Robot Vacuum with or without Mapping: Which is Better?

Welcome to the world of robot vacuums! Choosing between a model with or without mapping can significantly impact the efficiency of your cleaning. Vacuums with mapping technology learn the layout of your home to clean systematically and avoid obstacles, while those without mapping tend to wander randomly, hoping to cover every area.

So, which one is right for you? In this article, we’ll explore the differences between these two types of robot vacuums and help you decide which option best suits your needs.

What is Mapping in Robot Vacuums?

Mapping in robot vacuums is how the vacuum figures out the layout of your home to clean it better. Using sensors like lasers, cameras, or simple detection systems, the vacuum "sees" the rooms, furniture, and obstacles around it.

Here’s how different types of mapping work:

• Laser mapping (LiDAR): The vacuum uses lasers to "scan" the room and make a detailed map, which works well even in the dark.
• Camera mapping: It uses a camera to recognize objects and understand the layout, but it needs light to work properly.
• Basic sensors: These detect things nearby, like walls or furniture, but give a simpler map.

Once it knows the layout, the vacuum plans its path to clean more efficiently. You can even tell it where to clean or where to avoid, like around pet bowls or fragile furniture. This makes it smart enough to adapt to your home and clean just the way you want.

Now that we know the definition of mapping, let’s dive into the practical differences by comparing two models: one with mapping and one without.

Comparing Two Types of Robot Vacuums Table

To explore the differences between the features of robot vacuums with and without mapping, we conducted a comparative test. We tested two models: the Narwal Freo Z Ultra (with mapping) and the Lefant M210 (without mapping).

In order to present the technical specifications of the products more clearly, we have created a detailed table. We hope this resource will be helpful to you:

With this overview in mind, let’s examine how each vacuum performed during testing.

Narwal Freo Z Ultra Testing Report

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In this testing, we focused specifically on the mapping capabilities of the Narwal Freo Z Ultra, a feature that greatly influences the efficiency and accuracy of its cleaning performance. Below is an in-depth review of how well its mapping functions perform, along with observations from real-world scenarios.

Mapping Process and Initial Setup

Upon first activation, the Narwal Freo Z Ultra immediately initiates a complete mapping of its surroundings. Starting from the base station, it moves around the home, gathering spatial data using a combination of LiDAR sensors and dual RGB cameras. This dual-sensor system allows it to create a highly detailed map of the environment in under 10 minutes. The mapping process itself is straightforward and fully guided through the Narwal Freo app, making setup easy for first-time users.

After completing the initial mapping, users can divide the home into specific rooms via the app, assign cleaning routines to each room, and even set “no-go zones.” This customization feature allows users to tailor cleaning to specific areas, optimizing the robot’s path based on household needs.

Mapping Accuracy and Room Layout Precision

The Narwal Freo Z Ultra’s mapping system is powered by LiDAR technology and dual RGB cameras, which together ensure high mapping precision. The LiDAR sensor performs a 360° scan of the environment, creating a 3D representation of the space, while the RGB cameras identify and distinguish objects in the room, like furniture, to avoid collisions.

In our testing, this setup proved highly effective, allowing the robot to accurately detect room dimensions and maintain precise navigation even in complex layouts. The map generated in the app was detailed, capturing room edges, doorways, and larger obstacles, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the environment. Additionally, this mapping accuracy translated to efficient cleaning, as the robot was able to follow an optimized path and avoid retracing areas it had already cleaned.

Obstacle Detection and Avoidance

Narwal Freo Z Ultra’s mapping system goes beyond basic layout recognition by incorporating obstacle detection into its mapping capabilities. Using both the LiDAR and camera sensors, the robot detects objects such as furniture, shoes, and small items left on the floor. In our real-life scenario test, it skillfully avoided obstacles like chair legs and low-lying objects without bumping or getting stuck, a result of its dual RGB camera integration for object identification.

Its EdgeSwing technology allowed the Freo Z Ultra to clean along walls and around obstacles with impressive precision. For instance, it was able to move closely along the baseboards and furniture edges without missing spots or hitting items, showcasing the effective integration of mapping and edge-cleaning functionalities.

Room Mapping Flexibility and Multi-Room Storage

After the initial map creation, the Narwal Freo app enables users to save and customize multiple floor plans. This is especially useful for multi-level homes where each level requires separate maps and cleaning routines. During our test, we found that the Freo Z Ultra effectively stored and switched between different floor plans without needing to re-map each time it moved to a new level. This feature significantly enhances usability for larger homes.

