What to Look For in a Good Robot Vacuum A robot vacuum can keep you on the top of pet hair and lint on daily basis. Many robot vacuums are compatible with apps that allow you to schedule cleaning times. You can also set virtual boundaries, or "walls," to ensure that the vacuum is kept away from areas that you don't want cleaned. This smart vacuum and mop creates a map of your home with 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, self-cleaning brush roll. Object Detection When picking a robot vacuum, look for one that is able to pick up large objects, such as toys and lamp cords, and also fine dirt. This will ensure that the items don't get stuck in the roller brushes or left 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 also a good idea to choose a model with a powerful motor and lots of suction power. This will enable it to be more effective in removing dust, pet hair and lint off carpets and hardwood flooring. Another crucial aspect to consider is the size of your space. If you have a large house, you may prefer a model with multiple cleaning zones that cover the entire home in one go. Some models have mopping features that can be used to keep floors fresh and clean. Robot vacuums last a long time however, they must be cleaned regularly and properly. Cleaning the rotating brushes and emptying the dust bin and wiping the sensors clean on a regular basis will keep your machine running smoothly for the years to be. Many of the robot vacuum owners who we talk to have owned their machines for ten years or more (and have replaced brushes, motors, and batteries with time). A basic robot will cost you less than a full-size vacuum cleaner, however they'll still do a great job of keeping up with dirt on the surface, pet hair, and lint. You can use them to scrub your floors several times per day. The drawback is that they don't have as technological innovation, and may be prone to getting stuck or needing human intervention. Object Avoidance The most effective robot vacuums utilize sensors, lasers, or cameras to guide them around your home without getting stuck or falling down the stairs. Some models will return to their dock or base when the battery is low. They can also stay clear of obstacles like furniture legs and cords. Some of the most expensive models come with mapping capabilities that allow them to learn your home's layout and therefore spend less time bouncing off walls. You don't have to spend a lot of money on the most expensive robotic vacuums. There are models that do an excellent job of picking up pet hair and dirt from hard surfaces such as tile, wood, and low-pile rugs. They can also do a decent job of handling larger objects such as metal screws or staples that have rust, or abandoned toys. Some models come with an automatic base that drains itself, which is great when you don't need to empty it at the end of each cleaning session. Some robotic vacuums have clever features, making the traditional stick vacuum look old-fashioned. These include schedules, zone-targeting, and the capability to control them through an app or voice assistant, like Alexa. You can also create cleaning zones and 'virtual walls' to block off areas where you don't want the robot to go. Certain robotic vacuums such as the Eufy 11S and my former favorite Roborock S8 Roborock S8, have obstacle avoidance technology that keeps them from crashing into furniture or tangling cords. Some robot vacuums, like the iRobot Roomba j7+ have more advanced AI obstacle-avoidance technology that uses cameras, processors and algorithms to stay clear of items such as lamp cords and pet waste. It's a bit more expensive than other bots I've tested however, it did a great job of avoiding obstacles within my home and rarely got derailed or trapped while working on my floors. While the iRobot j7+ was a solid obstacle avoidance tool however, it wasn't always doing well in removing dirt and crumbs off my carpets. It also had a tendency to over-vacuum areas, which resulted in lots of dust in the filter and a less clean house. Smart Mapping Some of the best robots vacuums come with an app that allows you to customize cleaning modes, create schedules, and look at the floor area covered by the machine. This is a useful feature, and one that many competitors don't have. It is easy to create profiles that will automatically start your robot at specific times and keep it running on an ongoing basis, such as cleaning the living area prior to dinner or on a regular basis. A good app will allow you to control your robot using voice commands. Certain models can be controlled by Amazon's Alexa or Google Assistant and can work completely hands-free, so you can say "start a clean" or "change cleaning mode" without having to use the app. Look for models with an enormous dust bin. This will allow you to perform many cleaning sessions without needing empty it. There are models that self-empty, eliminating the need to empty the machine after every vacuuming session. If you're looking for a robot that does more than vacuum, you should consider one that has mopping functions. These are usually larger than robotic vacuums and have a water tank that can hold multiple cleaning sessions' worth of dust and dirt before having to be emptied. The most advanced robots can create their own maps of your house and can even keep track of the arrangement between cleanings which can help them avoid getting lost or stuck in corners. This can make a big difference in the efficiency of your robot vacuum, since it won't have to return to where it was when it comes across walls or furniture. Our test subjects found that robots that had this feature were extremely efficient. They could sit and watch TV or complete other things while the robot cleaned. Some models use laser navigation to create a map of your home. You can then program them to clean your bedroom after dinner, or in all rooms while you're working. App Control If you're looking to change the frequency at which the robot cleans your home and choose a cleaning option you should choose one that is compatible with an app for mobile devices. You can also view the state of the vacuum and the state of its dust bin within the app. Some of the best robot vacuums are controlled by voice with Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri Shortcuts. It is simple to maintain a robot with a washable filter and a self-emptying bin, particularly when the filter is easily removed and rinsed. Another great feature is a powerful brush that is able to reach into corners and along baseboards which makes it easier to get rid of dirt and hair. Some robots are more adept at avoiding chair leg than others. Others come with a sensor that automatically cleans brushes to avoid obstruction. Some robo-vacs have navigation tools that help them navigate around obstacles and to learn about your home. The top models utilize sensors and cameras to identify obstacles like stairs, furniture and cords. The cheaper models could utilize boundary strips to mark areas you don't want to see it go. Avoidance of objects can be particularly useful for families with children who scatter toys and socks around the home. This allows your robot to gather these items instead of scattering. We're beginning to see more robots that have mops, which are beneficial for those who have hard floors and need to regularly clean them. These robots come with a water reservoir built into their chassis or as a separate component that can be swapped in when ready to mop. These robots might require refilling frequently but they're ideal for homes that have hard floors and can't be cleaned with a vacuum. We've seen some amazing technology incorporated into these tiny robots, and they're a lot less expensive than you might expect. In fact, you can get a decent one for less than $200 that can do a decent job of getting rid of pet hair and crumbs off hard floors, while navigating the edges of lightweight carpets or area rug. The robot can be programmed to clean specific rooms on a regular basis. It can also be controlled remotely using an app or by pressing buttons.