Do you need a robot vacuum cleaner or not? We weigh the pros and cons.
The temptation to delegate unpleasant household chores to home electronics is becoming more and more common. After all, everyone wants to come home to a clean apartment and relax after a hard day at work, rather than start chores. This is why robotic vacuum cleaners were developed and marketed. What is a robotic vacuum cleaner for, and who needs it? Many people believe that such devices are designed for lazy people who don't want to clean themselves. But this is absolutely not true. The purpose of a robotic vacuum is to help those who are short on time and those who work long hours. Therefore, before deciding whether to get a robotic vacuum cleaner for your home or apartment, it's important to weigh the pros and cons.
Positive aspects of use
When considering purchasing a robotic vacuum cleaner, it's important to clarify a number of questions. First, consider the size of the apartment or house you'll be cleaning, including whether you have pets or children. It's also important to consider whether your home has carpets and what type of flooring it has. This will determine the model you choose. It could be a dry vacuum or a wet vacuum.
What are the advantages of such technology, and when is it worth buying a household robot? Let's take a closer look!
- Saving personal time. A robot vacuum cleaner can clean a room autonomously, without the owner's presence or assistance. Many models feature a programmable schedule. It can be set to automatically clean a room any day of the week and at any time. The user can be confident that the robot will perform a high-quality job, as its built-in motion logic determines its own path and ensures it doesn't miss dirty areas. Learn more about How does a robot vacuum cleaner work?, you can from our article!
While you rest, he works.
- If you have pets at home, this is an indispensable device for those tired of cleaning up pet hair every day. However, not every robot has this feature. When choosing a robot, it's important to ensure that the motor and dust bin are isolated from each other. The best robot vacuums for pet hair We discussed this in a separate publication.
Cleaning dog hair from carpet
- A large apartment or house. A large house or apartment is a great space, but it's challenging to maintain constantly. Therefore, in such cases, robotic cleaning becomes indispensable and essential. It saves not only time but also effort. You don't have to rely on a robot for everything; it can keep specific rooms clean, reducing your personal cleaning time. However, for a one-room apartment, a robot might not be the best option, especially if the rooms are cluttered and there's little usable space.
Cleaning plan for a large apartment
- A lot of furniture has legs. A regular vacuum cleaner can't always reach all the dirt and dust underneath the furniture. A robot vacuum, however, easily gets under low furniture and removes debris. It can also help with wet cleaning, if its functionality allows. The key is to choose the right height for the device to easily reach under the furniture.
Cleaning the floor under furniture
- Physically unable to clean. Even in a small apartment, such a device can be useful if a person is physically unable to clean independently due to a health condition. This is why robotic vacuum cleaners are increasingly being purchased as gifts for people with disabilities. Furthermore, most models can be controlled with a remote control or even a smartphone via Wi-Fi.
Controlling the robot with a remote control
- For allergy sufferers. Dust is considered a major allergen and is very difficult to get rid of. A robot vacuum cleaner can make life much easier for those with dust and dander allergies. Furthermore, some models are equipped with a UV lamp that kills bacteria as the robot moves, although this is more likely a marketing ploy than a truly effective solution for allergy sufferers.
Protecting children from allergies
Pitfalls of application
Now it's worth noting some key points about why robot vacuums aren't admired by some. First and foremost, high humidity is a factor. When a robot vacuums wet or works on a damp surface, it's prone to becoming dirty and clogged. Dust and liquid, combined, can lead to the formation of fungi or mold, which pose no health hazard when dry.
The presence of pets can be both a positive and a negative factor for a robot vacuum. While the device certainly cleans surfaces effectively of pet hair, a downside is that pets can leave traces of their activity in unexpected places. The robot vacuum will then find these spots and spread them evenly across the surface. This is an unpleasant aspect, and a clear disadvantage of household robots. Therefore, if your pet isn't litter-trained, but you want to... Choose a robot vacuum cleaner for your apartment, we recommend looking for a model with virtual wall, with which you can limit the cleaning area!
