If you don't wish to get your hands dirty, then robot vacuum cleaners are a great choice. They are time-saving and energy-saving in comparison to manual cleaning, and are great for single-storey homes or flats.
Smart features are an added bonus. They include mapping technology that remembers your home layout, staying clear of furniture and rugs, and avoiding those nipples underneath furniture that bigger robots struggle with.
iRobot Roomba j7+
The iRobot Roomba J7+, an upgrade from the previous model made by the company, incorporates new technology that makes it more effective in preventing pet waste. It makes use of smart mapping to create maps of rooms and floors, and it works hard to avoid obstacles like furniture, charging cables, and shoes. It also can detect dirt, and prioritise areas of cleaning that are particularly filthy. This is a significant improvement over older models which frequently ignored the dirtiest spots or only cleaned them for a short period of 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 and means you only need to empty and replace the bag once every three months. The base station also comes with an extra bag that can be used for quick replacements.
It's simple to set up and use the Roomba device, which is compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant and is fully controllable via the iRobot Genius app. You can use the app to choose when to start and end the cleaning, as well as how long it will take to complete the task at hand and also create a schedule.
During our testing, the iRobot Roomba J7+ cleaned flooring and area rug surfaces in the foyer, family room and kitchen without a problem. It was quiet and listened to us as it performed its task. The decibel meter recorded just 64 decibels during the operation. It took 90 minutes to clean a single room and the battery needed to be recharged following the cleaning for an hour and 58 minute. The Combo j7 allows you to extend your iRobot eco-system 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 anyone living in a multi-floor house. The model can create maps for several floors and save them in the app. It's then easy to switch between rooms without having the setup process repeated. The robot can be controlled by 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 that is mounted on the top of the robot together with 26 sensors that are external, help create a map as it moves. This, in turn, helps to avoid obstacles and furniture.
In our tests during our tests, the Dyson 360 Vis Nav was capable of reaching up to edges and baseboards. It could also be easily guided through furniture pieces with extremely tight corners. The suction of the robot is strong and it is able to pick up every dust particle, hair strand and dried-out piece Playdoh we threw its way. The vacuum was able to empty the bin quickly and easily and reduced cleaning time by half.
However, the Dyson 360 Viz Nav didn't perform as well as other robots in our obstacle-avoidance tests. It had a difficult time with a temporary drying rack that it was unable to maneuver under, eventually becoming stuck and disrupting the cleaning process. It also had trouble avoiding some taller furniture pieces like a chair or a 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 are equipped with high-end features that make them stand out from the crowd. Dual mops are available that spin and lift stains while pressing down. They also automatically lift when vacuuming carpets, to avoid leaving dirty streaks and re-clogging the vacuum with dirt. They are able to suction up to 5,500 Pa for superior dirt and dust removal. In addition they are equipped with intelligent water flow control that can ensure the proper amount of moisture for each flooring type.
Roborock's ability to map your entire home using laser technology is one of its most impressive capabilities. The LiDAR system of Roborock is a Roborock robot arm rotates continuously emitting lasers, and measuring how long it takes them to bounce off other objects. This information is used to create a real-time map of your home, permitting the robot to navigate precisely and avoid obstacles.
Depending on the model you pick, you can customize your map to include No-Go zones, furniture placements, and specific cleaning for rooms. You can also choose a routine to vacuum only mop or vacuum+mop, and schedule regular cleanings with an app-based cleaning routine that allows you to set it and forget it.
Roborock has a wide range of options, from the budget-friendly S6 MaxV to the premium S7 MaxV Ultra. All models feature advanced mapping, a long-lasting battery, and a large dustbin. They also have a dock that offers many functions, including charging and refilling hot water tanks. In the UK they also have a two-year guarantee.
Beko RCV 5
The Beko RCV 5 is a relative newcomer to the robotic vacuum and mopping scene however, it's already making some waves with its sleek design and decent price. This robot has a few tricks in its sleeve that make it stand out from its competitors, such as self-emptying capabilities and object recognition. It's also a breeze to set up and use, thanks to a simple app that lets you alter the settings to suit your needs.
The navigation system in this model uses sensors and mapping to help you navigate your home. It does a great deal of getting around obstacles. The app lets you alter the cleaning path to allow certain areas to be cleaned more often. The app may be confusing at first, but once you've learned how to use it, you will be able schedule cleanings, and control the robot's power levels.
The RCV 5 has some flaws despite its impressive list. First of all, it has a relatively small water tank that can hold up to 240 milliliters of water at one time. Although this is sufficient to do a basic wipe clean, it's not the best to remove stubborn stains. The plate is also not equipped with the ability to rotate or vibrate.
The battery's life isn't as long as one would expect from a robot that's priced at this level. In reality, the RCV 5 only lasts for approximately a third of the cleaning cycle before needing a recharge. This isn't necessarily a deal-breaker however it is something to be aware of when searching for a new robotic vacuum cleaner.
Karcher RCV 5
Karcher is a German manufacturer best known for its pressure washers and other pressure washers, has entered the robotic vacuum market with a model which vacuums and mop. The RCV 5 has a range of amazing features, including excellent obstacle detection with a dual-laser system and mapping that can be monitored in real time via the smart app.
It can also detect carpeted surfaces and then automatically start the wet mopping function. The spot cleaning feature is very useful. It can be programmed to repeat every week. The RCV 5 is a good robot cleaner with suction power of 2,500 pascals. It is able to clean both hard and soft flooring, and can reach into corners and underneath furniture with low levels.
Karcher Home Robots is an application that runs on smartphones, as with other robots it can be used to start cleaning processes and create maps of your home. The RCV 5 also has the capability to create virtual walls and zones in which it cannot drive.
The RCV 5 has a downside in that its dust container is just a litre and it'll require regular emptying. This is unlike other models which have integrated disposal technology in their docking station. It's also heavier than many of its competitors which makes it less mobile and requiring more space in the charging station. The RCV 5 was highly rated by testers for its user-friendliness and app control. It did well in our tests, though some users struggled to get the voice technology to function properly and found its docking station fiddly to put in a flat position.