Everyone loves products that make life easier. When it comes to cleaning your home, there’s little more convenient than a robot vacuum.
A robot vacuum is an automatic device that can take care of keeping your house spotless without you needing to lift a finger.
Whether you have carpets or wood flooring, getting a robot vacuum is the next best thing to hiring a cleaner but without the weekly expenses.
With such a huge array of robotic vacuums on the market, it can be highly confusing when you are deciding which one to buy.
Think carefully about the following pointers before investing in a new robot vacuum. Time spent at this stage can save you money and grief later down the line.
Battery: Power Requirements and Charging
Robot vacuums need batteries to run. These batteries will evidently need recharging.
Pretty much all robot vacuums will give you around 60 minutes before they need a boost.
Use these times as a benchmark when researching the models that interest you:
- Under 60 Minutes: Not much use
- 60 Minutes: Usually budget models
- 60 to 75 Minutes: A mid-range robot with an average cycle
- 75 Minutes to 90 minutes Or More: Upscale robot
Many of the current breed of robotic vacuums simply return to the charging base under their own steam when the juice is low.
The least flexible models will just run until they are out of power then they need to be manually placed on the base.
A more advanced model will head home alone but still starts the interrupted cleaning cycle from the beginning.
The cream of the crop will do all of the above and then resume with cleaning where it stopped before charging.
Think about the importance of these features for you and buy accordingly
Maintenance
One of the driving reasons behind buying a robot vacuum is as a labor-saving device when cleaning your house. It makes sense to check up before buying just how much effort you will need to put in yourself when it comes to maintenance.
As technology continues to advance, so the human input needed with robotic vacuums decreases. Improved filtration and extraction systems along with the ability of many models to pop back to the charging base unassisted mean that robot vacuums just keep getting better.
Maintenance should be pretty straightforward. You’ll need to empty the bin before it’s full. Filters on some models will need replacing in time along with the battery pack.
If you set realistic expectations and do your research thoroughly, you can end up with a robotic maid rather than a device that has you constantly working.
Cleaning Performance
It goes without saying that you need to focus on just how well the robot vacuum will cope with your cleaning needs.
In order to come close to matching the performance of a regular vacuum, you should look at the top-tier models. Dyson, iRobot and Botvac are among the best brands for robots.
Mid-range robotic vacuums will do a superb job in general but might struggle with corners or certain surfaces.
The cheaper options are good enough for light cleaning but be prepared to use a regular vacuum afterwards to get a great finish.
Think about what you are getting for your money and spend as much as you can afford without overstretching yourself.
Auto-Scheduling
Technology continues to surge forwards. The newer, cutting edge robot vacuums come equipped with a range of auto-scheduling features to make your life even simpler.
With the best versions available, you can just input the times of the cleaning schedule you prefer and leave the machine to do the work even if you are away from home.
Think carefully about how important this extra flexibility is to you and check the products on your shortlist to see how they fare.
Size: Dust Bin
One element that needs human input is emptying the dust bin so you should think about how large this is and how often it will need attending to.
In general, you should probably expect to empty your robot after every 3 or 4 cycles.
Not all robot vacuums that fill up quickly are bad. In many cases, they are just highly efficient at picking up dirt and debris.
Size: Your Living Space
If you have a larger house, you should probably focus on the newer and more advanced robotic vacuums. They normally have superior battery life, recharge automatically, have more substantial dust bins and navigate better.
Robot vacs come with an array of accessories to mark boundaries and take the fuss out of cleaning bigger areas.
Connectivity
A few contemporary robot vacuums can be controlled easily using a smartphone app. iRobot’s Roomba 980 and Neato’s Botvac Connected lead the field in this respect.
Being able to control your vacuum from a WiFi network means you can enjoy handy live updates and monitor the whole system from your phone or laptop.
If you are highly tech-savvy and like the idea of using your smartphone to take control, think about one of these two models.
Price
Robot vacuums vary wildly in price from just a few hundred dollars to well into four figures. You usually get what you pay for in life and with these appliances it’s no different.
The cheaper models might well be functional but they are not really cut out for a deep clean.
One good tip for getting quality at a slight discount is to target slightly older models from the best manufacturers. That way, you can enjoy a highly efficient robot vacuum without breaking the bank.
As with any purchase, think long and hard about your budget. Use this to simplify your buying decision. Then stick to your budget and make sure you are not tempted to overspend.
Best Robotic Vacuum Cleaner Reviews
1. ILIFE A4 Robotic Vacuum
The A4 is very easy on the eye. The sleek design and charcoal gray finish looks great and performs just as well.
This robot has a motorized brush with bristles. This is perfect for getting your carpets absolutely spotless. If you have expanses of fragile hardwood floors , this might not be the best choice for you.
Scheduling cleaning is super-simple. Set the clock using the 24-hour method. Punch in when you want your cleaning carried out. Job done.
The A4 comes with a HEPA filter which is ideal for anyone with allergies or sensitivities. Sadly, this is not washable. You will also get 2 additional filter in foam and mesh.
Due to its ultra-low profile, the A4 will quite easily clean under any furniture.
This robot navigates in a zigzag fashion. Although it is capable of cleaning multiple rooms, you are best advised to focus on one at a time. The A4 lacks the intelligence of some more expensive models.
