How to choose a robot vacuum cleaner?

. How to choose a robot vacuum cleaner?- A couple of decades ago, this issue would cause bewilderment, because robots, vacuum cleaners seemed from the category of fantastic things. But scientific progress does not stand still. Since the beginning of the 2000s, they have been a rarity available to the elect. Now they can be found among household appliances in all cities.

Vacuum robots are designed to make life easier for advanced housewives. And if you are one of them, it is worth familiarizing yourself with all the features of these "assistants" in order to know how to choose a robot cleaner for an apartment. Sales consultants do not always help you truthfully in this matter. Usually they are guided by other motivations: to sell the model more expensive or the one that is stale and not in demand. Therefore, you need to arm yourself with the necessary knowledge and understand the internal arrangement of the robot vacuum cleaner, familiarize yourself with the manufacturers, their model range, know the specifics of your apartment and determine what tasks your robot should perform. Our article will help you in this.

to the contents ↑

Selection of the robot vacuum cleaner. Main criteria:

1. Measure the area of ​​that part of the apartment that is to be cleaned. It does not make sense to take a powerful robotic vacuum cleaner with a large volume of a garbage container, if you have a one-room apartment, furnished.
2. Inspect your floor carefully: are there high thresholds, carpets with pile longer than 1.5 cm, steps, floor height differences, lying wires and the like. Not all models of robotic vacuum cleaners are able to overcome such obstacles.

Important! Practice shows that many robotic vacuum cleaners, bumping into wires, pull them behind them, gradually becoming entangled in them.

1. If the house has a cat or a dog, then you need to know how to choose a robot vacuum cleaner for an apartment with animals. If you constantly struggle with wool, then the device should have a roomy trash compartment and a good quality brush, which can be easily removed and cleaned if necessary.
2. If on the floor there are antique vases and other fragile items or your furniture made of such material, on which dents easily appear, then unambiguously consider more expensive models of robots. They have a large set of necessary sensors and a "soft touch" system.
3. If you decide to purchase a model of a robotic vacuum cleaner with a base, then think about where it will be located. This should be a place next to the outlet, where it will not stop you from walking, but at the same time, the robot should easily find it and move around unhindered.
4. Consider how to choose a robotic vacuum cleaner: for dry cleaning, washing or universal.
5. Before buying, check out the variety of models and their bundling on official websites of manufacturers. Also pay attention to the availability of service centers of the selected manufacturer in your region.

to the contents ↑

Internal device of the robot cleaner

Now let's look at the important nuances in detail in order to choose the really best robotic vacuum cleaner.

Dimensions:

• Most often these "cleaners" have the form of a disk, although there are square models or in the form of the letter "D".
• The diameter is usually 30-40 cm.
• Height - about 10 cm.

Important! Measure if your robot will get stuck under a sofa, for example.

• Weight from 2 to 4 kg.
• On the top cover there is a display and a power button.

Brushes:

• On the bottom in the center there is a main brush - "turbo".They can be two, then they rotate towards each other and more effectively collect dirt.
• If one of the brushes is silicone, then it will be better to collect hair and hair.

Important! Please note that the turbo brushes must have a protective casing.

• There are 1-2 side brushes on the edge, their function is to rake in the corners and along the plinth. To choose the best robotic vacuum cleaner, choose a model in which the brushes are made of hard nap, and not from the line. Then they will not have to be changed for a long time.

Important! In cheap models such brushes may not be.

Dust bag:

• This item is inside the robot. Its volume is from 0.25 liters to 1 liter.
• Small volume is suitable only for small rooms, where there is not so much dirt and there are no animals.
• If the area of ​​the room is more than 40 square meters.m and you have "woolen" pets, then take models with a volume of 0.5 liters and more.

Filter

Ideally, the best robotic vacuum cleaner should have a multi-layered HEPA filter. This is important if you have a dusty area or you are allergic.

Important! When buying, look inside yourself, otherwise - instead of the declared HEPA filter, find a thin paper filter.

Battery:

• The budget models use Ni-Mh( nickel-metal hydride) batteries. They are not as durable as Li-Ion( lithium-ion).The second is enough for 800 cycles of charging, and they give up to 3 hours of work without recharging.
• When selecting, first of all, look not at the power, but on the capacity of the battery. The average capacity should be 2200-3000 mA / h.

Important! Robots with good batteries can not be cheap, but they will clean up quickly, and will not be charged for 3 hours after 20 minutes of cleaning.3000 mA / h approximately gives 3 hours of continuous operation.

Sensors

They help to orientate the robot vacuum cleaner in the room. They can be infrared, ultrasonic, laser.

Important! The more expensive the model is, the more sensors it has.

To determine the best robotic vacuum cleaner and to understand which one to choose, consider the following features of each type of device:

• Models with infrared drop sensors. They are on the bottom and inform the robot that the height of the floor has changed( threshold, step), then it changes the direction of movement.

