FAQ

Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner UK

Robot vacuum cleaners are great for those who don't want to make your hands messy. They are more efficient than manual cleaning and are great for houses with one storey or less.

Smart features are a great benefit. This includes mapping technology that remembers the arrangement of your home and avoids furniture or rug, and navigating those nipples under furniture that larger robots struggle to reach.

iRobot Roomba j7+

The iRobot Roomba J7+, an upgrade over the previous model by the company, features new technology that makes it more effective in avoiding pet waste. It makes use of intelligent mapping and navigation to make maps of floors and rooms and works hard to avoid obstacles such as charging cords, furniture and shoes. It also detects dirt and prioritize cleaning areas that are heavily soiled. This is a significant improvement over earlier models that may not notice dirtiest spots or only clean them for a brief period of time.

The robot vacuum is fitted with a self-emptying bin that can put dustbin debris into its own 2.4L dirt bag. The company claims that it can hold up to 60 days of debris, meaning you only need to empty and replace the sack once every three months. The base station also includes an extra bag that can be used to quickly replace.

The Roomba is simple to set up and use. It is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, and can be controlled using the iRobot Genius App. With the app, you can decide to start and stop cleaning, set the amount of time it should be able to spend on each task and then create a timetable.

During our tests in our lab, the iRobot Roomba J7+ was capable of cleaning hardwood and area rug surfaces without issue in the kitchen, foyer, and family room. It was responsive to our instructions and performed its work quietly, registering just 64 decibels when it was in the operation. It took approximately 90 minutes to finish a single cleaning, and its battery required one hour and 58 minutes to recharge afterward. The Combo J7 lets you expand your iRobot eco-system by combining it with the iRobot Mop M6. One can run while the other moves around the room.

Dyson 360 Viz Nav

The Dyson 360 Viz Nav is the ideal robot vacuum cleaner for those who live in a multi-floor house. This model can create maps of different floors and store them on the app, making it easy to switch between different rooms without having to repeat the setup procedure. The robot can be controlled using voice commands, such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

Dyson has adopted a different method of obstacle detection that is different from other robots, employing a combination of sensors and cameras. A panoramic camera mounted on the top of the robot along with 26 other sensors will help to create an image of the area as it moves. This helps the robot avoid obstacles and furniture.

In our tests in our tests, the Dyson 360 Vis Nav was able to reach right up to edges and baseboards. It could also be easily guided around pieces of furniture with very tight corners. The suction of the robot was strong and was able to pick up every speck of dust hair, hair strand and dried-out bit of Playdoh we tossed at it. The vacuum also pulled the bin out effortlessly and quickly, reducing cleanup time by half.

However the Dyson 360 Viz Nav didn't do as well as other robots in our obstacle-avoidance test. It had a difficult time avoiding the drying rack that was temporarily in place, which it kept trying to move under. It eventually got stuck and halted the cleaning process. It also had difficulty getting around furniture that was taller such as chairs or a coffee table. The Dyson 360 Vis Nav is also unable to climb stairs, which can be a problem for a lot of people who live in multi-story houses.

Roborock

Roborock robot vacuum cleaners provide high-end cleaning features that are above the others. Two mops are provided that spin and lift dirt while pressing down. They also lift automatically when vacuuming carpets, stopping streaks of dirt from appearing and re-clogging vacuums with dirt. They can suction up to 5,500 Pa, which is superior in the removal of dirt and dust. Additionally they are equipped with intelligent water flow control that can ensure the proper amount of moisture for each floor type.

Roborock's ability to map out your entire home using laser technology is among its most impressive capabilities. The LiDAR system of the Roborock robotic arm rotates constantly emitting lasers, and measuring how long it takes them to bounce off nearby objects. This data is then used to create an accurate map of your home's layout that allows it to navigate with precision and avoid obstacles.

Based on the model you choose, you can customize your map to include no-go zones, furniture placements, and cleaning for specific rooms. You can also select a cleaning routine for vacuum only, mop on its own, or vacuum+mop. You can schedule regular cleanings with an app-based cleaning system that lets you to set it and forget it.

Roborock offers a range of options, from the budget-friendly S6 MaxV up to the most expensive S7 MaxV. All models have advanced mapping and a long-lasting battery and a large dustbin. The docking station offers many features, including charging and refilling the hot water tank. In the UK they also come with a two-year warranty.

Beko RCV 5

The Beko RCV 5 is a relative newcomer to the robotic vacuum and mopping market, but it's already making waves due to its sleek design and a reasonable cost. The robot has a few tricks in its sleeve that make it stand out from its competitors, such as object recognition and self-emptying functionality. It's also simple to install and use, thanks to an easy-to-use app that lets you alter the settings to your liking.

The navigation system of this model makes use of sensors and mapping technology to navigate your home, and it does a great job of getting around obstacles. The app allows you to alter the cleaning path to allow certain areas to be cleaned more frequently. The app can be confusing at first but once you've mastered how to use it, you will be able to schedule cleanings and also manage the robot's power levels.

Despite its impressive array of features however, the RCV 5 is not without its faults. It is a tiny water tank, which can only hold 240 ml at a given time. This is sufficient to do a basic clean-up, but not ideal for stubborn stains. Furthermore the wiping plate isn't very sophisticated and doesn't feature the ability to rotate or vibrate.

Finally, the battery life isn't as long as one would expect for a machine that's priced at this level. In actual fact, the RCV 5 only lasts for approximately a third of the cleaning cycle before needing a recharge. It's not a huge issue however it is something to keep in mind when shopping for a new robotic vacuum cleaner.

Karcher RCV 5

The German manufacturer Karcher is best known for its pressure washers but it's now entering the robotic vacuum market with a model that both vacuums and mop. The RCV 5 offers an impressive array of features, including superb obstacle detection (with the dual laser system) and mapping that can be viewed in real-time using the smart app.

It also detects carpeted surfaces and triggers wet mopping mode. There's also a spot cleaning function that intensely cleans a specific area of around 3 feet. It can also be programmed for weekly repetition. The RCV 5 comes with a respectable 2,500 pascals of suction power and a good sweeping capacity for both hard and soft flooring. It can also reach into tight spaces and under furniture that can block larger robot cleaners.

Karcher Home Robots is an application that runs on smartphones, and, like other robots it is able to start cleaning processes and make maps of your home. The RCV 5 can also create virtual walls and zones where it cannot drive.

The RCV 5 has a downside in that its dust bin is just a litre and it'll need to be emptied regularly. This is unlike other models that have integrated disposal technology in their docking station. It's also heavier than many of its competitors which makes it less mobile and needing more space in the charging station. However, users found the RCV 5 very user-friendly and gave its app control high. It was a great performer in our tests, but some testers had trouble getting its voice technology working correctly.