The yearly spring cleaning is a job that either fills homeowners with dread or excitement. Some are apprehensive about the task because they know how tough it will be. Doing a good job requires a lot of hard work. This is easier said than done in some busy households, and homeowners are understandably keen to find an easier option.
Then there are those that look forward to the chance to get the home spotless. The annual clean is an excuse to upgrade cleaning equipment for the best result. Whichever camp consumers find themselves in, there is one simple answer to the problem: RobotsInMyHome’s excellent robot vacuum guide
Robotic vacuum cleaners are a great aid for any household, no matter their love or dislike of cleaning. Those that pride themselves on a clean home can find an efficient model for a better result. Those that want to save time and energy can find an effective, intelligent model that will do everything for them.
Robot cleaning aids come in many shapes and abilities from different brands. This can make a choice a little harder. This guide will break down the key considerations for buying the best robot cleaner – intelligence, programming, battery life, efficiency, and functionality. These points are then backed up with product information on some of the best options available.
Robotic Vacuum Cleaners
Robotic vacuum cleaners would be nothing without the automation and intelligence to handle the job.
Consumers are quickly drawn to robotic vacuum cleaners for a very simple reason – their intelligence. Top developers designed these robots to be able to think for themselves. This means that they work without too much human interaction. In pretty much all cases, owners can turn them on, let them loose and leave them to get on with the job.
They can then get on with other jobs in the house, feed the kids or even leave the house entirely while the robot cleans. Robot intelligence varies from one model to the next. Many products are just bright enough to make their way around a room, avoid major obstacles and detect dirt. This is fine for a basic clean. Then there are those that go a step further for complete automation.
iRobot 880
This iRobot 880 is one of the top models around when it comes to smart software.
Consumers often turn to iRobot Roomba models first when looking for the best product. This is due to brand recognition, popularity and the large range of options. The company continually update designs and features. The iRobot Roomba 880 may not be the most modern, but it is a tried and test best seller.
This is a product that wants to do it all when it comes to an efficient clean with smart technology. The main selling point is the iAdapt Responsive Navigation Technology that maps out the best route and allows it to return to its dock. There is also the AeroForce cleaning system for greater efficiency, anti-tangle tech for cleaning hair and a self-adjusting cleaning head.
This model is pretty good, but not perfect. Some users feel that it needs a better remote and carrying handle. There is also the sense that it could be smarter with internet connectivity. This leads nicely to the next consideration.
The problem is that consumers now expect super intelligent AI with their smart devices.
The smarter the robot, the better the user experience. Homeowners get more out of these machines and enjoy a better spring cleaning experience the less effort they put in. A robot vacuum cleaner’s intelligence goes beyond this clever mapping. Users criticize the iRobot Roomba for the lack of connectivity and apps.
Many buyers are keen to see a more interconnected smart household thanks to the rise of the internet of things. Users could then program the robot from their phone, alter schedules remotely and customize the cleaning. There are new models that bring in these high-tech features with the aim of a more effective, efficient clean. The problem is that some are better than others.
Dyson 360 Eye
The Dyson 360 Eye is a little flawed, but it is a good example of the ambition of designers.
Dyson is still the top name for vacuum cleaners across the world. The company is well known for their great tech, powerful cleans, and innovative features. iRobot and their vast range of Roomba models clearly dominate the market. It is easy to create a top 5 list purely with iRobot machines, albeit a biased one. So, let’s look at Dyson 360 Eye Robot Vacuum as an alternative to compare their approaches.
This Dyson uses 360 eye vision to see the entire room at once and determine the best root. There is also the Dyson link app for iOS or Android. This offers adequate controls and data analysis to improve the performance. This is all good in theory, but there are issues.
The first problem is the price. It is near $1000. The second is that this is a first-gen model with a lot of kinks to iron out in the design and tech. This means a complicated cleaning pattern, app issues, confusion with obstacles and more. It is also too tall for some furniture. Brand-loyal consumers that want a Dyson robot should wait for later models.
Top Spring Cleaning Robotic Vacuum Cleaners
Buyers can sometimes get so caught up in the high-tech elements of the programming and mapping, they forget about some of the other requirements. The best robotic vacuum cleaners for spring cleaning need a strong battery. They need the power to get around a whole room without stopping in the middle of the floor.
The last thing homeowners want is to find half a carpet vacuumed when they get home. Also, the battery has to be reliable enough for consistent performance. Some models have the intelligence to return to their charging dock when power runs low. However, nobody wants them to do this too often as it wastes valuable time.
Eufy RobotVac
The Eufy RobotVac aims to help with a focus on battery life.
The Eufy RobotVac 11 cleaner does not come from one of the more recognizable names. It is a best seller on the British Amazon site and one that is catching up in the US. The robot’s battery life has a large impact on its popularity here. It has a high-capacity Li-ion battery with the promise of 1.5 hours of “fade-free power.”