Important! Inexpensive models are not able to overcome such obstacles. If they encounter a threshold above 1 cm on their way, then the robot, stumbling upon it, will turn the other way. That is, for cleaning in the next room you have to carry it across the threshold. They can not overcome carpets with nap more than 1 cm.

• Touch sensors are located along the bumper. Their rays, reflected from large objects, return to the receiver, and the "brain" of the robot corrects its movement. In cheap models, these collision sensors are contact sensors, that is, the robot changes the trajectory of motion only after colliding with the object, which is not very good if the object is brittle or dents may remain on it.

Important! Many models have a "soft touch" function - a special sensor fixes the approach to the object and gives the robot a command to brake.

• Vacuum robots are more expensive equipped with laser sensors that scan the room, creating a "map of the terrain."Such a navigation system allows him to efficiently perform cleaning without encountering interior objects.

Important! There are some pollution sensors in some models. The robot itself corrects the harvesting mode: if there is not a lot of garbage, then it cleans up faster.

to the contents ↑

How the robot cleaner works

To make the right choice, you need to understand how the robot vacuum cleaner works. It should be noted that garbage is collected in the container more by turning the brushes, rather than sucking in air, as in conventional vacuum cleaners. Therefore, the robot cleaner will maintain the cleanliness in your house, but once in several weeks still have to make a spring cleaning with a conventional vacuum cleaner.

What does the trajectory depend on?

Low-cost robotic vacuum cleaners incorporate standard drop and collision sensors. There are usually no additional functions to keep a low price. These models simply chaotically move and change direction after collision with the obstacle.

Important! Such robots can leave uncleared places.

Many manufacturers, trying to reduce the cost of their device, save on the quality of the body, brushes and other components. Therefore, bumping into obstacles, the robot can not only damage your furniture, but yourself. Finish cleaning inexpensive "cleaners" when the battery runs out.

In the models, certain cleaning programs are put at a higher price. According to them, the robot vacuum cleaner moves according to the given algorithm: zigzag, spiral, diagonal, snake, squares and so on. In the functions there are "usual", "fast" and "local" cleaning.

Important! In more advanced models, there is a function "Wall Follow" - cleaning along walls and furniture, "Full-Go" - a program according to which the robot cleaner after recharging returns to the place where he interrupted the cleaning. Also included is a timer and the ability to program by day of the week.

Types of cleaning

Depending on the type of flooring in your room and the frequency of the intended cleaning, you will have the best robotic vacuum cleaner from the following options.

Dry cleaning

Most robotic vacuum cleaners only provide dry cleaning. That is, they collect garbage, wool, dust from the floor covering only with the help of brushes.

Dry and wet cleaning

In the configuration of modern models there is a microfibre cloth, which is attached to the bottom of the vacuum cleaner, it must be moistened periodically by hand.

Wet cleaning

In washing models there is a special compartment for water( you dial it manually).Initially, the robot collects large debris from the floor, then splashes water and rubs the floor covering with a brush. After - a special scraper collects dirty water and feeds to the suction device.

Important! This function is not suitable for carpets, laminate and parquet.

Base

To recharge the battery, the robot cleaner should either connect to the power source with the adapter, or itself come to be charged to the base.

In inexpensive models, the base is not included in the package, but the robots of the middle and expensive segment are equipped with a base. The following is important here:

• It should be located near the outlet and be located so that the vacuum cleaner can easily find it and easily approach it.
• The base constantly emits an infrared signal, so the robot vacuum cleaner keeps it in the "field of vision".As soon as the level of charge decreases, it goes to the base for recharging.
• Many charging stations are equipped with a garbage container( it is "sucked" from the vacuum cleaner).Although such bases take up more space and dirt can be scattered around when unloading.

Important! The charging time of the robot depends on the type and capacity of its battery.

• Inexpensive models can be charged from 3 to 8 hours, the robotic vacuum cleaner premium 20 to 30 minutes.

Complete

When buying, pay attention to what goes with the "cleaner" in the load. In addition to the base station, spare brushes, replaceable HEPA filters, vacuum cleaners and movement limiters must be included.

Important! Often in the kit there is also a remote control, but judging by the feedback of customers - this is not the most necessary thing.

And here about the limiters of the movement we will tell in more detail. They come in two forms: a magnetic tape and a "virtual wall".

• The magnetic tape is placed on the floor, limiting the area where the vacuum cleaner does not need to enter( for example, the corner where the dog or cat eats).

Important! The tape is quite convenient, but usually put a small piece and have to buy it.

• A virtual wall is a few beacons that limit the movement of a robot in a certain direction by using infrared rays.

Important! In such beacons you need to change the batteries if necessary.

