Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner UK
If you don't want your hands dirty, then robot vacuum cleaners are the best. They are more efficient than manual vacuum cleaners and are ideal for houses with one storey or less.
Smart features are a benefit. These include mapping technology that remembers your home layout, avoidance of rugs and furniture, and avoiding those nipples beneath furniture that larger robots have to contend with.
iRobot Roomba J7+
The iRobot Roomba J7+, an upgrade to the previous model from the company, features new technology that makes it more effective in preventing pet waste. It uses smart mapping and navigation to create maps of floors and rooms and is able to navigate around obstacles like furniture, charging cords and shoes. It can also detect dirt and clean areas that are heavily filthy. This is a major improvement over older models that may not notice dirty spots or only clean them for a brief time.
The robot vacuum comes with a new self-emptying base station, which can collect dust into its own 2.4L dirt disposal bag. iRobot claims that the bag can store debris for up to 60 days, so you'll only need to empty it and then replace it every three months. The base station can also hold a spare bag for quick replacements.
It's easy to set up and use the Roomba that is compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant and is fully controllable via the iRobot Genius app. The app allows you to select when to start and stop the cleaning, how long it will take to complete an individual task, and create a schedule.
In our tests we found that the iRobot Roomba J7+ cleaned flooring and area rug surfaces in the family room, foyer and kitchen without a problem. It was quiet and listened to us while it performed its task. The decibel meter measured just 64 decibels during operation. It took about 90 minutes to sweep a single room, and the battery needed to be recharged afterward for a total of an hour and 58 minute. You can also extend your iRobot ecosystem with the Combo j7, which allows you to pair it with the iRobot mop m6 to have one run while the other moves around the room.
Dyson 360 Viz Nav
The Dyson 360 Viz Nav robot vacuum cleaner is the ideal option for anyone who lives in a multi-floored house. This model can create maps for multiple floors and save them to the app. It's 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 other robot vacs, using sensors and cameras. A panoramic camera mounted on the top of the robot along with 26 other sensors can help create an image of the area as it moves. This allows the robot to avoid obstacles and furniture.
In our tests during our tests, the Dyson 360 Vis Nav was able to reach right up to the edges and baseboards, and could also be easily navigated through furniture pieces with very tight corners. best robot vacuum of the robot is powerful and can take in every hair strand, dust particle and dried-out piece Playdoh we threw its way. The vacuum was able to empty the bin quickly and effortlessly and reduced the cleaning time by half.
The Dyson 360 Viz Nav did not perform as well as the other robots we evaluated in our obstacle avoidance tests. It had a hard time with a drying rack that it repeatedly tried to move under, but ended up getting stuck and disrupting the cleaning process. It also had difficulty getting around some taller furniture pieces, such as chairs or a coffee table. The Dyson 360 Vis Nav also isn't able to climb stairs which is a concern for many who live in multi-story houses.
Roborock
Roborock robotic vacuum cleaners have top-of-the-line cleaning features that are a cut above the rest. They have dual mops that rotate while pressing down, and then effortlessly lift stains. They also automatically lift when vacuuming carpets, to avoid leaving dirty streaks and making the vacuum clog again with dirt. They have suction that is up to 5,500 Pa which is superior in the removal of dirt and dust. In addition they also have an intelligent water flow control to ensure the right amount of moisture for every flooring type.
Roborock's ability to map out your entire home with laser technology is one of its most impressive features. The LiDAR system of a Roborock robot arm rotates continuously emitting lasers, and measuring how long it takes to bounce off the nearby objects. This data is then used to create a real-time map of your home's layout that allows it to navigate with precision and avoid obstacles.
Based on the model you select, you can customize your map to include no-go zones, furniture placements, and specific cleaning for rooms. You can also select an option to clean only, mop only, or vacuum+mop, and schedule regular cleanings with an app-based cleaning cycle that lets you set it and forget it.
Roborock offers a range of options, ranging from the budget-friendly S6MaxV up to the premium S7 MaxV. All models feature advanced mapping capabilities, a long battery life, and a large capacity dustbin. The docking station has a variety of features, including charging and refilling the hot water tank. Additionally, they are covered by a two-year guarantee in the UK.
Beko RCV 5
The Beko RCV 5 is a relative newcomer to the robotic vacuum and mopping industry however, it's already making waves due to its sleek design and decent price. The robot has a few tricks to set it apart from other robotic vacuums, such as self-emptying features. It's simple to set up and use with an application that lets you customize many settings.
The navigation system of this model uses a combination of sensors and mapping technology to guide your home and does an excellent job of staying clear of obstacles. You can also adjust the cleaning path using the app, making it easier to clean certain areas more frequently than other areas. The app can be confusing initially, however once you get hang of it you'll be able schedule cleanings and manage your robot's power levels effortlessly.
The RCV 5 has some flaws despite its impressive list. It uses a small water tank, which can only hold 240 milliliters at a given time. Although this is sufficient to perform the basic wipe clean, it's not ideal for getting rid of stubborn stains. Additionally the wiping plate is quite basic and doesn't feature a vibration or rotation function.
Finally, the battery life isn't as long as one would expect from a robot at this price. In reality the RCV 5 only lasts for approximately a third of the cleaning cycle before needing a recharge. It's not a huge issue, but it is something to consider when shopping for a new robot 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 variety of features, including great obstacle detection (with dual lasers) and mapping that can be tracked in real-time via the smart app.
It also can detect carpeted surfaces and then automatically activate the wet mopping function. The spot cleaning feature is extremely useful. It can be programmed to run weekly. The RCV 5 is a great robot cleaner with a suction power of 2,500 pascals. It can clean both hard and soft floors and can get into tight corners and even under furniture that is low.
Like a lot of modern robots, the RCV 5 has a smartphone-powered application known as Karcher Home Robots that can be used to initiate cleaning processes and create and manage maps of the home. It is also possible to set up virtual walls and zones within which the RCV 5 isn't allowed to drive, and a host of other options for controlling.
A downside of the RCV 5 is that its dust bin can only hold about a litre and will need regular emptying, unlike models that have integrated disposal technologies integrated into their docking stations. It's also heavier than many of its rivals which makes it less mobile and needing more space in the charging station. However, the test participants found the RCV 5 very user-friendly and rated its app control as high. It was a great performer in our tests, but some users struggled to get the voice technology to function well and found its docking station fiddly to put in a flat position.