10 Apps That Can Help You Control Your Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner UK
Robot vacuum cleaners are great for those who don't like to get your hands messy. They are more efficient than manual cleaning and are great for single-storey homes and flats.
Smart features are a plus. These include mapping technology that will remember your home layout, avoiding furniture and rugs and getting into those nipples beneath furniture that bigger robots that vacuum and mop struggle with.
iRobot Roomba J7+
The iRobot Roomba J7+ is an upgrade on the company's previous model and adds some new technology to make it more efficient in avoiding pet waste. It uses smart mapping to create maps of floors and rooms and works hard to stay clear of obstacles like furniture, charging cords and shoes. It also can detect dirt and prioritize areas for cleaning that are filthy. This is a significant improvement over older models that may not notice dirty spots or only clean them for a short time.
The robot vacuum is fitted with a self-emptying base which can put dustbin debris into its own 2.4L dirt bag. The company claims that it can hold up to 60 days of trash, which means you only have to empty and change the bag once every three months. The base station also includes a spare bag that can be used to replace the bag in a snap.
The Roomba is easy to set-up and use. It is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, and can be controlled via the iRobot Genius App. You can use the app to decide when to begin and end the cleaning, as well as how long it should spend on an individual task and also create a schedule.
During our tests, the iRobot Roomba J7+ was able to clean hardwood and area rug surfaces without issue in the foyer, kitchen, and family room. It was quiet and listened to us while it performed its task. The decibel meter recorded just 64 decibels during the process. It took approximately 90 minutes to complete a single cleaning and its battery needed one hour and 58 minutes to recharge afterward. You can also grow your iRobot ecosystem by using the Combo j7, which allows you to connect it with the iRobot mop m6 and have one 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 those who live in a multi-floored residence. The model can create maps for different floors and save them into the app. It is then easy to switch between rooms without having to repeat the setup procedure. The robot can also be controlled via voice, and can be controlled by Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Dyson has developed a unique approach to obstacle detection that is different from other robot vacs, using sensors and cameras. A panoramic camera mounted on the top of the robot, along with 26 other sensors will help to create a map of the space as it moves. This aids to avoid obstacles and furniture.
In our tests in our tests, the Dyson 360 Vis Nav was capable of reaching up to the edges and baseboards. It could also be easily navigated through furniture pieces with extremely tight corners. The suction of the best robot hoover was powerful, and it was able to pick up every dust speck hair, strand of hair, and dried-out bit of Playdoh that we threw at it. The vacuum also got the bin away easily and quickly, reducing cleanup time by half.
However, the Dyson 360 Viz Nav didn't perform better than other robots in our obstacle-avoidance test. It had a difficult time with a drying rack that it was unable to maneuver under, eventually getting stuck and disrupting the cleaning cycle. It also had difficulty avoiding some taller furniture pieces such as a chair or a coffee table. The Dyson 360 Vis Nav also has difficulty climbing stairs, which is a problem for a lot of people who live in multi-story homes.
Roborock
Roborock robot vacuums are fitted with high-end features that make them stand out from the crowd. Dual mops are available that spin and lift dirt while pressing down. They also automatically lift when vacuuming carpets to avoid leaving dirty streaks and cleaning the vacuum of dirt. They have a suction of up to 5,500 Pa which is superior for dust and dirt removal. Additionally they are equipped with sophisticated water flow control to ensure the right amount of moisture for every floor type.
Roborock's ability of mapping your entire home using laser technology is among its most impressive features. The LiDAR system on a Roborock robot is constantly rotating, emitting laser beams and measuring the time it takes them to bounce back off nearby objects. This information is then used to create an accurate map of your home's layout that allows it to navigate with a high degree of accuracy and avoid obstacles.
Depending on the model you choose You can alter the map to include furniture placements, no-go zones and specific cleaning for your room. You can also choose a routine to vacuum only mop, or vacuum+mop, and schedule regular cleanings using an app-based cleaning routine that allows you to set it and forget it.
Roborock has a broad range of options, ranging from the budget-friendly S6MaxV to the most expensive S7 MaxV Ultra. All models come with advanced mapping and a long-lasting battery and a large dustbin. They also have a dock that offers many functions, including charging and refilling hot water tanks. They also 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 industry and is already making some waves with its sleek design and a reasonable price tag. This robot has some tricks up its sleeves that set it apart from other robotic vacuums, such as self-emptying capabilities. It's also easy to set up and use, with an easy app that allows you to alter the settings to your liking.
The navigation system of this model utilizes a combination of sensors and mapping technology to guide your home, and it does a great job of getting around obstacles. The app lets you modify the cleaning route so that specific areas can be cleaned more often. The app can be confusing initially, but once you get the hang of it you'll be able organize cleaning schedules and monitor your robot's power levels easily.
Despite its impressive array of features however, the RCV 5 is not without its faults. For starters, it uses a relatively small water tank that can hold up to 240 milliliters of water at each time. This is sufficient to do a basic clean-up, but not the best robot vacuum and mop option for stubborn stains. The plate is also not equipped with a rotation or vibration function.
The battery life of the robots in this price range is not as long as one might think. In reality the RCV 5 only lasts for about a third of a cleaning cycle before it needs a recharge. This isn't a major issue but it's something to be considered when you are looking for a new robotic vacuum cleaner.
Karcher RCV 5
The German manufacturer Karcher is most well-known for its pressure washers but it's now entering the robot vacuum market with a model that vacuums and mops. The RCV 5 offers an impressive variety of features, including great obstacle detection (with dual lasers) and mapping that can be tracked in real-time via the smart app.
It also can detect carpeted surfaces and then automatically start the wet mopping function. It also has a spot cleaning function that intensely cleans a small area of about 3 feet and can be scheduled for weekly repetition. The RCV 5 is a decent suction power of 2,500 pascals and has a great sweeping ability for both soft and hard flooring. It is able to reach into tight spaces and under furniture that can block larger robot cleaners.
Like a lot of modern robots, the RCV 5 has a smartphone-powered application called Karcher Home Robots that can be used to start cleaning processes and to create and manage maps of the home. The RCV 5 can also create virtual walls and zones that it can't drive.
The RCV 5 has a downside in that its dust container is just a litre and it will have to be cleaned regularly. This is different from other models that have integrated disposal technology within their docking station. It's also heavier than many of its competitors which makes it less mobile and needing more space in the charging station. The RCV 5 was highly rated by users for its user-friendliness and app control. It was a great performer in our tests, however some testers had difficulty getting its voice technology working effectively.