Early robot vacuum models were high-maintenance, power-consuming, and limited in options. Over time, the technology has improved to a point where there’s now an “excess” of variety in the market.
With the astonishing number of features in the latest models, it can be hard to pick one best suited to your needs. The good news is that you just need to consider the features that matter (e.g., mapping, suction, and battery), and you’ll be good to go.
Below are all such important factors so you can easily pick the best robot vacuum.
Why Should You Consider a Robot Vacuum for Your Home?
Robot vacuums make cleaning your home effortless, making them a worthy investment. They save you time, energy, and money that you would otherwise spend on a cleaning assistant or doing the chores yourself. One of the key advantages of a robot vacuum cleaner is its efficiency and convenience, offering a hassle-free cleaning experience.
Beyond that, robot vacuums enhance your home’s air quality, creating a more pet- and family-friendly environment. If you suffer from dust or pet fur allergies, a robot vacuum can help reduce allergens, making your home more comfortable.
What Features Should You Look for in a Robot Vacuum?
When selecting a robot vacuum, it's essential to consider several key factors to ensure you choose the best model for your home and cleaning needs.
1. Navigation and Mapping Technology
Smart vacuums have two types of navigation and mapping technologies: lidar-based and sensor-based.
Advanced models have lidar, which is better at mapping your home. Better mapping means better navigation as well—it would avoid bumping into furniture, stairs, and other obstacles almost every time. Sensor-based navigation is not too far behind in terms of mapping, but it does leave out some spots while cleaning.
If your budget allows, go with lidar-based navigation—and then look for room mapping and zoning features. These allow you to designate specific areas for the vacuum, both where you want and don’t want it to clean.
2. Suction Power and Floor Compatibility
Higher suction power—measured in Pascals (Pa) — is generally better. However, the ideal rating for you depends on your needs:
● Below 1,000 Pa: Low traffic, less dusty homes with light floors (hardwood or tile).
● 1,000 to 2,000 Pa: Moderate traffic, moderately dusty homes with pets.
● Beyond 2,000 Pa: High traffic, highly dusty homes with pets and carpets.
Automatic vacuum cleaners compatible with different floor types have different suction power and cleaning mechanisms, too. But whether the area you want the robot to clean has a mix of different surfaces (i.e., hardwood, tile, and carpet), always pick a multi-surface one with adjustable suction power.
Its versatility will future-proof you and work just fine even if you move somewhere else.
3. Battery Life and Charging
An average smart vacuum would offer a battery life between 1 and 2 hours, although higher end models will go up to 3 hours. So, once the battery is consumed, the robot vacuum will stop cleaning and will require a charge.
Here, there are vacuums that automatically recharge (by going back to their charging dock themselves) and ones that simply charge faster to complete the cleaning.
Investing in a smart vacuum is all about automating tedious cleaning chores. So, if you don’t get the automatically rechargeable vacuums, you’ll still have work to do. If possible, maximize your budget pre-purchase and get an auto recharging robot vacuum.
4. Dustbin Mechanism
Similar to batteries, the dustbin mechanism is also about capacity and automation. If the vacuum comes with a small dustbin, you’d have to empty it more often between cleaning sessions. Although, a small dustbin might just be enough for you if you want the vacuum to clean just a small room in your home.
Higher end vacuums automate the dustbin emptying part for you as well. They go back to their dock and empty their bin into a larger bin, all without creating a mess. If you have to choose between a self-recharging vacuum and a self-emptying one, go with the former. While the self-emptying feature is great, it’s not worth paying extra for alone.
5. Smart Features
Once all the above is done, now is the time you look at additional features that make the robot vacuum more convenient for you.
If the vacuum has Wi-Fi connectivity, you can operate it using your phone and won’t have to play with the device or its dock yourself. This control would enable you to schedule cleanings, start or stop the vacuum, and even monitor the vacuum’s health.
If you have voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, you can use them to control the vacuums using your voice. Better yet, if you have a fully integrated smart home systems (i.e., a camera system that monitors whether your home or not), you can even schedule the vacuum to start cleaning when you leave.
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