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. Look for models that include innovative features like app control and remote access. Apps can be used to schedule cleaning sessions and monitor the progress. Certain apps even allow you to suspend and recharge, and then resume where they stopped. 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 to claim that the future of home cleaning is here. As with any technology, some maintenance is required to keep it running smoothly. The cycle of charging and discharging the battery is the most important aspect for the longevity of your robotic device. Keep the dustbin full and empty. Make sure you check for furs that are tangled and keep the brushes from getting jammed. The environment that your robot is kept can impact the performance of your battery. Extreme heat and cold may impact battery performance. You can extend the life of your robot's battery by charging it to 50% and then storing it in a cool location. Also, take it away from the power source when not using it. The majority of smart devices also come with periodic firmware updates which can optimize performance and battery optimization. Check the app to check if there are any updates. For those with lots of hard floors, a robot vacuum is a great option. It is able to quickly and efficiently remove loose dirt and debris, leaving your floors sparkling clean. However, if you're looking to do more than a simple cleanup, you'll want to look for a model with superior navigation and obstacles-avoiding capabilities. Our top-rated robot The Ecovacs Deebot T20, blends advanced navigation with an impressive suction system and a wide range of mopping functions to deliver an efficient, deep cleaning of your hard floors. It makes use of LiDAR sensors and cameras to create detailed maps of your home. This 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. It's also self-emptying, which means 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 but lack the suction to replace a plug in vacuum cleaner for a thorough clean. Even the top robot vacuums are susceptible to getting caught in cords and toys. They also tend to overlook dirt piles near the baseboards, and struggle to eliminate dust from under furniture. The dust bins on their own get so full that they have to return to their charging docks in order to empty themselves, which can take up to an hour for some models. It's therefore important to look for a robot vacuum that has a big dustbin that can be empty into its dock and not return to finish the job. You'll also want to consider whether you'd prefer a bagged or bagless model and, if you choose a bagless model what amount of dust will be able to hold before needing to be empty. In our tests we applied 100 grams of sand to the carpet's surface in a medium pile. We utilized a robot vacuum cleaner to vacuum the sand off. We then weigh the amount of sand we find in the onboard dust bin to determine the amount of dirt it has collected. A large amount suggests that the bin could be filled faster and force your robot to stop cleaning. It's important to know that many robot vacuums have a large dustbin, which can be easily empty. You can also schedule the cleaning of their bases at least two times per day. It's important to keep a container of compressed air in your bag to blow hairs out that have become entangled in the rotating brush. You can also clean any filters as recommended by the manufacturer. 3. Wi-Fi Connectivity The top robot vacuums have a variety options for connecting to your home's WiFi. This allows the robot to download and install updates for its software, and gives you the option to monitor your robot using an app or through voice-activated commands. This feature is not essential however it provides the convenience of customization and can improve the overall robot vacuuming experience. To keep them functioning at their peak they require some level of maintenance. For example emptying the dustbin or cleaning the brushroll. A regular schedule of cleaning, detaching and checking consumable parts can also prolong their life. Vacuum expert Emily Rairdin at University Vacuum & Sewing says that three to five years is the average lifespan of a robot vacuum. However, this can vary significantly depending on the frequency you use it and if you maintain it in a proper manner. To function a robot vacuum, it has to be able to map out your floors and navigate around obstacles. Advanced navigation systems include cliff sensors, which alert the robot to steep drops. They also have laser and optical sensors that allow it to see the plan of rooms. Some robots also come with 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 mop and vacuum and sweep, which means you can avoid the hassle of having to switch between the manual and robot vacuum. The iRobot Roomba 690 is a powerful, highly efficient robot vacuum cleaner that can clean its mop pad and wipe down surfaces using its water tank. Its obstacle avoidance and mapping capabilities were so impressive that it was awarded the the CR's Best Robot Vacuum Award, as well an AVTech Editors' Choice Award. 4. Cleaning Patterns The top robot vacuums we tested in our tests have outstanding pickup scores for carpets with low pile and hard floors and remove dust, dirt, and pet hair. They also take out particles and crumbs along the baseboards as well as at the edges of rooms. However, they are unable to eliminate deep down dirt or tangles that are a part of the carpet's shag carpet and also canister or upright vacuums. They aren't able to pick up spilled liquids or food, or heavy metal screws. They might also miss certain areas (including under furniture). Many models have clever features that make them more user-friendly. The majority of models include an app that lets you schedule cleaning sessions and also control the robot remotely. They can also be integrated with your smart home system, which means you can control them with voice commands through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have multiple modes, allowing you to choose between mopping and sweeping, or vacuuming. They can also return to their docks for a recharge and pick up where they left off. The technology for avoiding obstacles has improved in recent years, however you still need to clear out any cords, toys and pet messes prior operating the robot. You should also cover any floor-to-ceiling mirrors with cardboard before mapping out the room for the first time, because the laser used by certain models may bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to bump into a wall or floor. Certain models that are top of the line use lidar to create 3D maps of your space. This helps the robot to recognize obstacles and devise an efficient route around them. Some robots allow you to create no-go zones so that the robot avoids certain areas, such as your pet's food bowls or an expensive rug. 5. App Control You can create a schedule for cleaning and manage the robots with an app. This lets you clean your home while you're at work or away on vacation. Some robots can also self-empty their trash into a large bin at the base. This can reduce dust release and is a wonderful feature for those suffering from allergies. Some robots, like the more expensive Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, can even spot objects on the floor and use a camera to teach them to avoid obstacles like furniture legs, power cords or pet toys. This impressive feature is available on less expensive models. It's crucial to regularly empty your robot's trash bin and check for hairs that are tangled as they accumulate. Some models can also create 3D representations. This is useful if you have more than one floor. You can choose certain rooms, and create digital keep-out zones to ensure your robot only cleans the areas you want. Robots are great for regular midweek cleanups, but they can't substitute for a large-sized vacuum, particularly on carpets. They're better at removing dirt embedded in carpet than plain floors, however they're still unable to pick up piles of debris near thresholds and baseboards, and cords and socks that have become tangled. To get the most out of your robot, look for a model with spots and zone cleaning options to focus on specific areas and avoid wasteful cleaning. There are also models that charge and then resume the same place they have left off. This is ideal for houses with large spaces.
