Is it worth buying a robot vacuum cleaner or is it a useless technique? This is the question that worries most people who are planning this purchase. Although this technique is gaining popularity, in some ways it is even inferior to old vacuum cleaners. However, the answer is rarely found, because until you try to use a cordless miniature vacuum cleaner in your home, you will not know about its necessity or uselessness.
The first step is to objectively assess the situation and understand whether it is possible to use a robot vacuum cleaner in the apartment. But at the same time, robotic technology has one main advantage - saving time on cleaning the room. In today’s text we will try to solve this exciting issue and tell you about all the pros and cons of technology.
Is it worth buying a robot vacuum cleaner?
Robot vacuum cleaner abilities
Many companies known around the world have been producing robotic technology products for a long time. They are distinguished from simple models by size, weight, appearance, shape and, of course, set of functions. The last factor greatly influences the cost of the product.
Before you decide to purchase a product or refuse it, you need to carefully familiarize yourself with the functionality of the product. Afterwards, compare the functions with the conditions in which the vacuum cleaner will have to work.
It should be taken into account that a regular robot will not be able to remove drops from juice or coffee. Only washing equipment or robots that can work with the same area several times, returning to the most dirty places, can wash away stains.
The robot is compact, which is why it can penetrate under the bed, sofa, cabinets
The shape of the product is also considered an important factor. Round models do a worse job of cleaning than square and rectangular ones. As a last resort, you can purchase a round robot vacuum cleaner equipped with long brushes.
In addition to all of the above, robotic technology has the following factors:
- the ability to draw up a map of the apartment, which will allow you not to collide with objects during subsequent cleanings;
- the ability to set up a virtual wall, which helps to fence off the space and keep the robot out of certain places;
- the ability to view the apartment with an optical camera, which is usually installed on the surface of the product and transmits the picture to the owner himself;
- the ability to control equipment from the remote control. This feature is not available on all models.
The latest models available in the market can be synchronized with the consumer's mobile gadgets. To do this, you just need to install the application on your phone.
Not a single area of the apartment will be left unattended - the robot will install the cleaning scheme itself
Advantages of robot vacuum cleaners
First, let's look at the advantages of autonomous robots:
- Save time. Preventative cleaning, which you will do yourself, takes about 60 minutes per 100 square meters. m. The robot vacuum cleaner saves this time for you - you just need to press a button, and it will do the rest itself. Self-cleaning robots such as the Proscenic M7 Pro, Roomba S9+ or Viomi S9 . They accumulate collected garbage in a stationary container, eliminating the constant fuss with the dust collector. The user is only required to periodically check the condition of the brushes.
- Saving energy. Even if you have a lot of free time, do not forget that cleaning is physical work, which will require you to spend 150–250 kcal (per 100 sq. m.), and if you approach the elimination of microbes with special care, you can burn 500 kcal. Therefore, after a good cleaning, you may no longer have the energy for a romantic evening, a visit or a visit to the theater. Isn't it better to just leave the menial work to the machine and concentrate on the more valuable things?
- Guaranteed cleanliness. A modern robot supports scheduling cleaning by day of the week, and advanced models, such as Roborock S5 Max , also have planning to launch in a specific room with a selected suction power and intensity of wetting of the napkin. The robot does not experience force majeure, migraines or bad mood - it will turn on according to schedule and ensure cleanliness in the house.
- High-quality cleaning under the bed. A robot with a lidar can easily enter spaces with a height of 100 mm, for a robot with a camera and a gyroscope the minimum level is 80 mm, and there are also ultra-thin models that are specially designed for cleaning in hard-to-reach places. For example, Clever&Clean SLIM-Series VRpro fits into gaps 32 mm high. But in such places the most dust accumulates.
- Fewer allergens. Most modern vacuum cleaners have a double or triple filtration system, which includes:
- fine-mesh mesh that catches large debris and hair;
- foam padding that retains dust;
- HEPA filter that captures particles down to 0.06 microns.
