Blog entry by Tammara Osborn
If you don't want to get your hands dirty then robot vacuum cleaners are a great choice. They can save time and effort when compared to manual cleaning, and are great for single-storey homes or flats.
Smart features are a plus. This includes mapping technology that will remember the layout of your home as well as avoiding furniture and rugs, and getting into those nipples underneath low furniture that larger robots have to struggle to reach.
iRobot Roomba j7+
The iRobot Roomba J7+, an upgrade over the previous model made by the company, incorporates new technology that makes it more effective in preventing pet waste. It makes use of smart mapping and navigation to make maps of rooms and floors and tries to avoid obstacles such as charging cords, furniture and shoes. It also can detect dirt, and prioritise cleaning areas that are heavily filthy. This is a significant improvement over older models that sometimes ignore the dirty spots or only clean them for a short period of time.
The robot vacuum comes with a new self-emptying base station that can collect dust into its own 2.4L dirt disposal bag. iRobot claims that the bag will hold debris for up to 60 days. This means that you only have to empty it and refill it every three months. The base station also has an extra bag that can be used to replace the bag in a snap.
It's easy to set up and use the Roomba, which is compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant and is fully controllable via the iRobot Genius app. The app allows you to choose when to start and stop the cleaning, and how long it should spend on the task at hand and then create a timetable.
In our tests in our lab, the iRobot Roomba J7+ was able to clean the floors of area rug and hardwood without issue in the foyer, kitchen, and family room. It listened to our commands and performed its work quietly, recording just 64 decibels during the operation. It took around 90 minutes to complete a single cleaning and its battery needed an hour and 58 mins to recharge afterward. The Combo j7 allows you to 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 those who live in a multi-floored home. This model can make maps for several floors and save them into the app. It is then easy to move between spaces without having to repeat the setup procedure. The robot can be controlled using voice commands, such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Dyson has taken a different approach to obstacle detection than most other robot vacuum and mop vacs, using sensors and cameras. A panoramic camera mounted on the top of the robot along with 26 sensors external, creates an outline of the robot vacuums best's movements. This, in turn, helps to avoid obstacles and furniture.
In our tests, the Dyson 360 Vis Nav was capable of reaching right up to the edges and baseboards, and could also be easily guided through furniture pieces with extremely tight corners. The suction of the robot is strong and it can pick up every hair strand, dust particle and dried-out piece Playdoh we tossed its way. The vacuum took out the bin quickly and effortlessly and reduced cleaning time by half.
However the Dyson 360 Viz Nav didn't do as well as other robots in our obstacle-avoidance tests. It had a difficult time avoiding a temporary drying rack, which it kept trying to move under. It eventually became stuck and interrupted the cleaning process. It also had trouble avoiding furniture that was taller, such as chairs or a coffee table. The Dyson 360 Vis Nav also has difficulty climbing stairs, which is a problem for many who live in multi-story homes.
Roborock
Roborock robot vacuums are equipped with top-of-the-line features that help them stand out from the rest. It includes two mops that rotate while pressing down, and then effortlessly lift staining. They also automatically lift when vacuuming carpets to avoid leaving dirty streaks and making the vacuum clog again with dirt. They are extremely suction with 5,500 Pa for superior dirt and dust removal. In addition they are equipped with intelligent water flow control that can ensure the correct amount of moisture for every floor type.
One of the most remarkable things about Roborock is its capability to create a complete home's layout with laser technology. The LiDAR system of a Roborock robot constantly rotates, emitting laser beams and calculating the amount of time it takes them to bounce back against the objects around them. This information is used to create a real-time map of your home, allowing the robot to navigate accurately and avoid obstacles.
Based on the model you select You can alter the map to include furniture placements, no-go zones and a specific room's cleaning. You can also select a routine to vacuum only mop or vacuum+mop, and schedule regular cleanings using an app-based cleaning cycle that lets you set it and forget it.
Roborock offers a variety of options, from the budget-friendly S6 MaxV up to the premium S7 MaxV. They all come with advanced mapping capabilities, a long battery life, and a large capacity dustbin. They also have a dock that offers various options, such as charging and refilling hot water tanks. In the UK, they also have a two-year guarantee.
Beko RCV 5
The Beko RCV 5 may be an unassuming newcomer to the robotic vacuum and mopping market but its sleek style and affordable cost have already made it a cult. The Beko RCV 5 has a few tricks up its sleeves that make it stand out from the rest, such as object recognition and self-emptying functionality. It's also simple to setup and use, with an easy-to-use app that lets you alter the settings to your liking.
The navigation system in this model uses a combination of sensors and mapping technology to navigate your home, and it does an excellent job of avoiding obstacles. You can also alter the cleaning route with the app, making it easy to clean certain areas more frequently than other areas. The app is a bit difficult at first, but once you get hang of it, you'll be able to schedule cleanings and monitor the power of your robot vacuums with mop with ease.
The RCV 5 has some flaws despite its impressive list. It uses a small water tank that can only hold 240ml at any given time. This is enough for a basic wipe-clean but not ideal for tough stains. The plate is also not equipped with the ability to rotate or vibrate.
Finally, the battery life isn't as long as one would expect from a robot that's priced at this level. The RCV 5's battery lasts for about a third of a cleaning cycle. It's not a huge issue however it is something you should be aware of when searching for an updated robotic vacuum cleaner.
Karcher RCV 5
The German manufacturer Karcher is best known for its pressure washers but it has entered the robotic vacuum market with a model that vacuums and mops. The RCV 5 has a range of impressive features including a superior obstacle detection with a dual-laser system and mapping that can be monitored in real time via the smart app.
It's also able to sense carpeted surfaces, and automatically activates mopping mode when wet. There's also a handy spot cleaning function that intensely cleans a specific area of about 3 feet. It's also scheduled for weekly repetition. The RCV 5 is a reliable robot cleaner that has suction capacity of 2,500 pascals. It is able to clean both hard and soft flooring and can get into tight corners and even under furniture that is low.
Karcher Home Robots is an application that runs on smartphones, and, like other robots today, it can be used to initiate cleaning processes and make maps of your home. It's also possible to create virtual walls and zones within which the RCV 5 isn't allowed to drive, along with a host of other control options.
The RCV 5 has a downside in that its dust container is just a litre and will require regular emptying. This is in contrast to other models which have integrated disposal technology into their docking station. It's also heavier than some of its rivals which makes it less mobile and requiring more space in the charging station. The RCV 5 was highly rated by the testers for its user-friendliness and app control. It performed well in our tests, however some testers had trouble getting its voice technology working effectively.