Let's Get It Out Of The Way! 15 Things About Good Robot Vacuum We're Sick Of Hearing What to Look For in a Good Robot Vacuum

A good robotic vacuum can assist you in keeping track of pet hair, lint, and dust on a regular basis. Many use apps that allow you to schedule cleaning times and create virtual boundaries, or "walls" to keep them out of areas you don't want cleaned.

This mop and vac creates a home map after its first run, memorizing your home's layout for future tasks. It comes with self-cleaning brush rolls and an large dust bin that is empty automatically.

Object Detection

When picking a robot vacuum, choose one that can pick up large objects, such as lamps and toys as well as fine dirt. This will ensure that they do not get caught in the roller brush or end up on your floor. This is especially important when you have children or pets and may need to clean the robot on a regular basis.

It's an excellent idea to select a model that has a powerful motor and lots of suction power. This will help it be more effective at getting up pet hair, lint, and dust from your carpets and hardwood floors.

link web page of your home is another crucial factor to consider. If you live in a large house you might want to select a model that has multiple cleaning zones so you can clean your entire home in one go. Certain models also include mopping functions, which can be used to keep your floors looking fresh and clean.

Robot vacuums can last for a long time however they'll need to be maintained and cleaned regularly. Regularly cleaning the rotating brushes, emptying your dust bin, and wiping your sensors will ensure that your robot is functioning efficiently for many years. Many of the owners of robot vacuums that we have spoken with have owned the same machine for a period of 10 years or more (and have replaced motors, brushes and batteries in the process).

A basic robot is less expensive than a large vacuum cleaner. They'll still perform a great job of cleaning the surface of dirt as well as pet fur and lint. You can use them to scrub your floors several times per day. The drawback is that they don't offer as much technological innovation, and may be prone to becoming stuck or needing human intervention.

Object Avoidance

The most effective robot vacuums utilize sensors, cameras or lasers to help you navigate your home and prevent getting stuck or falling down 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 come with mapping capabilities, which allow them to learn your home's layout and therefore spend less time bouncing off walls.

If you don't want to splurge on the most advanced robotic vacuums, you could locate a model that is capable of removing pet hair, dirt, dust and crumbs from hard floors like tile and wood as well as carpets with low pile. They can also handle bigger debris like metal screws, rusty nails or even toys that have been discarded. Some come with a base that automatically empties itself, which is ideal for those who don't want to empty it after each cleaning session.

Most robotic vacs also offer smart features that make your standard stick vacuum seem prehistoric, including zones, schedules, and the ability to control them with an app or a voice assistant like Alexa. You can also design cleaning zones and virtual walls to block off areas you don't want robots to access.

Certain robotic vacuums like the Eufy 11S and my former favorite the Roborock S8, have obstacle avoidance technology that prevents them from derailing by running into furniture or getting caught in cords. Others, like the iRobot Roomba j7+, have more sophisticated AI obstacle avoidance, which uses cameras and processor-powered smarts to detect and avoid objects like lamp cords, shoes, socks and pet waste. It's a little more expensive than the other bots I've tested, however, it did a fantastic job of avoiding obstacles around my home. It was also very rarely stuck or tangled while working on my flooring.

While the iRobot's j7+ was a great obstacle avoidance robot but it wasn't always able to do an excellent job of removing dirt and crumbs off my carpets. It also had a tendency to over-vacuum specific areas, which resulted in a lot of dust in the filters, and a less tidy home.

Smart Mapping

Some of the top robot vacuum s have an app that allows you to alter cleaning modes, create schedules, and view the floor area that is covered by the machine. This is a useful feature, and one that many competitors don't have. This allows you to create profiles that will automatically start your robot at specific time intervals and run it on a regular basis, like cleaning the living room before dinner or on a regular basis.

A good app will allow you to control your robot with voice commands. Some models support Amazon's Alexa or Google Assistant and can work entirely hands-free, meaning you can say "start with a clean" or "change cleaning mode" without the need for an app.

To have a hands-free experience, look for a model with a large dust bin that can accommodate many cleaning sessions before needing to be empty. You can find models that self-empty, which eliminates the requirement to empty the machine after every vacuuming session.

If you're looking for a robot capable of doing more than simply vacuum, you'll need to consider one that can mop floors. These are usually larger than robotic vacuums, and have a water tank which can hold several cleaning sessions' worth of dust and dirt before having to be emptied.

Robots that are more sophisticated can create their own maps and keep track of the arrangement of your home from one cleaning session to the next, preventing them from getting lost or stuck. This can make a significant difference in the speed at which your robot vacuums, since it won't need to spend time returning to the beginning of the room whenever it comes across walls or furniture.

Our testers found that robots with this feature were extremely efficient. They could sit and watch TV or do other tasks while the robot cleaned. Certain models utilize laser navigation to create a map of your home. You can then program them to clean your bedroom after dinner, or all rooms while you're working.

App Control

It is best to select a robot that has an app that is mobile for those who want to modify the frequency of cleaning and select cleaning mode. Through the app, you can also check the status of your vacuum as well as its dust bin. The best vacuums that are robotic can be controlled with Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri Shortcuts.

A robot with a self-emptying bin and washable filters is simple to keep clean, especially if you can easily access the filter and then remove it to rinse it. Another feature that is great is a powerful brush that is able to reach into corners and along baseboards which makes it easier to remove dirt and hair. Some robots are more adept in avoiding chair legs than others. Others come with a sensor that automatically cleans brushes to avoid obstruction.

Some robo-vacs have navigation tools that aid them in navigating obstacles and help you understand your home. The top models come with sensors and cameras that can detect obstacles like stairs, furniture and cords, while cheaper models often use boundary strips you place on the floor to mark off areas you don't want it to leave. Avoidance of objects is particularly beneficial for families with young children who scatter toys and socks around the home. This can help your robot to collect the items instead of scattering.

More robots are coming with mop heads. This is beneficial for those with hard floors who require to mop frequently. These robots come with water tanks built into the chassis or an extra piece you can put in when it's time to mop. They may need to be refilled more often than other types of robots, however they're ideal for homes with floors made of wood that can't be easily cleaned by vacuum.


We've seen some impressive technology packed into these little robots, and they're a lot cheaper than you imagine. You can find a decent one under $200, which can do a decent job of cleaning on hard floors while navigating around the edges of carpets and area rug. You can program the robot to clean the room regularly and can be controlled remotely via the app or by pressing buttons on its side.