Is it worth buying a robot vacuum cleaner: advantages and rules of choice

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

How does the device work?

A compact household cleaning assistant usually has a round shape, less often a rectangular one. It is equipped with:

microprocessor – the “heart” of the gadget, settings are stored there;
gyroscope - determines rotation angles;
electric drive - rotates components and wheels;
battery for operation without the use of an electrical network;
wheels - 2 or 4 pieces, maneuverability depends on this;
navigation control system – touch screen on the body or remote control;
camera – builds a map of the room;
distance sensors - this is how the device detects obstacles and avoids them;
dust collector or filter – dirt and dust accumulate there;
brushes, scrapers or napkins for cleaning coatings;
docking station for charging.

automatic home cleaning device

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

its presence disciplines the owners: teaches them to clean up after themselves wires, cords, socks, small toys that a vacuum cleaner can suck into the dust collector;
after eating, the kitchen remains clean - just launch the robot and it will quickly clean everything;
you don’t have to take out the product every day, assemble it and turn it on - you just need to program the vacuum cleaner to clean every day at a certain time;
you spend less time on cleaning - general cleaning is reduced, since there is less garbage in the house, because every day the apartment is cleaned by a new robot vacuum cleaner.

the product cannot completely relieve the owner from cleaning, he can only help with daily care by picking up trash or wiping the floor surface;
high cost of goods. A robot vacuum cleaner sells from 6 thousand rubles, but high-quality models cost at least 20-40 thousand rubles;
Before installing the product, you need to carefully clean the apartment from small objects, wires and other small items. You need to understand that some models can easily get tangled in wires and drop a laptop, iron or any other equipment on the floor;
Poor assembly and model breakdowns are typical for cheap vacuum cleaners. That is why you should not buy inexpensive models from Chinese manufacturers. The majority of such equipment is not issued with a guarantee and instructions for use in Russian, which means that they do not bear any responsibility;
A robot vacuum cleaner is not the best solution for small apartments. If there is a lot of furniture and little free space, then such a purchase will be useless.

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.

The need for a vacuum cleaner in a small apartment

People often wonder if there is a need for a robot vacuum cleaner in a small apartment. Many people think that there is no point in such a purchase, since the cleaning area is small. However, in fact, the contribution of the vacuum cleaner to the entire cleaning process is very large.

A good vacuum cleaner with a large number of functions can independently clean the room according to a schedule set by the owner in advance. For proper operation, you only need to timely clean the container from the debris that has accumulated there. The robot does not require wires to operate, as it operates using a battery and an electric motor. After the vacuum cleaner scans the room, it independently finds its docking station and drives up to it to recharge.

In terms of cleaning, you can get even the smallest apartment up and running very quickly.

REFERENCE! If you don’t have time for regular cleaning, you can cross one item off your household to-do list thanks to this smart device.

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

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.