Automatic vacuum cleaners – TOP7: advantages, price, features

Do you need a robot vacuum cleaner?

Consider buying a robot vacuum cleaner if at least one of the following points is true for you:

• there is neither time nor desire for cleaning;
• you live in a metropolis (Moscow, St. Petersburg) or in an industrial city (Norilsk, Chelyabinsk, etc.);
• there are allergy sufferers in the family;
• there are children and/or pets in the house;
• There are no long pile carpets in the rooms (short pile is acceptable).

In addition, a robot vacuum cleaner is a useful gift for people with limited mobility and the elderly.

What to choose?

We definitely recommend taking a closer look at the best manufacturers of robotic vacuum cleaners, such as Roborock, Kitfort, iRobot. They have already proven themselves in this niche, and they have done this among domestic buyers, so the level of trust is high. If for some reason they do not suit you, then, quite possibly, the brands iRobot, iLife, Genio, ECOVACS Robotics, Polaris, LG Electronics, iBoto, Philips will do so.

The only company that still has questions is Samsung. Unfortunately, their robots are still lagging behind others, but given the company’s many years of experience and place in the global electronics market, we did not discount it.

Types of robot vacuum cleaners

There are robots for dry cleaning only and vacuum cleaners with an additional wet cleaning function.

Dry cleaning devices suck up dust and fine dirt. Powerful models can thoroughly vacuum low-pile carpets. They are suitable for pet owners as they will easily collect hair and litter for the tray.

Robots with a wet cleaning function wipe the floor in addition to collecting small debris. It is worth emphasizing that this is not comparable to a full-fledged floor cleaning and it is unlikely that such a robot will wash away a dried stain. These vacuum cleaners are designed to keep your home clean and are ideal for allergy sufferers, people with limited mobility or the elderly, and families with children.

If you need high-quality floor cleaning, then it is better to look for a device among robot floor polishers. They differ in design and, unlike a robot vacuum cleaner, evenly distribute the load on the napkins. Such devices can wash even stubborn stains. However, in our rating there is still a robot vacuum cleaner that is suitable for full-scale cleaning of floors, but more on that later.

Ecovacs

For 9 years since its founding in 1998, the Chinese company Ecovacs has been manufacturing equipment for vacuum cleaners. The company introduced the first line of its own robotic assistants, “Deebot,” only in 2007, and by 2013, Ecovacs products covered more than 60% of the Chinese market of robotic vacuum cleaners. The secret of the company's success can be considered its focus on different consumer groups. Ecovacs robot vacuum cleaners are available in all price segments:

• the brightest representative in the premium class is Deebot Ozmo 930;
• in the middle price segment – ​​Deebot Ozmo 902;
• Among the cheapest models is Deebot DE55.

The flagship model of Ecovacs is the universal robot vacuum cleaner Deebot ozmo 930 pro, costing up to 50 thousand rubles. The main feature of the model is a unique cleaning station, which transforms into an additional hand-held vacuum cleaner for cleaning furniture. In addition, the robotic assistant itself is equipped with replaceable blocks for working with different coatings. Indoor mapping is performed using lidar. For wet cleaning there is a container with electronic control of microfiber wetting.

How to choose a robot vacuum cleaner: main criteria

Suction power

In the case of a robotic device, it is not so important, since the cleaning principle differs from classic vacuum cleaner models. Most manufacturers do not even indicate this parameter in the technical specifications.

However, robotic vacuum cleaners in the lower and middle price segments have low suction power - 1200–1500 Pa. This is quite enough to collect dust and small debris.

More expensive models have a power of 2100–2500 Pa. This is enough to clean a low-pile carpet fairly well.

Cleaning area

This parameter depends on the battery capacity and the ability of the robot vacuum cleaner to build a map of the room. Most models are designed for cleaning apartments of less than 60 square meters. m. If the area to be cleaned is larger, then you will need a device with a battery capacity of at least 2400 mAh.

To clean a large apartment or private house, choose advanced models with a powerful battery or with lidar. This is the name of the laser sensor, usually located in the “tower” of the vacuum cleaner. He is responsible for building a map of the room and optimizing the cleaning route. A robot vacuum cleaner with a battery of more than 5000 mAh is suitable for cleaning rooms up to 250 square meters. m.

Dust container volume

If you live in a one-room apartment without pets, then a device with a 0.3 liter dust container is enough for you. If your living space exceeds 40 sq. m or have a pet, then it is better to choose a gadget with a more capacious dust collector. Otherwise, you will have to empty it several times during one cleaning. For apartments with an area of ​​80 sq. m or less, robotic vacuum cleaners with a dust collector capacity of 0.5 liters are suitable. For larger homes, it is better to choose models with a tank volume closer to 1 liter, or be prepared to shake out dust and debris from the device during the cleaning process.

