Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner UK
If you don't want your hands dirty, then robotic vacuum cleaners are the best. They are more efficient than manual cleaning and are great for single-storey homes and flats.
Smart features are a nice bonus. This includes mapping technology that remembers the layout of your home and avoids furniture or rug, and navigating those nipples under furniture that larger robots have to struggle to reach.
iRobot Roomba j7+
The iRobot Roomba J7+ is an upgrade to the previous model by the company and incorporates new technology to make it more effective in avoiding pet waste. It uses smart mapping and navigation to make maps of rooms and floors and is able to navigate around obstacles such as charging cords, furniture and shoes. It can also detect dirt and prioritize areas of cleaning that are particularly dirty. This is a significant improvement over earlier models that often ignored dirty spots or only cleaned them for an insignificant amount of time.
The robot vacuum comes with a self-emptying base station, which can collect dust into its own 2.4L dirt disposal bag. iRobot's claims this can hold up to 60 days worth of trash, which means you only need to empty and replace the bag once every three months. The base station can also hold a spare bag for quick replacements.
robot vacuum hoover to set-up and use the Roomba, which is compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant and is fully controllable via the iRobot Genius app. The app allows you to decide when to begin and stop the cleaning, how long it should spend on a particular task and then create a timetable.
During our testing we found that the iRobot Roomba J7+ cleaned flooring and area rug surfaces in the foyer, family room and kitchen with no problem. It was quiet and listened to us as it performed its task. The decibel meter recorded only 64db during the operation. It took approximately 90 minutes to finish a single cleaning and its battery needed an hour and 58 mins 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 flits around the room.
Dyson 360 Viz Nav
The Dyson 360 Viz Nav robot vacuum cleaner is the best option for those who live in a multi-floored home. This model can create maps for several floors and save them in the app. It is then easy to switch between spaces without having to repeat the setup procedure. The robot can also be controlled via voice, and can be controlled by Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Dyson has developed a unique approach to obstacle detection than most other robots, employing sensors and cameras. A panoramic camera at the top of the robot, along with 26 external sensors, help to create a map of the space as it moves. This helps the robot to avoid obstacles and furniture.
In our tests, we observed that the Dyson 360 Vis Nav could reach up to baseboards and edges, and could navigate through furniture with tight corners. The robot's suction is strong and it can pick up every dust particle, hair strand and dried-out piece Playdoh we tossed its way. The vacuum also pulled the bin out easily and quickly, reducing cleanup time by half.
The Dyson 360 Viz Nav did not perform as well as the other robots we tested in our obstacle avoidance tests. It had a tough time with a temporary drying rack that it was unable to maneuver under, eventually getting stuck and interrupting the cleaning cycle. It also had trouble avoiding some taller furniture pieces like the chair or coffee table. The Dyson 360 Vis Nav is also unable to climb stairs, which will be a problem for many people living in multi-story homes.
Roborock
Roborock robot vacuums are fitted with top-of-the-line features to make them stand out from the crowd. They have dual mops that spin while pressing down, and then effortlessly lift the stains. They also lift automatically when vacuuming carpets, stopping streaks of dirt from forming and re-clogging vacuums. They can suction up to 5,500 Pa which is superior for dirt and dust removal. In addition to this they are equipped with intelligent water flow control that can ensure the right amount of moisture for each floor type.
Roborock's ability of mapping your entire home using laser technology is among its most impressive features. The LiDAR system in a Roborock robot constantly rotates emitting laser beams, and calculating the time it takes for them to bounce back off surrounding objects. This data is then used to create an accurate map of your home layout, allowing it to navigate with precision and avoid obstacles.
Depending on the model you choose, you can customize the map to include furniture placements, no-go zones and a specific room's cleaning. You can also select a cleaning schedule for vacuum only, mop by itself or vacuum and mop. You can schedule regular cleanings by using an app-based cleaning system that lets you to set it and forget.
Roborock provides a range of options, ranging from the budget-friendly S6 MaxV up to the most expensive S7 MaxV. All models feature advanced mapping capabilities, a long battery life, and a large capacity dustbin. They also have docks that offer many features, including charging and refilling hot water tanks. Lastly, they have a two-year warranty in the UK.
Beko RCV 5
The Beko RCV 5 is a relative newcomer to the robotic vacuum and mopping market however, it's already making waves with its sleek design and reasonable price tag. The robot comes with a few tricks on its sleeves that distinguish it from the competition, including self-emptying and object recognition. It's simple to set up and use using a simple application that allows you customize many settings.
The model's navigation system makes use of sensors and mapping to guide you through your home. It does a good job of getting around obstacles. The app allows you to modify the cleaning route so that certain areas can be cleaned more frequently. The app can be difficult to use initially but once you get knack of it you'll be able schedule cleanings and control your robot's power levels easily.
The RCV 5 has some flaws despite its impressive list of features. It has a tiny water tank that holds up to 240 ml of water at each time. This is enough for a basic wipe-clean however, it isn't ideal for more stubborn stains. Furthermore the wiping plate itself isn't very sophisticated and doesn't have an ability to rotate or vibrate.
The battery's life isn't as long as you would expect from a robot of this price range. In reality, the RCV 5 only lasts for about a third of a cleaning cycle before needing a recharge. This isn't a major issue however it is something you should keep in mind when shopping for an updated robotic vacuum cleaner.
Karcher RCV 5
Karcher, a German manufacturer best known for its pressure washers and other pressure washers, has entered the robotic vacuum market with the RCV 5, a model that vacuums and mop. The RCV 5 offers an impressive range of features including excellent obstacle detection (with dual lasers) and mapping that can be monitored in real time through the smart app.
It also detects carpeted surfaces, which automatically activates mopping mode that is wet. There's also a spot cleaning function that intensely cleans a localised area of about 3 feet and can be scheduled for weekly repetition. The RCV 5 is a reliable robot cleaner with suction power of 2,500 pascals. It can clean both hard and soft floors and can reach into tight corners and underneath furniture with low levels.
As with many modern robots the RCV 5 has a smartphone-powered app called Karcher Home Robots that can be used to initiate cleaning processes and create and manage maps of your home. The RCV 5 also has the ability to create virtual walls and zones in which it isn't able to drive.
The RCV 5 has a downside in that its dust container is just a litre and it'll need to be emptied regularly. This is in contrast to other models that have integrated disposal technology in their docking station. It's also a bit heavier than other gadgets that make it less mobile and requires a bit more space to sit down in its charging station. Nonetheless, testers found the RCV 5 very user-friendly and gave its app control high. It did well in our tests, however some testers had trouble getting its voice technology working properly.