What Makes a Good Robot Vacuum?

A quality robot vacuum can save you time and effort when it comes to cleaning your home on a regular basis. But what makes a good one?

Mopping systems like the ones we have here and real-time hazard avoidance technologies tend to be more expensive, but they can also make your cleaner last longer. We'll go over the most effective maintenance and cleaning methods like emptying the trash bin after every use and scrubbing off debris frequently.

Object Detection

A high-quality robot vacuum should be able to recognize and navigate obstacles. The top models use sensors, lasers and cameras to work their way through your living spaces and suck up pet hair, crumbs and dirt from hard floors such as tile and wood as well as low-pile carpets and area rug. Certain of the top models also have mopping capabilities, which allows the mop pads to be swung over the floorboards in order to remove dried coffee spills and pet urine. You'll want to choose a model with Wi-Fi capabilities to organize cleaning schedules and operate the machine from your smartphone. Consider a model with an onboard dust bin that drains into an additional bin at the base. It also washes and dries it's own filter after every cleaning.

If you're willing to pay more than $500 the most expensive robots come with advanced features like home mapping and improved obstacle detection. For example, the premium iRobot J7 series utilizes sensors to map your home while it cleans, and allows you to define specific rooms or areas to be cleaned. It also has fall-detection sensor to prevent the bot from falling down the stairs. Other high-end features include self-emptying recharging docks and the capability to wash your robot's mop pads.

Other models, like the Eufy X10 have smart mapping which recognizes your furniture and walls. The sensor system detects distinctions between soft and hard surfaces, which helps keep your flooring from being scratched or damaged. flooring. It can also detect changes in height (like the stairway or sofa) and the edges of carpets. It also uses lidar to create a map of its environment in real-time, even during night.

Other aspects to look for in a robot mop or vacuum include the dimensions of the dustbin, as well as the battery's life and charging time. A large bin means less trips to empty it, while the longer time to run and faster charging times will mean more cleaning sessions without waiting hours for the robot to charge between sessions. Best robot vacuum cleaner UK of a robot vacuum is measured in Pascal (Pa), with higher numbers indicating more powerful machines. Choose a model with a high Pa rating that is compatible with your floor.

Bases that self-eliminate

A self-emptying vacuum base is great way to add value and convenience to any robot vacuum that is compatible. The base is self-emptying and you don't need to empty the dust bin on the robot vacuum each time. Instead, the dust is transferred to a larger bin at the base. This helps reduce the chance of reintroduction to the home of dust and allergens. It is particularly beneficial for those who have sensitive family members.

The added feature means that you can make use of the robot cleaner more often since you won't be hesitant to use it over and over when you know that you won't have to empty it multiple times during a cleaning session. If you're looking for cleaning robots with this feature, look for one with a large-sized dustbin -- at minimum 400ml.

Robot vacuums are a game-changer for those who have large homes and want to make their cleaning easier. They are great for daily vacuuming, and increasingly mopping. You'll have more time doing other things when you have a robot vacuum at home. Many owners are surprised by how clean their floors appear after using it regularly.


The purchase of a robot vacuum is not expensive, but it's definitely worth it for those who can afford the initial expense. The top robot vacuums are easy to use and can be set up to clean while you're away or at work. Some robot vacuums are programmed to run automatically.

Robot vacuums are a great addition to any home however, they're not perfect. They require manual maintenance. If you don't maintain them in a timely manner, they could be clogged with hair or other debris, which can hinder the machine's performance.

It's easy to maintain your equipment, but it takes some time and effort. Many manufacturers provide instructions on how to maintain their products, and it is recommended to adhere to them closely. Outside of scheduled maintenance, you should also periodically check the robot vacuum's brushroll, making sure that it's not clogged with pet hair or other debris.

Lidar Navigation

In contrast to optical sensor-based systems which require ambient light to navigate, lidar makes use of lasers to measure dimensions and distances for mapping and navigation. This is the reason why robots equipped with this technology are better in avoiding obstacles and cleaning tight areas than those that don't have it.

Depending on the model you have, you can view the maps on the app or make use of the built-in feature to create no-go zones or specific rooms, such as "clean living room and kitchen." The majority of robots equipped with lidar map rooms in minutes, though it may take longer in larger or more complex homes. You'll also want to make sure your robot doesn't see any floor-to-ceiling mirrors that reflect the laser and cause it to perceive a different room or even bump into itself. Before you begin mapping your home, it's best to cover them with drapes or paper.

A good robot vacuum is intelligent enough to avoid traps or tangled objects, even if they are covered by furniture. If the vacuum spots an untidy cable in its route, it will shift direction and take an alternative route. If it finds an hazard that could cause tripping it will stop moving and alert you via the app or via chirping its alarm that is on the device.

While not all robots can do this, the best models are able to do it almost all the time. The iRobot Roomba 694, for example was among the most reliable models in our tests, picking up every speck of coffee grounds and hair it could reach on hardwood flooring. It also impressed when it came to carpet and carpeting, removing only the smallest amount of flour from the corners.

It may not be as powerful as our top pick Roborock Q5 Max+ but it is still a great value. Like the more expensive model it's easy to map out rooms and is easy to navigate, with easy-to-use options to create rooms that are not allowed and a specific selection. Its bin is large so it doesn't have to return to the self-emptying base as often and it can cover a larger area before needing a refill.

Mopping

The most effective robot vacuums are ones that have high-performance for a reasonable price. They excel at cleaning bare flooring and picking up dirt and other debris that toys, furniture and other obstacles have pushed into carpets. However they aren't able to remove dirt that has been buried in carpeting and rugs and tend to leave dust on the edges of baseboards and other edges. This is why a majority of people choose to supplement their main robot vacuum with a separate robot mop to do more thorough midweek cleanups.

There are many kinds of robot mop on the market, ranging from dedicated mops that only mop to hybrid designs that include a dustbin and a water tank. When looking for a robotic mop, choose one that comes with an auto-emptying system. This means that it will empty the dirty water into its clean bin at the end of each cleaning cycle. This makes them simpler to maintain than robo-vacs, which require you to empty small dustbins yourself into a larger container after each use.

Also, you'll need mop pads that detect when it is on carpeting and raise them up enough to prevent the floor from getting wet. Choose a mop which can be programmed so it can draw an outline map and pinpoint areas that require special attention, such as the kitchen or stairs. Many mop-and-vac models have side brushes for more comprehensive cleaning of edges and corners.

The suction power of a robot mop is a different aspect to think about. Many manufacturers offer Pascal (Pa) and the more powerful the Pa the more suction. Certain models come with a Max setting for stubborn dirt.

In terms of the ease of operation and ease of operation, the iRobot Braava Jet X8 Hybrid is our top choice for mop and robot vacuum combination. This machine quickly maps out our test homes and creates no-go zones for hardwood floors and carpets. It also automatically empty the bins with dirty and clean contents in its self-emptying Dock following every mopping session. The only issue is that it cannot reach under our kitchen baseboards. This is a snag that a lot of robotic vacuums and mop shares.