Alexandra Ramirez
1. iRobot
Best Overall Robotic Vacuum
5/5 Product Rating
A side brush gets into corners and keeps the dust from accumulating on the walls and baseboards. You are able to schedule the robot to work during the day while you are at work. You may set the schedule for up to 7 times per week and activate the schedule by simply pressing the “clean” button. The unit will automatically clean and then re-dock for charging, meaning it will always be ready when you need it.
The iRobot Roomba 650 Vacuum Cleaning Robot is also able to adjust its cleaning to match the floor type. Adjustments can be made for carpet, tile, hardwood, and laminate flooring. The system is able to collect everything from small things like dust to larger items like cereal. The unit is only 3.6 inches tall and can easily go under tables and sofas without disrupting its flow. It is able to detect the end of the room, compared to a smaller object like a toy.
The unit is only 13.4 inches in diameter and very compact and easy to store. It weighs around 12 pounds and operates with a lithium rechargeable battery. You can establish a virtual wall to keep the iRobot in the rooms you want and it is built to identify stairs and avoid them. This unit comes with a one year warranty.
– Sarah Lytle
2. eufy
Best Overall Robotic Vacuum – Runner Up
4.7/5 Product Rating
The eufy, Self-Docking Robotic Vacuum Cleaner is programmable providing you with automatic cleaning at the push of a button. You can set it for automatic, spot cleaning or edge mode depending on the need. It comes with a 2600 Ah Li-ion battery that is rechargeable. The battery is powerful enough to operate up to 90 minutes before needing to dock and recharge. The unit will return to the dock when the power gets low for automatic recharging. It also features drop sensing technology which will prevent the unit from falling down stairs. The vacuum includes a Hepa filter to ensure that any dust in the air is pulled through the filter leaving you with both cleaner floor and cleaner air to breathe. The eufy, Self-Docking Robotic Vacuum Cleaner includes an 12 month warranty.
– Sarah Lytle
3. ILIFE V5
4.5/5 Product Rating
The ILIFE V5s Robotic Vacuum Cleaner offers a slim design that will fit under sofas and beds and other places that are difficult to reach. You are able to schedule its operation during your time away and it will work while you sleep or are out of the home. It operates by activating the clean button. The unit is only 12 inches in diameter and 3 inches tall, allowing it to fit in tight spaces. It includes a charging station and automatically re-charges after cleaning. A Hepa filter is included to reduce dust and allergens during cleaning.
The touch screen makes the unit simple to operate and program and it weighs less than 5 pounds. The unit will clean up to 110 minutes before needed to be re-charged and it takes up to 300 minutes to charge. Included with the robotic vacuum is a remote control, extra side brushes, a mop cloth and an AC adapter. The ILIFE V5s Robotic Vacuum Cleaner comes with a 12 month warranty.
– Sarah Lytle
Robotic Vacuum Buying Guide
What is a Robotic Vacuum?
When looking for a way to save you time and the hassle of cleaning hard to reach spaces robotic vacuums do an excellent job. While they will not fully replace your vacuum cleaner or eliminate the need to clean your home, they can keep dust at bay and keep your home cleaner with the added convenience of automation. When choosing a robotic vacuum there are a number of factors which will determine which is the best one for your needs.
What job do you need done? Robotic vacuums range in price from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars depending on the features you need. The more thorough the cleaning and the larger space you need covered the higher the price. The more sophisticated the technology, the higher the price. Do you need to dust hardwood floors daily or do you need it to cover the whole first floor and accommodate different flooring? Your goals will depend on the features that you will find important.
Where will you clean? The amount of space you need cleaned will factor on the size of motor, the size of the storage bin, and the time the charge will hold. A small room can clean quickly and the robot can return to recharge for the next cleaning. A larger unit may be able to clean several rooms, identify stairs and go over different floor types.
Features to Consider
Most robotic vacuums come with AC adapters, self charging stations, a bin to store the dust collected, and a rechargeable battery. From there features will vary depending on your needs and the model you select.
How much space do you need to cover? Units are built to operate a certain amount of time before recharging. Larger units can cover several rooms on one charge while others can only cover one. The size of the battery and the amount of time it will operate will determine the square footage it can cover. The rooms dimension and the amount of objects or furniture it must navigate may also affect the time it will be able to operate on a single charge.
What size bin do you need? In addition to length of charge you also need to look at the size of the collection bin. As the unit runs it will collect dirt and dust and store it in a bin. The collection bin must be changed frequently in order to remain at full suction power. Some bins need to be changed after each use. The larger space you are cleaning the more often the bin will need to be changed.
What floors need to be cleaned? Robotic vacuums operate best on hardwood floors and thinner carpets. If you have one floor surface or only hardwoods and tile, most vacuums can accommodate this. Adding various carpets and thicker styles like shags will help determine the unit needed. Covering a combination of different flooring requires a floor sensor so the robotic vacuum can adapt its suction and height to accommodate your floor surfaces.
Other valuable features include:
Floor detection: the ability to tell what kind of surface it is cleaning and adjust the suction and height accordingly.
Stair detector: A sensor to identify stairs which will stop the robot from falling down the stairs and move on to the next area.
Room detector: the ability to detect when you are moving from one room to the next. This will allow the unit to clean multiple rooms and still find its way back to the charging base.
Invisible walls: Allows you to block off certain areas that the vacuum will not travel. This can be an area within a room or blocking doorways so it stays in the room you intend without having to close the door.
Dirt detection: provides sensors that look for dirt. This enables the robot to identify corners or missed areas in the room and provides better coverage.
Collection Bin size. The size of the bin determines how often it must be cleaned between uses.
Scheduler allows you to program the vacuum so it will operate automatically as long as it is set to clean.
Remote control allows you to program the unit without having to bend over the physically touch the vacuum on the floor.
Hepa filters will clean the air as well as the floors.
Conclusion
Robotic Vacuums are becoming more popular as new features are added. Lives are busy and adding an appliance that can cut out mundane chores like housework are always welcome. Dust your floors and clean them every day while you are at work with the newest robotic vacuum cleaners.
Resources
- http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/vacuum-cleaners/buying-guide.htm
- http://housewares.about.com/od/vacuumsfloorcare/bb/bybrobotvac.htm
