If you have decided buy a robotic vacuum cleaner, it is good that you look at the aspects that we describe in detail in this buying guide. We will explain to you what are the most important specifications of these appliances. This way, you will have all the information you need to choose the model that best suits your needs.
Throughout the article, we will talk about the navigation system, price, number of brushes and suction power. We reveal some technical details that are important to know before choosing a specific robot vacuum cleaner model. Stay very attentive to all the recommendations we show you to make your purchase a definite success.
Rotary brushes
Not all robots have two rotating brushes that send dirt into the vacuum cleaner. Rather, there are those that only have one and are just as effective
The brushes They are one of the most characteristic elements of these devices. Thanks to them, dirt accumulated on the floor is directed into the vacuuming area. In this sense, we find two options:
- Top models with one brush. Interestingly, the most expensive robot vacuum cleaners usually have one brush. This is because they have a greater suction power and do not need so much dirt to be directed into the vacuum cleaner’s space. Similarly, because they usually come with superior navigation systems, they are able to more accurately detect where they have passed and whether they have collected particles from that particular area.
- Low reach with two brushes. With the most economical robots, it is almost necessary to have two brushes, because the robot’s capabilities when moving are somewhat more limited. And the same can be said about suction performance.
In a nutshell, if you choose a cheaper modelOur tip is that it comes with two rotating brushes. On the contrary, if you are willing spend some more moneydon’t worry if you see a single brush.
Navigation system
Thanks to intelligent navigation, the robotic vacuum cleaner is able to plan the fastest and most efficient way to clean your home
There are robots on the market with different navigation systems. With them, the device is able to move around the house and locate dirt. Depending on the reach of the vacuum cleaner, the following system can be used:
- Accidental. It is the most dangerous method. It is based on random movements that move the vacuum cleaner from one place to another without taking into account any criteria. This causes the device to pass through the same location multiple times. It is sometimes combined with infrared sensors to provide more “intelligence” to movements.
- Gyroscope. A system identical to that of mobile phones that helps the robot know what position it is in. It can be said that the gyroscope is a kind of compass that guides the device.
- Camera. The camera is another device used by robots to move around the home. It is used in high-end models, although it presents difficulties in dark environments. Sometimes it is combined with other sensors.
- Laser. It is the most advanced method because it can map with greater precision the space one should aim for.
Suction power
It is not the only specification that determines the efficiency of a vacuum cleaner, but the suction power is a fact that you should not overlook.
The suction power largely determines the efficiency of the robotic vacuum cleaner. This value is expressed in pascals And the bigger it is, the more capacity the dirt suction device will have. Top models can reach 10,000 pascals or more. A normal robot usually has 2000 to 4000 pascals.
Remember that this data is not the only one that affects the efficiency of the robot. A good design, a good navigation system and the necessary number of brushes are also important. Now have more suction power ensures that the vast majority of particles in the soil will be eliminated.
Supported soil types
Not all soils are the same. It is important that you take this detail into consideration before purchasing a new robotic vacuum cleaner. AND Don’t just stick with the flooring material or type of parquet you have.. Instead, think about those elements that are spread throughout the house, such as carpets.
There are models that are able to overcome several centimeters of obstacles. On the other hand, they exist Robotic vacuum cleaners designed for a specific type of floorwhile others are more general.
Function
The functions of robotic vacuum cleaners are increasing. Obviously, everyone is responsible for wandering around the house to vacuum the floor and remove any dust or lint. But apart from that, they come with other features that will come in handy if you want clean deeper. Here are some examples:
- Cleaning schedule. Program the activation of the vacuum cleaner so that it vacuums at the most convenient time.
- Spot cleaning. It indicates the place where the robot should vacuum in a specific area of the house.
- Floor cleaning. Some robots support mopping floors thanks to a special mop. There are even some that can scrub and vacuum at the same time.
You’ll want to find out what your vacuum can do before you finally buy it.
Noise during operation
It is information that manufacturers usually provide to consumers. Noise is expressed in decibels, and the louder it is, the more annoying it will be when the robotic vacuum cleaner works at home. Typically, higher end models are quieter, although this is not always a guarantee. As a rule, The noise made by a regular vacuum cleaner will be more than tolerablealthough it is around 60 or 70 dB.
Charging and autonomy
Before buying a robotic vacuum cleaner, find out what kind of charging system it has. It is the most common come up with a base to which the vacuum cleaner will automatically return when it completes a task or runs out of battery. Our advice is this Do not buy a model that requires manual loading and it must be the user who connects it to power. It’s strange to find brands that don’t provide an automatic loading system, but just in case we left you with a recommendation.
Before we close this section, we dedicate a few words to it autonomy. You probably won’t find the battery capacity in the spec list, but rather minutes that the robot is able to keep active. Another possibility is that there are gauges listed that he is able to clear with each charge. Taking this as a reference will make it easier for you to choose a model that vacuums your entire home without going through the plug.
Other key details
Aspects such as the possibility of vacuuming animal hair or voice control are also interesting
Without talking about the price yet, it is good that we look at other basic aspects that you cannot overlook when buying a new robotic vacuum cleaner.
- animal hair. If you have a pet at home, you’ll appreciate that it comes with filters for the hair it sheds.
- Voice assistant support. Robotic vacuum cleaners that are integrated with Google Assistant and Alexa are able to start their task with a voice command.
- Application features. If you look at what functions the control app provides, you will get an idea of the extent to which you will be able to get the most out of your vacuum cleaner.
- Full tank warning. Some models alert you when the dirt tank is full. It’s not essential, but it doesn’t hurt to get this information quickly.
- Availability and cost of spare parts. Like any other vacuum, you will need to buy replacement parts as they deteriorate. Check prices and availability. When you choose a well-known brand, it is not difficult to find spare parts. But be careful with less popular manufacturers, getting them could become a real odyssey.
Price
We don’t forget about price. Undoubtedly, it is one of the aspects that most influences the choice of this or that model. You may have quickly thought that the more the robot costs, the better its performance will be. This rule is sometimes followed, sometimes not.
It is important not to get carried away only by the brand. Some are well placed and therefore increase the final price of their products. It’s about finding a robot that meets your expectations and is more reasonably priced. As always said find the best quality-price ratio. And to achieve this, you sometimes have to turn to lesser-known manufacturers.
Something that will help you is the reviews of other users who have already tried the device. They exist in online stores themselves and also on platforms like YouTube.
The best robotic vacuum cleaner brands
The last point is a list of the best brands that include a robotic vacuum cleaner in their catalog of household appliances. These are undoubtedly the most important manufacturers on the market:
- iRobot (Roomba)
- Cecotec (Congo)
- Evocacs
- Vileda
- Neat
- LG
- Xiaomi