8 Things to Know Before Getting a Robot Vacuum

Robot vacuums aim to fulfill the dream of every time-strapped person — that is, the dream of having a machine autonomously vacuum your floors clean and even mop them, too. It’s a lovely thought: coming home to a clean home, with your little robot companion napping in its dock after a hard day’s work. Of course, robovac owners know the reality is not that simple.

While the technology found in robovacs has improved significantly since the introduction of the first Roomba in 2002 — for example, they are now much better equipped to navigate homes and some models can handle both vacuum and mopping functions — robovacs have a long way to go before they can claim to be truly autonomous cleaners.

Here are eight things you should know before getting a robot vacuum.

1. Robovacs aren’t as smart as they seem, but they’re getting better 

Robovacs use different technologies for them to be able to “see” and map your home, but some of these technologies often work better than others. For example, robovac maker Roborock employs RGB cameras and LiDAR in its S7 and S8 MaxV Ultra units, which CNET’s test team found allowed them to accurately map and consistently clean every inch of our test floor. 

Robovacs employing other technologies don’t fare as well, missing certain spots such as corners or even skipping rooms entirely. The point is, expect your robovac to do a pretty good job getting around, but you may have to slightly adjust your living space for a better clean.

2. You’ll still need to pick up the clutter 

Speaking of adjusting your space, expect to get in the habit of clearing your living space before your robovac can get to work. With the exception of the Roborock Saros Z70 unveiled at this year’s CES, which has an arm that can pick up socks, you’ll have to remove any clothing or cords on the floor before your robovac gets to work. 

Got pets? Better hope they didn’t have an accident, because robovacs have been known to run right over poop and spread it around the house. That said, certain robovacs do a fine job navigating pet messes, such as the Roomba J7 Plus, which CNET has named the best poop-detecting robovac.

3. Pets don’t play nice with them 

Speaking of furry friends, pet parents should be aware that many dogs and cats can find robovacs scary and stress-inducing (although dogs may find robovacs less threatening than more traditional vacuums). According to Cats.com, “The combination of loud noise, unpredictable movement and a strange smell is often overwhelming for cats and causes them anxiety.” If you’re still interested in buying a robovac, help your animals slowly adjust to their presence in your home.

4. Some maintenance is required 

Even with newer, fancier robovac units that automatically empty their dustbins, refill water tanks and clean mop pads, you’ll still have to conduct regular maintenance on your device so that it continues to perform well and won’t prematurely break down. If your robovac doesn’t self-empty, expect to do a dustbin dump every day. You’ll also have to keep the wheels clean of debris on a daily basis. 

Other maintenance includes cleaning brush rolls and wheels every week and regularly checking charging contacts and sensors. Most robovacs autonomously charge themselves and many now come with self-emptying and self-cleaning docks. 

5. Keep the sensors clear 

As mentioned, robovacs need sensors to navigate their environments. However, in the course of cleaning, these sensors may accumulate dust and other debris. To help your robovac stay on the top of its game, regularly clean sensors with a microfiber cloth (the same used to clean monitors and other screens).

6. Mopping isn’t very good 

You may be tempted by combo robovacs that not only vacuum your floors, but mop as well. While certain units do an admirable job at both, expect to pay a several hundred dollar premium. Other issues can pop up as well, with combo robovacs leaving carpets damp or dragging a dirty mop pad across your floor. Certain robovacs perform both tasks better than others. For example, the Roomba Combo J7 Plus (one of CNET’s picks for best overall robovac) comes equipped with an arm that stows the mop pad when carpets are detected.

7. You still need to clean

Along with keeping your living space tidy so your robovac can perform better, expect to clean up after it as well. While certain units (like the aforementioned Roborock) do a great job cleaning every inch of a room, others may skip out on areas such as corners or under furniture. It can also be quite annoying to call out the robovac for some spot cleaning, like, say, after dinner.

It’s good to have another vacuum cleaner that you control around for the messes left behind by the robovac. And for robo mops? Many lack the power to clean deep stains, so expect the need to apply some elbow grease. Robovacs will overall save you time, but be prepared to regularly chip in to help.

8. Stairs and corners can still be a challenge 

Whether a robovac will work great for you depends on your living space. As mentioned, many robovacs often struggle with cleaning corners. They also have a tendency to get stuck on the thresholds between rooms (hence a new unit seen at CES that’s equipped with legs). But if there’s one thing that all robovacs can’t handle, it’s stairs. So if your living space is spread throughout multiple floors, expect to either carry your robovac to other floors to clean, or to buy a unit for each floor.

Knowing what to expect when it comes to keeping your robovac running smoothly can help save you a lot of time and keep your home cleaner.

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