Plate protection
Another drawback that discourages people from purchasing this miracle technology is the large number of corners in an apartment or house. Since robots are often round, they can't always clean all corners of dust. Therefore, owners have to do this themselves. However, it's worth noting that some robotic vacuum cleaner manufacturers They are trying to solve this problem by modernizing the hull. For example, Neato Botvac Connected D-shaped, which helps solve the problem of incomplete cleaning of corners. There are quite a few such models on the market.
Effective cleaning of corners
It's also worth noting that a robot vacuum cleaner can't handle sticky stains from drinks and food on its own. This is especially true if these stains are clogged with dust or debris, which must be manually removed, just like with a regular vacuum cleaner.
We often hear negative reviews from owners about robots being too noisy when cleaning, making it difficult to sleep. This isn't a flaw in the technology, as long as you know how to use it. All modern models have scheduled cleaning options, so you can set a daily cleaning schedule, say, every other day. Then the robot will quietly clean while you're at work, and charge overnight. It's also worth noting that robotic vacuum cleaners are significantly quieter than conventional ones!
House cleaning on schedule
Expert advice: If you experience power surges in your home, be sure to install a surge protector before purchasing a robot vacuum. Failure to do so could damage the robot, like all other electronics in your home, when a power surge occurs.
In conclusion, despite the pros and cons of using a robotic vacuum cleaner, it's up to each individual to decide whether they need such a smart robotic appliance or prefer to clean their home themselves. Our team of experts believes that a robotic vacuum cleaner is most essential if you enjoy cleanliness but lack the time or resources to clean your home daily.
Finally, we recommend watching a useful video on the topic:
It is important to take into account If you're determined to buy this type of equipment, we don't recommend skimping on cheap Chinese products. You'll be disappointed with your purchase, as most budget models are far from polished, and their specifications fall far short of what's advertised. That's why we've compiled this list. Rating of the best robot vacuum cleaners of 2019 in various price categories. All 10 devices are optimal in terms of price and quality. We hope you liked our answer and now know whether a robot vacuum cleaner is necessary for your house or apartment.
Ohhhh... you can't imagine how long I spent choosing a robot vacuum cleaner for my two-room apartment. I must have read a thousand articles and reviews. Timer settings, smartphone control, bag capacity, and quiet operation—they're all minor compared to one thing (which, as it turns out, is crucial for me). Battery life!! Look at the battery size. If the robot runs for an hour and then takes 3-4 hours to charge, that's not good! It may not clean as thoroughly, but it does so for a longer period. And don't be too hung up on the price. You can find a more than decent model for under $300.
I understand that it's important to choose the right robot for your needs, tasks, and, of course, budget. Everything needs to be considered together. For example, if there are high thresholds between rooms that you don't plan to clean, there's no point in buying a robot with good navigation. It won't move from room to room on its own anyway. If space under furniture is tight, consider the robot's height so it can fit under it. Or be prepared to clean under the furniture yourself. If you want the robot to vacuum carpets effectively, you need one with a turbo brush and, preferably, good suction power. If you have a lot of shedding pets or long-haired animals, it's better to choose a robot without a turbo brush to avoid constantly cleaning it. Or, if you have carpets, choose a robot with a turbo brush with rubber paddles so pet hair and fur won't get tangled up and will go straight into the dust bin. In short, to avoid disappointment, you need to approach your choice of robot vacuum carefully.
I'm currently thinking about buying a robot to clean under furniture. I want to buy the Clever & Clean SLIM-Series VRpro, the shortest robot vacuum cleaner available. It's only 3.2 cm tall. We have a wide double sofa and a large closet, and the space underneath is so tight that I can't clean the floor myself. Moving all that furniture would require a team of movers. It's expensive. I'm thinking of using a robot vacuum to solve the cleaning problem there.