Noise level

To ensure that the noise from the vacuum cleaner does not interfere with your rest, it should be below 40 dB. In this case, it can be compared to quiet speech. A value of 50 dB or higher (comparable to the sounds of office equipment) can cause discomfort. In addition, such a robot cannot be used for cleaning at night, since the noise level exceeds the permissible level according to Sanitary Regulations.

Care and maintenance

The robot vacuum cleaner must be maintained regularly: clean the dust container and moving wheels, wipe the sensors, wash the removable filter, etc. Therefore, when choosing a device, it is important to make sure that all these elements are easy to remove and put back.

In addition, brushes, floor cloths and filters need to be changed periodically. Therefore, these supplies must be affordable and available.

Dimensions

Most robot vacuum cleaners are round in shape. Thanks to this, they do not touch various objects on the floor and go around corners. The more compact the robot, the better it cleans in corners and under furniture. If it is important for you that the vacuum cleaner cleans under the bed, choose a model with a height of 6–8 cm (this parameter is individual and depends on the height of the legs of your furniture).

Cleaning modes

The cleanliness of a robot’s cleaning is affected not only by its power, but also by various modes and functions. Photo: Michael Hession/nytimes.com

By cleaning modes, we mean having features that make the entire process more user-friendly. For example, the ability to set a cleaning schedule through the application - you must agree, it’s convenient to come home from work to an apartment that has already been cleaned.

With the zone cleaning option, you can select a specific area in the room that you want to clean. This is convenient when, for example, you spilled cereal in the kitchen or brought sand from the street into the hallway. Sometimes you can also select a specific room to clean (of course, you can always just close the door, but in this case you won't be able to start the robot vacuum cleaner remotely).

Another additional feature that makes life easier for the user is the so-called virtual wall. With its help, you can mark places where the robot cannot go. For example, in the kitchen, where there are bowls of pet food. An analogue of this limiter is a special magnetic tape (purchased separately). It is glued to the floor and thus creates a restricted area for the robot vacuum cleaner.

Navigation

One of the important criteria is the robot vacuum cleaner’s ability to overcome obstacles. Agree, it is inconvenient if, during cleaning, the robot gets stuck when moving from the floor to the carpet. Therefore, it is important that the vacuum cleaner can overcome thresholds and other obstacles (for example, wires lying on the floor). Many manufacturers do not provide this information in the specifications of their devices. Before purchasing, make sure that the device can drive over at least low obstacles.

If you have a lot of obstacles in your apartment, then it is better to choose a robot vacuum cleaner with lidar. Because it maps the room more accurately, it avoids obstacles better and doesn't drive through the same place twice (hence saving battery life).

Control

In modern models there are four types of control:

• using buttons (on the case or monitor);
• using the remote control;
• through the application;
• voice

Some models support several control methods at once, for example, push-button and via a mobile application. The most expensive ones are voice-controlled robots.

Price

The range of robotic vacuum cleaners on the market is very wide. One of the criteria that will narrow down your search is the price of the device. There are models cheaper than 10,000 rubles, for example Polaris PVCR 1015. But you should understand that the cleaning quality of such robots is worse than that of more expensive devices. Budget robot vacuum cleaners also tend to be louder and drain faster.

The cost of models with a large number of sensors for navigation and smart functions varies from 15,000 to 30,000 rubles. And the most expensive ones with voice control cost more than 50,000 rubles. However, you can find decent devices in any price range.

Philips SmartPro Easy

Philips SmartPro Easy, model FC8796, deservedly takes fourth place. The height of the robot is 58 mm, and the average price is up to 15 thousand rubles. This robot vacuum cleaner is also suitable for dry and wet mopping of floors. In order for the robot to wipe the floor while cleaning, you need to attach a hand-moistened napkin to the bottom.

FC8796

Among the characteristics and functions it is important to highlight:

• Dry cleaning and wet wiping of the floor.
• Li-Ion battery, capacity not specified by the manufacturer.
• Operating time up to 115 min.
• Dust container 400 ml.
• The actual cleaning area is up to 80 sq.m.
• Navigation based on accelerometer and sensors.
• Automatic charging.
• Remote control.

Philips SmartPro Easy is much inferior to Ecovax in functionality, so it is located lower. But in any case, the model deserves attention and is worth the money.

