What to Look For in a Good Robot VacuumA quality robot vacuum will assist you in keeping track of pet hair, lint and dust on a regular basis. Many of them use apps to allow you to schedule cleaning sessions and define virtual boundaries or "walls" to keep them out of areas that you don't want to be cleaned.This smart vac-mop will create a map of your home's layout with its initial run. It then stores the area to be used for cleaning tasks in the future. It comes with self-cleaning brush rolls as well as an extra-large dust bin that empties automatically.Object DetectionWhen selecting a robot vacuum cleaner, select one that can pick-up large items like lamps and toys and dust particles of fine size. This will ensure they don't get caught by the roller brush and aren't left on your floors. This is particularly crucial if your robot is going to be regularly cleaned by children or pets.It's an excellent idea to select a model that has an efficient motor and lots of suction power. This will help it to be more effective in getting rid of dust, pet hair, and lint from carpets as well as hardwood flooring.Another factor to consider is the size of your space. If you have a huge home, you may choose a model with multiple cleaning zones that cover the entire home in one session. Some models have a mopping feature that can be utilized to keep floors fresh and clean.Robot vacuums can last for a long time however, they must be cleaned regularly and properly. Cleaning the rotating brushes regularly and emptying the dust bin, and wiping the sensors will keep your robot running smoothly for a long time. Many of the robot vacuum owners we speak to have owned their machines for ten years or more (and have replaced motors, brushes, and batteries as time went by).A basic robot will cost you less than a full-sized vacuum cleaner, however they'll still do an excellent job at removing dirt and pet hair and dust. They're an excellent maintenance tool that you can distribute often throughout the week to keep your floors tidy. However, they don't have as smart technology, and can be prone to getting stuck or requiring human intervention.Object AvoidanceThe most effective robot vacuums utilize cameras, sensors or lasers to guide you around your home, avoiding getting stuck or falling down the stairs. Some models can return to their dock or base when their batteries are low. They can also avoid obstacles such as furniture cords and legs. The more expensive ones often come with mapping capabilities that permit them to memorize the design of your home and lessen the time you spend bumping into walls.There is no need to spend lots of money on the most expensive robotic vacuums. You can still find models that do an excellent job at picking up pet hair and dirt from hard surfaces such as tile, wood and low-pile rug. They can also handle larger debris such as nails that are rusty, metal screws or even toys that have been discarded. Some models come with an automatic base that drains itself, which is ideal when you don't need to empty it after each cleaning session.Most robotic vacs also offer smart features that make your regular stick vacuum appear ancient with features like schedules, zone targeting and the ability to control them via an app or a voice assistant like Alexa. You can also set up cleaning zones and virtual walls' to block off areas you do not want the robot to go.Some robotic vacs, such as the Eufy 11S and my former favorite, the Roborock S8, have obstacle avoidance technology that keeps them from getting sucked into furniture or tangling cords. Others, such as the iRobot Roomba j7+, are more sophisticated. AI obstacle avoidance that utilizes sensors powered by processors to identify and avoid items like shoe cords, lamp cords socks and pet waste. mop robot vacuum 's a bit more expensive than the other bots I've tried, but it does an excellent job of avoiding obstacles and never is stuck or tripped when I'm working on my floor.Although the iRobot J7+ was a solid obstacle avoidance tool but it wasn't always able to do an excellent job of removing dirt and crumbs off my rugs. It also was known to over-vacuum certain areas, leading to a lot of dust in the filters and a less clean home.Smart MappingSome of the best robots vacuums have an app that allows you to modify cleaning modes, make schedules, and look at the floor area that is covered by the machine. This is a great feature that other models don't have. This lets you create profiles that automatically start the robot at specific times and run it regularly. For example, cleaning the living room every day, or just before dinner.A good app will allow you to control your robot via voice commands. Certain models can be controlled by Amazon's Alexa or Google Assistant and can work completely hands-free. You can say "start with a clean" or "change cleaning mode" without using the app.To have a hands-free experience, choose an option with a big dust bin that can accommodate several cleaning sessions before having to be empty. There are models that are self-emptying that take some of the labor out of emptying the robot after each run of vacuuming.If vacuum mop combo want a robot capable of doing more than just vacuum, you'll want to look into one that can mop your floors. These are usually larger than robotic vacuums and include a tank of water that can hold multiple cleaning sessions worth of dirt and dust before needing to emptied.The most advanced robots create their own maps of your home and can even keep track of the layout between cleanings, which helps them avoid getting lost or stuck in corners. This can make a significant difference in the efficiency of your robot vacuum, since it won't have to go back to where it was when it encounters furniture or walls.Our test subjects who tested the robot that has this feature found it to be very efficient, and could easily watch TV or complete other chores while the robot cleaned. Some models employ laser navigation to create the map of your home. You can program them to clean the bedroom after dinner, or throughout the house while you're working.App ControlIf you'd like to alter how often the robot cleans your home and select the cleaning mode it is recommended to purchase one that is compatible with an app that can be downloaded on mobile. You can also view the status of the vacuum and the condition of its dust bin using the app. Some of the best robot vacuums are controlled by voice with Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri Shortcuts.A robot with a self-emptying bin and washable filters is easy to keep clean, particularly when you are able to easily access the filter and remove it to wash it. A powerful brush is another great feature that can reach into corners and along baseboards to remove hair and dirt. Certain robots are better in avoiding chair legs than others. Others have a sensor that automatically cleans brushes to avoid obstruction.Some robo-vacs have navigation tools to aid them in navigating obstacles and learn your home. The most expensive models employ sensors and cameras to recognize obstacles like furniture, stairs and cords. Less expensive models might use boundary strips to mark areas that you don't wish it to enter. Avoidance of objects is particularly important for families with children who throw toys and socks scattered throughout the house, because it allows your robot to grab those items instead of scattering them.More robots are equipped with mops. This is beneficial for those with hard floors who require to mop regularly. 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. They might need to be filled more frequently than other types of robots, but they're ideal for homes with floors made of wood that can't be easily cleaned using a vacuum.These robots are packed with some impressive technology, and cost significantly less than you'd think. You can find a decent one under $200, which does a decent cleaning job on hard floors, while also navigating around the edges of carpets and rugs. You can program the robot to sweep a room on a regular basis, and it can be controlled remotely via the app or by pressing buttons on its side.