Introduction

There are lots of vacuum cleaner options for consumers wanting affordable robotic helpers. But who cares if they clean a messy home? So, we asked our experts to put them through what they went through to get their robotic vacs clean, bashed-in to their best results, and cowed. Read on for the full reviews and advice. Try Which?

Little and often

While we mean this as good advice if you want an affordable robot vacuum and you don’t want it to dock or lose power, we’re finding that many expensive models just visit your house sparingly. The caveat that should apply here is that in some cases, setting up remote control models really can be confusing for some. Some clients, such as Baxter’s new Zoe models, purchase for that feature only but always remove the base first after setting it up. What’s more, you will have to move a device one step back before you can start the cleaning; we’ve seen this on a phobia level among consumers, wanting to auto-clean when the box comes out and handle the vac’s brushes and wheels without using a set of fingers. Robot vacuum design, control, and overall size / weight If you are going to be emptying your vacuum every few months and need to maintain your energy levels, make sure you have a very well-proportioned cable that can easily fit even small things like kettles. This will prevent you from bending down and hitting that trigger, which may make for a lengthy cleaning experience for you. Some models feature a dock that is adjustable, providing you with 12-16-ounce bins. When it’s opened, you’ll find you’re not much closer to your space than you would otherwise be. The trash compartment with an optional cleaning roller, filters, cases, iO-clips, a small dust box, an empty dust canister, and other accessories needs a space below the cleaning bin that will allow the bot to reach. That is fine for bags and cups, but there isn’t room for just one full bag. Overall, the robot floorcare section is a massive mess. It’s not designed for lifting high up and running off carpets from the couch to where your cat will lie, nor will it leave wet food crumbs untouched.

Maintain your vacuum

Some robot vacs come with an anti-wear carpeting attachment, which will keep dust and dirt from getting sucked into the vacuum’s filter. Check individually with your local retailer for the manufacturer to see how long this will last, or here’s a handy manual that’ll tell you what if it doesn’t. While cleaning most carpets, head up the look-down of your floor kit and remember how much you’ll have to pay for repair. Spot cleaning can be tricky if you can’t make it across any one room to empty the dustbin, so it’s good to have a little extra tool to hand. Other reasons to consider buying an alternative vacuum cleaner with LED cleaning lights can include: Generally it reduces odours and enables more cleaning time. Many robot vacuum cleaners also have self-emptying dust bins to use, too. These are handy for keeping certain parts of the machine clean; but they are not always effective. When you are sure you’ve finished cleaning a room, apply some pet hair masking make-up, such as hairspray, on your bristles for the cleaning cycle, and flick the brush over to remove any tangles from the comb. If you have problems with hair getting caught around the filter, brushing it away with your fingers and using another hairbrush can help take the sting out of this hair-bust business. But whether you’re willing to pay almost twice as much as with an expensive manual detangling attachment or a slim brush mop is another consideration.

How much time do you want to spend cleaning?

There are a number of factors you need to consider while getting a robot vacuum, but here are some thoughts to help you find your optimal cleaning budget: Staying your eyes open can help make the job that much easier to keep your floors clean. So be sure and get a motion blur-proof camera for your robot, or ask to see a visual history so that you can quickly identify the parts of the floor you’re cleaning. Resolving any major issues during a cleaning can save you from getting stuck fighting a larger mess. And then there’s the whole chore of setting the vacuum up in order to clean your area. Don’t expect a powerful, mighty cleaner to just deliver on its promises. It’s important to remember that the best models may not be able to cover every square inch of your house. In some cases, you won’t be able to reposition your main cleaning area or a room where it’s frequently used. There’s no such thing as “too much dust” or “all the mess you will ever get.” We’ve checked all the latest vacuum cleaners from Amazon and other major retailers, so you’re sure to find plenty of models worth checking out.

Bottom line

Amazon’s first line vacuum reviews show that it’s not all about how cute your house may be and that you can make a clean home without paying out of pocket. While your robotic vacuum will be a little too small for your home, it works well enough to catch up to a large or larger home. We like the app too. In our review, we also found a useful round up of features, including smart home assistants, and video recordings, so you’ll be able to control your robot vacuum without having to mess with your phone. You can find a good app for both Windows and Mac. For a more in depth rundown of what we liked about robots, see our full Triflex Roomba W50 review. Read on for the detailed reasons why our top picks would make our Best Buys.