10 Facts About Good Robot Vacuum That Make You Feel Instantly A Good Mood What to Look For in a Good Robot Vacuum

A robot vacuum will help keep you on top of pet hair and lint on a daily bases. Many robot vacuums are compatible with applications that allow you to schedule cleaning sessions. You can also set virtual boundaries or "walls," to ensure that the vacuum stays away from areas that you don't want to be cleaned.

This smart vac and mop creates a home map after its first trip, and then it will remember your space for future use. It comes with a large dust bin that automatically emptys and self-cleaning brush roll.

Object Detection

When selecting a robot vacuum cleaner, select one that is able to pick up large objects like lamps and toys and fine dust. This will ensure that they don't get caught by the roller brush and aren't left behind on your floors. This is particularly crucial if the robot will be cleaned frequently by pets or children.

A model that has a powerful engine and lots of suction is also a good option. This will allow it to be more effective 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 home. If you have a large house it is possible to choose models that have multiple cleaning zones so that you can clean your entire home in one session. Some models have mopping features that can be used to keep floors looking clean and fresh.

Robot vacuums are tough but they need to be maintained in a timely and efficient manner. Cleaning the rotating brushes and emptying the dust bin and wiping the sensors clean regularly will keep your robot running efficiently for years to be. Many owners of robot vacuums we speak with have owned the same machine for 10 years or more (and replaced brushes, motors and batteries in the process).

A basic robot will cost less than a full-sized vacuum cleaner, however they'll do a fantastic job of keeping up with dirt on the surface, pet hair and dust. You can use them to sweep your floors several times per day. They do not have as much technology and are more prone to get stuck or require manual intervention.

Object Avoidance

The most effective robot vacuums make use of sensors, lasers or cameras to guide them around your home without falling off or getting stuck on the stairs. Some models can return to their dock or base when the battery is low. They can also stay clear of obstacles such as furniture cords and legs. Some of the more expensive models have the ability to map, which allows them to remember your home's layout and therefore spend less time bouncing against walls.

If you don't want to spend a lot of money on the latest robotic vacuums, you can still find one that does a great job of picking up pet hair, dirt, dust and debris from floors that are hard like tile and wood as well as carpets with a low pile. They can also take care of larger particles like nails that are rusty, metal screws or even toys that have been discarded. Some models come with a base that automatically empties itself, which is great for those who don't want to empty it at the end of each cleaning session.

Some robotic vacuums have smart features that make the look of a stick vacuum quaint. These include schedules, zone-targeting, and the ability for you to control them using an app or a voice assistant, like Alexa. You can also create cleaning zones and 'virtual walls to block off areas you do not want the robots to venture.

Some robotic vacs, such as the Eufy 11S and my former top choice, the Roborock S8, have obstacle avoidance technology that keeps them from crashing into furniture or tangling with cords. Other models, like the iRobot Roomba j7+, have more sophisticated AI obstacle avoidance that utilizes cameras and processor-powered smarts to identify and avoid items like shoe cords, lamp cords socks and pet waste. It's a little more expensive than other bots that I've tested, but it does an excellent job of avoiding obstacles and rarely gets stuck or derailed when working on my floor.

The iRobot J7+ 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 prone to over-vacuum specific areas, resulting in dust accumulating in the filters, and a less tidy home.

Smart Mapping

Some of the best robot vacuums come with an app that helps you customize cleaning modes, set schedules and see an outline of the flooring area that the machine covers. This is a great feature that many competitors do not have. This makes it easy to create profiles that automatically start your robot at specific times and keep it running on a regular basis, like cleaning your living room prior to dinner or every other day.

A good app will also allow you to control your robot via voice commands. Some models support Amazon's Alexa or Google Assistant and can work completely hands-free. You can say "start cleaning" or "change cleaning mode" without having to use the app.

Choose models with an enormous dust bin. This will allow you to perform numerous cleaning sessions without having empty it. 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 robotic that can do more than vacuum, think about one that has mopping functions. They're usually bigger than robotic vacuums and have a water tank that can store multiple cleaning sessions worth of dirt and dust before needing to emptied.

Robots that are more sophisticated can make their own maps, and can remember the layout of your home from one cleaning session to the next, preventing them from getting lost or stuck. This can make a big difference in the speed at which your robot vacuums, since it won't be spending time going back to the beginning of the room when it encounters furniture or walls.

Our testers found that robots with this feature were very efficient. They could watch TV or complete other tasks while the robot was cleaning. Some models use laser navigation to create an outline of your home. You can then program them to clean the bedroom after dinner, or throughout the house when you're at work.

App Control

It's best to choose one that comes with an app for mobile devices in case you wish to alter the frequency of cleaning and choose a cleaning mode. You can also see the status of the vacuum as well as the state of its dust bin in the app. Some of the best robot vacuums are controlled by voice with Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri Shortcuts.

A robot with a self-emptying bin and washable filters is simple to keep clean, especially when you are able to easily access the filter and then remove it to wash it. A high-powered brush is another fantastic feature that allows you to reach into corners and along baseboards for removal of hair and dirt. Certain robots are better in avoiding chair leg splinters than others. Others come with sensors that automatically clean brushes to prevent obstruction.


Some robo-vacs use navigation tools that allow them to learn your home and get around obstacles. High-end models have sensors and cameras that recognize obstacles such as furniture, stairs and cords, while cheaper models sometimes use boundary strips that you put on the floor to mark areas you don't want to enter. Avoidance of objects can be particularly useful for families with young kids who scatter toys and socks around the house. This can help your robot to gather the items instead of scattering.

We're starting to see more robots with mops, which are useful for those who have hard floors and require to clean them regularly. These robots come with a water reservoir built into their chassis or as a separate piece you swap in when they're ready to mop. They might need to be refilled more frequently than other kinds of robots, but they're great for homes with floors made of wood that can't be easily cleaned by vacuum.

We've seen some impressive technology incorporated into these tiny robots and they're less expensive than you might imagine. You can get a good one for less than $200, and it does a decent job cleaning on hard floors and can be scoured around the edges of carpets and carpets. It is possible to schedule the robot to clean rooms on a regular basis and it can be controlled remotely with the app or by pressing buttons on its side.