There are also original cyclone filtration systems, widely represented in the latest Chuwi models - iLife A80 Pro, A10s and A80 plus . Therefore, after cleaning, there will be no fine dust, pollen, or mold spores left in the apartment.
- Control what is happening in the house. Many models with visual navigation have a security mode - you can remotely control the robot and, through a camera installed on it, check whether everything is in order while no one is home. Roborock S6 MaxV, Ecovacs Deebot OZMO T8 AiVi and Weissgauff Robowash Vision can boast of such functionality . And the LG R9Master, in addition, when it detects activity in the house, can send a message to the smartphone with a photo of a moving object. Of course, in most cases, your cat will be such a suspicious object, but in some situations, the security function can seriously help. By the way, let's not forget about the cat - how much more fun his life will become with the advent of a robot vacuum cleaner!
As you can see, robots have a lot of advantages, but if you have already frantically started scouring Aliexpress in search of a cheap and cool one, stop! After all, we have not yet considered the disadvantages of such an acquisition.
Advantages and disadvantages of a robot vacuum cleaner
Not all buyers can be happy with the purchase - it can become another piece of furniture and remind of the money spent. Let's try to analyze all the pros and cons of the product.
Table 1. Product advantages and disadvantages
| Advantages | Flaws |
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The product can be controlled from a mobile phone on which the necessary application is installed.
The robot vacuum cleaner will be an excellent gift for older people, as it will perfectly help them in cleaning the premises. Such equipment can be controlled from a remote control or mobile phone, which makes cleaning the premises much easier.
This technique is also perfect for owners who keep animals in their apartment - it will quickly remove even the shortest hair from the carpet, under the legs of a sofa or chair.
Is it worth it or not to buy a robot vacuum cleaner?
Not all potential users will be happier after purchasing a robot vacuum cleaner - it may turn out to be another interior design element that reminds you of wasted money.
Pros of buying robot vacuum cleaners
It is important to understand that a robot vacuum cleaner is not capable of 100% freeing the owner from cleaning the house. It only makes daily care easier by collecting small dirt in a dust container or wiping the laminate/parquet/linoleum with a cloth.
Therefore, the device will be very useful for a beloved grandmother or grandfather with disabilities - just give such a user a remote control or set a cleaning schedule.
Smart models of robotic vacuum cleaners can report on the work done by sending a report to the owner. It includes a map highlighting where cleanup was successful and where it was not.
Another consideration is whether the animal is covered in fur. Even the shortest hair becomes overgrown with moss and remains on the carpet, sofa or accumulates under the legs of the sofa/chair. To check out the best robot vacuum cleaners for carpets, follow this link.
Some of the benefits of purchasing a robot include:
- a clean kitchen after eating - you can run a robot to clean up crumbs from the kitchen floor, and this time can be spent on more enjoyable activities;
- its presence disciplines - owners get used to hiding wires, socks, children's toys, and removing everything unnecessary from under their feet;
- there is no need for daily vacuuming - it is enough to program the robot for daily cleaning, for example, while the owner is walking with the dog;
- cleaning time is reduced - weekly general cleaning is simplified, since almost clean rooms are easier to bring to a shine.
A robotic assistant can free up several hours a week that can be put to better use. Moreover, clouds of dust do not accumulate in the corners - the device will regularly collect dust from the floor.
Arguments of opponents of such technology
Ardent opponents call the robot vacuum cleaner just a toy. They present a number of arguments against its acquisition. Firstly, the high price. It’s hard to argue with this - indeed, not everyone can buy household appliances for 40 thousand rubles or more.
There are cheaper alternatives that can make routine housework easier. In addition, most working people's personal time costs more than a robot vacuum cleaner.
Secondly, preparation of the territory. It is necessary to first clear the floor of small objects and wires. Some models may get tangled in cords or drag an iron, laptop, hair dryer and other small appliances to the floor.
