Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner UK
If you don't want to get your hands dirty, then robot vacuum cleaners are ideal. They are more efficient than manual cleaning and are great for single-storey homes and flats.
Smart features are an added bonus. These include mapping technology that will remember your home layout, staying clear of furniture and rugs, and avoiding those nipples beneath furniture that larger robots have to contend with.
iRobot Roomba j7+
The iRobot Roomba J7+, an upgrade to the previous model from the company, incorporates new technology that makes it more effective in preventing pet waste. It makes use of smart mapping and navigation to create maps of rooms and floors and tries to avoid obstacles like furniture, charging cords and shoes. It also detects dirt and clean areas that are heavily dirty. This is a significant improvement over earlier models that sometimes ignored the dirtiest spots or cleaned them for only the shortest amount of time.
The robot vacuum is fitted with a self-emptying base which can place dustbin debris in its own 2.4L dirt bag. iRobot claims that the bag will hold debris for up to 60 days, which means you only have to empty it and replace it every three months. The base station also includes a spare bag that can be used for quick replacements.
It's easy to set-up and use the Roomba, which is compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant and is fully controllable via the iRobot Genius app. You can use the app to choose when to start and stop the cleaning, and how it should take to complete an individual task and also create a schedule.
During our testing we found that the iRobot Roomba J7+ cleaned hardwood and area rug surfaces in the foyer, family room and kitchen without a problem. It was responsive to our instructions and performed its work quietly, registering just 64 decibels when it was in operation. It took approximately 90 minutes to finish a single cleaning, and its battery required one hour and 58 minutes to recharge following the cleaning. The Combo j7 allows you to increase the size of your iRobot eco-system by pairing it with the iRobot Mop M6. One can run while the other moves about the room.
Dyson 360 Viz Nav
The Dyson 360 Viz Nav is the ideal robot vacuum cleaner for anyone who lives in a multi-floor home. This model can make maps of different floors and store them in the app, making it simple to switch between spaces without repeating the setup procedure. The robot can also be controlled by voice, and can be controlled by Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Dyson's robot vacuum makes use of cameras, sensors and other technology to detect obstacles. A panoramic camera at the top of the robot together with 26 sensors externally, help to create an image of the area as it moves. This, in turn, helps to avoid obstacles and furniture.
In our tests, the Dyson 360 Vis Nav was capable of reaching all the way to the edges and baseboards, and could also be easily guided around furniture pieces with very tight corners. The suction of the robot was strong and was able to capture every dust speck hair, strand of hair, and dried-out piece of Playdoh we tossed at it. The vacuum removed the bin quickly and efficiently and reduced cleaning time by half.
However, the Dyson 360 Viz Nav didn't do as well as other robots in our obstacle-avoidance test. It had a tough time with a drying rack that it kept trying to move under, but ended up getting stuck and disrupting the cleaning process. It also had difficulty navigating some of the larger pieces of furniture such as the coffee table or a chair. 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 homes.
Roborock
Roborock robot vacuums come with top-of-the-line features to make them stand out from the crowd. Dual mops are available that spin and lift stains when pressing down. They also automatically lift carpets when vacuuming to keep streaks of dirt from being left behind and cleaning the vacuum of dirt. They have a suction of up to 5,500 Pa which is superior for dust and dirt removal. They also have smart water flow controls to ensure the proper amount of moisture is absorbed by every floor type.
One of the most impressive aspects about Roborock is its ability to create a complete home layout using laser technology. The LiDAR system on the Roborock robot is constantly rotating emitting laser beams, and calculating the amount of time it takes them to bounce back from the objects around them. This information is then used to build a real-time map of your home layout which allows it to navigate with precision and avoid obstacles.
Depending on the model you select, you can customize the map to include furniture placements, no-go zones and specific cleaning for your room. You can also select the option to only vacuum mop, or vacuum+mop, and schedule regular cleanings using an app-based cleaning schedule that allows you to set it and forget it.
Roborock offers a variety of options, ranging from the budget-friendly S6 MaxV up to the top-of-the-line S7 MaxV Ultra. All feature advanced mapping capabilities, a high-performance battery life, and a high-capacity dustbin. The docking station offers many options, including charging and refilling the hot water tank. Lastly, they are covered by a two-year guarantee in the UK.
Beko RCV 5
The Beko RCV 5 is a relative newcomer to the robotic vacuum and mopping scene and is already making waves due to its sleek design and reasonable cost. The robot has a few tricks up its sleeves that distinguish it from other robotic vacuums, such as self-emptying features. It's easy to set up and use using a simple application that allows 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 allows you to modify the cleaning route so that specific areas can be cleaned more often. The app can be difficult to use initially, but once you get the grasp of it you'll be able organize cleaning schedules and control your robot's power levels easily.
The RCV 5 has some flaws despite its impressive list. It has a tiny water tank, which can only hold 240 ml at a time. This is sufficient for a basic wipe-clean, but not ideal for staining that is difficult to remove. The wiping plate also lacks a rotation or vibration function.
The battery life of an RCV 5 at this price is not as long as one might imagine. In actual fact the RCV 5 only lasts for about a third of a cleaning cycle before needing a recharge. This isn't a major issue however, it is something to keep in mind when looking for the latest robotic vacuum cleaner.
Karcher RCV 5
Karcher, a German manufacturer best known for its pressure washers and other pressure washers, has entered the robotic vacuum market by introducing a model which vacuums and mop. The RCV 5 has a range of remarkable features including a superior obstacle detection, with a dual laser system and mapping that can be monitored in real-time via the smart app.
It also can detect carpeted surfaces and automatically activate the wet mopping feature. The spot cleaning feature is also extremely beneficial. It can be programmed to run weekly. The RCV 5 is a good robot cleaner that has suction power of 2,500 pascals. It is able to clean hard and soft flooring, and can reach into tight corners and under low furniture.
As with many modern robots the RCV 5 has a smartphone-powered application known as Karcher Home Robots that can be used to initiate cleaning and manage maps of the home. The RCV 5 can also create virtual walls and zones where it isn't able to drive.
A downside of the RCV 5 is that its dust bin is only able to hold around 1 liters and requires regular emptying, unlike models with integrated disposal technology built into their docking stations. It's also a touch heavier than other devices that make it less mobile and requiring a bit more space to place in its charging station. The RCV 5 was highly rated by testers for its ease of use and app control. It was a great performer in our tests, although some users had difficulty getting the voice technology to work properly and found its docking station fiddly to put in the flat position.