What to Look For in a Robot Carpet Cleaner
Many robots are effective at getting rid of hair and other debris on carpeted floors. You should search for models that come with zones or spots that are cleaned in a mode, which permits you to choose a particular area to be cleaned.
The best robots are equipped with sensors that permit them to navigate through your home and return to their charging station to charge themselves. They are more practical than a vacuum that you need to push around your house.
Self-charging
Robot carpet cleaners require less care than traditional vacuum cleaners. If you adhere to the basic maintenance procedures, such as checking the rotating brushes to determine whether they’re tangled emptying the dust bin (and cleaning it in the event that the manufacturer permits), and wiping the sensors or cameras so that they can see the home clearly for the next clean-up, you’ll be able to use your robot for many years.
Some robots also have automatic recognition of carpets which boosts suction to remove dirt that has been embedded. This feature is particularly important if your home has carpets. Some models will also raise the mop pads to avoid the carpets from getting wet.
There are budget-friendly robots that have this feature, such as our budget-friendly choice, the ILIFE A4s Pro Robot Vacuum Cleaner 2000Pa Max V3S Pro. It was less expensive than the other smart robots that we tested, yet it was capable of eating Cheerios and piles o oatmeal with ease. It also managed to navigate through a fake dog turd and a variety of cords without getting stuck.
However, you should keep in mind that robots typically have a a very short warranty period of one or two years. When CHOICE asked robot owners about their reliability in 2020 many reported problems with their machines, and some complained about the high price of replacing parts. If you plan to buy a robotic vacuum, consider how often you’ll need to replace Shop the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaners for Carpet battery and other parts before you decide on a specific model.
Self-emptying
Find a robot that can vacuum and mop floors. This will allow you to enjoy a completely clean and hands-free experience. These bots will do the work for you while you’re away. Some models have scheduling capabilities, so you can decide when and how often your home needs to be cleaned.
Choose a machine that uses a powerful battery to deliver an efficient clean without the need for constant recharges. It is also able to resume cleaning from where it began, which will make it easier to save time. It’s also useful in the event that the robot is equipped with smart features that can boost performance in challenging areas. The Roborock X5S, for example comes with a mapping feature that allows it to create more precise maps than any other smart bot. It also lets you view its map in three dimensions and make adjustments like zones that are not allowed to be in. It also has a spot cleaning mode that helps remove isolated spills faster and a turbo booster for carpets with fur.
Robot makers are striving to improve their ability to identify carpets so that they can alter their cleaning modes to better match the type of flooring. Certain robots, such as our top pick, the iRobot Roomba S9+ can detect carpet and automatically increase suction to better absorb dirt. Other models, like the iLife V3s Pro, can raise their mops above carpet and use a rubber brush that’s less likely to become tangly than Eufy’s.
You should also consider a robot vacuum/mop that has an empty bin that can be cleaned and removed (if the manufacturer suggests this) and a nozzle that can be replaced when it becomes clogged. Find a robot vacuum or mop that can wash and dry its filter after each cleaning session.
Self-cleaning
If you have a lot of carpet in your home, you need to find an automated system that can handle it effectively. There are several brands that have developed models that are excellent for cleaning carpeted surfaces including iRobot and Eufy.
Some robots, such as the iRobot Roomba S9+, can detect when they’re in carpeted areas, and increase their suction to capture embedded dirt more efficiently. It’s not a make or break feature, but it can be helpful if you have a mix of soft and hard flooring in your home.
Other robots, like the Roborock Q Revo, can vacuum and mop your floors at the same time. They use circular pads that rotate at 200 rotations per minute and can handle up to 7 millimeters of carpeting. This model is able to detect carpeted areas and raises its pads to avoid soaking your flooring. The large water tank can be used for multiple cleaning sessions. You won’t need to empty it every time.
In addition to the above features, many robots can be programmed using an app or integrated into a virtual assistant to perform scheduled tasks. For instance, the iRobot Roomba S9+ can be programmed to return to its dock and then resume cleaning when the predetermined time has expired. Alternatively, you can press the on-device dock button to manually move the robot back to its dock.
If you’re looking to buy a cheap robot vacuum that performs well on carpeted floors. Consider the Shark ION Robot AV753 Series. It isn’t equipped with Roomba’s LIDAR mapping sensor, and it isn’t able to divide rooms into zones, however it does an excellent job of removing debris from carpeting and hardwood floors with a low pile. It has a self-emptying dust bin that is controlled by the iRobot App or Amazon Alexa.
Sensors
Sensors are needed to allow robots to navigate your home and clean it up without supervision. They use them to avoid running into objects, form maps of the area they’re cleaning, and even detect areas that are filthy. They’re typically built inside the robot’s body or integrated into a separate module and can include things like ultrasonic sensors, gyroscopes, and cliff sensors.
Certain models have bump sensors that function like a human’s bumper car to keep the robot from hitting objects. However, they can be ineffective and result in paint scratches and scratches to furniture. You’re better off with a robot that has advanced laser navigation which is more precise and precise. This can be expensive, but it’s well worth the investment If you’re worried about scratching your furniture and walls scratched.
Most robot vacuums are good at removing dirt from hard floors as well as low pile carpets. However, they have a hard to remove tiny particles that are embedded in the fibers of carpets. They also don’t pick up dust near baseboards or doors in the same way as an upright or canister vacuum. Many people opt for a traditional vacuum along with a robot model for these reasons.
Some robots, such as the iRoborock j7+ come with a unique feature called Dirt Detect. It helps them detect dirt-related incidents and concentrate on the areas. If the robot detects a large cat litter spill and then returns to the start of the mess until all litter is gone. You can also purchase mopping robots that can also wet-mop and vacuum. These units utilize a circular pad that spins at 200 rotations per minute. They can be used on soft and hard surfaces, including floor carpets.
Navigation
If you’re shopping for a robot carpet cleaner navigation is a key consideration. It determines how thoroughly your home is cleaned and whether the robot will run into objects, such as furniture, or stick to walls. Some robots use camera mapping, whereas others use lasers or gyroscopes to navigate through the space. This type of technology can be expensive but it’s an investment worth the investment for those who want their home to be as clean as possible.
A robot with a great navigation system will clear your entire house quickly and efficiently. It will not get stuck or get caught in obstacles. It will also stay clear of areas it’s already cleaned. This is especially important if you work in multiple rooms or have an extensive floorplan. Many top-quality robot vacuums come with maps that save your location and let you view the cleaning route or set no-go zones in an app.
Robots without ability to map are more likely to have trouble navigating around corners and edges. They may miss certain areas or even entire rooms. A robot that has SLAM navigation can prevent these issues by creating an exact map of the room. The best robot vacuums that utilize SLAM navigation are able to save the map and keep track of their previous position, making them more efficient and quicker than those that do not have SLAM.
The Eufy RoboVac 11S Max robot was the most affordable model we tested, performed better than all other models we tested except the Roborock Q5, that is significantly more expensive. The long run time and generous dust bin make it ideal for homes with a large footprint. It comes with a range of intelligent features like automatic charging and resume, a robust brush bar and flooring type detection.