They’re able to maneuver around furniture or other objects in the room without any problem. Not only that but they don’t get tangled up in cords as most are completely cordless!
However, not all robot vacuums are created equal. Here are 10 things you should look out for when shopping for a robot vacuum cleaner for your home.
1. Obstacle Detection
Robotic vacuum cleaners are touted as autonomous cleaning machines, but the degree of autonomy obtainable in these devices depends a lot on how much you’re willing to put on the table.
Granted, all robotic vacuum cleaners have sensors. But how well do the sensors in the model you’re getting work? A robotic vacuum’s ability to detect objects in its way can be the difference between coming home to a well-cleaned house or a stuck robot with mangled cables.
If you don’t want the latter experience, you need to make sure the model you opt for has sensors or cameras that can detect objects left lying on the floor so it doesn’t end up eating your cables.
2. Cliff Detection
Most robot vacuums are equipped with cliff sensors to keep them away from falling from stairs and other uneven surfaces in the home.
These sensors alert the robot to change direction when they detect a cliff, keeping it away from falling and breaking apart. Almost every robot cleaner has this feature, but it’s worth mentioning here because of how important the feature is. You don’t want to get a robotic vacuum cleaner without cliff sensors.
3. App Integration
Robot vacs offer a wide range of remote-control features, and it helps to take a look at different models and what they offer before making a buy. In addition, most robotic vacuum cleaners have apps you can use to control them.
You can use the app to see its cleaning path and direct it to specific places you want to be cleaned. Beyond monitoring and redirecting, most robotic cleaners’ app can also set cleaning schedules for the devices.
Higher-end robotic cleaners take the remote-control game a notch higher by allowing for integration with smart assistants like Google, Siri, and Alexa for easier control.
4. Home Mapping
How well a robot vacuum can map your home impacts its efficiency. Beyond increasing efficiency, home mapping also helps keep your robot away from dangerous spots.
Most robot cleaners have this feature, but they employ different techniques. Some robotic vacuum cleaners rely on magnetic strips to identify boundaries, while higher-end models can do this intuitively through sensors and cameras.
This is another capability you should look out for if you’re in the market for robotic vacuum cleaners.
5. Mopping
Some robotic vacuum cleaners are designed to get all your cleaning done at once. That is, they vacuum and mop at the same time.
A robotic vacuum cleaner like the Roborock S7 can vacuum and mop simultaneously. This feature may not be important for everyone, but if you find you have to mop your home after vacuuming, then this is definitely something to look out for when buying a robot vacuum cleaner.
6. Noise Level
Never select a robot vacuum cleaner without first finding out how loud it is while in action. If you’re buying from a physical store, be sure to test the noise level on its highest power setting before you commit.
If you’re buying online, read product reviews to find out what verified buyers are saying about it. All robotic vacuum cleaners make a certain degree of noise, but finding out the loudness of different models ensures you’re not buying something that will ruin your home’s peace.
7. Self-Emptying Capability
Another important factor to consider when looking to get a robot cleaner is if it has self-emptying capabilities. Some robotic vacuum cleaners like the Kyvol Cybovac S31 can empty themselves into a bin after cleaning, while others require emptying manually after every clean.
There’s nothing wrong with emptying your robot yourself. But its inability to empty itself may pose a challenge when cleaning a large house because you may need to empty it many times before it’s done.
8. Battery Life
One of the things to love about robot vacuum cleaners is that they’re cordless and can cover long distances. But this coolness comes at a price; their batteries need to be recharged.
This isn’t usually a problem, as most robotic vacuums clean for more than an hour before needing to recharge. But if you live in a large house, you want to make sure you get a model that has a high runtime. This way, you don’t have to stop mid-clean to recharge your robot.
9. Maneuverability
One of the things to have in mind before getting a robotic vacuum cleaner is that it can’t be kept just anywhere. The ideal position for a robotic vacuum cleaner’s home base, which also serves as its charging station, is against a flat wall with some free space surrounding it.
This way, your robotic vacuum cleaner can navigate back to its charging station after cleaning. Going back to its base is important to ensure the machine is always charged and ready to use.
The free space a robot requires varies across models; some models need less surrounding space than others, which is something you want to keep in mind when shopping for a cleaning robot.
10. Maintenance
Robotic vacuum cleaners need regular maintenance to remain effective. A robotic vacuum clogged with debris can’t bring out the sparkle in your home. You’ll need to clean its bristles and brushes frequently if you want it to keep cleaning well.
The good news is that cleaning a robotic vacuum isn’t complex, it takes only a few minutes, and you can find directions on how to do it in the manufacturer’s cleaning manual.
Finding a Robot Vacuum That Matches Your Needs
Choosing the best robot vacuum cleaner that matches your needs shouldn’t be a daunting task. Placing your needs side-by-side with the factors we’ve shared above gives you an idea of what to look out for when shopping for a robotic vacuum cleaner.
However, if you’re still unsure what you want or you’re on a budget, feel free to check out our guide on some of the best robot vacuums you can get for your home.
