Robot vacuum cleaners are perfect for those who don't want getting your hands dirty. They save time and effort when compared to manual cleaning, and are great for single-storey homes or flats.
Smart features are an added bonus. This includes mapping technology that will remember the layout of your home, avoiding furniture or rugs, and getting into those nipples underneath low furniture that larger robots have to struggle to reach.
iRobot Roomba j7+
The iRobot Roomba J7+, an upgrade over the previous model made by the company, features new technology that makes it more efficient in avoiding pet waste. It uses intelligent mapping and navigation to create maps of floors and rooms and tries to avoid obstacles like furniture, charging cords and shoes. It also detects dirt and prioritize cleaning areas that are heavily filthy. This is a significant improvement over previous models that may not notice dirty spots or only clean them for a short time.
The robot vacuum comes with a new self-emptying base station that will dump dust from the bin into its own 2.4L dirt disposal bag. The company claims that it can hold up to 60 days of trash, which means you only have to empty and change the bag once every three months. The base station can also be used to store an extra bag for quick replacements.
The Roomba is easy to set-up and use. It is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, and can be controlled using the iRobot Genius App. The app allows you to select when to start and end the cleaning, as well as how it should take to complete an individual task, and create a schedule.
In our tests, 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 was quiet and listened to us as it did its job. The decibel meter recorded only 64db during the operation. It took it 90 minutes to sweep a single room, and the battery needed to be recharged afterward for a total of an hour and 58 minutes. The Combo J7 lets you increase the size of your iRobot ecosystem by pairing it with the iRobot Mop m6. One can run while the other moves about the room.
Dyson 360 Viz Nav
The Dyson 360 Viz Nav is the best robot vacuum cleaner for those who live in a multi-floor home. This model can create maps of multiple floors and store them in the app, making it easy to switch between spaces without repeating the setup process. The robot can also be controlled with voice, with support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Dyson has developed a unique approach to obstacle detection than other robots, employing a combination of sensors and cameras. A panoramic camera that is mounted on top of the robot, together with 26 sensors external, creates an outline of the robot's movements. This helps the robot to avoid obstacles and furniture.
In our tests in our tests, the Dyson 360 Vis Nav was capable of reaching up to the edges and baseboards, and could also be easily navigated around pieces of furniture with very tight corners. The suction of the robot was strong, and it was able to take every speck of dust hair, strand of hair, and dried-out bit of Playdoh that we threw at it. The vacuum was able to empty the bin quickly and efficiently, cutting down on the cleaning time by half.
However, the Dyson 360 Viz Nav didn't perform better than other robots in our obstacle-avoidance tests. It had a difficult time avoiding drying racks that were temporary, which it kept trying to move under. It eventually became stuck and stopped the cleaning cycle. It also had trouble avoiding some taller furniture pieces such as the chair or coffee table. The Dyson 360 Vis Nav is also unable to climb stairs, which can be an issue for many homeowners who live in multi-story homes.
Roborock
Roborock robot vacuum cleaners offer top-of-the-line cleaning features that are a cut above the others. They have dual mop heads that spin while pressing down and effortlessly lift stains. They also lift automatically when vacuuming carpets, stopping streaks of dirt from forming and re-clogging vacuums. They have suction that is up to 5,500 Pa which is the best for dirt and dust removal. In addition to this they are equipped with intelligent water flow control that can ensure the correct amount of moisture for every flooring type.
Roborock's ability of mapping your entire home with laser technology is one of its most impressive capabilities. The LiDAR system of a Roborock robotic arm rotates constantly emitting lasers and determining how long it takes to bounce off of other objects. This information is used to create a live map of your home allowing the robot to navigate precisely and avoid obstacles.
Based on the model you choose depending on the model you select, you can modify the map to include furniture placements, no-go zones and room-specific cleansing. You can also select the option to only vacuum mop or mop and vacuum, and schedule regular cleanings with an app-based cleaning cycle that allows you to set it and forget it.
Roborock has a wide range of options, ranging from the budget-friendly S6 MaxV up to the most expensive S7 MaxV Ultra. All feature advanced mapping capabilities, a high-performance battery life, and a huge capacity dustbin. They also have docks that offer many features, including charging and refilling hot water tanks. Lastly, 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, but its sleek design and reasonable price have already made it a cult. This robot has some tricks to make it stand out from other robotic vacuums, including object recognition and self emptying capabilities. It's easy to set up and use using an easy-to-use application that lets you to alter the settings.
The navigation system of this model uses a combination of sensors and mapping technology to guide your home and does a great job of staying clear of obstacles. You can also alter the cleaning route with the app, making it easy to clean certain areas more frequently than other areas. The app can be confusing at first, but once you've mastered how to use it, you'll be able schedule cleanings, and also manage the robot's power levels.
Despite its impressive list of features, the RCV 5 is not without its flaws. It is a tiny water tank, which can only hold 240 milliliters 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 a robot at this price is not as long as one would imagine. In actual fact the RCV 5 only lasts for approximately a third of the cleaning cycle before it needs a recharge. It's not a huge issue however, it is something to keep in mind when shopping for a new robotic vacuum cleaner.
Karcher RCV 5
Karcher, a German manufacturer best known for pressure washers, has entered the robot vacuum market by introducing the RCV 5, a model that vacuums and mop. The RCV 5 offers an impressive variety of features, including great obstacle detection (with the dual laser system) and mapping that can be viewed in real-time via the smart app.
It can also detect carpeted surfaces and triggers wet mopping mode. There's also a handy spot cleaning feature that cleans a specific area of around 3 feet and can be scheduled for weekly repetition. The RCV 5 is a decent suction capacity of 2,500 psi and good sweeping capability for both hard and soft flooring. It is able to be able to get into tight nooks and under low furniture that can block larger robot cleaners.
As with many modern robots the RCV 5 has a smartphone-powered application called Karcher Home Robots. This app can be used to start cleaning processes and create and manage maps of the home. The RCV 5 also has the ability to create virtual walls and zones where it isn't able to drive.
One drawback to the RCV 5 is that its dust bin only holds around 1 liters and requires regular emptying, unlike some models that have integrated disposal technologies integrated into their docking stations. It's also heavier than some of its rivals which makes it less mobile and needing more space in the charging station. The RCV 5 was rated highly by testers for its user-friendliness and app control. It performed well on our tests, but some struggled to get the voice technology to work properly and found the docking station difficult to place in the flat position.
