How to Keep a Robot Vacuum Clean

Robot vacuums can help keep your floors clean. Depending on the model, they could also sweep, mop and even vacuum stairs.

Look for models with intelligent features, like remote access and app control. Apps can be used to schedule cleaning sessions and track the progress. Certain apps even allow you to pause and recharge, then return to where they left off.

1. Battery Life

With cars that drive themselves drones that can navigate the skies and robot vacuums that swiftly move around furniture, it's safe to say that the future of cleaning is now here. Like all technologies it is necessary to maintain it to keep it running smoothly.

The most important factor in the longevity of your robot is the battery's charge and discharge cycles. Keep the dust bin filled and empty, examining for hairs that have become tangled frequently and keeping the brushes from getting stuck will aid in running your robot more effectively.

The location the robot is stored may affect battery performance. Extreme temperatures and cold may impact the battery's performance. You can extend the life of your robot's battery by charging it up to 50% and then storing it in a cool place. Also, remove it from the power source when not in use. Most smart devices also have periodic firmware updates which can improve performance and optimize battery. Check the app to check if there are any updates.

A robot vacuum is a fantastic alternative for those with many hard floors. It can quickly and effectively get rid of dirt and other debris, leaving your floors sparkling clean. If you want more than just a quick clean-up, look for a model with superior navigation and obstacles avoidance.

Our top-rated Robot automatic vacuum cleaner Best (Surdotly.Com) is the Ecovacs Deebot T20, combines advanced navigation and a powerful suction and a wide range of mopping functions to provide a thorough, deep clean of your floors. It uses cameras and LiDAR sensors to create precise maps of your home, which helps it stay on the right path and avoid getting stuck on furniture legs or power cords. It can also detect objects such as shoes and clutter to automatically clean them. It also self-empties, meaning you won't have to return the vacuum back to its base station to empty its bin after each cleaning session.

2. Dust Bin

Robots are ideal for quick midweek clean-ups, but they don't have the suction power to substitute for the power of a plug-in vacuum cleaner when it comes to deep cleans. Furthermore, even the top robot vacuums can be caught with toys and cords and robot vacuum Cleaner miss piles of dirt near the baseboards, or struggle with crumbs that have fallen under furniture. Their dust bins onboard fill up quickly that they need to go back to their charging stations to empty themselves. This can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes for some models.

It's therefore important to select a vacuum that has a big dust bin that can be emptied into its dock without having to return to finish the task. You'll need to determine if you prefer bagged models or a bagless one. If you choose the bagless model you'll need to know how much dust it can hold before you empty it.

In our tests, we apply 100 grams of sand on the carpet in a medium pile and use a robot vacuum to clean the carpet. The amount of sand that is weighed in the vacuum's dust bin onboard allows us to measure the amount dirt that has been accumulated. A large amount of dirt indicates that the bin could get fuller faster and could cause the robot to stop its cleaning cycle, or worse, stop working altogether.

It's good to know that most robot vacuums have an enormous dust bin that can be easily empty. It is also possible to schedule the cleaning of their bases at least one or two times per day. It is important to keep a container of compressed air on hand to blow out hairs that have become entangled in the rotating brush. You can also clean any filters according to the guidelines provided by the manufacturer.

3. Wi-Fi Connectivity

The top robot vacuums provide many connectivity options to connect with the Wi-Fi network in your home. This lets the robot vacuum cleaners best update its software and provides you with the option of monitoring your robot through an app or using voice commands. While not essential it is a useful feature and a variety of customization options that will improve the overall experience for robot vacuuming.

To keep them operating at their best, most models require some level of maintenance. For instance emptying the dustbin or cleaning the brushroll. A regular schedule of cleaning, detaching and examining consumable parts will also extend their life. Vacuum expert Emily Rairdin at University Vacuum & Sewing says three to five years is the average lifespan of a robot vacuum, though it can differ significantly based on the frequency you use it and if you take care to maintain it properly.

To be able to function the robot vacuum, it needs to be able to map out your floors and navigate around obstacles. Advanced navigation systems typically have sensors that detect cliffs and alert the robot to steep drops and laser and optical sensors that allow it to "see" a room's layout. Some robots also have mopping functions that are specifically designed for them, which can be useful for keeping floors clean between deep cleanings using an upright vacuum.

The most effective 2-in-1 robots vacuum and mop and sweep, which means you can avoid the hassle of having to switch between two types of autonomous vacuum. One example is the iRobot Roomba 690, which is a powerful and efficient robot vacuum that can clean up surfaces using its water tank and wash its mop pad automatically. Its obstacle avoidance and mapping skills were so good that it was awarded the the CR's Best Robot Vacuum Award, along with an AVTech Editors' Choice Award.

4. Cleaning Patterns

The top robot vacuums in our tests have outstanding pick-up scores for hard floors and low-pile carpets, removing dirt, dust, and pet hair. They also remove particles and crumbs along the baseboards and along the edges of rooms. They cannot remove deep-seated dirt or tangles of plush shag fibers, like canisters or uprights. They also aren't able to remove spilled food and liquids or heavy metal screws and may also miss a few areas of the house (including under furniture).

Many models are equipped with clever features that make them more user-friendly. They usually have an app that allows you to schedule cleaning sessions and manage the robot remotely. They can be connected to your smart-home system so that you can use voice commands via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Certain models come with different modes that allow users to choose between sweeping and mopping or vacuuming. They can return to their docks to recharge and continue cleaning the area they left.

Obstacle-avoidance technology has improved in recent years, however you must still clear out toys, cords, and pet messes prior operating the robot. Before mapping out the space, it is recommended to cover all floor-to-ceiling mirrors with cardboard. The laser employed by some models can bounce off reflective surfaces causing the robot to bump against a wall or a floor.

Some premium models have advanced mapping capabilities, with some making use of lidar to create an 3D map of your surroundings. This helps the robot remember obstacles and determine the most efficient path around them. Certain robots let you create no-go zones to ensure that the robot is able to avoid certain areas, such as your pet's food bowls, or a rug that is expensive.

5. App Control

Many robots allow you to set a timer to clean and operate them without hands using an app, so you can take care of your home while you're working or away. Some robots can also self-empty their debris into a huge bin at the base. This reduces dust release and is a wonderful feature for allergy sufferers.

Some robots are able to detect objects on the ground and employ a camera as a guide to avoid obstacles such as power cords, furniture legs or pet toys. This feature is available on less expensive models. However, it's essential to clean your robot's dustbin and check for hairs that have become tangled as they build up.

Certain models can also create 3D representations. This is beneficial when you have multiple floors. You can then choose specific rooms and set up digital keep-out zones to ensure that your robot focuses on what you want it to, instead of wandering around areas you don't need cleaning.

Robots are good for midweek cleaning, but they can't substitute a vacuum cleaner with a plug-in, especially when it concerns rugs. They're better at removing dirt that's embedded in carpet than floors that are unfinished, but they're not able to spot piles of debris close to baseboards and thresholds, and tangled socks and cords. Choose a model that has spots and zones cleaning modes. This will allow you to concentrate on certain areas without having to spend time. You'll also find a model that recharges and picks up where it left off which is a huge benefit for a house with a lot of rooms.