What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?

The best robot vacuums have a powerful engine and a robust set of bristles or rollers. They also have adequate dustbins and large battery life.

Certain models map homes with smart mapping. They can stop to recharge, and then resume cleaning where they left off. They can even create no-go zones and recognize different surfaces.

Object Avoidance

Object detection is a crucial feature for robot vacuums, since it allows them avoid crashing into small objects such as cords, toys, socks or shoes that aren't on the floor, but on furniture. These systems use an integrated camera to identify objects in an AI database, and instruct the vacuum to stay clear of them. The Eufy S1 Pro, for example, utilizes a mix of sensors including 3D Time of Flight (sending light pulses to gauge the distance and depth of the surrounding objects) and 3D Structured Light (beaming a pattern of lights onto the room and then analyzing the distortion of light to create a map) to ensure that it is away from obstacles.

best robot floor cleaner robotvacuummops and visual interpretation are newer addition to robot obstacle avoidance. They enable robots to better understand and identify what they encounter. This software works with cameras that are either dual or single to see the world around them and analyzes it in real time. The ECOVACS DEEBOT uses this software to detect up to 30 kinds of objects including shoes, cables and pet poop.

Certain models employ LiDAR for navigation. The technology emits lasers and analyzes the time it takes for them to bounce off surrounding surfaces to create a 3-D map. This is able to detect walls, furniture, and even stairs. It might not work in dim lighting or with transparent or reflective objects.

Whatever sensor or cameras are used regardless of the camera or sensor used, a long-lasting battery is crucial to ensure that your robot will be able to completely fill your home without having to return to its dock to recharge. Select a model that has an endurance of at least 80 minutes or longer depending on the dimensions and layout of your home.

Bases that Self-Empty

Some robot vacuum cleaners feature self-emptying bases, which could reduce the frequency with which you have to empty your dustbin. They are considered premium and add to the cost of a robot vacuum cleaner.

The most effective robots have bases that can hold bins or a removable dustbin that you can easily open and empty when full. This can help you save time by cutting down on the time you spend worrying about when to empty a dustbin.

Self-emptying bases are present on all the robots we've reviewed in our review, except for the bare-bones Roomba I3+, which doesn't have a self-emptying base. This is a pity because this robot is extremely efficient. It has the best mapping results of all the robots we tested, and it has superb navigation capabilities. It has a strong mower and docking system that can empty the water tank automatically when needed.

It doesn't have iRobot's advanced obstacle avoidance technology or digital keep-out zones it is hung up on rugs and cables and is unable to see the stray socks or shoelaces. It's still an excellent option for a small, well-maintained house.

Other strong points are its navigation technology that includes bump sensors and a drop sensor, and the ability to make your home a map with lasers and cameras. It's also simple to set up, comes with numerous settings and modes, and offers outstanding mowing and vacuuming performance. Another advantage is its smart-home functionality, which allows it to work using voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. This can make it easier to use if have multiple tablets or smartphones and do not want to carry an additional remote.

App Controls

Some robots connect to Wi-Fi, which allows you to control them using your tablet or smartphone. This convenience is especially helpful in homes with multiple floors, where you may need to walk down a flight of stairs before the robot is able to get to the bottom of it. It also removes the need for a lengthy cord, allowing you to move furniture freely without worrying about your robot getting caught up in the cord or running out of power during cleaning.

The app acts as a central control point to monitor and schedule tasks. The app allows you to customize your robot cleaner's power, cleaning mode and water level settings. This feature is especially useful inside homes that have various floor types, for example, carpet and tile because you can designate the robot to clean each room with the appropriate power and mode.


Certain models come with an integrated video camera that transmits live feeds directly to the application. These models are a great choice for pet owners and those with children who want to keep an eye on the robot while it's in operation. Other smart robots use sensors to detect when they are near the edges of a space and return to their docking station. This stops them from overrunning an area and also ensures that they've cleaned every surface within your home.

Certain models can automatically empty the dustbin and even wash their mop heads and blow dry them between cleaning sessions. This helps reduce the need for manual maintenance and helps keep the cleaner running smoothly for a longer period of time. You can also choose a model with a longer battery life which allows you to avoid the hassle of having to recharge mid-cleaning.

Sensors

Many robot vacuums are equipped with sensors that allow them to navigate through your home. They can work on carpets, area rugs, and hard floors such as tiles and wood. They're not a substitute to an upright or full-size canister cleaner, but they provide excellent suction and a fantastic way to keep your floors clean between deep cleanings.

Sensors enable the robot to navigate around your home, detecting obstacles, and avoiding falling off steps. They also let you set virtual and physical "no-go" zones by using a feature called boundary strips or virtual walls (like the ones employed by Eufy) to stop the robot from entering certain areas of your home. Some robots have cliff sensors that warn you when your robot is about to run into a cliff.

The kind of navigation system that the robot employs is contingent on your budget and layout of your home. The most advanced robotic vacuums employ LiDAR sensors to scan and map areas that ensure accurate navigation. These systems are costly however they give the most effective results. Cheaper models with basic bump navigation systems are less precise and may miss certain places. These models are effective in getting around obstacles, but they can be unable to detect dirt in crevices or around baseboards.

Pick a model that has an extensive dust bin as well as long battery life. There are models that dock and recharge and then pick up where they left off. This saves time. In addition to navigation and cleaning, you can get the most out of your robot vacuum by making sure you have everything ready for each cleaning session. Check that all power cables, toys, and other debris is tucked out of the robot’s path and empty the bin after each cleaning. Clean the charging port and sensors to keep your 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 that all areas are clean. It also stops your robots from having to clean the same areas repeatedly to increase efficiency and reduce battery consumption. A lot of high-end models let you save the map for future use. This is great for large homes.

Most robotic vacs have some form of obstacle avoidance that stops them from running into cords, shoes, or socks. However, these sensors can't always recognize smaller objects. Some time ago, manufacturers began adding additional sensors to their robots, allowing them detect and avoid household items that conventional sensors couldn't. These include cliff sensors as well as wall sensors that work by reflecting infrared beams light off surfaces to calculate distances.

Some sensors are built directly into the robot's base, while others must be purchased separately. These sensors aid the robot to navigate safely, avoid falling on stairs, and stay away from clutter. Some models have anti-drop sensors that prevent the robots from hitting furniture and walls.

LiDAR mapping, the most advanced navigation system available is a feature you should look for when buying the robot vacuum. The system makes use of a spinning sensor mounted on the robot to map out your home. By bouncing infrared beams off of furniture and walls it is able to determine the layout of your home. This information helps it plan efficient routes and clean your entire home.