10 Apps To Help You Manage Your Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner UK
Robot vacuum cleaners are perfect if you don't like getting your hands dirty. They are more efficient than manual cleaning and are great for single-storey homes and flats.
Smart features are an added bonus. This includes mapping technology that remembers the arrangement of your home, avoiding furniture or rug, and navigating those nipples under furniture that larger robots have to struggle to reach.
iRobot Roomba J7+
The iRobot Roomba J7+ is an upgrade to the previous model by the company and incorporates new technology to make it more efficient in avoiding pet waste. It makes use of smart mapping to create maps of floors and rooms and works hard to stay clear of obstacles like furniture, charging cables, and shoes. It also detects dirt and clean areas that are heavily filthy. This is a significant improvement over previous models that may not notice dirtiest spots or only clean them for a brief time.
The robot automatic vacuum and mop robot 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 change the bag every three months. The base station can also hold a spare bag for quick replacements.
It's simple to set up and use the Roomba device, which is compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant and can be controlled via the iRobot Genius app. The app allows you to select when to start and stop the cleaning, and how long it will take to complete the task at hand and also create a schedule.
In our tests during our tests, the iRobot Roomba J7+ was able to clean the floors of area rug and hardwood without issue in the kitchen, foyer, and family room. It was quiet and listened to us while it worked. The decibel meter recorded only 64 decibels in operation. It took approximately 90 minutes to complete one cleaning and its battery needed an hour and 58 minutes to recharge afterward. The Combo j7 allows you to extend your iRobot eco-system by combining it with the iRobot Mop m6. One can run while the other moves around the room.
Dyson 360 Viz Nav
The Dyson 360 Viz Nav is the best robot vacuum cleaner for those who live in a multi-floor home. The model can create maps of multiple floors and store them on the app, making it easy to switch between different spaces without repeating the setup procedure. The robot can also be controlled via voice, and can be controlled by Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Dyson has taken a different approach to obstacle detection that is different from other robot hoover and mop vacuums, employing a combination of sensors and cameras. A panoramic camera that is mounted on top of the robot hoover and mop, together with 26 sensors external, helps create a map as it moves. This aids to avoid obstacles and furniture.
In our tests, we found that the Dyson 360 Vis Nav could reach up to baseboards as well as edges, and could navigate through furniture with tight corners. The suction of the robot is powerful and it can pick up every dust particle, hair strand and dried-out piece Playdoh we tossed its way. The vacuum also pulled the bin out easily and quickly, reducing cleanup time by half.
The Dyson 360 Viz Nav did not perform as well as the other robots we evaluated in our obstacle avoidance tests. It was unable to avoid a temporary drying rack that it was unable to move under. It eventually got stuck and halted the cleaning process. It also struggled to evade some taller pieces of furniture such as a chair or coffee table. The Dyson 360 Vis Nav also has a problem climbing stairs, which is a problem 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 when pressing down. They also lift automatically when vacuuming carpets, preventing dirty streaks from appearing and re-clogging vacuums. They have a suction of up to 5,500 Pa which is superior in the removal of dirt and dust. In addition to this, they have sophisticated water flow control to ensure the correct amount of moisture for each floor type.
Roborock's ability to map out your entire home using laser technology is one of its most impressive features. The LiDAR system of the Roborock robot arm rotates continuously emitting lasers and determining the time it takes for them to bounce off surrounding objects. This data is used to create a real-time map of your home allowing the robot to navigate accurately and avoid obstacles.
Depending on which model you choose, you can customize the map to include no-go zones, furniture placements and specific cleaning for your room. You can also select a cleaning routine for vacuum only, mop alone, or vacuum+mop. You can schedule regular cleanings by using an app-based system for cleaning that lets you set it and forget.
Roborock offers a range of options, ranging from the budget-friendly S6 MaxV to the top-of the-line S7 MaxV. All feature advanced mapping capabilities, a high-performance battery life, and a large capacity dustbin. They also come with docks that provide many features, including charging and refilling hot water tanks. Additionally, they come with a 2-year warranty in the UK.
Beko RCV 5
The Beko RCV 5 may be a relative newcomer in the robotic vacuum and mopping world but its sleek style and reasonable price have already made it a cult. This robot vacuum that vacuums and mops comes with a few tricks on its sleeve to set it apart from the rest, such as self-emptying capabilities and object recognition. It's simple to set up and use using an application that lets you customize many options.
The navigation system in this model uses a combination of sensors and mapping technology to guide your home, and it does a fantastic job of staying clear of obstacles. You can even adjust the cleaning route using the app, making it simple to clean certain areas more frequently than others. The app can be confusing at first but once you've learned how to use it, you will be able schedule cleanings, and manage the robot's power levels.
Despite its impressive list of features, the RCV 5 is not without its flaws. First of all, it has a tiny water tank that holds up to 240 ml of water at each time. While this is enough to do an ordinary wipe clean, it's not ideal to remove staining that is difficult to remove. The plate that wipes is also devoid of a rotation or vibration function.
The battery life of the robots in this price range is not as long as one might think. The battery of the RCV 5 only lasts for about a third cleaning cycle. It's not a huge issue, but it is something to keep in mind when shopping for a new robotic vacuum cleaner.
Karcher RCV 5
The German manufacturer Karcher is most well-known for its pressure washers, but it's entered the robot vacuum market with a model that vacuums and mops. The RCV 5 offers an impressive range of features including excellent obstacle detection (with dual lasers) and mapping that can be monitored in real time through the smart app.
It also can detect carpeted surfaces and automatically activate the wet mopping feature. The spot cleaning feature is also extremely useful. It can be programmed to run weekly. The RCV 5 comes with a respectable suction capacity of 2,500 psi and a good sweeping capacity for both soft and hard flooring. It can also be able to get into tight nooks and under furniture, which can impede larger robot cleaners.
Like many modern robots, the RCV 5 has a smartphone-powered app known as Karcher Home Robots. It can be used to begin cleaning and manage home maps. It is also possible to set up virtual walls and zones in which the RCV 5 isn't able to drive, and various other options for controlling.
The RCV 5 has a downside in that the dust bin is only a litre, and it'll require regular emptying. This is unlike other models that incorporate disposal technology within their docking station. It's also a bit heavier than other devices which makes it less portable and requiring more space in its charging station. The RCV 5 was rated highly by testers for its ease of use and app control. It was a great performer in our tests, though some users struggled to get the voice tech to work correctly and also found its docking station fiddly to set in the flat position.