10 Facts About Good Robot Vacuum That Can Instantly Put You In Good Mood What to Look For in a Good Robot Vacuum


A robot vacuum can keep you on the top of pet hair and lint on a daily basis. Many use apps that let you schedule cleaning sessions and define virtual boundaries or 'walls' to keep them away from areas you don't want cleaned.

This smart vacuum and mop creates a map of your home with its first run, storing your home's layout for future tasks. It comes with a large dust bin that automatically emptys, as well as a self-cleaning, brush roll.

Object Detection

When choosing a robot vacuum, look for one that can pick up large objects, such as toys and lamp cords, and also dust particles. This will ensure they don't get snarled in the roller brush, and aren't left behind on your floors. This is particularly crucial if your robot is going to be cleaned frequently by pets or children.

A model that has a powerful engine and lots of suction is also an excellent choice. This will make it more effective at getting up pet hair, dust and lint from your hardwood and carpet floors.

Another factor to consider is the size of your space. If you live in an area that is large it is possible to pick models that have multiple cleaning zones so you can clean your entire house in a single session. Certain models also include mopping capabilities, which can be used to keep your floors fresh and clean.

Robot vacuums are long-lasting, but they need to be cleaned properly and regularly. Cleaning the rotating brushes, emptying the dust bin and wiping down the sensors regularly will keep your robot running smoothly for the years to come. Many of the owners of robot vacuums we chat with have owned the same model for a decade or more (and replaced brushes, motors and batteries in the process).

A basic robot is much less costly than a larger vacuum cleaner. They'll perform a great job of cleaning surface dirt as well as pet fur and lint. You can use them to scrub your floors multiple times per day. However, they don't come with as technological innovation, and may be prone to getting stuck or requiring human intervention.

Object Avoidance

The most effective robot vacuums utilize cameras, sensors or lasers to navigate your home, avoiding getting stuck or falling down the stairs. They can also stay clear of obstacles such as cords and furniture legs, and some models can automatically return to their dock or base when they run out of energy. The ones that are more expensive usually have mapping capabilities that allow them to learn the arrangement of your home, and spend less time hitting walls.

If you're not looking to splurge on the most advanced robotic vacuums, you could locate a model that does a great job of picking up pet hair, dirt, dust and crumbs from hard floors like wood and tile and low-pile carpets. They can also take care of larger debris such as nails that are rusty, metal screws or even toys that have been discarded. Some even come with self-emptying bases that is handy for those who don't want to empty your trash bin after every cleaning run.

The majority of robotic vacuums have innovative features that make a regular stick vacuum appear ancient with features like schedules, zone targeting and the capability to control them using an app or a voice assistant like Alexa. You can also create cleaning zones as well as 'virtual walls to block off areas where you don't want the robot to enter.

Some robotic vacuums, like the Eufy 11S or my former top pick, Roborock S8, come with obstacle avoidance technology that will prevent them from tripping over cords or furniture. Others, such as the iRobot Roomba j7+, have more sophisticated AI obstacle avoidance that uses a camera and processor-powered smarts to identify and avoid items like shoes, lamp cords, socks, and pet waste. It's a little more expensive than other bots I've tried, but it did an impressive job of avoiding obstacles in my home. It was also very rarely stuck or tangled when I was cleaning my floors.

While the iRobot j7+ was a good obstacle avoidance tool however, it wasn't always doing an excellent job of avoiding dirt and crumbs off my carpets. It also was prone to over-vacuum certain areas resulting in a lot of dust in the filters, and a less tidy home.

Smart Mapping

Some of the top robot vacuums include an app that lets you alter cleaning modes, create schedules, and view an image of the floor area that is covered by the machine. This is an extremely useful feature that some competitors do not have. This allows you to create profiles that automatically start your robot at specified time intervals and run it on a regular basis, like cleaning the living area prior to dinner or on a regular basis.

A good app can also allow you to control your robot with voice commands. Some models are compatible with 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.

To enjoy a hands-free and effortless experience, look for models with a large dust bin that can hold numerous cleaning sessions before needing to be empty. There are models that self-empty, which eliminates the requirement to empty the machine after each vacuuming session.

If you're looking for a robot that can do more than just vacuum, you'll want to consider the possibility of a model that can mop floors. They are typically larger than robotic vacuums and include a tank of water that can hold multiple cleaning sessions' worth of dirt and dust before it needs to be empty.

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 huge difference in the efficiency of your robot vacuum, as it will not have to return to the beginning when it encounters walls or furniture.

Our testers found that robots that had this feature were very efficient. They could sit and watch TV or do other things while the robot cleaned. Some of these models utilize laser navigation, and can create an exact map of your home, meaning you can program them to clean only the bedroom after dinner, or each room of the house while you're working.

App Control

It is best to select a robot that has an app for mobile devices in case you wish to alter the frequency of cleaning and choose a cleaning mode. Within the app, you can monitor the condition of your vacuum as well as its dust bin. Some of the best robot vacuums can even be 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, particularly when you are able to easily access the filter and then remove it to wash it. Another feature that is great is a powerful brush that can be found in corners and along baseboards making it much easier to remove dirt and hair. Some robots are better at avoiding chair legs than others, and some have an auto-cleaning sensor that helps prevent the obstruction of brushes that may happen in other machines.

Some robo-vacs have navigation tools that aid them in navigating obstacles and to learn about your home. The most expensive models employ sensors and cameras to detect obstacles such as stairs, furniture and cords. Less expensive models might utilize boundaries to mark areas that you don't wish to see it go. Avoidance of objects is particularly important for families with children who leave toys and socks scattered throughout the house, because it allows your robot to grab the objects instead of scattering them.

Robots are increasingly equipped with mop attachments. This is useful for those with hard floors who need to mop frequently. They have a water reservoir built into their chassis or as a separate component that you swap in when they're ready to mop. They may need to be refilled more often than other types of robots, however they're great for homes with floors made of wood which aren't easy to clean using a vacuum.

These robots are packed with some amazing technology, and cost significantly less than you'd think. eufy robot vacuum can find a quality one for under $200. It does a decent job cleaning on hard floors, while also navigating around the edges of carpets and area rug. The robot can be programmed to clean the room on a regular basis. It can be controlled remotely through an app or by pressing buttons.