Additional functions:

• Some "cleaners" are equipped with additions such as room aromatization and UV disinfection. If the first is just a pleasant addition, then the second is a dubious one. In order to disinfect the area of ​​the floor with an ultraviolet lamp, it needs to shine for at least 10-15 minutes for one place, and after all the robot vacuum cleaner constantly moves, so the effect of this lamp is minimal. These functions are rather a marketing move.
• Really useful function is self-diagnosis of problems: if the robot cleaner finds a violation - it displays it on the display.
• Also useful indicator is the indicator of filling the garbage container.

to the contents ↑

Manufacturers of vacuum cleaners

To choose a robot vacuum cleaner, you need to know who and where produces them.

iRobot

In the current market, the American company iRobot is in the lead. At the moment, the lineup is represented by three lines:

• Roomba - for dry cleaning;
• Scooba - for wet cleaning;
• Braava is a robot polisher for smooth surfaces.

Yujin Robot

The South Korean company Yujin Robot is also popular. Her models are called iClebo( Arte, Pop).They are distinguished by a quality assembly, a well-thought-out set of functions, stylish design and quiet work.

NEATO ROBOTICS

Also popular American manufacturer, from the collection of which the special interest is caused:

• The first model is "XV"( 11,21).
• "D" -series of robots - they are more advanced.

Other brands

There are also brands that specialize not only in the production of robotic vacuum cleaners:

• LG models Home Bot VR;
• Karcher Robocleaner 3000 and 4000;
• Samsung: Navi Bot, Clatronis, Robzone.

Inexpensive models of robotic vacuum cleaners are presented by numerous Chinese manufacturers. There are quite a few of them. Here are some of them:

• Сlever &Clean( good quality and reasonable price);
• xRobot;
• Qwikk;
• Deebot;
• Panda;
• Ecovax;
• Kitfort and others.

to the table of contents ↑

Rating of models of robotic vacuum cleaners according to users of

Have decided to purchase a robot vacuum cleaner? Which is better, according to users, will not be superfluous information before buying. We compiled a rating of the most recommended devices.

Roomba -960( iRobot)

Many buyers prefer this model. Its characteristics:

• Designed for dry cleaning of the room up to 100 square meters.m.
• Has optical and infrared sensors, rubber turbo brushes, HEPA filter, remote control.
• Battery Li-ion, whose work is designed for 2 hours of continuous operation.
• Has 2 navigation systems: visual and mapping.
• The robot remembers the already cleaned areas. After recharging, he will continue cleaning from the place where he stopped.
• Noise level - 50 dB, which is an indisputable advantage of the device.
• The height is about 9 cm, which allows it to clean under the sofas and beds.
• There is a timer and programming cleaning by day of the week.

Important! This "helper" can be controlled using a display, a remote control and a smartphone using a special application.

Scooba-450( iRobot):

• Designed to clean the premises of about 85 square meters.m.
• The garbage collector in volume of 1 liter.
• This robot is equipped with everything necessary for independent and intelligent cleaning and is improved by the drying function.
• The robot perfectly orientates itself in space and recognizes the types of flooring.
• Easy to maintain and fit into any interior.
  

iClebo Arte Carbon( Yujin Robot):

• Using advanced navigation algorithms, information from multiple sensors and a built-in cartographer, the robot perfectly aligns itself in space and is suitable for cleaning even in houses with complex layouts.
• On one charge it cleans for 2.5 hours.
• Overcomes the thresholds and nap up to 2 cm, and if the obstacle mode is on, then up to 5 cm
• This robot has 6 cleaning modes, including wet mode.
• Modes and cleaning time can be scheduled on the days of the week.

iClebo Omega - novelty of 2016:

• It strengthened the suction power of garbage, added an antibacterial filter, equipped with additional sensors, a large-format camera and a touch screen.
• Turbo-brushes are worn on a floating base, therefore their movements completely repeat the contour of the floor, ensuring close contact.
• Brushes have rubber petals, so they do not get stuck with hair and wool.

Important! This model collects 95% of the garbage.

Neato Botvac D-85( Neato Robotics)

This is a fairly powerful manned robot:

• Can clean up to 150 square meters without recharging.m.
• The technology of laser scanning allows him to orientate in the house as accurately as possible.
• Equipped with a corrugated HEPA filter, which detains the smallest dust.
• The main brush of silicone, which prevents hair and wool from winding.
• The side brush is only one, but the robot cleans the corners well along the skirting boards.

Neato Botvac Connected

The model has the maximum configuration and control function via a mobile device from anywhere in the world.

• A fairly stylish and complete robotic vacuum cleaner at an affordable price.
• It performs dry cleaning of different floor coverings, but there is a cloth for wet cleaning.
• This robot has all the necessary sensors, a rubberized bumper, which minimizes collisions with furniture.
• It is designed for cleaning up to 100 square meters.m, but the garbage can have a small volume of 0.4 liters.
• Battery Ni-Mh.
• There is a fine filter.
• This model has a touch screen, the ability to program on the days of the week, the base, remote control, a virtual wall and a UV lamp for disinfection of the floor.

Now you know all the wisdom and can choose the best robotic vacuum cleaner. These "helpers" save a lot of time for modern busy people, but still do not get rid of the need for general cleaning once a month, especially if there are animals or small children in the house. And it should be noted that the robots-vacuum cleaners are quite safe for both the first and second.