The Best Robot Vacuum of 2021

Best Robot Vacuum Buying Guide & Reviews of 2020

Imagine using a vacuum cleaner that needs little to no input from the owner when cleaning the floor - that's what a robot vacuum offers. Robot vacuum cleaners also referred to as robovacs, are designed and programmed with artificial intelligence, which enables them to clean with very little human involvement. One thing you can be sure of is that there is always a robot vacuum to cater to your needs, no matter the type of surface you are looking to clean.

There are myriad of robot vacuum cleaners available, each bears different features and prices. With so many alternatives to choose from, you can easily get confused, and make a choice that may leave you regretting. Worry not, this buying guide is here to help you pick the best among the rest.

Are Robot Vacuum Cleaners Worth it?

Getting a robovac can be a great idea in the following situations:

• If someone is physically unable to vacuum their home
• If you don't live in a big house
• When your floor is wooden or tiled
• If you wish to have your home cleaned regularly
• If you own a pet, particularly a cat or dog.

Types of Robot Vacuums

Based on the mode of cleaning, the robot vacuums are categorized into:

Automatic Cleaning Robot Vacuums

The automatic robot vacuum cleaners come with navigation feature that allows to clean the nook and corner of your house. Powered by AI algorithms, this robovac is smart where it doesn't clean the same place more than once.

Edge Cleaning Robot Vacuums

The edge cleaning mode allows your robotic vacuum to hoover the edges of the wall. Most robovacs lack this feature as they have sensors that make them avoid edges. However, the edge cleaning robovac specialized in the cleaning the edges and corners of your house.

Spot Cleaning Robot Vacuum

The spot cleaning robot vacuums are programmed to clean only specific areas of your house. They are employed to get rid of debris from rugs, carpets, upholstery, and so on.

The modern day robovacs are integrated with more than one cleaning modes to increase their versatility.

What to Consider When Buying a Robovac Vacuum?

1. Cost vs. Cleaning Power

One thing that you need to understand as a consumer is that robot vacuums, no matter how advanced, can never be better than human-operated vacuum cleaners. Operating a manual vacuum cleaner delivers better results, especially when the surface being cleaned is heavily soiled.

Nonetheless, robot vacuums are still useful and can save you a lot of time and effort if the areas you are cleaning don't need deep vacuuming. While there is no given formula for testing and rating these devices, the more expensive models mostly have better cleaning power.

Prices start at under $300 for budget robot vacuums, but most of these vacuums don't have a high sucking power. Mid-range types offer much better sucking power, at a price range of $300-$600. For even better effectiveness, you can go for high-end models, whose price ranges from $600 to as much as $1,000 or more.

Even though a vaccum’s price in most cases is relative to quality; therefore, it's advisable not to judge a robovac strictly on price terms. You should go for a model that has a track record of delivering exceptional performance and excellent customer satisfaction.

2. Maintenance

Even though most of the operations of a robot vacuum cleaner are automated, it will still need your attention now and again. You will have to empty the bin, replace battery packs, and other parts when necessary. As such, you should opt to buy a floor robot vacuum cleaner whose components are easy to access and replace. That way, you save yourself from sending your robovac back to the manufacturer for maintenance.

3. Size of Your Home

Different models of robovacs have different capabilities, with some being suitable for cleaning smaller spaces while others can comfortably handle large-sized areas. In addition to your home's size should also consider the height clearance of your furniture, as some models are taller compared to others. As expected, the small robot vacuums will clean under furniture delivering desirable overall results.

4. Navigation Technology

When buying a robovac, it's also advisable to get one with navigation technology. With this feature, the vacuum cleaner can map a room into different cleaning zones for better effectiveness. The algorithm used allows the robovac to intelligently switch routes and avoid obstacles when moving. Even better is that the tech utilizes GPS memory so that the robot vacuum cleaner won't clean the same place twice. Even if the robovac goes back to its charging dock, it will still come back and start from where it stopped.

5. Wi-Fi Capability

This feature allows you to control your robot vacuum cleaner using an app, and in some cases, even via voice commands. Samsung, iRobot, and Shark Ion robot vacuum cleaners are some of the best brands to consider if you're looking for a Wi-Fi robot vacuum. Samsung robot vacuums include a standard remote as well, for those who wish to have different control options. At $300, you can get a Wi-Fi enabled robot vacuum cleaner.

6. Types of Cleaning Surface

The majority of robot vacuum cleaners can comfortably clean both hardwood and carpets, but not all can effectively clean carpets. Most floor robot vacuum cleaners are quite effective at cleaning hardwood floors, with an exception to corners and edges. If you want to have your carpet cleaned as well, you may want to go for a more advanced model with better tech. Keep in mind, however, that such robovacs are only effective at tidying-up carpets, not deep cleaning. As such, you should consider manual vacuuming your carpet once in a while.

7. HEPA Filters

The High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filter (HEPA) is necessary if you have a cat or dog as a pet in your home. A robovac with a HEPA filter can effectively get rid of hair, allergens, and small dust particles in the air. Most hepa robot vacuums are high-end models with prices starting at $700 and above.

8. Auto-Schedule Feature

Most robovacs, even the budget level vacs going for $300 or less, have the schedule cleaning feature, which offers greater convenience. Since most robotic vacuums make noise when cleaning, you can decide to use this feature so that the vacuum cleaner starts cleaning when you are not around.

9. Additional Features

You can, as well, look out for the following additional features when buying your floor robot vacuum cleaner:

• Virtual wall – prevents the robovac from accessing specific areas.
• Noise-canceling – makes your robotic vac less noisy.
• Stair detection – protects your robovac from falling off the stairs.
• Automatic docking – makes your vac return to the docking station after it's finished cleaning or when low on power.

Getting a robot vacuum cleaner for your home or office is a great idea, but it also comes with several benefits and drawbacks as listed below:

Benefits 

Some of the advantages associated with robotic vacs include:

• There are several affordable models
• Robovacs can be beneficial for someone with limited mobility
• They offer a lot of convenience
• You get to save some time
• Robovacs with HEPA filters can eliminate allergens making your home healthier.
• They keep your home looking clean even with pets around

Drawbacks

Here are the most common drawbacks of using robovacs:

• They are not as powerful as regular vacuum cleaners. Even the most powerful robot vacuums can not go neck in neck with the manual vacuums.
• They still require maintenance
• The best robovacs are quite expensive
• They can't move up or down stairs
• They have smaller bin capacities compared to regular vacs.

Price

After getting blown with such a level of automation in Robot Vacuum, you must have already started thinking about how expensive these devices are. Well, you'd be surprised to learn that floor robot vacuum cleaners are significantly affordable. These affordable robot vacuums are priced around $300. The refurbished robot vacuums will cost even lesser than that. However, the price of high-end smart robot vacuum cleaners may hit $2000 or more.

Bottom Line

If having an immaculate home isn't a thing you value so much, then a robot vacuum cleaner will most likely sound like a luxury. If, however, you appreciate the feeling that comes with walking on spotless flooring with bare feet, purchasing a robovac would be a great idea. To get the best deal, try out our top ten list of Robot Vacuums highlighted above.