How we evaluate robot vacuum cleaners

To compile the rating of robotic vacuum cleaners, we chose, in our opinion, significant criteria by which we evaluated each model relative to others. For each indicator, the maximum score is 5 points. The rating system included:

• Suction power. Even if you don’t have carpets in your apartment, the higher the suction power, the better, since a powerful vacuum cleaner will collect dust and fine dirt better. If you use a low-power robot, you will have to run the device a second time or wash the rag more often.
• Cleaning area. Likewise: the larger the area cleaned, the higher the score. This indicator directly affects the charging frequency of your assistant.
• Ease of management. The clearer the controls and the more alternatives to buttons (mobile application, remote control, voice control), the higher the score.
• Noise level. The quieter it is, the higher the rating.
• Care and maintenance. The easier it is to remove the dust collector and other elements of the vacuum cleaner and the more accessible the consumables are in terms of availability and price, the higher the rating.

We calculated an average score for each robot vacuum cleaner model. In addition, it is not fair to compare expensive models with cheap ones. Therefore, we selected the best devices in three price categories:

• budget models (up to 15,000 rubles);
• middle segment (from 15,000 to 30,000 rubles);
• premium class (more than 30,000 rubles).

Clever&Clean SLIM-Series VRpro

The Clever&Clean SLIM-Series VRpro topped the rating; it is the thinnest robot vacuum cleaner among all participants. The height of the device is only 31 mm. Take the ruler in your hands and see how thin it is; because of such dimensions, the manufacturer had to sacrifice other options, making the assistant as simple as possible. The model was equipped with a motor with a suction power of 14 W, which is not enough to clean the carpet, but the vacuum cleaner is capable of pulling small debris and dust into a small-volume dust collector. During cleaning, Vrpro does not make noise, the noise level reaches up to 55 dB. The developers compensated for the weak suction power with a capacious 2200 mAh lithium-ion battery. The battery supplies a charge for 90 minutes of autonomous operation.

Characteristics

Advantages:

• Stylish design.
• Ultra-thin dimensions, height only 3.1 cm.
• Capacity lithium-ion battery 2200 mAh.
• Cleaning under low furniture.

Flaws:

• Small container volume – 0.05 l.
• Weak equipment (no remote control for control, accessories for cleaning and motion limiter).
• There is no charging base; the device must be charged manually.
• The robot is not intended for cleaning large debris and carpets.

The average cost of Clever & Clean SLIM-Series VRpro is 10 thousand rubles in 2021.

Verdict

There are 150 reviews on the market, of which 86% of users recommend Clever & Clean SLIM-Series VRpro. Comments about the device are varied, and many people buying this robot think that it is a full-fledged vacuum cleaner with many functions for cleaning the room, but this is not so. SLIM-Series Vrpro is designed only for dry cleaning of hard surfaces under furniture, and not the entire room. It does its job perfectly. Able to go under any closet or low bed and remove dust there. Due to its size, the container is therefore small in volume. Vrpro cannot compete with standard models due to its capabilities. Therefore, if you need a smart assistant not only for cleaning under furniture, read the rating of robotic vacuum cleaners under 10 thousand rubles, in which you can find a suitable assistant for complete cleaning of the entire apartment. [content-egg-block template=price_comparison groups=”SLIM-Series VRpro”]

The best models of robot vacuum cleaners

Budget models (up to 15,000 rubles)

Clever & Clean M-Series 004

There is a rubber bumper on the body that protects the vacuum cleaner and furniture from damage. Photo: cleverclean.ru

The peculiarity of this model is its compact dimensions, thanks to which the vacuum cleaner can pass between the legs of chairs and clean under the bed and other furniture.

The equipment is minimal, but includes everything necessary for cleaning: a vacuum cleaner, battery, charger, dust container and side brushes.

The side brushes are long enough to clean hard-to-reach places, including corners.

During the cleaning process, the vacuum cleaner can move arbitrarily, along the wall or in a spiral. When colliding with an obstacle, it changes direction of movement to the opposite.

Clever & Clean M-Series 004 costs from 6,990 rubles.

Suction power: 0 points. We will not take this parameter into the calculation of the average rating, since there is no information.

Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not disclose the suction power of this device. However, you can additionally buy a washing panel. The rag will collect the remaining debris if the vacuum cleaner left it behind.

Cleaning area: 3 points

This model belongs to the class of mini-robots and is designed for cleaning rooms up to 50 square meters. m. At the same time, the vacuum cleaner takes a long time to charge – up to 4 hours. Therefore, this model is unlikely to suit owners of larger apartments.

