5 Things to Know About Robot Vacuum Runtime

Match runtime to your home’s size If the battery dies after 60 minutes and your home takes 90 to clean, you will be waiting for a recharge. Measure your square footage and check the vacuum’s runtime before buying.

Larger homes need longer runtime Homes over 2,000 square feet typically require at least 90 minutes of runtime. Anything less means the vacuum will stop mid-clean.

Runtime drops over time Lithium-ion batteries lose capacity after hundreds of charge cycles. A vacuum that ran for 100 minutes new may only run for 70 after two years.

Carpet drains battery faster Vacuuming thick carpet uses more power than hard floors. Expect 20-30% less runtime on high-pile carpet.

Auto-recharge and resume helps Some vacuums return to their dock when the battery is low, recharge, and then continue cleaning. This feature makes shorter runtime less of a problem.