Kicking back with your feet up while the vacuuming gets done used to be a perk reserved mostly for millionaires. Thanks to robots like the original Roomba, however, anyone with a few hundred dollars to spend can now experience that luxury.
While the newest models of robot vacuums cost nearly 1000 dollars, shoppers looking for a bargain have a lot of options to choose from. Our guide below will help you sort out which features and specifications you should prioritize when looking for a robot helper of your own.
Picking the Right Robot Vacuum for You
Not all robotic vacuums are designed in the same way. However, they all have similar essential functions. Different brands and models have various features that come into play when you need to clean up a mess.
Let’s have a look at the different features found in robot vacs that you’ll need to know before making a purchase.
Battery Life
Most low to mid-end robots can last an entire cleaning session without needing a charge. The average battery life of robot vacuums in the market is around 100 minutes. If your house is big, you may need a battery that will last you a long time. However, most bots will automatically navigate back to the charging unit and dock for a recharge and then finish cleaning.
Also, most robot vacuums are pretty intelligent. After cleaning, they dock back to the charging unit for the next cleaning schedule.
If you’re looking for a robot vacuum that adequately covers your labyrinthine house, you’ll have to pay more. High-end models feature excellent navigation around furniture and tight spaces while low to mid-end bots clean in a pattern.
Furthermore, all robot vacuums can complete their cleaning tasks with minimal supervision from you. Also, the built-in sensors help the vacs to avoid bumping into furniture, getting tangled in cords, or falling off the stairs.
Depending on the model, a robot vacuum can determine dirtier spots and clean efficiently and effectively by adjusting the cleaning mode in a particular area as it learns.
WiFi Connectivity
Low to mid-end robots usually don’t have access to fancy features. However, you can often physically control them through the touch of a remote-control button. On the other hand, top-tier models feature WiFi connectivity that allows you to control them via an app installed on your smartphone. This can also provide detailed cleaning histories and save and edit floor maps for better navigation.
Size
Different models feature different dimensions and shapes. Most robot vacuums are round in form, while others are U-shaped to help reach tight corners. If a vac is too tall, it may not fit under low-clearance furniture, kitchen cabinets, and beds, or it may get stuck while cleaning.
Unlike their standing counterpart, robot vacs have a small dustbin and, therefore a limited debris capacity. The most common measurements in these bots are 13/14 inches wide and 3.5/4 inches tall.
Mapping
The mapping feature allows the robot vacuum to create a map of the cleaning space thanks to the onboard camera or laser reflections that come with the bots. Mapping helps the vac to know which areas it has cleaned and the ones it has not cleaned.
Additionally, it will let you know where to resume cleaning after a recharge. Mapping is ideal for large spaces and a premium feature for larger budgets.
Budget
Many low to mid-range models in the market cost less than $200, and there are even those that will cost you more than $1000. With robot vacuums, the more you spend, the more features you get. High-end models are convenient with innovative mapping technology, excellent cleaning capabilities, voice command features, and WiFi connectivity.
While good help doesn’t come cheap, it doesn’t have to cost you a whole month’s salary. Low to mid-range priced robot vacs are efficient for the house and office spaces with the same cleaning abilities as the top-tier models.
Cleaning Modes
Most robot vacs can be adjusted to clean hard floors or low to mid pile carpets. Moreover, high-end models can automatically change the cleaning mode when they sense the type of surface they encounter along the way.
Some feature a spot cleaning mode where they adjust their suction power to concentrate on cleaning a particular spot. In addition to this feature, top-tier models will clean quietly with low noise levels.
Control
All robot vacuums feature an automatic mode that where you press a button to clean a room. There’s also a provision for programming a cleaning schedule as you desire. With higher-end models, you control the robot vac through the use of an app or remote control.
You can also integrate intelligent speakers like Alexa, Google Home, or Amazon Echo to control the bot via voice command. Robot vacuums are an excellent ad-hoc cleaning method that offers you time to do other things, enjoy time with your family or relax.
Boundary Sensors
Robot vacs include boundary blocking technology, which works by blocking off areas that you don’t want it to venture to, such as pet areas or kids’ rooms. Some models feature virtual barriers and can designate boundaries on the floor plan and steer clear while cleaning.
All robot vacuums are designed to function in the same way. They will automatically maneuver around the house, picking up dirt to keep your environment clean and healthy. However, various models may differ on how they get the job done as some have more features and functions beyond the basics.
A Guide to Robot Vacuum Cleaners
Robot vacuums are efficient in picking up food crumbs, pet hair, dirt, and dust particles. They are best suited for homes, office spaces. They’re good at most types of hard floors, as well as low pile to medium pile carpets.
