What Makes a Robot Vacuum Cleaner Best?

top rated robot vacuum come with a a powerful motor and a set of bristles or rollers that are durable. They also have large dustbins and large battery life.

Certain models use smart mapping to map homes, and they can be able to pause, recharge and resume cleaning right where they stopped. They can even create no-go zones and recognize different surfaces.

Object Avoidance

Object detection is a key feature for robot vacuums because it allows them to avoid running into small items like socks, toys, cords or shoes that are not on the floor, but rather on furniture. The systems utilize cameras built into the system to identify objects that are 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 measure the distance and depth of surrounding objects) and 3D Structured Light (beaming a pattern of light onto the room and analyzing the distortion of light to create an image) to efficiently steer away from obstacles.

Artificial intelligence and visual interpretation are a more recent addition to robot obstacle avoidance. They allow robots to better comprehend and recognize what they come across. This software uses two cameras to observe the world and analyze it in real time. This software is used by the ECOVACS DEEBOT to detect up 30 different objects, such as cables and shoes.

Some models use LiDAR for navigation. This technology emits lasers, and determines the amount of time it takes to bounce off surfaces in order to create a 3-D map. This is useful in finding furniture, walls, and even stairs. It might not be effective in dim lighting or with reflective or transparent objects.

No matter what sensors or cameras are used, a good battery life is essential to ensure that your robot will be able to completely fill your home without needing to return to its dock to recharge. Look for models that can run for at least an hour or more, depending on the size of your living space.

Self-Emptying Bases

Certain robot vacuum cleaners have self-emptying bases, which can reduce the frequency with which you have to empty your dustbin. They're considered to be a luxury feature, and usually add to the price of the robot.

The best robots have bases that can either house either a bin or a dust bin that you can open and empty when full. This will reduce the amount of time that you spend thinking about when to empty your trash bin and can make a significant difference when you have a busy household.

All of the robots we tested have self-emptying bases, except the Roomba I3+. This is a shame since this robot is extremely efficient. It had the top mapping results of all the robots we tested, and also has superior navigation capabilities. It also has excellent mower power, as well as docking station which can automatically empty the water tank whenever required.

It isn't equipped with iRobot's sophisticated obstacle avoidance and digital keep-out zone, however it can get tangled up in rugs and cables, and is unable to see the stray shoelaces or socks. It's an excellent choice for a small home which is well-maintained.

Other highlights are its navigation system that includes bump sensors and drop sensor, and the ability to map out your whole house with lasers and cameras. It's also simple to set up, offers numerous settings and modes, and provides an excellent performance in mowing and vacuuming. Its smart-home function allows it to be controlled via voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This makes it easier to operate in the event that you own several tablets or smartphones, and don't want to purchase the traditional remote.

App Controls

Some robots are Wi-Fi compatible that allow you to control them using your smartphone or tablet. This is particularly beneficial in homes with multiple floors. You might need to navigate down a staircase to reach the robot before it can reach the bottom. This will eliminate the need for an additional long cord so you can move furniture without worrying about the robot getting caught in it or running out of power while cleaning.


The app is an important control point for monitoring and scheduling tasks. The app lets you modify your robotic cleaner's power, cleaning modes and levels of water. This feature is particularly useful inside homes that have various floor types, for instance, carpet or tile because you can assign the robot to clean every room with the appropriate power and mode.

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

Some models can automatically empty the dustbin and even wash their mop heads and blow dry between cleaning sessions. This reduces the need for manual maintenance and keeps the robot cleaner running smoothly for a longer time. You can also pick a model that has a longer battery life, which will help you avoid the hassles of recharging mid-cleaning.

Sensors

Many robot vacuums come with sensors that let them navigate through your home. They can work on carpets, area rugs, and hard floors like tile and wood. They're not a substitute to a full-size canister or upright cleaner, but provide superior suction and a great method to keep your floor clean between deep cleanings.

Sensors let the robot navigate around your home by detecting obstacles and avoiding falling off stairs. You can also set up virtual and physical "no go" zones using boundary strips or virtual wall (like those employed by Eufy) to prevent the robot from entering certain areas within your home. Some robots also have cliff sensors that warn you when the robot is close to running into an edge.

The type of navigational system robot employs is determined by your budget and the layout of your home. Some of the most advanced robotic vacuums make use of LiDAR sensors to scan and map rooms, ensuring precise and efficient navigation. These systems can be costly but they deliver the best results. Models that are budget-friendly with basic navigation bumps are less precise and can miss some spots. These models are effective in avoidance of major obstacles, but they may miss dirt in crevices or around baseboards.

Look for a model with an extra-large dust container and a long battery life. There are also models that recharge and then resume the same place they left off after they dock to save time. You can get the most value from your robot vacuum in addition to navigation by preparing each cleaning session. Check that all power cords as well as toys and other debris is tucked out from the robot's path. Then empty the bin after each cleaning. Also, wipe down floor vacuum robot charging ports and sensors to keep the robot in good health.

Navigation

The best robot vacuums use mapping technology to create digital maps of your home during the initial cleaning session. It assists them in recognizing the different patterns, like carpets and hard floors, and ensures that all areas are clean. It also stops your robots from cleaning the same areas over and over again to increase efficiency and decrease battery consumption. Many high-end models let you save a map for future use. This is perfect for large homes.

Most robotic vacuums come with some sort of obstacle avoidance system that prevents them from running over cords or socks, or shoes. These sensors do not always detect small objects. Manufacturers added sensors to robots in the past few years. This enabled them to detect and avoid household objects that traditional sensors could not. These include cliff sensors as well as wall sensors that work by reflecting infrared beams of light 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 safely and avoid falling down steps and avoid clutter. Some models even have anti-drop sensors, which automatically stop the robot from colliding with furniture or walls.

LiDAR mapping the most advanced navigation system available is a feature you should look for when buying a robot vacuum. This kind of system makes use of an ejector-type laser that is mounted on top of the robot to map your home. By bouncing infrared beams off of furniture and walls it can determine the layout of your home. This information helps it plan efficient routes and clean your entire house.