15 Terms That Everyone Within The Best Robot Vacuum Industry Should Know

Best Robot Vacuums

The top robot vacuums do an excellent job of picking up pet hair and other debris on hard floors as well as in carpet. They leave a lot of dust on baseboards and furniture.

Many models can be controlled using a smartphone app, but others rely on physical remotes for operation. Certain models come with advanced features, such as LiDAR navigation or automatic floor cleaner plans that can be edited.

Object Avoidance

The best robot vacuums have sophisticated navigation systems that avoid obstacles like walls, furniture, and cords. They are equipped with object-avoidance technology that detect toys, pet foods and other items that could get in the way of the machine or be sucked up into the suction. These features can help you save time cleaning by preventing your robot from slipping in the couch or behind the bed and allowing it to complete its cleaning more efficiently.

Some of the most advanced robots, such as the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra and Samsung Jet Bot AI+ make use of lasers and cameras to create the map of your home. This allows them to navigate more precisely and accurately. They can also spot changes in your living space such as when you move furniture. This isn't a feature that every robot floor cleaner has, but it can make an important distinction in the performance and ease of use of your new appliance.

A majority of the less expensive models rely on simple bump sensors to guide them through your home. They can be useful in many scenarios, but can get stuck on objects that are too close to them, like lamps or shoes. They are also less expensive and do not have the capability of learning when obstacles are missed. You may have to create digital zones around your home to keep certain items from being thrown away.

Even the most efficient robot vacuums can get caught up in larger objects, like large pet poop or chair legs. The robotic cleaner will not be able lift large objects and could be forced to push them to the edges of the room. This can leave unsightly flooring with sludge. If you have a dog or cat, you may need to block their path with a box or furniture. Some robots will permit you to create a virtual barrier within the app.

The more advanced robotic vacuums on this list utilize object detection in low and optimal light conditions to detect what's in the vicinity of them. The DEEBOT OMNI and the X1 OMNI robots, for example include TrueDetect 3D obstacle avoidance that can detect up to 30 different kinds of obstacles with optimal lighting.

Self-Emptying Bases

If you suffer from allergies or simply don't have time to manually empty a robot vacuum's dustbin after each cleaning session, a self-emptying base is an option to look for. These devices hold anywhere from 45 to 60 days of debris, so they need to be emptied more frequently than the robot's onboard bin.

This feature is available on a variety of top-rated robot vacuums, such as iRobot Roomba i3+ Shark's AI Robot, and the Roborock S8, among others. You'll have to purchase the self emptying base separately unless it's included in your robot.

Self-emptying bases not just save you time, but also money on dust bags. It will also help keep your home cleaner. Based on the model, some bases have separate filters that are able to trap allergens, however they will need to be cleaned out periodically. To ensure that your base is operating at its best you should use the filters and accessories recommended by the manufacturer.

The suction power of a robot is an additional aspect to take into consideration. Although there is no standard power scale that all companies adhere to however, some companies provide Pascal (Pa) levels to give an idea of the machine's performance. In general the higher the Pa rating, the more powerful the vacuum.

A good robot should have easy-to-use features and a user's guide that is easy to comprehend. A well-written user manual can assist you in learning the basics and help you troubleshoot common problems, which is essential because these machines aren't cheap. You should look for a manual that includes tips on maintenance, setup and troubleshooting. You should be able if you are using a mobile application to control the robot, to look up the available options. You can then arrange them by zones, rooms, or individual floor surfaces. Certain apps allow you to plan specific cleaning sessions and even speak to the robot. A few of the top brands allow you to set virtual no-go zones and create customized cleaning plans. The best robots let you save your cleaning schedule and return to it whenever you want. If you fail to complete the task, the robot will resume where it left off.

Long-Lasting Batteries

Robot vacuums might not have the same power as the larger upright corded models or cordless stick vacuums but their motors are energy efficient. The best cheap robot vacuum robot vacuums are able to run for several hours on a single charge of batteries. They also charge themselves and resume cleaning once they reach their destination, without needing to join them. In our tests, we discovered that a 90-100 minute battery life is ideal for most homes and gives you enough time to thoroughly clean your entire apartment in one step.

The average dust bin on robot vacuums will need to be cleaned every few cleans. This can be a difficult task, especially if you have a large house or a lot of pet hair on your floors. This is where self-emptying robot vacuums can help you avoid a lot of frustration. This feature lets the vacuum empty its own trash bin, and even clean and dry its filter after every use, so that it is prepared for its next session of vacuuming.

Most robot vacuums have a removable or built-in water tank, which allows them to clean hard surfaces. This is particularly useful if your floors are heavily tiled or have hardwoods that need more attention between vacuuming sessions. However, these robots typically don't have the same level of suction that a traditional vacuum has and often struggle with spills of liquid.

You should think about a machine that can vacuum and mop simultaneously such as the Ecovacs T30S Combo Robot or the Shark IQ XL. Both of these top picks provide excellent performance and a an excellent value. They all have a high suction level and come with a big, self-emptying base station. They may not have the advanced navigation capabilities of our top-rated robots therefore they might not be able to tackle your entire house on a single battery charge.

Another option for a hands-free mopping robot vacuum cleaner best is the Eufy 11S. The inexpensive model doesn't come with an internal or removable water reservoir, but it does have a nice level of suction (2,500 Pascals (or Pa) and can be used to mop, sweep and spot clean your floors. The 11S can't vacuum stairs or furniture but it's an excellent choice to keep your floors looking fresh in between mopping and vacuuming sessions.

Easy Maintenance

Robot vacuums are great for reducing time and energy, but they require regular maintenance. Some models require less work than others. For instance, select one with a self-emptying bin to cut down on the number of instances you need to manually empty the dustbin when cleaning. This feature is particularly useful when you have pets that shed a lot or if you are prone to forgetting to mop and sweep.

In addition to regular features like suction and a rotating brush, the majority of our top picks have extras that help reduce cleaning time even more. Consider a multi-surface cleaner with a removable mopping pad that's easy to attach and stays on well, or a vacuum with LiDAR navigation that can detect dirt spots in your home, which is why it reduces the time to thoroughly clean them.

Certain models let you create a cleaning schedule, designate the rooms to be cleaned, and even use voice assistants for smart homes to control the vacuum using your voice. Some have advanced software that can recognize the layout of your home and navigate around obstacles, however, you'll need to pay for these premium features.

Robot vacuums are available at different costs, from $100 for the ILife V3s Pro that can only be used on hardwood floors, up to $1,600 for the Roborock Q5 Max+ that can vacuum and mop hardwoods and carpets. As with most things when you're looking for more features, it will cost more however, there are options for everyone's budget.

We have the best robotic vacuums for your needs, whether it's a an easy bump and roll vac or one that has intelligent mapping that can clean your washing board while you are away. This Black and Decker X40 is equipped with excellent object-avoidance tech which allows it to move between furniture and toys and not become stuck. It's WiFi-connected and works with Alexa and Google Assistant, so you can use your phone to schedule cleanings or remotely control the vacuum.

For more advice on selecting the best robot vacuum, read our comprehensive guide to robotic mops and our buying guide for the top robotic vacuums. Don't forget to check out our recommended shipping dates to ensure that your holiday delivery is on time.