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If you’ve heard about autonomous cleaners and wondering what is a robotic vacuum cleaner then read on to discover some of the great benefits of using one to free up some of your time. Robot vacuums were originally introduced over 10 years ago but a lot has happened since then and we are now starting to see cutting edge technology fitted into these little helpers.
Manufacturers have refined robot vacs to the point where they can be controlled via an app on your phone. The original models were unreliable and would not survive for more than a few months but the latest versions are vast improvements. Let’s dive right in and check out what robot vacs are capable of and what they can do for you.
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The initial questions I get asked about robot vacuums is how do they know which direction to go? Will they fall off the edge of my stairs or knock into my furniture. 3 words- sensors, sensors, sensors. Modern robots are fitted with smart sensors that will scan the surrounding area including the room size and obstacles. It maps out the best possible routes and plans efficient patterns so it clean in less time. Below is a demonstration of various patterns a robot will use to cover all sections of the house.
Recommended read: Top 8 Best Performing Robot Vacuums.
Cliff sensors help the robot to detect edges and stops it from falling down a flight of stairs. This would be a costly mistake and most certainly break the machine.
Proximity or anti-collision sensors are fitted around the robot so it can avoid hitting into walls, chair or table legs, furniture and other obstacles.
Check out our Top 8 Best Performing Robot Vacuums by clicking here.
Robot Vacuum Charging Docks
Nowadays the majority of robot vacuums are supplied with a charging station that the machine returns to when it completes a cleaning cycle or if it detects that the battery needs charging.
Ideally you want to choose a robot vacuum that can automatically mount itself back onto the charging dock.
Charging times vary but these range between 2 – 3+ hours. If a machine requires charging part way through a cleaning cycle it can remember where it left off and normally return to complete the job when it’s fully charged.
Recommended Robots: Top 8 Best Performing Robot Vacuums.
Robot Vacuum Suction Power
Modern robot vacuums are designed with approximately 1000Pa of powerful suction which is plenty of power required to seek out dirt from deep within the carpet. A robot vacuum is fitted with additional side brushes that work together with the suction. The brushes will sweep dirt directly into the air inlet to ensure that nothing is left behind.
You might have wondered how a circular device can clean corners and edges? The side brushes deal with this problem because they are designed to reach past the confines of the robot’s body to reach into corners brush dirt towards the suction vent.
Check out our Top 8 Best Performing Robot Vacuums by clicking here.
Robot Vacuum Accessories
What type of accessories should you expect with your robot vacuum? In addition to the charging dock look out for a remote control to conveniently program the machine from a distance without the need to bend down or lift it up.
Side brushes should be supplied as standard. The best brushes are 3 pronged and certain manufacturers will supply an extra set of brushes as a bonus for purchasing their robot vacuum.
Filters to look out for include HEPA filters, foams filters, and a primary filter. Ideally you want a robot vacuum with triple layer filtration for the best possible clean.
Recommended Robots: Top 8 Best Performing Robot Vacuums.
Robot Vacuum Weight and Dimensions
Robot vacuum machine weight varies between around 7.9 pounds to 9 pounds. This is comparable to the weight of a handheld vacuum. You’ll have no difficulty lifting the vacuum if it were to get stuck or when it needs to be lifted upstairs to vacuum the top floor.
The width of a robot vacuum is between 13″ and 14″ and height ranges from about 3″ to 3.9″. The key dimension to look out for here is the height of the vacuum. A shorter height makes it easier for the vacuum to roam underneath sofas, cabinets and beds.
Top Tip: Look out for height adjustable models particularly the Neato brand that will lower themselves to get underneath sofas and furniture. Check out our Top 8 best performing robot vacuums to find the best robot for your home.
Robot Vacuum Filtration
Is it possible to buy a robot vacuum with HEPA filtration? Absolutely. Allergy sufferers can rest assured that their robot vacuum will purify the air from airborne allergens as it works diligently throughout the house.
Not all vacuums are fitted with HEPA filters but models such as the Dyson 360 Eye are equipped with this level of filtration. Why not check out our Top 8 best performing robot vacuums to find the perfect robot vac that suits your lifestyle.
In addition to HEPA filtration, robot vacuums are designed with a primary filter that will catch larger dirt particles such as hairs and bread crumbs. There is also a foam filter to trap dust particles. Choose a robot with all 3 filters for cleaner air quality.