Ease of use: 3 points

Cleaning starts by pressing a single button on the body: no need to waste time studying the instructions. There is no remote control: no remote control, no app. Accordingly, it is impossible to program cleaning by day or start it from work.

Noise level: 4 points

At maximum power the noise reaches 60 dB. This is comparable to a TV running at medium volume.

Care and maintenance: 4 points

Clever & Clean M-Series 004 is easy to clean. The side brushes are easily removable, and the dust container and filter can be washed under running water. Consumables are inexpensive and available for sale.

GPA: 3.5

Pros of Clever & Clean M-Series 004:

• simple controls;
• battery charge indication on the case;
• small dimensions;
• price.

Cons of Clever & Clean M-Series 004:

• no remote control;
• no scheduled cleaning;
• You need to manually install the robot vacuum cleaner on charging, since there is no docking station.

Xiaomi Xiaowa Robot Vacuum Cleaner Lite C102-00

For navigation, Xiaowa Robot Vacuum Cleaner Lite is equipped with IR obstacle and height difference sensors. Photo: moderncastle.com

Xiaowa Robot Vacuum Cleaner Lite is suitable for dry cleaning of any surfaces. Its feature is the ability to automatically detect a change in surface and change the suction force. This model overcomes obstacles up to 2 cm high. In other words, wires lying on the floor will not be a problem.

Scheduled cleaning is available, and various room cleaning modes are provided.

Unlike the Clever & Clean M-Series 004, the package includes a docking station. When the battery level reaches 30%, the robot itself returns to the base to charge. However, this model costs almost 2 times more: from 13,690 rubles.

Suction power: 4 points

The power is enough to collect small debris and dust from smooth floor coverings. When the vacuum cleaner touches the carpet, it automatically increases suction power for a more thorough cleaning.

Cleaning area: 4 points

The model is designed for cleaning rooms up to 80 square meters. m. This means that it is suitable for most two- and three-room apartments.

Ease of use: 4 points

There are three control buttons on the body: on/off, return to base and spot cleaning. The vacuum cleaner can also be controlled via a proprietary smartphone application. In it you can set a cleaning schedule, select a mode and monitor the condition of consumables for timely replacement. You can limit the cleaning area using magnetic tape, which can be purchased in addition.

Noise level: 5 points

The model differs from its analogues in its low noise level. Although in fact you are unlikely to notice the difference between 59 and 60 dB.

Care and maintenance: 5 points

The dust container and filter can be easily removed and washed. In addition, consumable kits are available for sale.

GPA: 4.4

Pros of Xiaowa Lite C102-00:

• remote control using a smartphone;
• automatic return to base for charging;
• scheduled cleaning.

Cons of Xiaowa Lite C102-00:

• only one side brush (the robot can skip some of the debris in 1 pass).

Xiaomi Mijia Sweeping Robot G1

Xiaomi Mijia Sweeping Robot G1 is one of the few robotic vacuum cleaners under 15,000 rubles with the function of wiping floors. Photo: xiaomipedia.com

Mijia Sweeping Robot G1 is the only model from our selection of the best budget robot vacuum cleaners that has a built-in wet cleaning function. Water is poured into a special reservoir next to the dust collector, and a nozzle with a rag is attached to the bottom. Water is dosed evenly. Thus, after collecting debris, the vacuum cleaner wipes the floor.

In addition, the robot has a powerful motor, a “floating” turbo brush with protection against carpet wrapping, and two side brushes. There are two operating modes: automatic and local spiral cleaning. Xiaomi Mijia G1 can build a map of the room, thanks to which it is better oriented in space. Unfortunately, the apartment plan is not saved and disappears after charging.

The price of the device is from 13,150 rubles.

Suction power: 5 points

The suction power is sufficient to pick up small stones. For thorough cleaning of carpets there is a turbo brush.

Cleaning area: 5 points

The robot is designed to clean rooms up to 100 square meters. m, can automatically go for charging. After replenishing energy, the robot continues cleaning from where it left off.

Ease of use: 5 points

There are two buttons on the case: start and return to the docking station. Mijia G1 can also be controlled through the proprietary Xiaomi MiHome application. With its help, you can switch modes, adjust the amount of wetting of the rag, program a cleaning schedule, search for a robot, and much more.

In addition, the robot can execute simple commands through the Xiao AI voice assistant. But the option is only available for China. Perhaps in the future the manufacturer will finalize this useful function for the rest of the world.

Noise level: 3 points

The vacuum cleaner works quite loudly: comparable to background noise in a supermarket or a loud conversation.

