10 Tips for Choosing a Robotic Vacuum Cleaner

All robot vacuum cleaners are divided into several categories - for dry, wet cleaning, floor polishers and multifunction devices. The choice of one of these types depends entirely on your tasks. The most simple, budget models are designed for dry cleaning of the house. According to the general principle of operation, they differ little from ordinary vacuum cleaners — they pull into the container all the rubbish that gets in the way, but they do it themselves using small brushes. Dust settles on the filter. Such models are used for daily cleaning of floors and short pile carpets.

Judging by the user reviews, cleaning robots, vacuum cleaners can not completely eliminate the need for washing floors, but will help keep it relatively clean. These are models with a water container. As it moves, the device sprays water in front of it, cleans the wet surface with brushes and sucks the dirty liquid into the container. Depending on the model, the remaining moisture is removed with silicone scrapers or vacuum. It is not possible to use washing vacuum cleaners for all surfaces - they are not suitable for budget types of laminate, untreated wood, parquet and long pile carpets. An interesting option is the combined models - they vacuum the floor or do wet cleaning depending on the mode set.

Polotere are less popular, but indispensable in apartments, which contain long-haired animals. To clean smooth surfaces, the robot uses a damp microfiber cloth, to remove animal hair and other dirt from carpets - a turbo brush.

It is more difficult to choose a manufacturer in the case of this equipment, as the majority of companies known to users – Samsung, Miele, Polaris, LG and some others release it to expand the range. The equipment may be of high quality, but not correspond to the technologies of the level used by manufacturers specializing in the production of vacuum cleaning robots. Although there are exceptions - some Samsung and Philips models have been very successful in user feedback. But in most cases it is better to pay attention to the following manufacturers.

1. IRobot. The American company, the first to launch mass production of robotic vacuum cleaners. Her models are one of the best - high-tech devices are equipped with wide functionality, qualitatively remove dust and debris in the apartment, are distinguished by good traffic, and are reliable.
2. Xrobot Another specialized company that produces low-end home cleaning aids compared to iRobot. Their robots are made of lower quality materials, not so reliable, but equipped with all the necessary options and show themselves well in work.If you need a device for cleaning small rooms, you can safely consider this company.
3. Neato. The company is originally from the USA. Considering the brand Neato, you should pay attention to the series Botvas. Models of this line have an improved orientation system, constitute the optimal cleaning route.
4. Panda. Despite the Chinese origin, the company produces modern and functional devices. They cope better than others with animal hair and long hair. However, their price is significantly lower compared to other well-known brands. All models are extremely easy to operate.
5. IClebo. The best vacuum cleaners for apartments with a complex design. They have impeccable navigation, never lost in large houses and apartments. Of the shortcomings of the brand's models, users in the reviews call the lack of a normal wet cleaning. They can only perform the function of a polisher.

In order for the chosen model to efficiently cope with its functions, pay attention to the design of its harvesting part. Robotic vacuum cleaners are equipped with large brushes for collecting large debris and side brushes for cleaning difficult areas of the apartment. It is necessary to evaluate the quality of the material of the brushes - the cleaning efficiency depends more on this factor than on their shape. Cheap brushes from fishing line cling to the thread, long hair - to clean them with a real problem later.

Expensive models in this regard, win before the budget devices. They have more efficient brushes and large containers, they are easy to clean, even from coiled hair. The length of the bristles of the side brushes depends on how well the complex areas will be cleaned. The longer they are, the better.

Sensors of different types ensure proper operation of the device. From them he receives information about the direction of motion, objects on the floor, obstacles. Manufacturers use several different types of sensors.

• Collision sensors. Along the edges of the device, collision sensors are hidden under the rubber bumper. As soon as the device touches the wall or an object, the sensor sends a signal that you need to go the other way. The design usually uses not one, but several sensors at once, so that the robot correctly locates the interference.
• Infrared. They are divided into two types - touch and fall. Sensors of the first type are located on the edge of the device. They send infrared rays that fall on an obstacle, are reflected from it, are received by the successor so that the robot knows when to change the trajectory. Drop sensors use the same principle of operation, but are located at the bottom. In the absence of signals, the robot stops, gently turns around and travels in a different direction.
• Ultrasound. Determine the proximity of the location of the object, forming the speed of movement. Models equipped with such sensors– best in terms of cleaning difficult places, as they can come close to the wall or furniture.
• Additional sensors. Models of the middle price category and premium class are sometimes equipped with pollution sensors. They determine how much debris is on the floor and according to this they independently select the optimum mode of operation. In some models, there are front wheel spin sensors that work if the vacuum cleaner gets tangled in something. The most modern and expensive models are equipped with laser sensors that allow you to make a map of the area.

Which option to choose? Of course, if funds allow, it is better to give preference to devices that are most equipped with various sensors. They will be much more efficient in their work and easier to navigate in the room.

The cleaning efficiency depends on the battery capacity.The longer the device can work without recharging, the better it will be to cope with cleaning the house. Compared with a conventional vacuum cleaner, the suction power of robots is much smaller, so it will take a lot of time to remove all contaminants. For example, to fully clean the apartment 50-60 m²It will take about two hours. According to user reviews, cheap Chinese models charge for a maximum of one hour. To charge the device will take from 3 to 8 hours, so it is better to choose models of at least the average price range - the battery capacity is much higher.

