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Since first hitting the market back in the early 2000s, robot vacs have improved significantly. But if you’re looking to get a new vacuum for your home, the biggest decision right now is whether you want to get one that has LiDAR. Here’s everything you should know, along with the best robot vacuums worth your money.
What Is LiDAR?
LiDAR, or Light Detection and Ranging, became a game-changer in 2010, when Neato released the XV11. This model utilized an invisible spinning laser to measure not just the size of the room, but also where any objects might obstruct its path, like couches, tables, ottomans and even instrument stands.
Robot Vacuums With LiDAR Buying Guide
In this article, we’ll be focusing primarily on LiDAR vacs and all they have to offer. When choosing one, there are a few things to consider.
Mapping: In our testing, we found that LiDAR vacs were better at creating a map of the room and learning where obstacles are, since the laser is scanning at ground level. Plus with LiDAR, you won’t even need the lights on for the vac to do its job, since it already has a working map. This can ease any privacy concerns you may have with letting a camera freely roam around your living space, and it’s also way less likely to get stuck in a corner.
Apps and Connectivity: Most robot vacuums come with their own smartphone apps, where you can create clear “no-go” zones. This is especially helpful for spots that are too delicate to send a robot vac into, like in the back of an entertainment center or desk where there are loads of loose wires. If you have a smart home set up and want everything linked together, connecting Alexa or any other AI system might also be an option.
Convenience: If a vac needs too much maintenance and constant care, you’re more likely to stop using it altogether. It can be enormously frustrating when a vac keeps getting stuck in small areas or choking on a stray sock that was on the floor. The best robot vacuums will really only need your attention when it’s time to empty the dustbin.
Speed: LiDAR vacs can also finish the job faster than traditional robot vacuums — starting out with a clear map of the room means less learning (and bumping into things) as it goes, and having a clear outline of the space translates to more efficiency and speed, as well as saving battery life. This means covering more of your house in one go before it needs to hustle back to its charging pod. A faster vac that moves with more momentum can be a good option for houses with various flooring, since it’ll have enough power to get over any higher thresholds, like going from flat hardwood to thick carpeting.
Mopping: While many of these have a “mopping” capability, it’s more of a nice extra feature than a really practical one. It typically doesn’t have the muscle to really clean floors like traditional mopping does, and is more equivalent to wiping it down with a wet cloth.
Battery: Another nice thing about LiDAR vacs is they’ll automatically return to their charging dock when they sense the battery is getting low (usually around 20 percent), then go back to finish the job later once it’s fully charged.
What Are the Best Robot Vacuums With LiDAR?
We’ve selected four LiDAR-based vacs to keep your floors clean without having to break out your clunky, old-school vacuum.
