10 Apps To Help Manage Your Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner UK
If you don't want your hands dirty then robot vacuum cleaners are the best robot vacuum that mops. They save time and effort compared with a manual clean, and are great for homes with one storey or flats.
Smart features are an added bonus. They include mapping technology that can remember your home's layout, staying clear of furniture and rugs, and avoiding those nipples beneath furniture that larger robots that vacuum and mop have to contend with.
iRobot Roomba J7+
The iRobot Roomba J7+, an upgrade over the previous model by the company, incorporates new technology that makes it more efficient in avoiding pet waste. It uses smart mapping to create maps of floors and rooms and works hard to stay clear of obstacles like furniture, charging cords and shoes. It also can detect dirt and prioritise areas of cleaning that are particularly dirty. This is a significant improvement over older models which sometimes ignored the dirty spots or cleaned them for only a short period of time.
The robot vacuum is equipped with a self-emptying bin that can deposit dustbin debris into its own 2.4L dirt bag. IRobot claims that this bag can hold up to 60 days of trash, which means you only have to empty and change the bag once every three months. The base station can also store a spare bag for quick replacements.
It's easy to set-up and use the Roomba device, which is compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant and is fully controlled through the iRobot Genius app. The app allows you to select when to start and end the cleaning, as well as how long it will take to complete a particular task and then create a timetable.
In our tests, the iRobot Roomba J7+ was able to clean the floors of area rug and hardwood without any problems in the foyer, kitchen, and the family room. It was quiet and listened to us as it performed its task. The decibel meter recorded only 64db during the operation. It took around 90 minutes to complete one cleaning and its battery needed one hour and 58 minutes to recharge afterward. The Combo J7 lets you increase the size of your iRobot eco-system by combining it with the iRobot Mop m6. One can run while the other moves around the room.
Dyson 360 Viz Nav
The Dyson 360 Viz Nav robot vacuum cleaner is the ideal option for anyone who lives in a multi-floored house. The model can create maps for different floors and save them into the app. It is then easy to switch between spaces without having the setup process repeated. The robot can be controlled by voice commands, such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Dyson's robot vacuum cleaners reviews vacuum makes use of cameras, sensors and other technologies to detect obstacles. A panoramic camera that is mounted on the robot's top, together with 26 sensors external, creates a map as it moves. This assists to avoid obstacles and furniture.
In our tests, the Dyson 360 Vis Nav was capable of reaching up to the edges and baseboards, and also be easily navigated around pieces of furniture with very tight corners. The suction of the robot was strong and was able to capture every speck of dust, strand of hair and dried-out piece of Playdoh we tossed at it. The vacuum was able to empty the bin quickly and efficiently and cut down cleaning time by half.
However the Dyson 360 Viz Nav didn't do better than other robots in our obstacle-avoidance test. It had a difficult time avoiding a temporary drying rack that it repeatedly tried to get under. It eventually got stuck and stopped the cleaning process. It also had difficulty navigating some taller pieces of furniture such as chairs or tables. The Dyson 360 Vis Nav is also not able to climb stairs, which can be an issue for many homeowners who live in multi-story homes.
Roborock
Roborock robot vacuums are equipped with high-end features that make them stand out from the rest. They have dual mop heads that spin while pressing down, and then effortlessly lift staining. They also automatically lift when vacuuming carpets, to keep streaks of dirt from being left behind and cleaning the vacuum of dirt. They have a suction of up to 5,500 Pa which is superior in the removal of dirt and dust. In addition, they have sophisticated water flow control to ensure the right amount of moisture for every floor type.
One of the most remarkable things about Roborock is its capability to map out your entire home's layout with laser technology. The LiDAR system of a Roborock robotic arm is constantly rotating emitting lasers and determining the time it takes for them to bounce off surrounding objects. This data is used to create a live map of your home permitting the robot to navigate accurately and avoid obstacles.
Depending on which model you select depending on the model you select, you can modify the map to include furniture placements, no-go zones and a specific room's cleaning. You can also select a cleaning schedule for vacuum only, mop by itself or vacuum and mop. You can schedule regular cleanings using an app-based system for cleaning that lets you to set it and forget.
Roborock offers a variety of options, from the budget-friendly S6 MaxV to the most expensive S7 MaxV Ultra. All feature advanced mapping capabilities, high-performance battery life, and a large capacity dustbin. The docking station has a variety of features, including charging and refilling the hot water tank. In the UK, they also come with a two-year warranty.
Beko RCV 5
The Beko RCV 5 may be an relative newcomer to the robotic vacuum and mopping world however its sleek design and affordable price have already made it a huge hit. This robot has some tricks to distinguish it from other robotic vacuums, including object recognition and self emptying features. It's also simple to install and use, with a simple application that lets you modify the settings to your liking.
The navigation system in this model uses a combination mapping and sensors to guide you through your home. It does a good deal of avoiding obstacles. You can also alter the cleaning route using the app, making it simple to clean certain areas more frequently than others. The app may be confusing at first, but once you've mastered how to use it, you will be able schedule cleanings, and manage the robot vacuum best's power levels.
The RCV 5 has some flaws despite its impressive list of features. It is a tiny water tank that can only hold 240 ml at any given time. While this is enough to perform an ordinary wipe clean, it's not ideal to remove stubborn stains. The plate is also not equipped with an ability to rotate or even vibrate.
The battery life of a robot in this price range is not the length one would imagine. In reality the RCV 5 only lasts for about a third of a cleaning cycle before needing to recharge. This isn't a dealbreaker however it is something to keep in mind when you are looking for a new robotic vacuum cleaner.
Karcher RCV 5
Karcher is a German manufacturer renowned for its pressure washers, has entered the robot vacuum market by introducing an RCV 5 model that vacuums and mop. The RCV 5 offers an impressive range of features including excellent obstacle detection (with dual lasers) and mapping that can be monitored in real-time via the app that is smart.
It also can detect carpeted areas and automatically activate the wet mopping feature. The spot cleaning feature is also very useful. It can be programmed to repeat every week. The RCV 5 is a decent 2,500 pascals of suction power and a good sweeping capacity for both hard and soft floors and can get into tight nooks and under furniture that often halt bigger robot cleaners.
Like many modern robots, the RCV 5 has a smartphone-powered app called Karcher Home Robots. This app can be used to initiate cleaning processes and to create and manage maps of your home. It is also possible to create virtual walls and zones in which the RCV 5 isn't able to drive, as well as various other options for controlling.
The RCV 5 has a downside in that the dust bin is only a litre and it will require regular emptying. This is unlike other models which have integrated disposal technology within their docking station. It's also heavier than many of its rivals which makes it less mobile and needing more space in the charging station. The RCV 5 was rated highly by users for its user-friendliness and app control. It was a great performer in our tests, although some users struggled to get the voice tech to work properly and found its docking station fiddly to set in an upright position.