Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner UK
If you don't want to get your hands dirty, then robotic vacuum cleaners are ideal. They are more efficient than manual vacuum cleaners and are ideal for single-storey homes and flats.
Smart features are a nice bonus. They include mapping technology that remembers your home layout, avoiding furniture and rugs and getting into those nipples under low furniture that bigger robots struggle with.
iRobot Roomba j7+
The iRobot Roomba J7+ is an upgrade on the previous model by the company and includes a new feature to make it more effective in avoiding pet waste. It uses smart mapping to create maps of rooms and floors and works hard to stay clear of obstacles like furniture, charging cords and shoes. It also detects dirt, and prioritise cleaning areas that are heavily filthy. This is a significant improvement over previous models that frequently ignored the dirtiest spots or cleaned them for only the shortest amount of time.
The robot vacuum is fitted with a self-emptying base that can place dustbin debris in its own 2.4L dirt bag. iRobot claims that the bag can store debris for up to 60 days. This means that you'll only need to empty it and refill it every three months. The base station also includes a spare bag that can be used to replace the bag in a snap.
The Roomba is simple to set up and use. It is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, and can be controlled through the iRobot Genius App. Utilizing the app, you can choose to start and end cleaning, set the amount of time it will be able to spend on each task and set up a schedule.
During our testing 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 as it performed its task. The decibel meter registered only 64db during operation. It took about 90 minutes to clean a single space and the battery needed to be recharged afterward for an hour and 58 minutes. The Combo J7 lets you increase the size of your iRobot eco-system by pairing 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 ideal option for anyone who lives in a multi-floored home. The model can create maps of different floors and save them to the app, making it simple to switch between different spaces without having to repeat the setup procedure. The robot can also be controlled by voice, and can be controlled by Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Dyson has developed a unique approach to obstacle detection that is different from other robots, employing sensors and cameras. A panoramic camera mounted on the top of the robot, together with 26 sensors externally, help to create an outline of the space as it moves. This helps the robot to avoid furniture and obstacles.
In our tests, we discovered that the Dyson 360 Vis Nav could reach up to baseboards as well as edges, and was able navigate around furniture with tight corners. The robot's suction was strong, 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 also took the bin out easily and quickly, reducing clean-up time by half.
However, the Dyson 360 Viz Nav didn't perform better than other robots in our tests of obstacle avoidance. It had a difficult time avoiding a temporary drying rack that it repeatedly tried to maneuver under. It eventually got stuck and stopped the cleaning cycle. It also had difficulty avoiding furniture that was taller like a chair or a coffee table. The Dyson 360 Vis Nav also isn't able to climb stairs which is a major issue for many people who live in multi-story houses.
Roborock
Roborock robot vacuum cleaners provide the highest quality cleaning features and are an upgrade from the rest. Dual mops are available that spin and lift dirt while pressing down. They also lift automatically when vacuuming carpets, stopping streaks of dirt from forming and re-clogging vacuums. They have a suction of up to 5,500 Pa, which is superior for dirt and dust removal. Additionally they also have an intelligent water flow control to ensure the proper amount of moisture for each flooring type.
One of the most impressive aspects about Roborock is its capability to map out your entire home's layout with laser technology. The LiDAR system in the Roborock robot constantly rotates, emitting laser beams and calculating the time it takes them to bounce back off surrounding objects. This information is then used to build an accurate map of your home's layout that allows it to navigate with precision and avoid obstacles.
Depending on the model you select, you can customize your map to include no-go zones, furniture positions, and room-specific cleaning. You can also pick a cleaning routine for vacuum only, mop on its own or vacuum and mop. You can schedule regular cleanings by using an app-based cleaning system that lets you to set it and forget it.
Roborock has a broad range of options, ranging from the budget-friendly S6 MaxV to the premium S7 MaxV Ultra. All models feature advanced mapping and a long-lasting battery and a huge dustbin. The docking station comes with a variety of functions, such as charging and refilling the hot water tank. In the UK they also come with a two-year warranty.
Beko RCV 5
The Beko RCV 5 is a relative newcomer to the robotic vacuum and mopping industry and is already making some waves with its sleek design and decent price. It has a few features that distinguish it from other robotic vacuums, including self-emptying features. It's easy to set up and use using an application that lets you to alter the options.
The navigation system of this model makes use of a combination of sensors and mapping technology to guide your home and does a great job of staying clear of obstacles. The app lets you alter the cleaning path to allow certain areas to be cleaned more frequently. The app can be confusing at first but once you've mastered 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 of features. First of all, it has a relatively small water tank that only 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 staining that is difficult to remove. In addition, the wiping plate isn't very sophisticated and doesn't include an ability to rotate or vibrate.
The battery life of the robots at this price isn't as long as one might imagine. The battery of the RCV 5 only lasts for about a third of a cleaning cycle. It's not a huge issue however, it is something to keep in mind when looking for the latest robotic vacuum cleaner.
Karcher RCV 5
Karcher is a German manufacturer renowned for its pressure washers, has entered the robot vacuum market by introducing a model which 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 monitored in real time through the app that is smart.
It also can detect carpeted surfaces and then automatically activate the wet mopping function. The spot cleaning feature is also very useful. It can be programmed to run weekly. The RCV 5 is a great robot cleaner that has suction power of 2500 pascals. It is able to clean hard and soft floors and can get into tight corners and under low furniture.
Like a lot of modern robots, the RCV 5 has a smartphone-powered application called Karcher Home Robots that can be used to initiate cleaning processes and create and manage home maps. It's also possible to create virtual walls and zones which the RCV 5 can't drive, as well as numerous other options for controlling.
A downside of the RCV 5 is that its dust bin can only hold about 1 liters and requires regular emptying, in contrast to models that have integrated disposal technology built 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. The RCV 5 was highly rated by users for its ease of use and app control. It did well in our tests, but some testers had difficulty getting its voice technology to work effectively.