Thirdly, bad assemblies and breakdowns happen. This is the problem with cheap robots supplied from China. Many of them do not have a guarantee or Russian-language instructions. Therefore, no one has any obligations to the buyer.
To protect yourself from counterfeits or low-quality devices, it is better not to be tempted by low prices - such vacuum cleaners may not meet the declared parameters or even break down after a week
Fourthly, possible problems with the quality of cleaning. Many opponents of robots tell the same story about the waste products of a cat and a dog, smeared in a thin layer throughout the apartment.
The counter-argument is usually given by people who have not seen these vacuum cleaners with their own eyes. And thousands of dog and cat owners leave rave video reviews of their robots, and there is only one such story.
Moreover, it’s not difficult to avoid incidents - just walk your pets on time and fence off the feeding area or cat litter with a virtual wall.
Fifthly, a cluttered apartment. A modest-sized room, where every centimeter counts and the maximum amount of useful furniture is crammed into it, is not the best place for a robot vacuum cleaner.
With its help, it will be impossible to rearrange the furniture, and the cleaning area will not justify the money spent on its purchase.
Owners of small apartments filled with furniture really do not need such equipment. And for large rooms with carpets and pets, do not buy cheap Chinese robots - they will not cope with such tasks.
- Robot vacuum cleaners cannot clean stairs.
- Robot vacuum cleaners are divided into 2 categories - with full wet cleaning (when a separate water tank is provided) and with a scrubbing function (when a damp cloth is manually attached to the hooks). The last option will not appeal to those who expect more features from a robot vacuum cleaner. Wet cleaning will have to be done together with a robot vacuum cleaner: wet the microfiber cloth several times as it dries.
Reviews from real customers
From all the reviews, one conclusion can be drawn - if the purchase of robotic equipment was approached responsibly and thoughtfully, then the owners do not notice any disadvantages, but, on the contrary, are happy with the purchase.
Robot vacuum cleaner and its base
Users like the following features in the device:
- You can program the cleaning time by setting it to daytime. Thus, you return from work or school to a clean, tidy apartment;
- The robot vacuum cleaner has the ability to reach hard-to-reach places. For example, remove dust under the sofa, behind the kitchen unit;
- you can fence off some areas that the vacuum cleaner will not touch (an office with many cords, a children's bedroom with toys that are always scattered).
Among the negative reviews are mainly reviews from people who received a vacuum cleaner as a gift or from those who purchased it under the influence of friends, neighbors, and relatives. As a result, such users use the vacuum cleaner for a couple of weeks and then put it away in a far corner.
You can indicate places where the vacuum cleaner should not go - this way you will protect flowers and personal belongings from falling
Also among the negative reviews, users indicate the following points:
- the vacuum cleaner does not clean corners or baseboards well;
- Brushes must be constantly cleaned of accumulated hair and the dust collector must be emptied;
- sometimes equipment gets stuck under furniture;
- the vacuum cleaner will not be able to completely clean the apartment or carry out full wet cleaning;
- the robot vacuum cleaner scares some animals, while others love to ride on them;
- The vacuum cleaner is overpriced.
It is not recommended to leave scattered things on the floor - the vacuum cleaner can ruin them or suck them into the dust collector
Note! Before buying such a vacuum cleaner, you need to realistically assess the conditions in your apartment, and only on this basis should you buy equipment.
Video - Positive and negative aspects of technology
What is a robot vacuum cleaner?
The appearance of this miracle of household appliances made it possible to automate the tedious cleaning process. The robot vacuum cleaner copes with its task without human presence. A program or command for cleaning is simply set in advance. That's all! You can relax, mind your own business, and this hard worker will do all the unpleasant work for you. At the same time, he manages to easily overcome obstacles encountered along the way and “bypass” steps. Once the assigned job is completed, the robot returns to the base station to unload all the trash it has collected. This is also its place for recharging the battery.