Care and maintenance: 5 points

The application has a section that displays the current status of consumables (you can buy them without any problems). A notification about the need to replace them also appears there. The dust collector and turbo brush can be easily removed; no special tools are required. The side brush is held on by a screw, which can be unscrewed with a screwdriver. The filter is easy to clean using the brush that comes with the kit. The sensors are wiped with a wet cloth.

GPA: 4.6

Pros of Xiaomi Mijia G1:

• automatic return to the base for charging and resumption of work from the point of interruption;
• scheduled cleaning;
• high power;
• adjusting the suction force and water supply to the rag;
• building an apartment plan with online tracking.

Cons of Xiaomi Mijia G1:

• the room map is not saved and cannot be interacted with in any way.

Characteristics of the best budget robot vacuum cleaners and our assessment

Middle segment (up to 30,000 rubles)

iBoto Smart L920W Aqua

To wipe the floor in iBoto, you need to replace the dust collector with a module with a water tank and attach a damp cloth to the bottom. Photo: ixbt.com

iBoto Smart L920W Aqua performs dry and wet cleaning separately. This model is equipped with lidar, thanks to which the vacuum cleaner builds a map of the room and recognizes the most contaminated places.

There are several modes of operation, including local cleaning of a small area, cleaning at maximum suction power, and even manual control.

iBoto Smart L920W Aqua costs from 22,490 rubles.

Suction power: 3 points

Thanks to its high suction power and nylon bristled turbo brush, this model is suitable for cleaning carpets.

Cleaning area: 4 points

The battery charge is enough for dry cleaning of rooms up to 200 square meters. m. When cleaning wet, you will have to add water and rinse the rag.

Ease of use: 5 points

There is a single start button on the robot body. Through the mobile application, you can select a mode, return the robot to the base, program a cleaning schedule, view the constructed map of the room and cleaning statistics, and activate the maximum power mode. In addition, the robot recognizes some voice commands through Alice and Amazon Alexa.

Noise level: 5 points

Despite the high power, the volume at maximum operating mode is only 54 dB. In terms of noise level, this is comparable to the sound of filling a tank in a bathroom.

Care and maintenance: 4 points

The robot notifies in Russian when the dust collector is dirty. The debris tank, sponge filter and HEPA are easily removed. The first two can be washed under water. The main brush roller is also easy to remove; a special tool is provided for cleaning it from hair (included in the kit). They also clean the side brush.

GPA: 4.2

Pros of iBoto:

• accurate navigation based on lidar, building a map of the room;
• scheduled cleaning;
• control through the application and voice assistants;
• low noise level.

Cons of iBoto:

• no simultaneous dry and wet cleaning;
• there is no division of the room into rooms, which means there is no possibility of cleaning a separate room.

Xiaomi Dreame F9

To increase cross-country ability, the bottom of the Xiaomi Dreame F9 is made with bevels in front and on the sides. Photo: china-gadgets.com

Xiaomi Dreame F9 is equipped with 15 sensors and an overview camera, thanks to which it accurately navigates the space and builds a floor plan. It not only remembers the map, but also improves it in the next cleaning cycles.

There is a combined dry and wet cleaning and many operating modes:

• local cleaning (zones are selected in the mobile application);
• cleaning of individual rooms;
• scheduled cleaning;
• setting restricted zones (also through the application);
• adjustment of suction strength (4 levels) and water flow (3 levels).

Typically, more expensive models with a laser rangefinder have these capabilities. Xiaomi Dreame F9 costs from 19,500 rubles.

Suction power: 5 points

The vacuum cleaner is powerful: 2500 Pa is enough to scrape off plasticine stuck to the floor.

Cleaning area: 3 points

The battery charge is enough to clean rooms of 160 square meters. m, that is, the robot can walk around an average apartment 2 times. However, the water tank is small and will have to be refilled.

Ease of use: 4 points

There are two control buttons on the case: power on and return to the docking station. Through the mobile application, you can set a cleaning schedule, adjust the motor power and the degree of wetting of the rag; interact with the room map, including limiting cleaning areas and designating “no mop” areas.

Noise level: 3 points

The noise level during operation of the vacuum cleaner reaches 65 dB. This can be compared to a loud conversation or the noise of a basketball game.

Care and maintenance: 3 points

The dust collector, filter and turbo brush can be easily removed for cleaning. Unfortunately, the package does not include any spare consumables.

GPA: 3.6

Pros of Dreame F9:

• price (taking into account the capabilities of the robot);
• constructing an apartment plan broken down into rooms;
• adjusting the power of work and the intensity of wetting of the rag;
• scheduled cleaning;
• setting restricted zones via the app, local cleaning and cleaning of individual rooms.

