How to Keep a Robot Vacuum Clean

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

Find models with advanced features, such as remote access and app control. Apps can be used to plan cleaning sessions and track the 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 nimbly maneuver around furniture, it's safe to say that the future of cleaning is now here. However, like all technology, it requires some maintenance 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 are tangled regularly, and preventing the brushes from becoming jammed will all aid in running your robot more efficiently.

Another aspect to consider is the environmental conditions where your robot is stored, as extreme temperatures and cold can impact battery performance. You can prolong the life of your robot's battery by charging it to 50% and storing it in a cool location. Also, remove it from the power source when being used. Most smart devices also have periodic firmware updates that help optimize performance and battery optimization. Check the app to check if there are any updates.

For those who have a lot of hard floors, a robot vacuum is a good choice. It is able to quickly and efficiently remove loose dirt and debris and leave your floors sparkling clean. If you're looking for more than just 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 and an impressive suction system and a range of mopping functions to deliver an efficient, deep cleaning of your hard floors. It uses cameras and LiDAR sensors to create precise maps of your home, which helps it stay on track and avoid getting stuck on furniture legs or power cords. It can also detect things like clutter and shoes, and then automatically clean them. It also self-empties, meaning that you don't have to return the vacuum to its base station to empty its bin after every cleaning session.

2. Dust Bin

Robots are excellent for quick midweek cleaning however they don't have the suction power to substitute for the power of a plug-in vacuum cleaner for deep cleans. In addition, even the most powerful robotic hoovers vacuums can become tangled with toys and cords, miss piles of dirt near the baseboards, or struggle with crumbs that have fallen under furniture. The dust bins on their own fill up so quickly that they have to return to their charging docks in order to empty themselves, which can take as long as half an hour for some models.

It is essential to select the right robot vacuum that has a large dustbin that can be emptied into the dock without needing return to finish the task. You'll want to decide whether you prefer a bagged model or a one that doesn't have a bag. If you choose the bagless model you'll need to determine how much dust it can hold before you can empty it.

In our tests, we apply 100 grams of sand to an area of carpet with a medium pile and employ a robot vacuum to clean the carpet. We then weigh the amount of sand that we find in the vacuum's onboard dust bin to determine how much dirt it has collected. A high volume of dirt suggests that the bin onboard could be filled up faster and may force the robot vacuums best to stop the cleaning process or, even worse, stop working completely.

The good news is that a lot of high-end robot vacuums have a large dust bin that can easily be emptied and you can even schedule them to empty into their bases at least once a day or more. It is recommended to keep a container of compressed air handy to blow out hairs that have become entangled in the rotating brush. Also, clean any filters as suggested by the manufacturer.

3. Wi-Fi Connectivity

The Best robot vacuum cleaner UK robot vacuums offer a variety of connectivity options for connecting to your home's Wi-Fi. This lets the robot update its software and provides you with the option of monitoring your robot via an app or voice commands. This feature is not essential but it does provide the convenience of customization and can enhance the overall robot vacuuming experience.

To keep them operating at their best robot vacuum and mop, most models require a certain amount of maintenance. For example, emptying the dustbin and cleaning the brushroll. A regular schedule of cleaning, detaching and checking consumable parts can also prolong the life of their components. Emily Rairdin, a vacuum expert at University Vacuum & Sewing, states that a robot's life is typically between three and five years. However, this can differ based on how often you use it and if you maintain it properly.

To be able to function the robot vacuum, it needs to be able to map your floors and navigate around obstacles. Advanced navigation systems include cliff sensors that alert the robot to steep drops. They also have laser and optical sensors that help "see" the layout of rooms. Some robots come with a mopping function that can be used to keep floors between deep cleanings using vacuums.

The best 2-in-1 vacuums also mop. This means that you won't have to switch between a robot vacuum and a manual one. One of the best examples is the iRobot Roomba 690, which is a powerful and highly efficient robot vacuum that can clean up surfaces using its water tank and wash its mop pad in a way that is automatic. Its mapping and obstacle avoidance skills were so good that it was awarded the CR's Best Robot Vacuum Award, along with an AVTech Editors Choice Award.

4. Cleaning Patterns

The best robot vacuums in our tests have outstanding pick-up scores for carpets with a low pile and hard floors and remove dust, dirt, and pet hair. They also remove crumbs and debris along the baseboards and along the edges of rooms. However, they cannot get rid of deep down dirt or tangles of plush shag carpet fibers and also an upright or canister vacuum. They cannot pick up spilled liquids or food items, or use the weight of metal screws. They can also overlook certain areas (including under furniture).

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

The technology for avoiding obstacles has advanced over the years, but it is still important to take away cords, toys and pet debris prior to running the robot. You'll also want to cover any mirrors that are floor-to-ceiling with cardboard prior to tracing out the space for the first time because the laser employed by certain models could bounce off reflective surfaces, causing the robot to bump into the floor or wall.

More premium models have advanced mapping capabilities, with some using lidar to generate an 3D map of your surroundings. This helps the robot to remember obstacles and plan an efficient path around them. Some also allow you to set no-go zones, so the robot can avoid specific areas like your pet's food bowls or a rug that is expensive.

5. App Control

You can create an agenda for cleaning and control the robots using an app. This allows you to take care of your home while you are at work or away on vacation. Certain robots also automatically empty their dust into a large bin at the base. This can reduce dust release and is an excellent feature for allergy sufferers.

Certain robots, like the more expensive Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, can even spot objects on the floor and use a camera to coach them to stay clear of obstacles such as furniture legs, power cords or pet toys. This amazing feature is available on even cheaper models. It's essential to regularly empty the dust bin of your robot and also look for fur that is tangled as it gets accumulated.

A high-end model is also able to store multiple floor maps, which can be beneficial if you live in more than one floor, and some can create 3D models of your house. You can select certain rooms, and set digital "keep-out" zones to ensure your robot only cleans the areas you want.

Robots are great for routine midweek cleanups however they aren't able to replace a full-size plug-in vacuum, particularly for rugs. They are better in removing dirt from carpet than plain flooring, but they can not pick up piles close to baseboards and thresholds as well as tangled cords and socks. To make the most of your robot, choose models that have zone and spot cleaning modes to focus on specific areas and reduce the need for cleaning. You can also find models that can charge and resume where they left off. This is ideal for large houses.