Robot vacuums can make cleaning your floors easier. The most effective robot vacuums clean up dirt, pet hair, crumbs, and more.
Although they're unable to do the same job as a regular vacuum, they've come a long way in the past few years. They're more intelligent and more powerful, as well as (marginally better) at avoiding the chair leg.
Smart Mapping
Utilizing navigation tools such as lasers and sensors, robotic vacuum cleaners move through your home, sucking pet hair, crumbs, and dirt from their dustbins. They can be found on hard floors such as wood, tile and laminate, as well as low-pile carpets and area rugs. Robots that are the most sophisticated map your home, so they know where they've been and how to avoid bumping into obstacles such as couches, chairs and bookshelves. You can make use of your smartphone app to set up no-go zones that tell your robot to stay out of rooms that you don't want to clean.
Robots that have advanced mapping capabilities like the Roomba J7, utilize an onboard camera and processor-powered intelligence to see and avoid obstructions. Then, you can allow it to perform the job without having to keep an eye on the status of your floorplan or manually remove obstacles out of the way. The TP Link Tapo RV30 plus is a robot that combines mopping and vacuuming, which means it's a one-stop solution to keep your home clean. It has a great suction system and works with Alexa or Google Assistant. It can self-empty and is also able to be used as a security camera.
A less expensive robot that vacuums, mop and can also be used as a robotic trashcan The Roborock Q Revo is a solid option for homes that don't require the more advanced features of higher-end models. However, it has some limitations in comparison to the Roomba S8 and j7. It has only one rubber brush instead of the dual roller brushes of the others and it may not be as effective at picking up larger debris such as shoes and socks. It also lacks AI obstacle avoidance, which means you might need to clear away clutter before running it.
The iLife A4s Pro robot is an easy-to-use, reliable robot that is ideal for those who appreciate simplicity and competence. It costs less than $200 and provides strong, consistent suction on hardwood as well as low-pile rugs, while avoiding knots. It doesn't have any advanced features, but it does its job well. It also works with voice commands. You can set it up on a schedule, or create zones of no-go zones with the app.
Object Detection
Object-avoidance technology can impact the ability of a robot vacuum navigate your home. Some of the models we've reviewed include sensors (or even cameras) that help your robo-cleaner avoid common traps for robots, such as cords, toys for kids and pet messes. iRobot Roomba J7 is one of the most impressive examples of intelligent technology in motion, is an excellent example. It also features a chic clean base that emptys the garbage bin automatically so you don't need to.
We tested this robotic cleaner in a large home and were amazed by how quickly and thoroughly floors were cleaned without becoming a mess. It's very mobile and can reach areas that stand-up vacuums can't reach, like under beds and couches. It has a 500 ml dustbin, excellent suction and a time of over two hours. However, it isn't equipped with the ability to create no-go zones within the app and its detection of objects is a bit hit-or-miss, meaning we saw it occasionally bump into objects during our tests (resulting in a few tipped vases).
It's important to keep in mind that, regardless of how intelligent a robot vacuum may be, it will not substitute for your upright or canister vacuum. It's not equipped to handle heavily stained carpets, it will not be able to reach every corner, and it won't reach your ceilings or other hard-to-reach areas. However, to keep your floors clear of crumbs, pet hair and other dander, it can be a good addition to your routine of cleaning.
The majority of robot vacuums have sensors that allow them to navigate around obstacles and stairs. They can sense the moment they're about to fall down the stairs, for instance, and can also recognize areas that are cluttered and move around them. If you're not careful, your robo-cleaner may be stuck on a shoe, cord, or other object.
Some smarter robot vacuums have mapping capabilities, which allow them to create an outline of your home and locate themselves within it. They can then identify which areas they have cleaned, and reduce time by not having to go over the same spots. This allows them to resume where they left off, should they need to return to the charging dock.
Self-Emptying
A vacuum cleaner that automatically emptys its dust bin when it is full is a great convenience. Some models also have a window that lets you see when the bin needs to be empty. This is a great feature for people who have pets or children, who can create much more mess than adults.
Most robot vacuums let you select which model can be controlled by an app, a remote from your phone, or through voice commands. They have a number of digital functions, including scheduling and maintenance tips. If you set the right settings, you can program your robot to clean at a set time or on an annual basis. You can also program the robot to clean and map out specific areas of your home.
The most advanced robot vacuums we've tested are equipped with cameras and smart sensors, which enable them to create maps for your home. You can save these maps within the robot's app to quickly navigate around your home. Some of these systems even keep track of furniture placement and note transitions from hard floors to carpet.
The most effective smart vacuums will help you save time by automating the mapping and cleaning of entire houses and keeping precise records of previous cleaning sessions. You can access these records via an app for your phone or tablet. Many of them can be linked to your smart speaker, so that you can control them with voice commands.
TP-Link Tapo RV30+ is a self-emptying robot that offers great performance at a reasonable price. It can clean both floors and sweep up pet hair and other particles from rugs made of wood and low pile. It's not as sophisticated as the other robots we've reviewed, but it does the job well.
The model's tanks-like wheels allow it to go over obstacles such as cords that get caught up and high transitions between rooms. It also has a large dust bin that doesn't need to be emptying manually, and it's also able to recharge and resume cleaning when it's not able to continue cleaning. It's a bit more costly than some of the other robotic vacuums that we've tested however it combines powerful suction and simple controls to provide a fantastic value.
Voice Control
The majority of robot vacuums are controlled using a remote or an app that you can install on your smartphone. Certain robot vacuums can be operated by voice commands using smart speakers such as Amazon Echo or Google Home. This is useful if you have small children or pets who could hinder your cleaning routine, or if you're too exhausted to operate the robot manually.
The majority of models have an automatic mode that works without input from you. Simply press a button on the robot or within the app, and it will start sucking up food, dirt, hair, and crumbs. They can be programmed to clean on a regular schedule, which is ideal for those who wish to program it to forget about it.
Certain models that are more expensive have a feature that uses artificial intelligence to detect and scan the presence of obstacles in your home. These models can recognize things like stairs, power cords, and furniture, and they can also discern between different kinds of flooring. This helps them avoid these hazards which is particularly useful in larger homes that have lots of rugs and other floor coverings that are hard for robots to navigate.
Other robots are more basic in their ability to detect objects however, they still do the job. One example is the TP-Link Tapo RV30 plus, that has the sleek, fuss-free appearance of a WiFi hub but offers the performance of a top robot. It is extremely suction-driven and is able to remove dirt and debris on carpets and hardwood floors with ease. The short and squat-shaped side brush is less likely to be stuck in cords or shoes. The hybrid roller brush, which is made up of bristles as well as plastic, gives an effective cleaning.
It's more expensive than other mid-range models, however, it is able to do everything you require from a robot vacuum and mop. It can map and build a cleaning schedule and has virtual keep-out zones, and is compatible with voice assistants. However, it does not have obstacles avoidance or room scanning like the j7 or S8.
