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.

Find models with smart features, such as remote access and app control. You can use apps to schedule cleaning sessions or monitor the progress. Certain apps even allow you to stop 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 can maneuver around furniture, it's safe say the future of cleaning is now here. As with any technology there is a need for some maintenance to ensure it's running smoothly.

The most important aspect in the long-term performance of your robot is the cycle of discharge and charge. Keep the dust bin filled and empty, examining for hairs that have become tangled frequently, and making sure that the brushes are not jammed will all aid in running your robot more efficiently.

The location the robot is stored can also influence battery performance. Extreme cold and heat can affect battery performance. You can prolong the life of your robot's battery by charging it to 50% and then storing it in a cool location. Also, disconnect it from the power source when it is not being used. The majority of smart devices also come with periodic firmware updates that can improve performance and optimize battery. Check the app to see if there are any updates.

A robot vacuum is an excellent option for those who have lots of hard flooring. It is able to take away dirt and debris quickly and efficiently leaving your floors sparkling. But if you're looking for more than just a quick clean-up, you'll want choose a model that has superior navigation and obstacle avoidance.

Our top-rated robot vacuums that mop, the Ecovacs Deebot T20, blends advanced navigation, an impressive suction system and a range of mopping functions to provide an efficient, deep cleaning of your hard floors. It uses LiDAR sensors and cameras to create precise maps of your home, which assists it in staying on track and avoid getting caught on furniture legs or power cords. It also can detect things like clutter and shoes, and then automatically clean them. And it's self-emptying, meaning that you don't have to return the vacuum back to its base station to empty its bin after every cleaning session.

2. Dust Bin

Robots are great for quick midweek cleaning, however, they lack the suction to replace a plug-in vacuum cleaner for a thorough clean. Moreover, even the best robot vacuums can be caught up in cords and toys and miss piles of dirt close to the baseboards, and struggle with crumbs that have fallen under furniture. The dust bins onboard are filled quickly, and they have return to their charging stations to empty themselves. This can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes for some models.

It is crucial to select a robot vacuum with a large trash bin that can be emptied into the dock without needing to return to finish the task. You'll want to decide whether you prefer bagged models or a model that is bagless. If you choose the bagless option you'll need to know how much dust it can hold before you empty it.

In our tests, we apply 100 grams of sand onto the carpet in a medium pile and use a robot vacuum to sweep it across the carpet. We then weigh the amount of sand we find in the onboard dust bin to determine how much dirt it has accumulated. A high amount means that the bin onboard may get fuller and force the robot to stop cleaning.

The good news is that many premium robot vacuums feature a large dust bin that is easily empty and you can even schedule the emptying of their bases at least once per day or more. Keep a can with compressed air on hand to blow away any hairs that are tangled in the rotating brush and to clean the filters in accordance to the manufacturer's instructions.

3. Wi-Fi Connectivity

The best automatic vacuum cleaner robot vacuums offer a variety of connectivity options to connect with the Wi-Fi network in your home. This enables the robot to download and install updates to its software, and also gives you the option to monitor your robot via an app or voice-activated commands. Although not required it is a useful feature and a variety of customization options that will enhance your overall robot vacuuming experience.

Most models require some level of routine maintenance, like emptying the dust bin or cleaning robot mop and vacuum the brush roll to ensure that they function at their peak performance. Maintaining a close eye on consumable components and a regular schedule for cleaning and detachment will extend their life span as well. Vacuum expert Emily Rairdin at University Vacuum & Sewing says that three to five years is the average life expectancy for a robot vacuum, though it can differ significantly based on how often you use it and whether you take care to maintain it in a proper manner.

To be able to function, a robot vacuum needs to be able to map out your floors and navigate around obstacles. Advanced navigation systems typically include cliff sensors that alert the robot to steep slopes as well as laser and optical sensors that allow it to "see" a room's layout. Some robots come with mopping capabilities that can be used to keep floors between deep cleanings using vacuums.

The best 2-in-1 vacuums can also mop. This means that you don't have to switch between an automatic vacuum cleaner and mop vacuum and manual vacuum. A prime example is the iRobot Roomba 690, which is a powerful and highly efficient robot vacuum that is able to clean up surfaces using its water tank and wash the mop pad in a way that is automatic. Its top-quality mapping and obstacle-avoidance abilities earned it CR's best robot vacuum award, as well as an AVTech Editors choice award.

4. Cleaning Patterns

The best robot vacuums in our tests have excellent performance on carpets with a low pile and hard floors cleaning dust, dirt, and pet hair. They also get rid of crumbs and debris along the baseboards and at the edges of rooms. They can't remove deep-seated dirt or tangles of shag fibers such as canisters or uprights. They can't pick-up spilled liquids and food items, or use the weight of metal screws. They may also leave out certain areas (including under furniture).

Many models are equipped with clever features that make them more user friendly. They usually include an app, allowing you to schedule cleaning sessions and manage the robot remotely. They can also integrate with your smart-home system which means you can control them with voice commands through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some have different modes that let you pick between sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming. They can also recharge at their docks and continue cleaning the area they left.

The technology for avoiding obstacles has improved over years, but it's still necessary to remove cords, toys and pet clutter before operating the robot. Before you can map out your room, you'll need to cover all ceiling-to-floor mirrors with cardboard. The lasers employed by some models can bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to crash against walls or floors.

Certain models that are top of the line use lidar to create 3D maps of your surroundings. This helps the robot vacuums that mop remember obstacles and plan an efficient route around them. Some also allow you to create no-go zones so that the robot can avoid specific areas, such as your pet's food bowls, or a rug that is expensive.

5. App Control

You can create a cleaning schedule and control the robots using an app. This lets you tidy your home even when you are at work or away on vacation. Some robots can also self-empty their dust into a large bin at the base. This can reduce dust rerelease and is a great feature for those suffering from allergies.

Some robots are able to detect objects on the ground and utilize a camera as a guide to avoid obstacles such as power cords, furniture legs or pet toys. This impressive feature is available on smaller models. It's essential to regularly empty the robot's dustbin and examine it for fur that has become tangled as it accumulates.

Certain models can also create 3D representations. This is useful if you have multiple floors. You can then select specific rooms and set digital zones for keeping out to ensure that your robot is focused on what you want it to do, rather than wandering into areas that don't require cleaning.

Robots are great for midweek cleaning, but they cannot replace a plug-in vacuum cleaner especially when it concerns rugs. They're better at removing dirt embedded in carpet than plain floors, however they can still miss piles of debris close to thresholds and baseboards, as well as cords and socks that are tangled. Choose a model that has zones and spot cleaning modes. This allows you to concentrate on specific areas without having to spend time. You can also find a model that recharges and picks up where it left off which is a major benefit in a large house.