Cons of Dreame F9:

• meager equipment: no spare consumables;
• one side brush;
• small water tank capacity.

ILIFE ROBOT A9S

ILIFE ROBOT A9S may have problems while cleaning. Photo: pcmag.com

The quality of cleaning in the ILIFE ROBOT A9S is ensured by two side brushes, a turbo brush with bristles for carpets and a rubber roller for hard floor coverings. The special feature of this robot is its vibrating water tank, which imitates a person wiping the floor.

This model has an advanced navigation system with a camera that creates a panorama of the surrounding space. The vacuum cleaner remembers the route, it does not skip sections and does not go through the same places twice. There are 4 cleaning modes, including local cleaning of heavily soiled areas. However, the vacuum cleaner sometimes does not completely clean the room: sometimes, at 50% charge, the robot thinks that it has finished cleaning and returns to the docking station.

The package includes a virtual cleaning zone limiter. But when cleaning, the robot sometimes ignores the “virtual wall”.

ILIFE ROBOT A9S costs from 18,690 rubles.

Suction power: 4 points

The vacuum cleaner is powerful enough to pick up fine dirt from the floor. There is a maximum power mode, which is designed for cleaning heavily soiled areas. In addition, the washing nozzle fits tightly to the floor, which has a positive effect on the quality of cleaning.

Cleaning area: 5 points

This vacuum cleaner is designed to clean rooms up to 220 square meters. m. So it is suitable, including for summer cottages or owners of private houses.

Ease of use: 4 points

You can control the device using the remote control or from a smartphone. Actions are available through the application: start the vacuum cleaner, program a cleaning schedule, switch modes, create a map of the room, check the resource of consumables.

Noise level: 4 points

In maximum power mode, the vacuum cleaner operates with a power of 60 dB, which is the norm for office premises.

Care and maintenance: 5 points

The robot vacuum cleaner comes with a spare filter. Roller brushes are easy to change. Consumables are available for free sale, including in sets.

GPA: 4.4

Pros of ILIFE:

• mode with increased suction power;
• long cleaning on one battery charge;
• water supply adjustment.

Cons of ILIFE:

• does not always enter the docking station the first time;
• gets tangled in cables;
• voice control is not yet supported in Russia;
• sometimes ignores the “virtual wall” and leaves uncleaned areas.

Characteristics of the best robot vacuum cleaners in the middle segment and our assessment

Premium class (from 30,000 rubles)

iRobot Roomba i7+

The iRobot Roomba i7+ has a bulky charging station due to its self-cleaning feature. Photo: Michael Hession/nytimes.com

The main feature of the model is the base with the function of automatically removing garbage into a bag. Pumping out garbage occurs quickly - about 10 seconds. The bag's volume is enough for 30 emptyings of the robot's dust collector. The package includes 2 bags. The iRobot Roomba i7+ is designed for dry cleaning only. One side brush and two rubber scraper rollers are responsible for cleanliness.

The robot builds a map of the room, remembers the layout and names of rooms on several floors. It has 3 cleaning modes: auto, spot and room specific cleaning. The “virtual wall” limiter is included in the kit.

The cost of iRobot is from 66,750 rubles.

Suction power: 0 points.

There is no information about suction power, so we will not take this parameter into the calculation of the average rating.

The manufacturer only notes that this model has increased suction power compared to its predecessors. However, the device can collect dust, small debris and animal hair, and is suitable for carpets.

Cleaning area: 4 points

The battery charge is enough to clean even a three-room apartment twice. Since the robot can memorize multiple floor plans, it is also suitable for country houses.

Ease of use: 3 points

There are 3 control buttons on the body: start cleaning, return to base and local cleaning. You can also control the device through a mobile application, including programming a cleaning schedule. The robot is compatible with Google and Amazon Alexa voice assistants.

Noise level: 4 points

In terms of noise level, this robot is comparable to a portable speaker operating at medium volume.

Care and maintenance: 3 points

When the dock bag is full, a message will appear in the app. The bag is simply pulled out and replaced with a new one. The filter is washable. The manufacturer recommends replacing rollers every 6–12 months depending on frequency of use.

GPA: 3.5

Pros of iRobot:

• voice control;
• self-cleaning function;
• is well oriented in space;
• scheduled cleaning, planning cleaning on several floors;
• automatic recognition of the most contaminated areas.

Cons of iRobot:

• one side brush;
• no wet cleaning;
• the need to buy garbage bags;
• loudly empties the dust container;
• price.