Run time is a couple of hours Charging will call for about 5 hours so plan around this.
For a cheap and no-nonsense robotic vacuum that will still keep your home sparkling without you breaking a sweat, pop the ILIFE A4 on your shortlist.
2. Eufy RoboVac
Another very reasonably-priced robot up next, the RoboVac from Eufy.
This latest model is the RoboVac11 and Eufy continue to make improvements rather than rest on their laurels.
The best option is to program your cleaning to take place when you are out. The cycle is pretty long at 1 hour 40 minutes. The robot is also quite prone to smashing up against furniture. Set it going when you pop out for a couple of hours, though, and you’ll return to very clean floors.
The dirt bin holds a reasonable amount of dust. You should still empty it regularly to ensure optimum cleaning results.
The navigation is rather haphazard, almost random. This is to be expected for a lower-end robot vacuum. The infrared sensor helps to some extent but it is not totally reliable.
You’ll get a remote control but no app connectivity like you get with some of the competition. This is pretty user-friendly and clear.
The battery lasts anywhere between 90 and 120 minutes. It makes sense to leave the robot on the charger when not in use.
Cleaning is thorough. You’ll get a rolling brush, side brushes and powerful suction to see the back of any dirt and debris, however deeply ingrained.
There’s a 1-year limited warranty so you can buy this robot with complete peace of mind.
Although it’s not as complex as some of its rivals, if you want a dependable and efficient robot vacuum without needing to spend a fortune, check out this latest incarnation of the RoboVac. It will not disappoint.
3. Neato Botvac D80
Neato’s popular Botvac series goes from strength to strength.
In this D80 incarnation, you’ll get an upgrade on the original without the Internet connectivity of the Connected version.
Unlike most robot vacuums which use lithium-ion batteries, Neato roll out the older style nickel cadmium. Although this is slightly dated technology, you’ll still enjoy a full 90 minutes of run time. This should be more than enough to deal with even larger homes fuss-free.
Neato’s patented LaserSmart navigation system is intuitive and highly efficient. It works well even in dim light which is something some robots struggle with.
You’ll get 2 brushes, one dedicated carpet brush and the other designed to pick up even stubborn pet hair.
Dirt capacity at 0.7 liters is more generous than with many similar robots. As always, emptying the container regularly is highly recommended.
You’ll get a 1-year warranty for the robot itself. The battery is covered for 6 months.
For a super-easy way to clean your house without needing to call on the services of an expensive cleaner, Neato’s Botvac is a very wise compromise.
4. bObsweep Rouge
If you prize design and you’re looking for a robot vac that looks strikingly different, the bObsweep Rouge is finished in brilliant red and looks slick, mean and ready for action.
This robot is made with pet owners in mind. Whether it’s stubborn hair or mucky paw prints, the Rouge will restore order in no time. After cleaning up, the Rouge sanitizes the area with UV light for total hygiene.
HEPA filtration is a nice bonus. This helps to remove any allergens from the air and stops irritation if you suffer from allergies or asthma.
The 1 liter dust bin is the largest on a robot vacuum and enough for even bigger houses.
You can set up a pair of perpendicular barriers to partition off your room for cleaning as you want it.
Programming in your preferred cleaning schedule is very straightforward. When the vacuum senses that it’s running out of power, it’ll head automatically back to the base.
Run time extends to just over 1 hour. Charging is all done within 3 hours. This is a rapid return for a robot vac.
If the vacuum develops any problems at all, it will shoot you a message on the crisp LED screen. This is a great way of troubleshooting problems without needing to call in the professionals.
When it comes to robot vacuums, personal preference plays a large part. If you want a technologically advanced robot which is also super-simple to use, the Rouge is worth further investigation.
5. iRobot Roomba 650
Robot vacuums can be brutally expensive. iRobot’s Roomba 650 breaks the mold and comes in at a very affordable price point. If you are skeptical about robotic vacs, this is a superb place to start.
You can program your Roomba to clean whenever it best fits in with your schedule. This is extremely user-friendly and you can set it to clean on a daily basis or less frequently, whatever suits your cleaning routine. The dirt bin should be emptied on a weekly basis.
Whether you have carpets or bare floors, iRobot is designed to cope with any surfaces you throw its way. It works best of all with carpeted floors. The raw power is exceptional. With a pair of rotating brushes, you can watch all the dust and debris plaguing your home sucked up in no time. The 3-Stage Cleaning System means you can watch the robot disturb the debris then brush it before sucking it up.
The small base is self-charging. You can get a full boost of juice in as little as 3 hours.
Getting around is simple for this robot thanks to the patented iAdapt navigation system. This really is an intuitive appliance.
This virtual wall is a superb solution for partitioning off areas you want the robot to avoid. Whether it’s the area where your pets are relaxing, food bowls or any other kind of obstruction, let this wall do its work just like the vacuum itself.
For anyone unsure about whether or not a robot vacuum makes sense, take the time to check out this consistently well-reviewed Roomba. For half the price of a Dyson, sit back and let the machine do the work!
Conclusion
We hope you found this bite-sized guide to finding the robotic vacuum useful. Hopefully it will simplify your buying decision. Please let us know if you have any questions or feedback. We are always very happy to hear from our readers and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Now put that robot vacuum to work!