There are many things that you’ll have to consider before purchasing a robot vac. If you’re still not sure about which vac to settle on, this guide will help you to find what best suits your needs.
Why Go for a Robot Vacuum Cleaner?
Most people will throw away a standard upright vacuum and replace it with a robotic one due to the convenience and aesthetics that come with a bot vac. You can schedule a bot to vacuum daily and consequently improve the appearance of your floors and carpets. Further, regular vacuuming will keep your house clean, improve the quality of the air, and offer you a healthy environment.
With very minimal effort, your robot cleaner can keep your home clean, making it a desirable option over an upright vacuum cleaner. Also, if you don’t enjoy vacuuming, you can delegate this tedious task to your new bot vacuum and create time to relax and enjoy life with your family.
Unlike robot cleaners, manual vacuums are excellent for deep cleaning, upholstery, and heavy-duty jobs. Therefore a robot vac will never replace the manual system but will yield higher overall levels of cleanliness.
How Big Is Your Space?
If you’re buying a robot vac for home or office cleaning, you need to consider your space dimensions. Some vacuums will work better in small environments of less than 2000 square feet.
Other models work best in large homes and spacious office rooms since they feature longer battery life and mapping abilities. The height and number of the furniture items you have in your house, like dressers, beds, couches, and kitchen cabinets, will determine your pick. A 3-inch tall robot vac, for example, will easily navigate through tight spaces.
What Types of Surface Will the Robot Cleaner Work On?
Before purchasing a robot vacuum, you need to ask yourself the type of surface the vac will be cleaning. Most bot vacs can easily handle solid floors like tiles, vinyl, and other hardwood surfaces. Some models will sweep, mop, vacuum, spot clean, or deep clean depending on the type of dirt.
Moreover, robot vacuums can accommodate rapid surface changes from hard floor cleaning and switch to low to medium pile carpets. Additionally, some bots come with self-cleaning brushes, while others need to be opened and emptied after cleaning.
Do You Own Pets?
Furry friends are adorable to have around the house. However, they also come with the challenge of cleaning up their hair, which falls off on the floor, carpets and couches. Thankfully, many robot vacuums feature a strong suction system that will efficiently clean up pet dander.
Some vacuums feature a HEPA filter that eliminates dust mites, dust particles, and other allergens that cause allergy and asthma. However, you’ll have to make sure that you frequently maintain your bot vac since brushes and the HEPA filter system tends to wear out.
Since robot vacuums don’t have large dustbins, they are likely to fill out fast after one or several cleanings. Therefore, remember to empty the dustbins frequently to avoid overflow. Some high-end models save you the hassle of clearing dirt as they feature a self-emptying design.
Do You Have WiFi Connectivity?
If your robot vac features WiFi connectivity, it will offer you remote controls and deliver the smart user experience. With internet connectivity, your device offers sophisticated navigation, and at the same time, you will get aggregate data and reports of each cleaning. You can also quickly locate where the robot vac is cleaning thanks to intuitive mapping technology found in most mid-range and high-end models.
Additionally, if your bot features app capabilities, you can control it through voice command. But if you’re not willing to sacrifice for such fancy features, then you’re better off saving your money and going for an entry-level or mid-end robot vac with remote controls that run on alkaline batteries, which is friendly and straightforward to use.
Types of Robot Vacuums
Various kinds of robot vacs are available in the market today with different features, but technically, they function similarly. Here are the three categories and how they operate:
- Robot Dusters – They are mostly found in the lower-end category and do essential vacuuming on hard floors only. If you are on an extreme budget and live in a small studio or apartment, they will help you to clean your space clean every time.
- Robot Mops – you can find these models in the low to mid-end categories. They are exclusively designed to work on hard floors. They can sweep, wet, and mop floors but can’t work efficiently on carpets.
- Robot Vacuums – Depending on the make and model, these automatic cleaners can sweep, mop, spot clean, and vacuum solid surfaces and low to medium pile carpets.
Each features different capabilities and have various prices based on features and performance.
Final Words
If you think you are ready to buy a robot vacuum cleaner, use this list and make sure you consider all the factors and features that come with a robot vac. Whether you have a solid surface or low to medium pile carpet, you can keep your home or office space clean daily without much effort, thanks to robot vacuum cleaners.
If you’re not interested in fancy features and having well-tractioned rollers and self-cleaning brushes, then you’re better off saving your money with these ten best cheap robot vacuums that get the job done on a more modest budget.