The base station for recharging the battery is included in the package of many robots. It connects to the network and is installed on the floor. If the charge level of the robot drops, it finds the station by the infrared signal and recharges itself. This greatly simplifies cleaning and increases its efficiency. The robot can continuously work all the time while you are not at home. This is the best solution of all possible - buy a device with a base station for recharging.

The minus of most even expensive models is that their trajectory is random, so the cleaning can be uneven. For example, a robot will vacuum one room throughout the day, and it will not even enter another. If you need to force the device to clean up exactly where you need, you can divide the area into zones. Some models include small devices that are called “virtual wall”. With the help of a narrow beam infrared beam, they expose an invisible wall. The robot receives a signal about the obstacles and changes the direction of movement.

By moving the device, it is possible to ensure consistent cleaning of all rooms in the house. The standard package includes one or two devices, but they are sold separately. If necessary, devices can be purchased to set clear boundaries of the cleaning zone.

If the first robotic vacuum cleaners were expensive, it is now easy to find an inexpensive standard or wash model. There are a lot of offers, but you should not look at the cheapest options - their performance and quality leave much to be desired. In the price range of up to 10,000 rubles, it is already possible to purchase a relatively good model of the Polaris, Midea, Clever & Clean, Xrobot, Scarlett brands. But the low price for smart devices directly affects their quality of work - an inexpensive robot will not replace the standard sweeping floors. Materials, electronics are not very high quality, dust collectors are small, insufficient battery capacity, the complexity of orientation in space - this is only part of the shortcomings of cheap models. Such a device can be purchased only for regular cleaning of one small room.

In the middle class from 10,000 to 25,000 rubles, the choice is already much larger. But these models are still considered inexpensive. In this price category you can find a lot of interesting offers from Xiaomi, IRobot, PANDA, iClebo. They already use a more thought-out cleaning technology - a variety of different sensors, a clear cleaning trajectory, high-quality materials, efficient brushes, and an increased size of the dust collector. There are some good washing models. Many options are equipped with a charging station, virtual walls, provide a good quality of cleaning. This is the best option if you do not have a large amount of money, but want to get a reliable helper around the house.

Some believe that premium devices are no different from models in the middle price segment. But they have a higher charging rate (10-20 minutes), a large dust collector, they are perfectly oriented in space. Some models are equipped with a self-cleaning function. In the price segment from 25,000 rubles, there are excellent models of the Neato, iRobot, Okami, PANDA, Makita, Ecovacs brands.

To choose the model of robotic vacuum cleaner, make a start from the cleaning area.For a small room with moderate daily pollution (if no children and pets), you can purchase a simple model with a capacity of about 30-40 watts. If the area of ​​the apartment is larger, there are polluting factors, it is worth giving preference to more powerful models - up to 70 watts. Keep in mind that the cleaning of the house area of ​​50-60 m² the robot will spend about 1.5-2 hours of time.

Dust collector capacity is another important parameter. If there are animals at home (especially long-haired) or small children, choose models with an increased capacity. For an apartment 60-80 m² it must be at least 0.3-0.4 liters. For large areas, it is worth considering models with a dust collector size of up to 1 liter. Combined models designed for wet and dry cleaning cope with the task of eliminating debris and dust with higher quality.

Most models are quite noisy. The volume indicator can reach 60-70 dB - it’s better to pay attention to this parameter right away. Now it’s quite realistic to find quieter models mainly from the middle price range with a maximum volume of no more than 45 dB.

Washing robotic vacuum cleaners will save you from frequent washing floors. They do a good job with this task. The only inconvenience is that water periodically needs to be changed and added. A washing robot vacuum cleaner cleans up one after another - first it collects trash, then sprays water on the floor, rubs it and sucks it back. Behind him leaves the washed and dried surface. For the effectiveness of washing in water added special tools. Sometimes users use low concentration vinegar.

Washing models are not suitable for all surfaces. You should not use them for laminate without waterproof coating, parquet, branched wood, porous stone tiles. They are not intended for long pile carpets either. If you only need to occasionally replace manual floor cleaning, consider models with a wet cleaning mode that simply wipe the surface with a damp cloth.

Some models are complemented by various interesting options. For example, air cleaning with filters, its aromatization, disinfection of the floor with ultraviolet light. Some options can be very useful, but in cheap devices they are sometimes used to divert attention from not very good technical characteristics. Therefore, the auxiliary options are the most important selection criteria. Although some options greatly simplify cleaning and improve its quality.

• Cleaning on schedule. This option allows you to set a specific on time, equipped with many models. In some devices, the schedule mode can be set for the week ahead. For example, the robot cleaner will be cleaned while you are at work.
• Self-cleaning In this case, the charging station (base) is additionally equipped with a dust collector cleaning from the collected garbage. The user will not need to clean the garbage from the device several times a day - it will do it on its own, without interrupting the cleaning process due to a crowded container.
• Remote control. This is a secondary function, as during the cleaning process there is usually no need to switch operating modes.