Do I Need to Fully Charge My Robot Vacuum Before First Use?

Tapo Robot Vacuums eliminate concerns about "memory effect" thanks to their lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. Unlike traditional nickel-cadmium (NiCd) or nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, Li-ion batteries don't need specific charging or discharging routines.

You might have come across information or advice somewhere about extended initial charges or complete battery drains before recharging. This stems from the memory effect in NiCd and NiMH batteries. With these older battery types, repeatedly using them over time without full discharge cycles has the potential to reduce their overall battery capacity. The battery would seem to "remember" its previous charging and usage pattern, then deliver less power. To mitigate this, full charging and discharging cycles were recommended.

Thankfully, modern battery technology like lithium-ion is much less susceptible to this memory effect.

Lithium-ion batteries use a different chemical process compared to NiCd or NiMH batteries. Lithium-ion batteries work by moving lithium ions between positive and negative electrodes, without any changes in crystal structures. In contrast, the active materials in nickel-cadmium (NiCd) and nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries tend to experience crystallization and dissolution during charge and discharge processes, which is a key factor that influences the memory effect. The lack of such crystal changes in lithium-ion batteries makes the memory effect much less of a concern in everyday use, so you can enjoy your Tapo Robot Vacuum without needing to concern yourself over its charging efficacy.