And if you’d prefer not to be connected to your robot vacuum, you can completely remove the Wi-Fi module and use the remote control to schedule cleaning sessions or direct the robot to an area for spot cleaning. A two-year warranty, which is double the usual duration, comes standard, and the cleaning tool for maintenance is installed in the dustbin, so it can’t get lost or misplaced. Just as your stand-up vacuum can be adjusted to clean either carpet and hard flooring, so to can a robot vac.
These models use an onboard camera or laser reflections to produce a 360-degree view of the room. This allows the robot vac to create a map of the space and locate itself within that map. Cliff sensors let it know when there is an increase in distance to the floor—e.g., stairs or a sunken living room—so it doesn’t tip over the edge. Other sensors tell it when it has bumped into an object, so it can change direction, or is near a wall, so it can follow it. Still other sensors help the robot vacuum track how far it has travelled. Depending on the manufacturer and model, a robot vac might also include sensors that determine the amount of dirt present so it can adjust its cleaning mode accordingly.
Another option is to set up do-not-cross lines or no-go zones, which is a great way to keep bots out of areas where they tend to get stuck or make a mess . Plenty of models can reliably clean homes both small and large, by moving in an orderly path throughout your home, and making a map of where it has or hasn’t been. They rarely miss patches or waste time re-cleaning areas that they’ve already visited. If their batteries run low before they can finish cleaning an entire level of a home, they’re smart enough to drive right back to their dock, recharge for a few hours, and pick up where they left off. We can’t pinpoint one spec or feature that helps a robot navigate well—we just have to test the bots and see how they do. Some cheap, dead-simple bots are incredibly nimble, while certain high-end models struggle constantly.
Another new feature is self-emptying bins, which suck the debris out of the robot and into a canister in the charging dock. For example, I have several radiators in my house with a 3.5-inch clearance that slim vacuums can get under, while just-slim-enough models sometimes get stuck, and too-thick models bump up against and go elsewhere. If you want your robot vacuum to get under your low-clearance furniture, make sure you choose a model that is slim enough to do so. In addition to using each robot vacuum daily for at least several weeks, I tested each for its suction on various types of flooring, including corners, ability to maneuver around obstacles, noise, and special features.
All Roombas include obstacle sensors, and they can detect areas with dirt and debris. Higher-end models will have more advanced navigation and mapping systems and some can map an entire home, which can then be used to specify cleaning areas through a downloadable app. While all of them have the ability to respond to virtual wall barriers, the company offers an additional device called the Dual Mode Virtual Wall that can create the virtual barriers to fence in a Roomba. One great thing about Roombas is that there’s a model to suit almost every size home and budget. Because of the range, options will vary in each product’s smart features, suction power, battery life, and cleaning capabilities. Before selecting the best Roomba for your needs, consider your cleaning goals and review these common shopping considerations.
You can send it out to tackle high traffic areas that need deeper cleaning or messes you need picked up in a hurry with UltraClean mode. Keep in mind that you will need to use the app to access all the extra customization features this robot has to offer. Wi-Fi-enabled robot vacuums allow you to control them with a smartphone app instead of, or in addition to, a physical remote. Those models are worth considering if you’re cleaning large, intricate spaces.
If your robot vacuum gets tripped up every time it goes near a cord or drags pet accidents all over your home, upgrading to the J7+ is well worth the cost. The iRobot Roomba I3+ is the perfect combination of top Roomba features without breaking the bank. It has the self-emptying canister, a must-have if you want to maximize the efficiency of your robot vacuum and minimize your own work.
Nickel batteries suffer from a limitation known as memory loss—basically, over time, they lose the ability to recharge fully. On average, its main and side brushes picked up 10 grams of debris, so in a week it can dyson robot vacuum keep save you the trouble of basic, manual cleaning until you have time to do a deeper clean. The i7+ is expensive, but every penny is accounted for in the large number of features and its excellent performance.