If you don't want to get your hands dirty then robot vacuum cleaners are a great choice. They are more efficient than manual vacuum cleaners and are ideal for flats and single-storey houses.
Smart features are a nice bonus. These include mapping technology that remembers your home's layout, and avoidance of rugs and furniture, and avoiding those nipples underneath furniture that bigger robots struggle with.
iRobot Roomba J7+
The iRobot Roomba J7+ is an upgrade on the company's previous model and incorporates new technology to make it more effective at avoiding pet waste. It makes use of intelligent navigation and mapping to create maps of rooms and floors and tries to avoid obstacles such as charging cords, furniture and shoes. It also detects dirt and prioritize cleaning areas that are heavily soiled. This is a major improvement over older models that sometimes ignore the dirty spots or only clean them for a short time.
The robot vacuum comes with a new self-emptying base station that can dump dust from the bin into its own 2.4L dirt disposal bag. IRobot claims that this bag can hold up to 60 days worth of debris, meaning you only have to empty and change the bag once every three months. The base station can also hold bags for spares and quick replacements.
The Roomba is easy to set-up and use. It is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, and can be controlled through the iRobot Genius App. With the app, you can select to start and stop cleaning, determine the amount of time it will be working on each job, and set up a schedule.
During our testing we found that the iRobot Roomba J7+ cleaned flooring and area rug surfaces in the family room, foyer and kitchen without a problem. It was quiet and listened to us as it worked. The decibel meter registered only 64db during the process. It took approximately 90 minutes to finish a single cleaning and its battery took an hour and 58 minutes to recharge following the cleaning. You can also expand your iRobot ecosystem by using the Combo j7, which allows you to pair it up with the iRobot mop m6 and let one run while the other moves around the room.
Dyson 360 Viz NavThe Dyson 360 Viz Nav robot vacuum cleaner is the best option for anyone who lives in a multi-floored house. The model can create maps for several floors and save them in the app. It's then easy to switch between spaces without having the setup process repeated. The robot can also be controlled via voice, with support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Dyson has adopted a different method of obstacle detection than other robot vacuums, employing a combination of sensors and cameras. A panoramic camera mounted on the top of the robot together with 26 sensors externally, help to create an image of the area as it moves. This assists to avoid obstacles and furniture.
In our tests, we observed that the Dyson 360 Vis Nav could reach up to baseboards and edges, and could navigate around furniture with tight corners. The suction of the robot was strong and was able to pick up every speck of dust hair, strand of hair, and dried-out piece of Playdoh we tossed at it. The vacuum was able to empty the bin quickly and effortlessly and cut down the time spent cleaning by half.
The Dyson 360 Viz Nav did not perform as well as the other robots we tested during our obstacle avoidance tests. It had a difficult time with a temporary drying rack that it was unable to move under, but ended up becoming stuck and disrupting the cleaning cycle. It also had difficulty navigating some taller pieces of furniture such as a chair or coffee table. The Dyson 360 Vis Nav also has difficulty climbing stairs which is a major issue for a lot of people who live in multi-story homes.
Roborock
Roborock robot vacuums come with top-of-the-line features to make them stand out from the rest. Two mops are provided that spin and lift stains while pressing down. They also lift automatically when vacuuming carpets, stopping streaks of dirt from appearing and re-clogging vacuums. They have extreme suction of 5,500 Pa for outstanding dirt and dust removal. They also have sophisticated water flow controls to ensure the right amount of moisture is absorbed by every floor type.
Roborock's ability of mapping your entire home using laser technology is among its most impressive capabilities. The LiDAR system of Roborock is a Roborock robotic arm is constantly rotating emitting lasers, and measuring how long it takes to bounce off of nearby objects. This information 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, you can customize the map to include no-go zones, furniture placements and a specific room's cleaning. You can also pick a cleaning routine for vacuum only, mop alone, or vacuum+mop. You can schedule regular cleanings by using an app-based system for cleaning that lets you set it and forget.
Roborock provides a range of options, from the budget-friendly S6 MaxV up to the most expensive S7 MaxV. All feature advanced mapping capabilities, a high-performance battery life, and a high-capacity dustbin. The docking station offers many 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 a relative newcomer in the robotic vacuum and mopping world, but its sleek design and reasonable price have already made it a cult. The Beko RCV 5 comes with a few tricks on its sleeve to make it stand out from the competition, including self-emptying and object recognition. It's easy to set-up and use with an application that lets you to alter the settings.
The navigation system in this model uses sensors and a combination of mapping to help you navigate your home. It does a great job of avoiding obstacles. You can also alter the cleaning route with the app, making it easier to clean certain areas more often than other areas. The app can initially be confusing, but once you've learned how to use it, you'll be able schedule cleanings, and manage the robot's power levels.
Despite its impressive array of features, the RCV 5 is not without its flaws. It has a tiny water tank that holds up to 240 ml of water at one time. While this is enough to get a basic wipe clean, it's not the best to remove staining that is difficult to remove. The plate is also not equipped with a rotation or vibration function.
The battery life of the robots in this price range is not the length one would think. In reality, the RCV 5 only lasts for approximately a third of the cleaning cycle before needing a recharge. This isn't a dealbreaker, but it is something to consider 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's now entering the robot vacuum market with a model that both vacuums and mops. The RCV 5 offers an impressive variety of features, including great obstacle detection (with a dual laser system) and mapping that can be viewed in real time through the app that is smart.
It's also able to sense carpeted surfaces, and automatically activates mopping mode when wet. There's also a handy spot cleaning feature that cleans a localised area of about 3 feet. It's also scheduled for weekly repetition. The RCV 5 is a good robot cleaner with a suction power of 2500 pascals. It can clean both hard and soft flooring, and can get into tight corners and underneath furniture with low levels.
Like many modern robots, the RCV 5 has a smartphone-powered application known as Karcher Home Robots. This app can be used to start cleaning and manage home maps. It's also possible to set up virtual walls and zones which the RCV 5 isn't allowed to drive, as well as numerous other controls.
The RCV 5 has a downside in that the dust bin is only a litre and it will have to be cleaned regularly. This is in contrast to other models which have integrated disposal technology within their docking station. It's also a touch heavier than some competing gadgets which makes it less portable and requires a bit more space in its charging station. The RCV 5 was rated highly by users for its ease of use and app control. It performed well on our tests, though some struggled to get the voice technology to work correctly and also found its docking station fiddly to place in a flat position.
