Four common blunders users typically commit with robot vacuums; discovering and addressing these errors will optimize your device's performance.
Hop on the smart cleaning revolution with a robot vacuum, slashing hours from your daily chores! But remember, these gadgets need a little TLC to work optimally. Here are four blunders to dodge to keep your vacuum buddy purring like a dream throughout its life.
4 common robot vacuum pitfalls to dodge:
1. Believing in robot perfection
Imagining a world without a regular vacuum seems sweet, but don't be naive. Robots can't match the thorough, deep cleaning of manual vacuums.
"Robot vacuums are fantastic for daily maintenance, but they're not here to replace deep cleaning sessions entirely," says Aminah Vieira, cleaning whiz and head of marketing and innovation at InspireClean. "Think of them as your helpful cleaning partner that keeps floors tidy between your regular thorough cleanings," she adds.
One day, robots may brew our coffee, but until then, accept that these devices have limits.
Robot vacuums, however, are excellent at taking the edge off your daily cleaning needs, requiring you to deep clean less frequently. That's why armor-up with two vacuums, a traditional one, and a robot vacuum for optimum cleaning results.
"It's only great for maintenance!" states Rhonda Wilson, quality lead cleaner at FreshSpace Cleaning. "If people only rely on a robot vacuum, they might be overestimating what they can do. There might be missed cleaning spots, corners, big messes, or sticky areas the robot can't handle," she warns.
The eufy 3-in-1 E20 mitigates this predicament by incorporating a mini cordless vacuum into the robot, ready to clean up any unfinished business. With a limited-time discount of $200, this robot has got your back!
More info in our eufy 3-in-1 E20 review
2. Settling for cheap thrills
Robot vacuums are an investment, with top-tier models costing over $1,500. But don't be fooled by cut-price offers.
"One common mistake is simply choosing the cheapest option," says Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Cabana. "You don't necessarily need to buy the most expensive option, but understand that a low price usually equates to subpar cleaning."
From our extensive robot vacuum tests, we concur; bargain bots bump into furniture, miss cleaning spots, and develop common faults that engineers must repair. They're also tricky to set up, prone to glitches in navigation and mapping.
Investing a bit more can net you a robot vacuum with a mop, meaning you'll spend less time mopping, or a self-empty station, reducing exposure to common allergens.
Here are our top picks:
Ultra-efficient: Eufy Omni S1 Pro takes the cake as our most effective robot vacuum after rigorous testing. Its triple-threat (vacuuming, mopping, and auto-cleaning) leaves our tester's canister vacuum usage plummeting by 90%! Plus, it's currently $500 cheaper.
Find out more in our eufy Omni S1 Pro review
Style and substance: The iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ is perfect for pet owners, digging deep into carpets with its anti-tangle roller and strong suction. It's also designed with style, and its self-empty station serves double-duty as a side table.
Check out our iRobot Roomba j9+ Combo review
Budget champion: Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 may not match the might of Eufy and Roomba models but offers robust vacuuming, mopping, and self-emptying at a third of their price, making it a bargain for cleaning powerhouses.
More details in our Shark PowerDetect 2-in-1 review
3. Ignoring the power of the app
One of robot vacuums' greatest assets is their intelligent software. Designed to map our homes and minimize our efforts, they're essential smart home tools.
But many users miss out on maximizing the robot's potential. "Really put the app features to good use," advises Rhonda, adding, "I have mine do a double pass in the living room every time."
Know your home's dirtiest areas, and utilize app scheduling and zone mapping to target those places. And if your robot frequently loses its way, allow enough time for the robot to accurately map your abode. This will help minimize additional cleaning time.
"When I first got mine, I was so eager to test it, but after a week or two, I noticed it would sometimes repeat the same spot multiple times while entirely ignoring others. Setting it up will take only 20 minutes or less," Rhonda advises.
The app lets you set a daily pause on noisier functions, define no-go zones, and specify room or zone needs.
4. Neglecting routine maintenance
Keeping your robot vacuum in tip-top shape is essential for the best performance, cleaning, and longevity. Ignoring cleaning can result in blocked sensors and loss of suction power.
"Keep the best from your robot vacuum by emptying the dustbin after a few uses and brushes weekly to prevent tangling," Aminah recommends.
Essential cleaning toolkits for robot vacuums might include brushes, an air compressor, and a seam ripper for those pesky wrapped hairs.
Discover more cleaning mistakes and tips in our series on common cleaning faux pas and smart cleaning hacks
- To ensure your robot vacuum's home-and-garden duties are effective, it's crucial to invest in a quality model that offers features like mopping and self-empty stations, as these can minimize your chores while maintaining a clean living space.
- Technology plays a significant role in robot vacuums, with their advanced software designed to map homes and minimize efforts. Fully utilizing these smart features, such as scheduling and zone mapping, can help achieve a more efficient lifestyle by targeting your home's dirtiest areas.
