sensors to scan and map rooms, ensuring accurate and efficient navigation. These systems can be costly but they deliver the most effective results. The budget-friendly models that have basic bump navigation systems are less precise and could miss some places. These models are good at avoiding major obstacles but can be unable to detect dirt in crevices or around baseboards.

Look for a model with an extra-large dust container and a long battery life. You can also find models that recharge and resume where they left off after they dock to help save time. You can maximize the use of your robot vacuum in addition to navigation by prepping each cleaning session. Check that all power cords and toys are kept out of the path of the robot, and empty the bin every cleaning. Also, clean the charging ports and sensors to keep the robot healthy.

Navigation

The best robot vacuums use mapping technology to create a digital map of your home during the initial cleaning session. It assists them in recognizing patterns like carpets or hard floors, and ensures all areas are cleaned. It also prevents your robots from having to clean the same areas repeatedly and can increase efficiency and decrease battery consumption. A lot of high-end models let you save a map for future use. This is ideal for homes with large spaces.

The majority of robotic vacuums have some kind of obstacle avoidance system that prevents them from running over cords or socks, or shoes. However, these sensors can't always recognize smaller objects. In the past few years, manufacturers began adding additional sensors to their robots, which allowed them to detect and avoid household objects that standard sensor systems couldn't. These include cliff and wall sensors, which work by bouncing infrared light beams off of surfaces to calculate distances.

Certain sensors are built directly into the robot's base however, others require being purchased separately. These sensors generally help the robot navigate in a safe manner and prevent falling down stairs and avoid clutter. Certain models come with anti-drop sensors that automatically stop the robots from hitting furniture and walls.

LiDAR mapping, the most advanced navigation system is a feature that you should consider when purchasing a robot vacuum. It uses an ejector that spins on the robot to map out your home. best rated robot vacuum can map your home by bouncing infrared beams off your walls and furniture. This information then helps it plan efficient paths and clean your entire home.