Make cleaning easy with these top robotic vacuums
If you’ve decided to purchase a robot vacuum, you may be wondering which one is right for your home or office.
When it comes to choosing a robot vacuum, it’s helpful to make a list of essential features to narrow your choices. For example, if you need to clean a larger area, consider a robot vacuum with a longer battery life. For those with pets, there are a few robot vacuums with no-tangle brush rolls for fuss-free cleaning.
Learn what robot vacuums have to offer with this buying guide, including a checklist of options to consider as well as quality robot vacuum recommendations from top brands.
What to know about robot vacuums
Robot vacuums vs. regular vacuums
- Operation: The main difference between robot and regular vacuums is the way they operate. Robot vacuums traverse floors independently, where regular vacuums require pushing or pulling by the user.
- Attachments: Regular vacuums may have attachments or tools for specialized cleaning of corners, curtains or upholstery. Robot vacuums generally lack these attachments and specialized capabilities. However, some models have dedicated corner-cleaning functions.
- Noise level: Many users report that regular vacuums are noisy or intimidating to pets. Robot vacuums operate more quietly. Many robot vacuums have sensors that detect pets to move around them, too.
- Size: Robot vacuums are significantly smaller than regular vacuums, which means their dustbins are also smaller. As a result, users need to empty dustbins more often. Regular vacuums can go through several cleanings before their dust bins require emptying.
Setting up a robot vacuum
Robot vacuums allow users to customize floor cleaning through companion apps. Depending on the device’s capabilities, users can set up cleaning schedules, create no-cleaning zones or initiate new cleanings for messes.
Before users reach this point, however, many robot vacuums run initial mapping cycles where they learn the layout of the home. They adapt to clean more efficiently based on variables like floor type, furniture obstacles or debris concentration.
Maintaining a robot vacuum
Generally speaking, robot vacuums are considered low-maintenance devices. Besides emptying the dustbins, users may need to replace filters or clean brush rolls, and that’s it.
Many robot vacuums let users know if there’s a device malfunction or if it requires service or repair. This information is usually shared in the app, though some robot vacuums may have on-board LED indicator lights or alarms to alert them as well.
Cost of robot vacuums
Entry-level robot vacuums cost $150-$300, while mid-range models come in around $400-$650. High-end robot vacuums run $700-$1,200.
Features of robot vacuums
Dynamic cleaning
Robot vacuums are appreciated for their dynamic cleaning capabilities. Some models have advanced floor mapping technology, like iRobot Roomba s9+, which delivers more comprehensive cleanings.
Longer runtime
Robot vacuums with longer runtimes are attractive to consumers who schedule whole-house cleanings. Rather than interrupting cleaning to charge themselves, robot vacuums like Shark ION AV753 are capable of running for a whopping 110 minutes on a full charge.
Designed to clean pet messes
Some robot vacuums, such as the iRobot Roomba 675, contain special filters or brush rolls to tackle pet hair. They’re less likely to clog, especially when lifting longer human hair from floors.
Best iRobot Roomba robot vacuums
This top-of-the-line model offers advanced floor mapping and works with Alexa. It comes with a clean base where it deposits daily debris, which only needs emptying every 30-60 days.
While it’s one of the more affordable Roombas, this model still offers powerful suction that lifts pet hair and deep-set dirt from carpets. The device even sweeps around corners and edges.
Best ILIFE robot vacuums
This two-in-one robot vacuum is capable of sweeping and mopping. The easy-to-remove dustbin is uniquely designed to trap pet hair and prevent clogs.
Even as one of the cheapest robot vacuums on the market, this ILIFE model cleans all floor types, including tile and laminate. It’s also one of the quieter robot vacuums on the market, making it popular for office use.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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