Robot Vacuum Cleaner: The Good The Bad And The Ugly
Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner UK
If you don't want your hands dirty, then robotic vacuum cleaners are ideal. They are more efficient than manual cleaning and are great for single-storey homes and flats.
Smart features are a benefit. They include mapping technology that can remember your home's layout, avoiding furniture and rugs and getting into those nipples under low furniture that larger robots have to contend with.
iRobot Roomba J7+
The iRobot Roomba J7+ is an upgrade to the previous model of the company and incorporates new technology to make it more efficient in avoiding pet waste. It uses smart mapping and navigation to create maps of rooms and floors and is able to navigate around obstacles like charging cords, furniture and shoes. It can also detect dirt and prioritise areas of cleaning that are particularly dirty. This is a major improvement over previous models that often ignored dirty spots or only cleaned them for an insignificant amount of time.
The robot vacuum comes with a new self-emptying base station that will deposit debris from the dustbin into its own 2.4L dirt disposal bag. The company claims that it can hold up to 60 days worth of debris, meaning you only have to empty and change the bag every three months. The base station can also be used to store an extra bag for quick replacements.
The Roomba is simple to set-up and use. It is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, and can be controlled using the iRobot Genius App. You can use the app to choose when to start and stop the cleaning, and how long it should spend on an individual task and also create a schedule.
During our tests in our lab, the iRobot Roomba J7+ was able to clean the floors of area rug and hardwood without issue in the kitchen, foyer and family room. It listened to our commands and carried out its tasks quietly, registering just 64 decibels on the decibel meter during operation. It took about 90 minutes to sweep a single room and the battery needed to be recharged following the cleaning for a total of an hour and 58 minutes. You can also grow your iRobot ecosystem by using the Combo j7, which allows you to pair it up with the iRobot mop m6 and let one run while the other one moves around the room.
Dyson 360 Viz Nav
The Dyson 360 Viz Nav is the ideal robot vacuum cleaner for anyone who lives in a multi-floored home. The model can create maps of multiple floors and store them in the app, making it easy to switch between different rooms without repeating the setup process. The robot hoover is controlled via voice commands, including Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Dyson's robot vacuum employs sensors, cameras and other technologies to detect obstacles. A panoramic camera mounted on the top of the robot together with 26 sensors external, creates an image of the area as it moves. This helps the robot avoid obstacles and furniture.
In our tests during our tests, the Dyson 360 Vis Nav was capable of reaching up to the edges and baseboards, and could also be easily navigated through furniture pieces with very tight corners. The robot's suction is strong and can take in every hair strand, dust particle and dried-out piece Playdoh we threw its way. The vacuum removed the bin quickly and efficiently and reduced cleaning time by half.
The Dyson 360 Viz Nav did not perform as well as other robots we evaluated in our obstacle avoidance tests. It had a difficult time avoiding the drying rack that was temporarily in place that it was unable to get under. It eventually got stuck and stopped the cleaning cycle. It also struggled to evade some furniture pieces that are taller such as the coffee table or a chair. The Dyson 360 Vis Nav is also not able to climb stairs, which could be an issue for many homeowners who live in multi-story homes.
Roborock
Roborock robot vacuums come with top-of-the-line features to make them stand out from the rest. Dual mops are included that spin and lift stains when pressing down. They also automatically lift carpets when vacuuming to prevent leaving streaks of dirt and making the vacuum clog again with dirt. They are able to suction up to 5,500 Pa to ensure superior dust and dirt removal. In addition, they have sophisticated water flow control to ensure the right amount of moisture for each flooring type.
Roborock's ability of mapping your entire home using laser technology is one of its most impressive features. The LiDAR system of a Roborock robotic arm is constantly rotating emitting lasers and determining the time it takes for to bounce off of nearby objects. This data is used to create a real-time mapping of your home, allowing the robot to navigate accurately and avoid obstacles.
Depending on the model you select, you can customize the map to include no-go zones, furniture placements and specific cleaning for your room. You can also select the cleaning routine to include mop only, mop on its own, or vacuum+mop. You can schedule regular cleanings using an app-based cleaning system that allows you set it and forget.
Roborock offers a variety of options, ranging from the budget-friendly S6MaxV to the premium S7 MaxV Ultra. All models feature advanced mapping as well as a battery that lasts for a long time and a large dustbin. The docking station comes with a variety of functions, such as charging and refilling the hot water tank. They also are covered by a two-year guarantee in the UK.
Beko RCV 5
The Beko RCV 5 may be an relative newcomer to the robotic automatic vacuum and mop and mopping world however its sleek design and reasonable price have already made it a cult. It has a few features that set it apart from other robotic vacuums, like object recognition and self emptying functionality. It's also simple to set up and use, with an easy application that lets you alter the settings to suit your needs.
The navigation system in this model makes use of sensors and mapping technology to navigate your home, and it does an excellent job of avoiding obstacles. The app allows you to adjust the cleaning path, so that specific areas can be cleaned more often. The app can initially be confusing, but once you've mastered how to use it, you will be able schedule cleanings, and control the robot's power levels.
Despite its impressive list of features however, the RCV 5 is not without its flaws. It is a tiny water tank that can only hold 240 milliliters at a time. Although this is sufficient to get an ordinary wipe clean, it's not the best to remove stubborn stains. Additionally, the wiping plate isn't very sophisticated and doesn't feature an ability to rotate or vibrate.
The battery life of the robots in this price range is not as long as one would expect. The RCV 5's battery lasts about a third a cleaning cycle. This isn't a major issue but it's something to keep in mind when shopping for a new robotic auto vacuum and mop cleaner.
Karcher RCV 5
Karcher, a German manufacturer best known for pressure washers, has entered the robot cleaner vacuum market with a model which vacuums and mop. The RCV 5 offers an impressive variety of features, including great obstacle detection (with the dual laser system) and mapping that can be tracked in real time through the smart app.
It can also detect carpeted surfaces and then automatically activate the wet mopping feature. It also has a spot cleaning function that intensely cleans a small area of approximately 3 feet. It's also programmed for weekly repetition. The RCV 5 is a decent 2,500 pascals of suction power and a good sweeping capacity for both soft and hard floors and can reach into tight spaces and under low furniture that often halt bigger robot cleaners.
Karcher Home Robots is an app that runs on smartphones, and, like other robots, it can be used to initiate cleaning processes and create maps of your home. The RCV 5 also has the capability to create virtual walls and zones where it isn't able to drive.
The RCV 5 has a downside in that its dust container is only a litre, and it will have to be cleaned regularly. This is in contrast to other models which have integrated disposal technology into their docking station. It's also heavier than many of its competitors which makes it less mobile and requiring more space in the charging station. However, the test participants found the RCV 5 to be very easy to use and rated its app control high. It did well in our tests, but some testers had trouble getting its voice technology working correctly.
