In theory, robot vacuums are the perfect solution for maintaining a spotless home without having to lift a finger. Many new models (including affordable ones) feature everything from laser navigation sensors to map your floor plan, to phone and voice control for the ultimate in kick-back cleaning.
But in practice, robot vacuums require a little more human intervention than you might expect. They can get tripped up on wires, rugs, and everyday household clutter, or lose their way on the path back to the charging dock. Luckily, after testing scores of robotic vacuums, we’ve figured out our way around many of these easily avoidable obstacles.
Follow these tips for a worry-free cleaning experience every time. Oh, and many of these tips apply to robot mops as well.