Solutions To Issues With Good Robot Vacuum What to Look For in a Good Robot Vacuum

A good robotic vacuum can help you stay on top of pet hair, lint and dust on a daily basis. Many robot vacuums have applications that let you schedule cleaning sessions. You can also set virtual boundaries or "walls," to ensure that the vacuum stays away from areas you don't wish to be cleaned.

This mop and vac creates a home map with its first run, memorizing your home's layout for future tasks. It has an extra-large dustbin that automatically emptys and a self-cleaning, brush roll.

Object Detection

When choosing a robot vacuum, look for one that can pick up large objects, such as lamp cords and toys, and also fine dirt. This will help ensure they don't get caught by the roller brush and aren't left on your floors. This feature is especially important if your robot will be regularly cleaned by children or pets.

A model with an engine that is powerful and lots of suction is an excellent choice. This will allow it to be more efficient in getting rid of pet hair, dust and lint from carpets as well as hardwood flooring.

Another crucial aspect to consider is the size of your space. If you live in a big home, you may choose a model with multiple cleaning zones that can cover the entire home in one go. Some models have a mopping feature that can be utilized to keep floors fresh and clean.

Robot vacuums can last a long time, but they'll need to be cleaned regularly and properly. Cleaning the rotating brushes and emptying the dust bin and wiping the sensors clean regularly will ensure that your robot is functioning efficiently for many the years to be. Many of the owners of robot vacuums we have spoken to have been using their machines for 10 years or longer (and have replaced motors, brushes, and batteries as time went by).

A basic robot will cost less than a full-size vacuum cleaner, but they'll do a fantastic job at removing dirt and pet hair and lint. You can use them to scrub your floor several times a day. However, they don't offer as much technological innovation, and may be prone to getting stuck or needing human intervention.

Object Avoidance

The most effective robot vacuums utilize cameras, sensors or lasers to help you navigate your home and prevent getting stuck or falling down the stairs. Some models can return to their base or dock when the battery is low. They can also stay clear of obstacles like furniture legs and cords. Some of the more expensive models come with the ability to map, which allows them to learn the layout of your home and spend less time bumping against walls.

There is no need to spend a lot of money on the most expensive robotic vacuums. You can still find models that do a great job of removing pet hair and dirt from hard surfaces like tile, wood and low-pile rug. They also be capable of handling larger objects such as metal screws or staples that have rust, or abandoned toys. Some models even have a self-emptying base which is helpful for those who don't want to empty your trash bin after every cleaning session.

Certain robotic vacuums come with smart features, which make the traditional stick vacuum look quaint. These include scheduling, zone-targeting and the capability to control them through an app or a voice assistant, such as Alexa. You can also set up cleaning zones and virtual walls' to block off areas where you do not want the robot to venture.

Certain robotic vacuums, such as the Eufy 11S and my former favorite, the Roborock S8, have obstacle avoidance technology that stops them from crashing into furniture or tangling cords. Others, like the iRobot Roomba j7+, have more sophisticated AI obstacle avoidance, which uses sensors powered by processors to detect and avoid objects like shoes, lamp cords, socks, and pet waste. It's a bit more expensive than other bots that I've tried, but it does an excellent job of avoiding obstacles and never gets stuck or derailed when I'm working on my floor.

The J7+ from iRobot was an excellent obstacle avoidance robot however, it didn't always do a good job in avoiding crumbs or dirt on my carpets. It also was known to over-vacuum certain areas resulting in a lot of dust in the filters and a less clean home.

Smart Mapping

The best robot vacuums come with an app that helps you customize cleaning modes and schedules, as well as view a map of your area of floor that the machine covers. This is a useful feature, and one that a few competitors do not have. This allows you to create profiles which will automatically start the robot at specific times, and keep it running regularly. For example, it could be cleaning the living room every morning or prior to dinner.

A good app can also allow you to control your robot using voice commands. Certain models are compatible with Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant, which allows you to control your robot using voice commands.

To enjoy a hands-free and effortless experience, opt for a model with a large dust bin that can hold numerous cleaning sessions before needing to be empty. You can find models that self-empty, which eliminates the need to empty the robot after each vacuuming session.

If you're looking for a robot that can do more than just vacuum, you'll want to consider a model that can mop your floors. They're usually bigger than robotic vacuums, and have a water tank which can hold several cleaning sessions worth of dirt and dust before needing to emptied.

The most advanced robots generate their own maps of your house and can even keep track of the arrangement from one cleaning to the next which can help them avoid getting lost or stuck in corners. This can make a big difference in how efficiently your robot vacuums because it won't be spending time going back to the beginning of the room when it encounters furniture or walls.

Our test subjects found that robots with this feature were extremely efficient. They could watch TV or do other tasks while the robot cleaned. Some models use laser navigation to create the map of your home. You can then program them to clean the bedroom after dinner, or throughout the house while you're working.

App Control

It's best to choose a robot that has a mobile application in case you wish to alter the frequency of cleaning and choose the cleaning mode. Within the app, you can also monitor the condition of your vacuum as well as its dust bin. The best vacuums that are robotic can be controlled by Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri Shortcuts.

It is easy to maintain a robot that has the ability to wash the filter and a self-emptying container, especially if the filter can be easily removed and rinsed. A high-powered brush is another excellent feature that can reach into corners and along baseboards for removal of dirt and hair. Certain robots are better in avoiding chair legs than others. Others come with sensors that automatically clean brushes to avoid the clogging.


Some robo-vacs have navigation tools that help them navigate around obstacles and learn your home. High-end models are equipped with sensors and cameras that detect obstacles like furniture, stairs and cords, whereas cheaper models sometimes use boundary strips you place on the floor to mark off areas you don't want it to go. Avoidance of objects is particularly useful for families with children who throw socks and toys around the home. This helps your robot to gather these items instead of scattering.

More robots are coming with mop attachments. best robot vacuum for hardwood floors is useful for those with hard floors who require to mop frequently. They come with a water tank built into the chassis, or an extra piece which you can change out when it's time to clean. They may need to be refilled more frequently than other types of robots, but they're great for homes with hard floors that can't be easily cleaned using a vacuum.

We've seen some incredible technology in these small robots and they're cheaper than you imagine. In fact, you can find a good one for under $200 that can do a decent job of removing pet hair and crumbs off hard floors, while moving around the edges of light carpets or area carpets. The robot can be programmed to clean the room at regular intervals. It can also be controlled remotely via an app or by pressing buttons.