Externally, the robot vacuum cleaner is round in shape with a diameter of about 30 cm and a height of 9-13 cm. In the front of the body there is a built-in sensor that warns or “lets you know” about encountered obstacles. Due to its low height, the device can move under almost any piece of furniture in the house. If the device suddenly gets stuck, it will let you know about it with a sound signal. And the owner will rush to the rescue of his assistant who finds himself in a difficult situation.
Sensors built into the body of the robot vacuum cleaner can be:
- Mechanical contacts that allow you to record impacts on obstacles.
- Sensors with infrared radiation that determine the boundaries of the area to be cleared of debris.
- Ultrasonic sensors that reflect waves and measure their travel time.
In the latest models developed by domestic and foreign manufacturers, the search for charging the device is carried out automatically. Thanks to this, it became possible to operate the vacuum cleaner in autonomous mode.
Rules for choosing a vacuum cleaner
The choice of models presented at various retail outlets is actually large. Now there are many options available, differing in color, size, height, shape, functionality and, most importantly, price. The last factor usually indicates not only the high quality of the product, but also the brand of the manufacturer to which it belongs. Therefore, even an experienced buyer can easily get confused.
It is important to determine the main criteria that you can rely on when choosing a specific robot vacuum cleaner model. For example, if the main condition is wet cleaning, then it would be wiser to purchase a floor polisher. But, if thorough cleaning of carpets and wiping of floors is required, then preference should be given to functional models.
Most models are equipped with a charging base
You probably already realized that the first thing when choosing a vacuum cleaner is to focus on the size of your property and the type of flooring. But besides this, the following parameters are also important:
- Vacuum cleaner power.
- Dust container volume.
- The ability of the vacuum cleaner to self-clean and the base with a dustbin. This feature will be important for cleaning large rooms.
- Different operating modes of equipment.
- The number of cleaning brushes in the vacuum cleaner.
- The capacity and power of the battery, the time it takes to charge the battery.
- Ability to construct a map of an apartment.
- The vacuum cleaner travels independently to the base to recharge the battery.
- Ability to bypass wires without getting stuck in them.
- The ability to control a vacuum cleaner from a remote control or mobile device, and schedule room cleaning.
You need to pay attention to factors related to the base. Not all robot vacuum cleaners have this feature. For small apartments this is not always required, since in these cases it is easier to charge the equipment’s battery directly. For large areas, the robot’s power is not always enough, so it would be wise to choose a model that will automatically return to the wireless charging station to recharge the batteries.
Remote control is also provided by the manufacturers
When purchasing a vacuum cleaner in online stores, first familiarize yourself with the model in detail. You can choose any one you like on the site and watch video reviews of other users. Almost every model has a detailed analysis, where they will talk about the pros and cons of a particular product.
In addition, some models require careful maintenance, which requires more time than you could spend cleaning the apartment. Therefore, always read reviews from real customers or independent robot market experts before purchasing.
In order not to make a mistake with your choice, give preference to well-known brands and manufacturers. According to both users and experts, the following brands produce quality products:
- Philips;
- Samsung;
- Polaris;
- iCLEBO;
- iRobot;
- Xiaomi;
- Hobot.
The product must be regularly cleaned of accumulated dust.
Models from Xiaomi are the most functional. Their big advantage is the average price, which is pleasing given the large range of available equipment parameters.
Ease of maintenance is considered equally important. Check immediately when the brushes are removed from the vacuum cleaner to clean them. Most often, this is required for owners who have family members with long hair or pets that shed in their apartment.
Important point! It is advisable to inspect stores before purchasing for the possibility of purchasing some parts and accessories that may be required. It will be a shame if you have to wait a long time for the necessary accessory from the online store.
Having decided to make such a purchase, additionally browse the sites, paying attention to the forums. Read the negative comments and understand what negatives people often point out and whether they will interfere. Also, before purchasing, make sure that the vacuum cleaner will come with a warranty.