Buyers are happy with the run time, charging and consistency of the performance. This self-charging RobotVac does all this on carpets and hard floors with a low-profile design. There are some mixed reviews on the performance on pet hair. But, this is still an efficient, quiet and affordable option.
All of the best robotic vacuum cleaners offer greater convenience for homeowners with multiple capabilities.
A robot is still a little one dimensional if it relies purely on powerful suction and clever mapping. All the best robots need to offer an effective clean across the whole floor on all kinds of dirt. This means a strong action on multiple floor types, dirt types and the ability to go anywhere. The Dyson model above received criticism for its great shape.
Owners that want to leave a machine to clean unaided need one that can go underneath furniture and into corners. Models that prove themselves on different surfaces are great tools for that thorough spring clean we are after. Many of the products mentioned above are highly rated because of the range of brushes, ability on pet hair and filtration systems. It is not just about good suction.
Neato Botvac D85
The Neato Botvac D85 shows that not all robotic cleaning aids need to be round.
A robot’s shape and height are vital for a thorough clean. It has to be able to get under the furniture and into corners unaided. Most machines are round, probably because it looks nicer, but round machines struggle with right angles.
The Neato Botvac D85 is a D-shaped option with a straight edge and CornerClever technology to get right up to the edges. It is a simple idea that is surprisingly rare. This shape is then complimented by the use of the LaserSmart mapping and navigation system and the powerful Clean-SpinFlow technology. This should all mean constant suction and automation in a more convenient design.
Then there are the machines designed for more than vacuuming.
All those that are serious about a good spring clean of the family home know that vacuuming isn’t enough. Therefore, multi-purpose robotic cleaners provide even more convenience for this yearly task. The best versatile models have the ability to sweep, vacuum and even mop up spills.
The idea here is those specific models like the Roombas are great at sucking up dirt, but won’t clean coffee spills. This job requires a second robot or human interaction. Many brands have entered into this multi-purpose niche, with varying results.
BoBsweep PetHair Robotic Vacuum Cleaner and Mop
The BoBsweep PetHair Robotic Vacuum Cleaner and Mop is one of the more exciting versatile options.
(Source: bObsweep Robotic Vacuum Cleaner and Mop)
This BoBsweep robot stands out from the crowd with its different functions. It can sweep vacuum and mop the floor as it patrols the room. The sensors detect the problems, and the system uses the most efficient solution. The robot is even more beneficial with the inclusion of the large 1L dustbin and UV light for microscopic bacteria.
The machine then returns to the charging station when finished, for an entirely automated process. It can get a little confused on the route and a little tangled up. However, it really can do it all, just without the broader intelligence and simple approach to models like iRobot.
It all comes down to finding precisely the right robot for the job.
The last model to highlight here is another single purpose option. However, we have included it to show users what is achievable with mopping robots. Some homeowners may feel that a multi-purpose option is a few a jack-of-all-trades, master of none.
In other words, they can be convenient and cost-effective, but not up to everyone’s standards. Those that like the idea of a more powerful, smart single-purpose vacuum like the iRobot Roomba could try a complimentary mopping robot.
iRobot Braava Jet 240
The iRobot Braava Jet 240 Provides A Different Approach For Efficient Mopping
It makes sense to go full circle and end the discussion with another iRobot machine. The iRobot Braava Jet 240 Mopping Robot isn’t a vacuum at all. Instead, it focuses on three different ways to mop the floor – wet mopping, damp sweeping, or dry sweeping. Users just add the right colored pad for the job and let the machine do the rest.
It provides an efficient clean with the Precision Jet spray and vibrating cleaning head. The mop can also get into tight corners because of the boxy shape. It is a slow and steady process, not a rushed job. Therefore, users won’t be going in the room for a little while if they want to do the whole floor.
The best robot vacuum cleaners are the ones that check-off all the right boxes. But, there are more cleaning bots than just vacuums.
Homeowners that want the best robotic vacuum cleaners for their spring clear need to consider these five points. They are intelligence, programming, battery life, efficiency, and functionality. The iRobot Roomba models dominate best-seller lists for this reason. They have the smart mapping and available programs to handle the job.
They can also handle different surfaces and dirt problems with a quick process and good battery life. Other models, like the Neato and Eufy, focus on one key selling point, like their shape or battery. Some, like the Dyson, are so narrow-minded that they lack some other significant benefits.
Homeowners need to look at their priorities for the best robot cleaning aids for their spring clean. Is it better to have a useful multi-purpose option like the BoBsweep, or two separate models to vacuum and mop? Are creative programming and hands-off operation more important than a deep clean? Those that understand their cleaning needs and compare their options should find the best possible robotic vacuum cleaners for the job.