Robot vacuum cleaners are perfect for those who don't like to make your hands messy. They are more efficient than manual cleaning and are great for single-storey homes and flats.
Smart features are a plus. This includes mapping technology that will remember the design of your house, avoiding furniture or carpets, and getting into those nipples under furniture that larger robots struggle to reach.
iRobot Roomba j7+
The iRobot Roomba J7+ is an upgrade to the previous model by the company and adds some new technology to make it more effective in avoiding pet waste. It makes use of smart mapping and navigation to create maps of rooms and floors and is able to navigate around obstacles like furniture, charging cords and shoes. It can also identify dirt and prioritize cleaning areas that are heavily dirty. This is a significant improvement over previous models that sometimes ignore the dirty spots or only clean them for a short period of time.
The robot vacuum is fitted with a self-emptying base which can put dustbin debris into its own 2.4L dirt bag. IRobot claims that this bag can hold up to 60 days of debris, meaning you only have to empty and refill the sack once every three months. The base station also comes with an extra bag that can be used for quick replacements.
It's easy to set-up and use the Roomba, which is compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant and can be controlled via the iRobot Genius app. Utilizing the app, you can select to start or end cleaning, set the amount of time it should be working on each job, and set up a schedule.
In our tests in our lab, the iRobot Roomba J7+ was able to clean the floors of area rug and hardwood without any problems in the kitchen, foyer, and the family room. It was quiet and listened to us as it performed its task. The decibel meter measured only 64db during the process. It took about 90 minutes to sweep a single room and the battery had to be recharged afterward for an hour and 58 minutes. You can also extend your iRobot ecosystem by using the Combo J7, which allows you to pair it with the iRobot mop m6 and have one mop while the other moves around the room.
Dyson 360 Viz Nav
The Dyson 360 Viz Nav is the ideal robot vacuum cleaner for anyone living in a multi-floor house. This model can make maps of floors across multiple floors and store them on the app, making it simple to switch between different rooms without having to repeat the setup procedure. The robot can also be controlled by voice, and can be controlled by Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Dyson's robot vacuum makes use of a combination of cameras, sensors and other technologies to detect obstacles. A panoramic camera at the top of the robot, along with 26 other sensors will help to create an image of the area as it moves. This allows the robot to avoid furniture and obstacles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Dyson 360 Vis Nav could reach up to baseboards as well as edges, and was able navigate around furniture with tight corners. The suction of the robot is strong and can take in every hair strand, dust particle and dried-out piece Playdoh we threw its way. The vacuum took out the bin quickly and efficiently and cut down the time spent cleaning by half.
However the Dyson 360 Viz Nav didn't perform better than other robots in our obstacle-avoidance test. It had trouble avoiding drying racks that were temporary that it repeatedly tried to maneuver under. It eventually became stuck and interrupted the cleaning process. It also had a hard time avoiding some taller pieces of furniture, like a chair or coffee table. The Dyson 360 Vis Nav also has a problem climbing stairs which is a major issue for many people who live in multi-story homes.
Roborock
Roborock robot vacuum cleaners provide high-end cleaning features that are a cut above the other. It includes two mops that spin while pressing down and effortlessly lift stains. They also automatically lift when vacuuming carpets to avoid leaving dirty streaks and making the vacuum clog again with dirt. They have extreme suction of 5,500 Pa for superior dirt and dust removal. Additionally they also have an intelligent water flow control to ensure the proper amount of moisture for each floor type.
Roborock's ability of mapping your entire home using laser technology is one of its most impressive capabilities. The LiDAR system of a Roborock robot is constantly rotating, emitting laser beams and calculating the time it takes for them to bounce back off 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 which model you choose You can alter the map to include no-go zones, furniture placements and room-specific cleansing. You can also choose a cleaning schedule for vacuum only, mop by itself or vacuum and mop. You can schedule regular cleanings with an app-based system for cleaning that lets you to set it and forget it.
Roborock has a wide range of options, ranging from the budget-friendly S6 MaxV to the top-of-the-line S7 MaxV Ultra. All models come with advanced mapping, a long-lasting battery, and a huge dustbin. The docking station comes with a variety of options, including charging and refilling the hot water tank. Additionally, they have a two-year warranty in the UK.
Beko RCV 5
The Beko RCV 5 may be an relative newcomer to the robotic vacuum and mopping market however its sleek design and affordable price have already made it a huge hit. The Beko RCV 5 comes with a few tricks on its sleeve to set it apart from its competitors, such as self-emptying capabilities and object recognition. It's easy to set up and use using an application that lets you customize many settings.
The navigation system of this model uses a combination of sensors and mapping technology to navigate your home and does a great job of avoiding obstacles. The app lets you modify the cleaning route so that certain areas can be cleaned more often. The app can be confusing initially however once you get hang of it, you'll be able to schedule cleanings and manage your robot's power levels easily.
Despite its impressive array of features, the RCV 5 is not without its flaws. It has a tiny water tank that can only hold 240 milliliters at a time. Although this is sufficient to do an ordinary wipe clean, it's not ideal for removing the most stubborn stains. In addition, the wiping plate is rather simplistic and doesn't feature the ability to rotate or vibrate.
Finally, the battery life isn't as long as one would expect for a machine that's priced at this level. The battery of the RCV 5 only lasts about a third a cleaning cycle. It's not a huge issue, but it is something to be considered when looking for a brand new robot vacuum cleaner.
Karcher RCV 5
The German manufacturer Karcher is most famous for its pressure washers, but it has entered the market of robot vacuums with a model that vacuums and mop. The RCV 5 offers an impressive variety of features, including great obstacle detection (with a dual laser system) and mapping that can be tracked in real-time via the app that is smart.
It can also detect carpeted surfaces and automatically start the wet mopping function. The spot cleaning feature is extremely beneficial. It can be programmed to repeat weekly. The RCV 5 is a good robot cleaner that has suction power of 2,500 pascals. It is able to clean both hard and soft floors and can reach into tight corners and under low furniture.
Karcher Home Robots is an application that runs on smartphones, and like many other robots today it is able to initiate cleaning processes and make maps of your home. It is also possible to set up virtual walls and zones in which the RCV 5 can't drive, as well as various other controls.
The RCV 5 has a downside in that the dust bin is just a litre and will require regular emptying. This is unlike other models which have integrated disposal technology within their docking station. It's also heavier than a few of its competitors which makes it less mobile, and thus requiring more space in the charging station. The RCV 5 was highly rated by testers for its ease of use and app control. It performed well in our tests, but some testers struggled to get its voice technology to work effectively.