Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner UK
If you don't want to get your hands dirty, then robot vacuum cleaners are ideal. They are time-saving and energy-saving compared with a manual clean, and are great for single-storey homes or flats.
Smart features are a bonus. This includes mapping technology that can remember the arrangement of your home as well as avoiding furniture and 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 on the previous model by the company and adds some new technology to make it more efficient in preventing pet waste. It uses intelligent mapping and navigation to create maps of floors and rooms and works hard to avoid obstacles like charging cords, furniture and shoes. It can also detect dirt and prioritize cleaning areas that are heavily soiled. This is a major improvement over earlier models that may not notice dirty spots or only clean them for a brief time.
The robot vacuum is fitted with a self-emptying base that can deposit 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 has 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. Utilizing the app, you can select to start or end cleaning, set the duration it should be able to spend on each task and set up a schedule.
During our testing during our testing, the iRobot Roomba J7+ cleaned hardwood and area rug surfaces in the family room, foyer and kitchen with no problem. It was responsive to our instructions and performed its work quietly, recording just 64 decibels when it was in the operation. It took about 90 minutes to finish a single cleaning and its battery needed an hour and 58 minutes to recharge afterward. You can also grow your iRobot ecosystem with the Combo J7, which allows you to connect it with the iRobot mop m6 and have one run while the other moves around the room.
Dyson 360 Viz Nav
The Dyson 360 Viz Nav robot vacuum cleaner is the best option for anyone who lives in a multi-floored home. The model can create maps of floors across multiple floors and store them in the app, making it simple to switch between different spaces without having to repeat the setup process. The robot can be controlled by voice commands, like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Dyson's robot vacuum makes use of a combination of sensors, cameras and other technologies to detect obstacles. A panoramic camera mounted on the robot's top, together with 26 sensors that are external, help create an image of the area as it moves. This allows the robot to avoid furniture and obstacles.
In our tests during our tests, the Dyson 360 Vis Nav was able to reach right up to edges and baseboards. It could also be easily navigated around pieces of furniture with extremely tight corners. The suction of the robot was powerful, and it was able to pick up every speck of dust hair, hair strand and dried-out piece of Playdoh we tossed at it. The vacuum took out the bin quickly and easily 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 temporary drying rack that it was unable to move under, but ended up getting stuck and disrupting the cleaning cycle. It also struggled to evade some of the larger pieces of furniture, like chairs or tables. The Dyson 360 Vis Nav also has a problem climbing stairs which is a major issue for a lot of people who live in multi-story houses.
Roborock
Roborock robot vacuums are fitted with top-of-the-line features to make them stand out from the rest. Two mops are provided that spin and lift dirt while pressing down. They also lift automatically when vacuuming carpets, preventing streaks of dirt from appearing and re-clogging vacuums with dirt. They are able to suction up to 5,500 Pa for superior dirt and dust removal. They also have sophisticated water flow controls to ensure that the proper amount of moisture is absorbed by every floor type.
One of the most remarkable things about Roborock is its capability to map out your entire home's layout with laser technology. The LiDAR system in the Roborock robot is constantly rotating emitting laser beams and measuring the time it takes for them to bounce back against the objects around them. The data is then used to build a real-time map of your home layout which allows it to navigate precisely and avoid obstacles.
Based on the model you select depending on the model you select, you can modify the map to include no-go zones, furniture placements and specific cleaning for your room. You can also pick a cleaning routine for vacuum only, mop by itself or vacuum and mop. You can schedule regular cleanings by using an app-based system for cleaning that lets you set it and forget it.
Roborock has a wide range of options, from the budget-friendly S6 MaxV to the premium S7 MaxV Ultra. All models feature advanced mapping capabilities, a high-performance battery life, and a high-capacity dustbin. The docking station comes with a variety of options, including charging and refilling the hot water tank. They also 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 and is already making some waves with its sleek design and reasonable price tag. This robot comes with a few tricks on its sleeve that set it apart from the competition, including self-emptying capabilities and object recognition. It's also simple to install and use, thanks to an easy application that lets you modify the settings to suit your preferences.
The navigation system in this model makes use of a combination of sensors and mapping technology to navigate your home and does a great job of avoiding obstacles. You can also adjust the cleaning path using the app, making it easier to clean certain areas more often than others. The app may be confusing at first but once you learn how to use it, you'll be able schedule cleanings, and also manage the robot's power levels.
The RCV 5 has some flaws despite its impressive list. It uses a small water tank, which can only hold 240 ml at any given time. This is sufficient for a basic wipe-clean but not ideal for stubborn stains. The wiping plate also lacks the ability to rotate or vibrate.
The battery life of a robot in this price range is not as long as one might expect. 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's something to be considered when looking for a brand new robot vacuum cleaner.
Karcher RCV 5
Karcher, a German manufacturer renowned for its pressure washers, has entered into the robot vacuum market with an RCV 5 model that vacuums and mop. The RCV 5 offers an impressive variety of features, including great obstacle detection (with the dual laser system) and mapping that can be viewed in real time through the app that is smart.
It also detects carpeted surfaces and triggers mopping mode that is wet. The spot cleaning feature is also extremely beneficial. It can be programmed to repeat every week. The RCV 5 is a great robot cleaner with suction capacity 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.
Karcher Home Robots is an app that runs on smartphones as with other robots it is able to begin cleaning processes and make maps of your home. The RCV 5 also has the capability to create virtual walls and zones that it can't drive.
The RCV 5 has a downside in that the dust bin is only a litre, and will have to be cleaned regularly. This is in contrast to other models which have integrated disposal technology into their docking station. It's also heavier than a few of its rivals, making it less mobile and needing more space in the charging station. The RCV 5 was highly rated by testers for its user-friendliness and app control. It did well in our tests, but some testers had difficulty getting its voice technology to function correctly.