The app also allows users to create “no-go zones,” where the robot will not enter, and to prioritize specific areas for targeted cleaning. This flexibility lets users customize the mapping to suit different cleaning needs across various rooms and levels.

Real-Time Adjustments and Dynamic Navigation

One of the standout features of the Narwal Freo Z Ultra is its ability to make real-time adjustments to the map as it encounters new obstacles or room changes. For example, if the furniture is moved, the robot detects this change and recalculates its path, updating the map in real-time. This capability was highly useful during testing, as the robot could adapt its navigation without restarting the mapping process, ensuring uninterrupted cleaning.

Overall Assessment of Mapping Capabilities

In summary, the Narwal Freo Z Ultra’s mapping function proved to be highly advanced and reliable across various scenarios:

• Speed and Efficiency: Mapping was completed within 10 minutes, providing a fast setup and a well-defined layout.
• High Mapping Precision: Dual LiDAR and RGB cameras allowed the robot to detect room dimensions and obstacles accurately, leading to optimized cleaning paths.
• Customization: The app’s customization options, including room division, multi-floor mapping, and “no-go” zones, offer a highly tailored cleaning experience.
• Real-Time Adaptation: The ability to adjust the map dynamically when new obstacles are detected ensures the robot operates smoothly even in changing environments.

The Freo Z Ultra’s mapping system combines speed, accuracy, and flexibility, making it a powerful solution for efficient and effective home cleaning, especially in complex or multi-level homes.

Test of Lefant M210: Mapping Performance Review

Since the Lefant M210 robot vacuum does not have a mapping function, this review will focus on how it performs without this feature and how the lack of mapping impacts its overall cleaning efficiency.

Lack of Mapping Functionality

The most noticeable difference with the Lefant M210 is the absence of any mapping capabilities. Unlike robot vacuums equipped with mapping, which systematically scan and plan their cleaning paths, the Lefant M210 relies on random navigation. Without mapping, it can’t remember where it has cleaned or where obstacles are, which results in a less structured cleaning pattern.

During testing, the M210 often repeatedly vacuumed certain areas while leaving others untouched, which is a common issue for robots without mapping. This random navigation is not ideal for larger homes, as the robot can wander between rooms without fully covering any single area. In a smaller space, however, this random path can be more manageable.

User Involvement and Manual Assistance

Without a mapping system, the Lefant M210 requires more manual intervention from the user. For example, in our test, we frequently had to lift the robot and place it in areas it had missed. This is something you wouldn’t encounter with mapping vacuums that methodically cover each area.

Furthermore, the M210’s lack of downward sensors means it’s prone to falling down stairs or missing drops, which can lead to accidents in multi-level homes. The lack of precise location tracking means the vacuum doesn’t know the layout of the home and can often miss crucial spots that need cleaning.

Performance in Small Spaces

Despite its lack of mapping, the Lefant M210 performed reasonably well in small spaces. For homes under 30 square meters, it can vacuum most areas within its 100-minute runtime. In this context, the random navigation was less problematic, as the smaller size made it more likely that all areas would be cleaned through repeated passes.

The app provided some assistance by offering a real-time view of the areas that had been cleaned, but it doesn’t save or record any maps for future use. The lack of a saved map means that each cleaning session starts fresh, without memory of previous cleanings or room layouts.

Difficulty with Obstacles

One of the drawbacks of not having a mapping function is the robot’s limited ability to handle obstacles effectively. The Lefant M210 had trouble navigating around small objects and sometimes got stuck on items like the legs of drying racks or cables. This is where a mapped path would have allowed the robot to avoid such objects more efficiently.

Conclusion on Mapping Capabilities

The Lefant M210's lack of mapping functionality is a key limitation, especially in larger homes or spaces with complex layouts. Its random navigation can lead to inefficient cleaning patterns and missed areas, and it requires more hands-on management from the user. However, for smaller spaces or users who don’t prioritize systematic cleaning, it still provides decent performance at an affordable price point. 

Final Summary: Which is Better?

When choosing between a robot vacuum with or without mapping, it's essential to consider your cleaning needs and home layout. Vacuums with mapping, like the Narwal Freo Z Ultra, provide superior navigation, obstacle avoidance, and customization features, making them ideal for larger or multi-level homes. 

On the other hand, vacuums without mapping, such as the Lefant M210, are a more affordable option for smaller spaces, although they may require more user intervention for thorough cleaning.

For those seeking precision, efficiency, and minimal user effort, the Narwal Freo Z Ultra is a standout choice with its advanced mapping capabilities. Its ability to store multiple floor plans, detect obstacles, and adjust in real-time provides a hands-off, effective cleaning experience.