Recommended Robots: Top 8 Best Performing Robot Vacuums.
Robot Vacuum Dirt Bin
Given that robot vacuums are portable, the dirt bin capacity on them are a decent size. Times are moving quick, when I first reviewed robot cleaners the dirt bins could house between 340- 400 liters of dust and dirt. Nowadays that size has increased considerably with some models housing up to 600 liters which is comparable to stick and handheld vacuums.
Emptying dirt is incredibly easy because the bin simply pulls out from the slot and clips back in once emptied.
Check out our Top 8 best performing robot vacuums to find the best robot for your home.
Robot Vacuum Battery
What type of battery running time can you expect from a robot vacuum? considering that they are as small as handheld vacuum they run for a lot longer. The average running time of a robot vac is between 60 to 120 minutes.
The batteries come in different grades including Lithium Ion and Nickel Metal Hydride. Stay clear of cheap models with poor quality batteries that cause more problems than their worth.
Recommended Robots: Top 8 Best Performing Robot Vacuums.
Robot Vacuum Scheduling
Programming a robot vacuum couldn’t be any easier. Each machine varies but the instructions are fairly similar. You can set the machine to clean at a specific time of the day when you are away from the house or program it to perform a manual clean. If you set it up to clean when nobody’s at home just ensure that the floor is as clear as possible from obstacles like children’s toys and electric cables. If it get gets stuck when you are not around it will stay
If you set it up to clean when nobody’s at home just ensure that the floor is as clear as possible from obstacles like children’s toys and electric cables. If the robot gets stuck when you are not around it will stay there until it’s rescued.
Robots like the Neato Botvac D5 can be connected to the home Wifi and controlled wireless via an app on your smartphone. You don’t even need to be at home to schedule a cleaning program. This feature is proving to be highly popular.
Check out our Top 8 Best Performing Robot Vacuums by clicking here.
Robot Vacuum Limitations
Obviously a robot vacuum cannot clean or lift itself up a flight of stairs yet. Maybe sometime in the future a clever manufacturer will think of a genius way for a robot to work the stairs but for now we just have to accept its limitations.
Certain cheap models are fitted with inferior battery technology that burns out after a few months. I would recommend sticking to high quality Lithium Ion batteries on models such as Neato, Eufy, ILIFE, IRobot and Dyson of course.
Recommended Robots: Top 8 Best Performing Robot Vacuums.
What else can a Robot Vacuum do?
It won’t do the dishes but it will mop your floors! Yes, that right. Certain models such as the ILIFE V5s feature a dual function that can vacuum and mop hard floors.
The design encompasses a separate water tank and cleaning mop. Did I doubt that a tiny robot could mop effectively? Yes. Did the mopping performance match me doing it myself? The robot mopped better than me.
Check out our Top 8 Best Performing Robot Vacuums by clicking here.
Check out the Neato Botvac in action
Conclusion
What is a robotic vacuum cleaner worth given that it frees up so much of your time by maintaining a clean living space for you and your family?
Before I tried a robot vacuum I was skeptical about their effectiveness and durability. I kept asking myself if the suction would be powerful enough to agitate dirt and lift animal hairs etc. The simple answer is yes it can do all these things really well and then some.
Why not check out our top 8 best performing robot vacuums by clicking here.
Do you want to buy a Robotic Vacuum Cleaner or already own one? Please leave your comments in the section below. I’d love to hear about your experiences with robot vacuums or what has persuaded you to get one. Thanks for reading.
Our List of the Best Vacuums
Hi Cheryl!
Very interesting info here about robotic vacuums here!
I’ve been looking for one for my house, but there’s so many options, and some of them are considerably more expensive than others, and you never know if they’re worth the price difference.
On the other hand, I got two cats and there’s hair all over the place continuously. I’ve seen some of these robotic vacuums offer special models for houses with pets, with more capacity for the firts and everything. Are they really worth it?
Thanks for the thorough review!
Hi Israel,
Yes robot vacuums are worth purchasing. Brands like Neato and Eufy offer great functions to keep your home free from pet hair. I’d recommend looking at my list with 8 of the best robot vacuums available right now. There’s plenty to enjoy in the world of robot vacs especially convenience.
take care and let me know if there’s anything you would like to know.
~Cheryl