This article was written by my colleague NRTC Managed Services Admin
The wheel. The printing press. Apollo 11. Certainly these make the list of humankind’s greatest technological achievements, but #1 on the list for procrastinators and busy housekeepers everywhere is, hands down, the robot vacuum! Just imagine: no more carrying a bulky vacuum up and down stairs, no more asking kids and spouses to “please lift your legs.” Instead, with today’s robot vacuums you really can set it and forget it and you’ll never have to trap dust bunnies again.
Here’s how to choose the right one for you:
The market is full of options and not every robot is right for every household. Do you have more carpet or more hardwood (some do both, some only hardwood)? Do you want it to unload its dustbin while charging or will you empty it yourself? Do you want it to sync with your Alexa or Google Home or are you happy to control it on your phone? Is it more important to have a robot that runs quiet or one with amazing suction (looking at you, pet owners)? And of course, you’ll want to pick a model that fits your budget. Robot vacuums run from $200 to well over $1000 so, while you don’t want to skimp (and end up sweeping yourself!) if you don’t need the one with LED lights and music, don’t waste your money! Try https://bestreviews.com/best-robotic-vacuums for a list of 2021’s top models and their pros and cons.
Now you’ve got your robot! How do you put it to work? While each robot is a bit different, the basic steps of operation are the same:
- Plug in. Find a clean, uncluttered spot against a wall to plug in the robot home. Place the robot on its home to charge. Make sure it’s fully charged (about three hours) before the first use.
- Get the app. Download the robot app to your phone. Most robots provide support for both Apple and Android phones.
- Connect. Use the app to connect your robot to your home WiFi network.
- Map it. Most robots have multiple settings for how the unit will learn the nooks and crannies of your house. Check your app for options on how to “map” your home. Some robots take 3-4 practice runs before they get the hang of corners, stairs, and furniture placement.
After that, make sure to empty dustbins regularly and charge when not in use. Beyond that? Please lift your legs up and relax!
