Blog entry by Susannah French
Robot vacuum cleaners are perfect if you don't like to get your hands messy. They are more efficient than manual cleaning and are perfect for single-storey homes and flats.
Smart features are an added bonus. This includes mapping technology that remembers the design of your house as well as avoiding furniture and carpets, and getting into those nipples under furniture that larger robots struggle to reach.
iRobot Roomba j7+
The iRobot Roomba J7+, an upgrade to the previous model from the company, adds new technology that makes it more effective in avoiding pet waste. It makes use of smart mapping to create maps of floors and rooms and works hard to avoid obstacles such as furniture, charging cords and shoes. It also can detect dirt and prioritise areas for cleaning that are dirty. This is a major improvement over older models that often ignore dirtiest spots or only clean them for a short time.
The robot vacuum comes with a self-emptying base which can deposit dustbin debris into its own 2.4L dirt bag. iRobot's claims this can hold up to 60 days of trash, which means you only need to empty and replace the sack once every three months. The base station can also hold an extra 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 controllable via the iRobot Genius app. With the app, you can choose to start and stop cleaning, set the amount of time it will be able to spend on each task and create a schedule.
In our tests in our lab, the iRobot Roomba J7+ was capable of cleaning the floors of area rug and hardwood without any problems in the kitchen, foyer, and family room. It listened to our instructions and did its jobs quietly, registering just 64 decibels on the decibel meter during operation. It took around 90 minutes to complete one cleaning and its battery needed an hour and 58 minutes to recharge afterward. The Combo J7 lets you extend your iRobot eco-system by pairing it with the iRobot Mop m6. One can run while the other flits around the room.
Dyson 360 Viz Nav
The Dyson 360 Viz Nav is the best robot vacuum cleaner for anyone who lives in a multi-floor home. This model can create maps for several floors and save them into the app. It's then easy to switch between rooms without having to repeat the setup procedure. The robot can be controlled by voice commands, including Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Dyson's robot vacuum uses cameras, sensors and other technology to detect obstacles. A panoramic camera at the top of the robot together with 26 sensors externally will help to create a map of the space as it moves. This helps the robot to avoid furniture and obstacles.
In our tests, we observed that the Dyson 360 Vis Nav could reach all the way to baseboards and edges, and was able to navigate through furniture with tight corners. The robot's suction was strong and was able to take every speck of dust hair, strand of hair, and dried-out bit of Playdoh we tossed at it. The vacuum also got the bin out easily and quickly, reducing cleanup time by half.
The Dyson 360 Viz Nav did not perform as well as other robots we tested during our obstacle avoidance tests. It had a tough time with a drying rack that it repeatedly tried to move under, but ended up becoming stuck and disrupting the cleaning cycle. It also had difficulty navigating some taller pieces of furniture such as a chair or coffee table. The Dyson 360 Vis Nav also isn't able to climb stairs which is a concern for many people who live in multi-story homes.
Roborock
Roborock robot vacuum cleaners offer top-of-the-line cleaning features that are a cut above the other. This includes dual mop heads that spin while pressing down and effortlessly lift staining. They also lift automatically when vacuuming carpets, stopping streaks of dirt from forming and re-clogging vacuums with dirt. They have extreme suction of 5,500 Pa to ensure superior dust and dirt removal. In addition they are equipped with sophisticated water flow control to ensure the right amount of moisture for each flooring type.
Roborock's ability to map out your entire home with laser technology is among its most impressive features. The LiDAR system of the Roborock robot rotates continuously, emitting laser beams and calculating the time it takes for them to bounce back against the objects around them. This data is then used to create an accurate map of your home's layout that allows it to navigate precisely and avoid obstacles.
Depending on which model you choose You can alter the map to include furniture placements, no-go zones and specific cleaning for your room. You can also choose the option to only vacuum mop, or vacuum+mop, and schedule regular cleanings using an app-based cleaning cycle that allows you to set it and forget it.
Roborock has a broad range of options, from the budget-friendly S6MaxV to the premium S7 MaxV Ultra. All models have advanced mapping as well as a battery that lasts for a long time and a large dustbin. They also have a dock that offers many options, such as charging and hot water tank refilling. Lastly, they are covered by a two-year guarantee in the UK.
Beko RCV 5
The Beko RCV 5 is a relative newcomer to the robotic vacuum and mopping market however, it's already making waves due to its sleek design and reasonable price. It has a few features that set it apart from other robotic vacuums, like object recognition and self emptying capabilities. It's also a breeze to set up and use, with a simple app that allows you to alter 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 great amount of staying clear of obstacles. The app lets you alter the cleaning path so that certain areas can be cleaned more frequently. The app is a bit difficult to use at first but once you get the knack of it you'll be able schedule cleanings and manage the power of your robot effortlessly.
Despite its impressive array of features, the RCV 5 is not without its faults. First of all, it has a relatively small water tank that holds up to 240 ml of water at a time. Although this is sufficient to perform a basic wipe clean, it's not ideal for getting rid of staining that is difficult to remove. Furthermore the wiping plate itself isn't very sophisticated and doesn't feature the ability to rotate or vibrate.
The battery's life isn't as long as you would expect from a robot at this price. In fact, the RCV 5 only lasts for approximately a third of the cleaning cycle before it needs a recharge. This isn't a dealbreaker but it's something to keep in mind when looking for a brand new robotic vacuum cleaner.
Karcher RCV 5
Karcher, a German manufacturer best robot hoover known for pressure washers, has entered the robot vacuum reviews vacuum market with an RCV 5 model that vacuums and mop. The RCV 5 has a range of remarkable features including a superior obstacle detection using a dual-laser system and mapping that can monitored in real time via the smart app.
It also can detect carpeted surfaces and then automatically start the wet mopping function. There's also a spot cleaning feature that cleans a small area of approximately 3 feet. It's also programmed to repeat every week. The RCV 5 has a reasonable suction capacity of 2,500 psi and good sweeping capability for both hard and soft flooring. It can also reach into tight spaces and under low furniture that often halt bigger robot cleaners.
Karcher Home Robots is an application that runs on smartphones, and, like other robots of today it is able to begin cleaning processes and make 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 controls.
A downside of the RCV 5 is that its dust bin can only hold about a litre and will need regular emptying, in contrast to models that have integrated disposal technologies built into their docking stations. It's also a touch heavier than other gadgets, making it less portable and requiring more space to sit down in its charging station. Nonetheless, testers found the RCV 5 to be very user-friendly and rated its app control as high. It performed well in our tests, however some testers struggled to get its voice technology to function effectively.