How to Keep a Robot Vacuum Clean

Robot vacuums can help keep your floors clean. Depending on the model, they can also sweep or mop stairs.

Find models that have clever features, such as remote control and app control. Apps can be used to schedule cleaning sessions and monitor progress. Some even allow you to suspend, recharge and return to where they left off.

1. Battery Life

With self-driving cars drones that fly through the skies, and robot vacuums that can maneuver around furniture, it's safe claim that the future of home cleaning is now here. However, as with all technologies it needs some care to ensure it's running efficiently.

The cycle of charge and discharge for the battery is the most crucial factor in the longevity of your robot. Keep the dustbin full and empty. Check for tangled furs and keep the brushes from clogging.

The conditions the robot is kept can influence the performance of your battery. Extreme heat and cold can affect battery performance. You can extend the life of your robot's battery by charging it to 50% and then storing it in a cool place. Also, remove it from the power source when using it. In addition, the majority of smart devices are equipped with periodic firmware updates that improve performance, such as battery optimization. So make sure to check your app for updates.

For those with a lot of hard floors, a robotic automatic vacuum and mop robot is a great option. It can quickly and effectively get rid of dirt and other debris and leave your floors sparkling clean. If you want more than a quick clean-up, look for a model that has superior navigation and obstacles avoidance.

Our top-rated robot The Ecovacs Deebot T20, blends advanced navigation, strong suction and a range of mopping functions to deliver an extensive, thorough clean of your floors. It uses LiDAR cameras and sensors to create precise maps of your home. This allows it to stay on course and avoid getting caught in furniture legs or power cables. It can also detect objects like clutter and shoes, and then automatically clean around them. It's also self-emptying, so you don't need to return it to its base to empty the trash after every cleaning session.

2. Dust Bin

Robots are great for quick midweek cleanups however, they lack the suction power to replace an electric vacuum cleaner when it comes to deep cleans. Even the top robotic vacuums can be prone to becoming entangled in cords and toys. They also can overlook dirt piles near baseboards and struggle to get rid of crumbs from under furniture. Their dust bins onboard fill up so fast that they have to go back to their charging stations to empty themselves. This can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes for certain models.

It's therefore important to look for a robot vacuum that has a big dustbin that can be empty into its dock without having to return to finish the task. You'll also want to consider whether you'd prefer a bagged or bagless model, and if you do opt for a bagless version, how much dust will be able to hold before needing to be cleaned.

In our tests we applied 100 grams of sand onto the carpet's surface in a medium pile. We used a Robot Vacuum Best vacuum cleaner to vacuum the sand off. We then weigh the amount of sand that we find in the vacuum mop cleaner robot's dust bin to determine how much dirt it has accumulated. A high amount means that the bin onboard may be filled faster and cause your robot to stop cleaning.

The good news is that a lot of premium robot vacuums feature a large dust bin that can easily be emptied, and you can schedule them to empty their bases at least once per day or more. It is recommended to keep a container of compressed air in your bag to blow out hairs that have tangled in the rotating brush. Also, clean any filters as suggested by the manufacturer.

3. Wi-Fi Connectivity

The top robot vacuums have many connectivity options for connecting to your home's Wi-Fi. This enables the robot to download and install updates for its software, and also gives you the option to monitor your robot using an app or through voice-activated commands. Although not necessary, this feature offers convenience and customization features that can improve the overall experience for robot vacuuming.

Most models require some level of routine maintenance, like emptying the dust bin or cleaning the brush roll to ensure they are operating at peak efficiency. Keeping tabs on consumable parts and a regular schedule of cleaning and detachment will increase their life span as well. Emily Rairdin, a vacuum expert at University Vacuum & Sewing, states that a robot's life expectancy is between three and five years. However, it can vary based on the frequency you use it and if you maintain it properly.

A robot vacuum has to be able to navigate around obstacles and determine the floor's layout in order to work. Advanced navigation systems have cliff sensors that alert the robot vacuum that vacuums and mops of steep drops. They also have optical and laser sensors to help it "see" the layout of the room. Certain robots also have mopping capabilities that are specialized, which can be useful for maintaining floors in between deeper cleanings with an upright vacuum.

The best 2-in-1 robots can vacuum and mop, allowing you to avoid the hassle of having to switch between the manual and robot vacuum. The iRobot Roomba 690 is a robust, highly efficient robot vacuum cleaner that can also clean its mop pad and clean up surfaces with its water tank. Its superior mapping and obstacle-avoidance skills earned it CR's best automatic vacuum cleaner robot vacuum award, and an AVTech Editors Choice award.

4. Cleaning Patterns

The best robot vacuums that we tested had impressive pick-up scores on hard floors as well as low pile carpets. They remove dust, dirt and pet hair. They also get rid of debris and crumbs from the baseboards and along the edges of rooms. But they can't get rid of deep down dirt or tangles that are a part of the carpet's shag carpet as well as canister or upright vacuums. They aren't able to pick up spilled liquids or food items, or use the weight of metal screws. They may also miss certain areas (including under furniture).

Many models have clever features that make them more user-friendly. Many models come with an application that lets you schedule cleaning sessions and also control the robot remotely. They also can be integrated with your smart-home system, which means you can control them via voice commands using Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have multiple modes, which allow users to choose between mopping and sweeping, or vacuuming. They can return to their docks for a recharge and continue cleaning the area they left.

The technology to avoid obstacles has advanced over the years, but it's still important to take away cords, toys, and pet clutter before operating the robot. Before mapping out the room, you'll want to cover all floor-to-ceiling mirrors with cardboard. The lasers used by some models may bounce off reflective surfaces causing the robot to bump against a wall or a floor.

Some premium models have advanced mapping capabilities, some using lidar to generate a 3D map of your space. This helps the robot to recognize obstacles and devise an efficient path around them. Certain robots let you designate no-go zones so that the robot is able to avoid certain areas, like your pet's food bowls or an expensive rug.

5. App Control

You can set up a cleaning schedule and control the robots through an app. This allows you to tidy your home even when you're at work or away on vacation. Certain robots also have the capability to self-empty into a larger container at their base which can reduce dust release and is a wonderful feature for allergy sufferers.

Some robots, such as the pricier Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, can even detect objects on the floor and employ a camera to instruct them to avoid obstacles like furniture legs, power cords or pet toys. This amazing feature is available on even less expensive models. It is essential to regularly empty the robot's dustbin and also look for fur that is tangled as it gets accumulated.

Some models also have the ability to create 3D representations. This is helpful when you have more than one floor. You can then select specific rooms and set digital keep-out zones to ensure that your robot is focused on what you want it to do, instead of wandering around areas that you don't need to clean.

Robots are ideal for midweek cleaning, but they can't substitute a vacuum cleaner with a plug-in especially when it concerns rugs. They are better in removing dirt from carpets than bare flooring, but can still miss piles near baseboards and thresholds, as well as tangled cords and socks. Find a robot that has spots and zones cleaning modes. This allows you to focus on specific areas and not waste time. You'll also find a model that recharges and resumes the same place it left off, which is a major benefit for a house with a lot of rooms.