Robot vacuum cleaners are perfect for those who don't like getting your hands dirty. 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 can remember the layout of your home and avoids furniture or carpets, and getting into those nipples underneath low furniture that larger robots have to struggle to reach.
iRobot Roomba J7+
The iRobot Roomba J7+ is an upgrade over the previous model of the company and includes a new feature to make it more efficient in preventing pet waste. It uses smart mapping and navigation to make maps of floors and rooms and is able to navigate around obstacles like charging cords, furniture and shoes. It also can detect dirt and prioritize areas of cleaning that are particularly filthy. This is a major improvement over previous models that sometimes ignore the dirty spots or only clean them for a brief period of time.
The robot vacuum comes with a self-emptying base which can put dustbin debris into its own 2.4L dirt bag. iRobot claims that the bag can hold debris for up to 60 days, which means you only have to empty it and refill it every three months. The base station also comes with a spare bag that can be used to replace the bag in a snap.
The Roomba is simple to set up and use. It is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, and can be controlled through 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.
During our testing during our testing, the iRobot Roomba J7+ cleaned the floors of area rug and hardwood in the family room, foyer and kitchen without issue. It was quiet and listened to us as it worked. The decibel meter registered just 64 decibels during the process. It took about 90 minutes to sweep a single room and the battery needed to be recharged afterward for a total of an hour and 58 minute. You can also grow your iRobot ecosystem with the Combo j7, which allows you to connect it with the iRobot mop m6 and have one run while the other moves around the room.
Dyson 360 Viz Nav
The Dyson 360 Viz Nav robot vacuum cleaner is a great option for anyone who lives in a multi-floored residence. This model can make maps of floors across multiple floors and store them in the app, making it simple to switch between different spaces without repeating the setup process. The robot can be controlled using voice commands, such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Dyson's robot vacuum makes use of a combination of cameras, sensors and other technology to detect obstacles. A panoramic camera at the top of the robot along with 26 other sensors, help to create an image of the area as it moves. This allows the robot to avoid furniture and obstacles.
In our tests, the Dyson 360 Vis Nav was capable of reaching all the way to the edges and baseboards, and could also be easily guided around pieces of furniture with very tight corners. The suction of the robot was powerful and was able to capture every dust speck hair, hair strand and dried-out piece of Playdoh we tossed at it. The vacuum was able to empty the bin quickly and effortlessly, cutting down on cleaning time by half.
The Dyson 360 Viz Nav did not perform as well as the other robots we tested in our obstacle avoidance tests. It was unable to avoid the drying rack that was temporarily in place that it was unable to get under. It eventually got stuck and halted the cleaning process. It also struggled to evade some of the larger pieces of furniture such as the coffee table or a chair. The Dyson 360 Vis Nav is also unable to climb stairs, which can be an issue for many people who live in multi-story houses.
Roborock
Roborock robotic vacuum cleaners have high-end cleaning features that are an upgrade from the others. Two mops are provided that spin and lift dirt while pressing down. They also automatically lift carpets when vacuuming to prevent leaving streaks of dirt and cleaning the vacuum of dirt. They have a suction of up to 5,500 Pa which is the best for dust and dirt removal. Additionally they are equipped with intelligent water flow control to ensure the right amount of moisture for every flooring type.
Roborock's ability of mapping your entire home with laser technology is among its most impressive capabilities. The LiDAR system of a Roborock robot rotates continuously emitting laser beams, and calculating the amount of time they take to bounce back off the objects around them. The data is then used to create an accurate map of your home's layout, allowing it to navigate with precision and avoid obstacles.
Depending on which model you select depending on the model you select, you can modify the map to include no-go zones, furniture placements and specific cleaning for your room. You can also choose the option to only vacuum mop, or mop and vacuum, and schedule regular cleaning with an app-based cleaning schedule that lets you set it and forget it.
Roborock offers a range of options, ranging from the budget-friendly S6 MaxV to the most expensive S7 MaxV. All feature advanced mapping capabilities, a high-performance battery life, and a huge capacity dustbin. The docking station has a variety of options, including charging and refilling the hot water tank. 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 and is already making waves due to its sleek design and decent price tag. The robot has a few features that make it stand out from other robotic vacuums, such as object recognition and self emptying functionality. It's easy to set up and use with an easy-to-use application that lets you to customize a variety of settings.
The navigation system of this model utilizes sensors and mapping technology to guide your home, and it does an excellent job of getting around obstacles. The app allows you to adjust the cleaning path, so that certain areas can be cleaned more frequently. The app is a bit difficult to use initially, but once you get the knack of it you'll be able organize cleaning schedules and control your robot's power levels with ease.
The RCV 5 has some flaws despite its impressive list. It has a tiny water tank that can only hold 240 ml at a time. This is sufficient to do a basic clean-up, however, it isn't ideal for more stubborn stains. The wiping plate also lacks a rotation or vibration function.
The battery life of an RCV 5 in this price range is not as long as one might imagine. The RCV 5's battery lasts for about a third of a cleaning cycle. This isn't a major issue, but it is something to consider when looking for a brand new robotic vacuum cleaner.
Karcher RCV 5
The German manufacturer Karcher is best known for its pressure washers. However, it's now entering the market of robot vacuums with a model that vacuums and mop. The RCV 5 offers an impressive array of features, including superb obstacle detection (with dual lasers) and mapping that can be monitored in real-time using the smart app.
It also detects carpeted surfaces and triggers wet mopping mode. The spot cleaning feature is extremely useful. It can be programmed to repeat weekly. The RCV 5 is a good robot cleaner with suction capacity of 2500 pascals. It is able to clean both hard and soft floors and can reach into corners and underneath furniture with low levels.
Like a lot of modern robots, the RCV 5 has a smartphone-powered application known as Karcher Home Robots. This app can be used to initiate cleaning and manage maps of the home. The RCV 5 can also create virtual walls and zones where it can't drive.
One drawback to the RCV 5 is that its dust bin can only hold about 1 liters and requires regular emptying, in contrast to models that have integrated disposal technology built into their docking stations. It's also heavier than many of its competitors which makes it less mobile and requiring more space in the charging station. However, users found the RCV 5 to be very user-friendly and gave its app control high. It did well in our tests, however some testers had trouble getting its voice technology to work correctly.