Video - Analysis of several robot models
Disadvantages of robot vacuum cleaners
Along with undeniable advantages, there are also disadvantages in the operation of the device. The first thing I would like to note is that the robot vacuum cleaner, having in most cases a rounded body shape, does a poor job of cleaning corners in the room, which creates the need for the owner to do this manually. Some manufacturing companies solve this problem by upgrading the housing. D-shaped and square-shaped models, of which there are now a sufficient number on the robotics market, easily cope with the problem of cleaning corners.
The robot’s inability to independently clean surfaces from sticky traces of drinks and food is also a shortcoming in its work. Some buyers of smart vacuum cleaners complain about this.
The presence of animals in the house can also play a negative role, because... a pet can leave traces of its vital activity in different, sometimes completely unexpected places. An unpleasant moment in the robot’s operation in this case will be that it will smear everything on the surface. Many manufacturers of modern robots equip them with cleaning zone limiters - a virtual wall, which will help partially solve this problem.
Often, when working, the robot makes a lot of noise, making it impossible to rest. But this drawback can be easily overcome if you use the device correctly. Modern models have a cleaning programming function, which allows the owner to set a special operating mode in the settings, in which the robot will clean when no one is in the house. In addition, most modern robot vacuum cleaners have a reduced noise level.
To summarize, it should be noted that, despite all the listed advantages and disadvantages of a robot vacuum cleaner, the choice of whether to purchase this robotic assistant at home or to carry out cleaning on their own remains up to everyone. The opinions of many experts agree that a robot vacuum cleaner has more advantages and can significantly help in household work. If you are interested in this innovative device, we recommend that you study the recommendations on how to choose a robot vacuum cleaner.
Vacuum cleaner care
The first step when buying a robot vacuum cleaner is to properly configure the equipment. It is not difficult to do this, but so that you do not get confused, detailed instructions are provided below.
How to set up a vacuum cleaner to work: step-by-step instructions
Step one: carefully examine the robot body for damage or chips. If they are, refuse the product.
The product must not be damaged upon purchase
Step two: Charge the robot's battery. This may take several hours.
Depending on the model, there are different charging bases
Step three: specify the operating time of the vacuum cleaner, program a delay if required. Turn on the equipment.
You can program equipment from a mobile device
Step four: carefully monitor the operation of the vacuum cleaner: does it move smoothly, does it stick, does it skid, and does it stop frequently? In case of malfunction, contact service.
A new vacuum cleaner should not constantly slip or stop
Step five: turn off the vacuum cleaner after use and clean it.
Equipment should be cleaned after each use
How does a robot vacuum cleaner work?
Robotic vacuum cleaners, unlike conventional ones, are fully automated and do not require intervention in the cleaning process.
Features of automated cleaners:
- Some models have a wide suction channel that reaches the edge of the robot's surface, providing effective cleaning in corners.
- All models are equipped with side brushes that remove dust from hard-to-reach places.
- Smart sensors and a camera are used for orientation in space. Thanks to this, the robot does not fall down the stairs, avoids obstacles and returns to the base on its own.
- Robot vacuum cleaners can penetrate carpets up to 2 cm high. There are specialized models for cleaning animal hair.
- The devices are designed in such a way that when a carpet is detected, the suction power increases. It changes automatically depending on the surface type. This allows you to save battery power.
- If the battery runs out while cleaning a room, the device will automatically return to the docking station to recharge. More expensive robot vacuums keep track of where they've cleaned. Therefore, they can resume work from where they left off after charging.
- You can control robotic vacuum cleaners using buttons on the body, through a smartphone application, or set up voice control.
Let's sum it up
A robot vacuum cleaner is an excellent cleaning tool that will save time. But you need to buy only after assessing the pros and cons of such an acquisition.
Rules for using a vacuum cleaner
It is important to understand that this is an expensive technique that may turn out to be unnecessary in the process. Most often this applies to small apartments. But in any case, the robot will be a good addition and assistant to the housewife if you use it correctly.
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