Xiaomi Roborock S6 MaxV

The Roborock S6 MaxV has many of the advanced features of more expensive models. Photo: pcmag.com

Xiaomi Roborock S6 MaxV is suitable for both dry and wet cleaning. It is equipped with a modern navigation system based on lidar and two cameras. There is a button on the lidar, thanks to which the robot will not get stuck under furniture.

The S6 MaxV can recognize objects (that is, it will definitely not run into animal excrement). The built-in artificial intelligence learns itself and remembers new objects. Analogs with similar functions cost 10–15 thousand more (for example, Ecovacs DeeBot OZMO T8 AIVI).

The vacuum cleaner builds a map and automatically divides the room into rooms. The plan can be edited: combining several rooms into one and, conversely, dividing into zones. You can select the name of the rooms and set the cleaning order. Among the innovations, the robot saves up to 4 cleaning maps and recognizes its location (even in a house with several floors).

The intensity of water supply to the rag is adjustable. For different rooms, you can set different suction power and the degree of wetting of the cloth. For example, in rooms with wooden floors, set the wetting intensity of the napkin to the minimum, and in the bathroom or kitchen, where the tiles are located, to the maximum. Similarly with suction power - maximum mode for rooms with carpeted floors.

The Russified version of Xiaomi RoboRock S6 MaxV costs from 52,900 rubles.

Suction power: 5 points

According to this indicator, Roborock is one of the best on the market. There is a maximum power mode for carpets, as well as an energy-saving mode for rooms where the floors just need a refresh.

Cleaning area: 5 points

The robot is designed for dry cleaning of rooms up to 250 square meters. m. The water in the tank is enough to clean an apartment of up to 200 square meters. m. at minimum wetting intensity.

Ease of use: 5 points

There are 3 physical buttons on the vacuum cleaner itself: start/pause, return to dock, and spot cleaning.

In the application you can start cleaning, set a schedule, set restricted areas and “virtual walls”. In addition, you can enable the “do not disturb” mode (the robot will not emit voice alerts while cleaning) and configure the duration of this mode.

There are individual settings for the cleaning mode: for the entire room, individual rooms or specific areas. In the selected location, you can also program the number of passes with a vacuum cleaner (up to three), and on the plan you can set several cleaning zones at once. The device supports voice control via Amazon Alexa.

Noise level: 3 points

In maximum power mode, the vacuum cleaner operates quite loudly: comparable to the passage of a passenger car in the courtyard of a residential building. However, there is a quiet energy-saving mode.

Care and maintenance: 4 points

The turbo brush is collapsible, making it easy to remove hair and fur. The package includes a tool to clean this brush and dust bin. The filter can be washed under water. The side brush is secured with a screw. But if necessary, it can be removed and cleaned.

GPA: 4.4

Pros of S6 MaxV:

• remote control via the application, as well as voice assistant support;
• advanced navigation with object recognition;
• individual settings for each room and saving several room maps at once;
• adjusting the suction strength and intensity of wetting of the rag;
• ability to ignore carpets when wet cleaning.

Cons of S6 MaxV:

• Due to the height of the case (9.6 cm), you are unlikely to be able to run the robot under cabinets, beds and sofas.

HOBOT Legee 688

HOBOT Legee 688 is a 2 in 1 device: vacuum cleaner and floor polisher. Photo: ixbt.com

Unlike the other robots under consideration, the HOBOT Legee 688 has a D-shaped body. It is effective for cleaning corners.

HOBOT Legee is designed for cleaning hard floor coverings (linoleum, tiles, laminate); it is not suitable for carpets. Its feature is high-quality wet cleaning due to water supply nozzles. The robot imitates the movement of a person’s hands when washing the floor, so it scrubs the floor well even from stubborn stains. The vacuum cleaner-floorer has 8 cleaning modes, including a custom one with individual adjustment of the degree of liquid spray, frequency of movement of the rags, suction strength and cleaning speed.

This vacuum cleaner can navigate an apartment with 8 rooms. There is an LED indication of the battery charge level.

Price HOBOT Legee 688 - from 34,890 rubles.

Suction power: 4 points

The vacuum cleaner is powerful enough to pick up small debris, hair and animal fur. There is a maximum power mode with a high frequency of movement of the napkins and an increased level of water spray.

Cleaning area: 4 points

The robot is designed for cleaning rooms up to 150 square meters. m. In addition, he can easily navigate a 4-room apartment with a kitchen, bathroom, toilet and corridor.

