Best robot vacuum cleaner UK (click to find out more)
If you don't want your hands dirty, then robot vacuum cleaners are the best. They are more efficient than manual cleaning and are perfect for single-storey homes and flats.
Smart features are a nice bonus. They include mapping technology that can remember your home layout, avoiding furniture and rugs and getting into those nipples underneath furniture that larger robots have to contend with.
iRobot Roomba J7+
The iRobot Roomba J7+ is an upgrade over the previous model of the company and adds some new technology to make it more efficient in avoiding pet waste. It uses smart mapping to create maps of rooms and floors, and it works hard to avoid obstacles such as furniture, charging cables, and shoes. It also detects dirt and prioritize cleaning areas that are heavily filthy. This is a major improvement over earlier models that sometimes ignored the dirty spots or only cleaned them for an insignificant amount of time.
The robot vacuum cleaner reviews vacuum is fitted with a self-emptying base which can place dustbin debris in its own 2.4L dirt bag. iRobot's claims this can hold up to 60 days of trash, which means you only have to empty and refill the bag once every three months. The base station can also store an extra bag for quick replacements.
It's simple to set up and use the Roomba, which is compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant and is fully controlled through the iRobot Genius app. You can use the app to choose when to start and stop the cleaning, how long it will take to complete the task at hand, and create a schedule.
During our testing we found that the iRobot Roomba J7+ cleaned the floors of area rug and hardwood in the foyer, family room and kitchen without a problem. It was quiet and listened to us as it performed its task. The decibel meter measured just 64 decibels during operation. It took about 90 minutes to complete a single cleaning and its battery took one hour and 58 minutes to recharge afterward. You can also expand your iRobot ecosystem by using the Combo j7, which allows you to connect it with the iRobot mop m6 and have one machine run while the other one moves around the room.
Dyson 360 Viz Nav
The Dyson 360 Viz Nav robot vacuum cleaner is the ideal option for anyone who lives in a multi-floored residence. The model can create maps of multiple floors and save them to the app, making it simple to switch between different spaces without having to repeat the setup procedure. The robot can also be controlled with voice, with support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Dyson has taken a different approach to obstacle detection than other robot vacuums, employing sensors and cameras. A panoramic camera mounted on the top of the robot, together with 26 sensors externally can help create an outline of the space as it moves. This helps the robot to avoid furniture and obstacles.
In our tests, we found that the Dyson 360 Vis Nav could reach up to baseboards and edges, and was able navigate through furniture with tight corners. The suction of the robot was powerful, and it was able to capture every speck of dust hair, hair strand and dried-out bit of Playdoh we tossed at it. The vacuum also pulled the bin out easily and quickly, reducing clean-up time by half.
The Dyson 360 Viz Nav did not perform as well as the other robots we tested in our obstacle avoidance tests. It had a difficult time avoiding a temporary drying rack, which it kept trying to maneuver under. It eventually became stuck and halted the cleaning cycle. It also struggled to evade some taller pieces of furniture such as the coffee table or a chair. The Dyson 360 Vis Nav also has a problem climbing stairs which is a major issue for many who live in multi-story houses.
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 while pressing down. They also automatically lift when vacuuming carpets to prevent leaving streaks of dirt and making the vacuum clog again with dirt. They can suction up to 5,500 Pa which is superior for dirt and dust removal. They also have intelligent water flow controls to ensure that the appropriate amount of moisture is absorbed by each floor type.
Roborock's ability to map your entire home with laser technology is among its most impressive features. The LiDAR system of a Roborock robotic hoovers arm is constantly rotating emitting lasers and determining how long it takes to bounce off the surrounding objects. The data is then used to build an accurate map of your home's layout that allows it to navigate with a high degree of accuracy and avoid obstacles.
Based on the model you choose, you can customize your map to include No-Go zones, furniture positions, and cleaning for specific rooms. You can also select an option to clean only, mop only, or vacuum+mop, and schedule regular cleanings with an app-based cleaning cycle that lets you set it and forget it.
Roborock offers a variety of options, ranging from the budget-friendly S6 MaxV up to the most expensive S7 MaxV Ultra. All models have advanced mapping as well as a battery that lasts for a long time and a large dustbin. The docking station offers many options, including charging and refilling the hot water tank. They also have a two-year warranty in the UK.
Beko RCV 5
The Beko RCV 5 is a relative newcomer to the robotic vacuum and mopping scene, but it's already making some waves with its sleek design and a reasonable price. It has a few features that distinguish it from other robotic vacuums, such as object recognition and self emptying features. It's also a breeze to set up and use, with an easy-to-use app that lets you alter the settings to your liking.
The navigation system of this model uses sensors and mapping technology to guide your home, and it does a fantastic job of staying clear of obstacles. The app allows you to adjust the cleaning robot mop and vacuum path, to allow certain areas to be cleaned more often. The app may be confusing at first but once you've learned how to use it, you'll be able to schedule cleanings and control the robot's power levels.
The RCV 5 has some flaws despite its impressive list. For starters, it uses an extremely small water tank that can hold up to 240 ml of water at each time. While this is enough to get an ordinary wipe clean, it's not ideal for getting rid of stubborn stains. The wiping plate also lacks an ability to rotate or even vibrate.
The battery's life isn't as long as one might expect for a robot of this price range. The RCV 5's battery only lasts about a third a cleaning cycle. This isn't a major issue however it is something to be considered when looking for a brand new robot vacuum cleaner.
Karcher RCV 5
Karcher, a German manufacturer best known for pressure washers, has entered into the robot vacuum market by introducing a model which vacuums and mop. The RCV 5 offers an impressive array of features, including superb obstacle detection (with the dual laser system) and mapping that can be viewed in real-time using the app that is smart.
It also can detect carpeted surfaces and then automatically start the wet mopping function. The spot cleaning feature is extremely useful. It can be programmed to run weekly. The RCV 5 is a great robot cleaner with a suction capacity of 2500 pascals. It can clean both hard and soft flooring and can get into tight corners and under low furniture.
As with many modern robots the RCV 5 has a smartphone-powered application called Karcher Home Robots. This app can be used to start cleaning processes and create and manage home maps. It's also possible to create virtual walls and zones which the RCV 5 can't drive, and numerous other control options.
The RCV 5 has a downside in that its dust bin is only a litre and it'll require regular emptying. This is different from other models that have integrated disposal technology into their docking station. It's also a touch heavier than some competing gadgets which makes it less portable and requires a bit more space to sit down in its charging station. The RCV 5 was highly rated by the testers for its ease of use and app control. It did well in our tests, but some users struggled to get the voice technology to function properly and found its docking station fiddly to put in a flat position.