Ease of use: 4 points

For manual control, there are two physical buttons: start/pause and return to base. In the mobile application, you can set a cleaning schedule, check the battery charge level, select a cleaning mode and send the robot to charge. There is also a remote control.

Noise level: 5 points

Considering the power of this robot, it operates quietly (56 dB). According to this indicator, it is better than its competitors.

Care and maintenance: 5 points

The waste container and filter can be easily removed. The filter must be cleaned with a special brush included in the kit. Washing with water is not allowed. No tools are needed to remove the side brush. Using a small screwdriver, you can unscrew the bolt and remove the water spray nozzle for cleaning.

GPA: 4.4

Pros of HOBOT:

• D-shape for improved cleaning in corners;
• a large number of cleaning modes;
• full floor cleaning;
• Convenient control via the application.

HOBOT Cons:

• one side brush;
• absence of a “virtual wall”;
• does not overcome obstacles more than 0.5 cm high.

Characteristics of the best robot vacuum cleaners in the premium segment and our assessment

Navigation

To orient themselves in space, budget robots use contact obstacle sensors, which are built into a shock-absorbing bumper. When faced with an obstacle, the vacuum cleaner turns around and continues moving in a different direction according to the algorithm. As a rule, this is riding in zigzags, in spirals or along walls.

More expensive cleaners are equipped with non-contact infrared sensors that allow them to stop within a couple of centimeters of obstacles. There are also models that can build a map of the room and plot the optimal route.

In addition, some robots are equipped with infrared height sensors that protect against falls from stairs. They measure the magnitude of the reflected signal and therefore perceive all black surfaces as an abyss, preventing the vacuum cleaner from entering there.

To clean small rooms, zigzag movements are sufficient, so the first navigation option is also suitable. But for complex and large apartments, the intellectual type is preferable, otherwise it will be difficult to achieve good results. In a two-story house, height sensors would also come in handy.

Unique floor and window cleaners Hobot (Taiwan)

The bronze medalist of our rating is the Hobot company from Taiwan, the company got its name from the abbreviation of the English words HO me ro BOT . They were founded back in 2010.

This manufacturer specializes not only in robot vacuum cleaners, but also in window cleaners. The product is distinguished by unique design features that are unmatched by analogues. For example, the Hobot robotic vacuum cleaners were the first to combine a robot vacuum cleaner and a floor polisher into one device; the napkins have a drive and rub the floors like the movements of human hands, only with greater frequency, are equipped with a suction hole, and nozzles for wetting the floor. Thanks to this design, Hobot robots very efficiently wipe hard floor coverings from dirt and wash the floor; in fact, they are called floor washers.

If we talk about window cleaners, the flagships are equipped with a unique water tank with a sprayer. Thanks to this, the robot moistens the surface before driving, which helps to better remove dirt. With all this, it is important to note the good build quality of Hobot robots and the optimal price. Robot vacuum cleaners cost from 23 to 32 thousand rubles, while window washers cost from 15 to 25 thousand rubles. In general, Hobot products have positive reviews online, and our acquaintance with this manufacturer did not leave any negative impressions.

Bonus: what features are not needed

UV lamps

Manufacturers of inexpensive vacuum cleaners often integrate ultraviolet lamps into their models and actively promote them as a means of floor disinfection.

Since long-term exposure to UV rays is required to kill bacteria, and robots are constantly on the move, this approach is, to put it mildly, ineffective. Moreover, the lamps consume additional energy and the battery drains faster.

Camera

This is another useless feature that is presented under the guise of being irreplaceable. Monitoring the cleaning process from a smartphone will get boring after the first time, and using the robot as a video surveillance system is inconvenient, no matter what the manufacturers say.

Wet cleaning

Even in devices from famous brands, wet cleaning does not replace a full wash of the floors - at best it will be a light wipe. Usually, to switch to wet cleaning mode, instead of a dust collector, install a special water tank or pour liquid into the built-in tank. You should also wash and change microfiber cloths periodically. All these manipulations quickly become boring.

In fact, any model can be turned into a washing machine if you attach a rag dampened with water to it. If you need really high-quality wet cleaning, then it is better to purchase a special robot floor polisher.

Virtual wall

Image: AliExpress
An additional accessory is designed to limit the robot’s movements. This is an infrared transmitter that is installed near animal feeders, children's play areas and other places where the cleaner should not go. Such modules take up space and are not cheap.

A similar function is performed by magnetic tapes that are glued to the floor. They are much more affordable and no less effective. In general, you can simply block the path of the vacuum cleaner with a stool placed on its side.