Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner UK
Robot vacuum cleaners are ideal for those who don't want to make your hands messy. They are more efficient than manual vacuum cleaners and are ideal for single-storey homes and flats.
Smart features are an added bonus. These include mapping technology that remembers your home's layout, avoiding furniture and rugs and avoiding those nipples under low furniture that larger robots have to contend with.
iRobot Roomba J7+
The iRobot Roomba J7+, an upgrade to the previous model made by the company, features new technology that makes it more effective in preventing pet waste. It uses smart mapping and navigation to create maps of rooms and floors and works hard to avoid obstacles like charging cords, furniture and shoes. It also can detect dirt and prioritise areas for cleaning that are dirty. This is a significant improvement over older models that often ignore dirtiest spots or only clean them for a brief period of time.
The robot vacuum is fitted with a self-emptying base which can place dustbin debris in its own 2.4L dirt bag. IRobot claims that this bag can hold up to 60 days worth of debris and means you only have to empty and refill the sack once every three months. The base station also includes a spare bag that can be used to quickly replace.
The Roomba is simple to set up and use. It is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, and can be controlled via the iRobot Genius App. The app allows you to decide when to begin and stop the cleaning, and how long it should spend on the task at hand and then create a timetable.
During our testing, the iRobot Roomba J7+ cleaned hardwood and area rug surfaces in the family room, foyer and kitchen with no problem. It listened to our commands and performed its work in a quiet manner, registering only 64db on the decibel meter during operation. It took approximately 90 minutes to finish a single cleaning and its battery took an hour and 58 mins to recharge following the cleaning. You can also extend your iRobot ecosystem with the Combo J7, which allows you to connect it with the iRobot mop m6 and let one run while the other moves around the room.
Dyson 360 Viz Nav
The Dyson 360 Viz Nav is the ideal robot vacuum cleaner for anyone who lives in a multi-floor house. This model can create maps of floors across multiple floors and store them in the app, making it simple to switch between different rooms without having to repeat the setup process. The robot can be controlled using voice commands, like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Dyson has adopted a different method of obstacle detection than other robot vacs, using sensors and cameras. A panoramic camera mounted on the top of the robot, along with 26 external sensors can help create an outline of the space as it moves. This helps the robot avoid furniture and obstacles.
In our tests, the Dyson 360 Vis Nav was capable of reaching right all the way to the edges and baseboards. It could also be easily guided around pieces of furniture with very tight corners. The suction of the robot is strong and can take in every hair strand, dust particle and dried-out piece Playdoh we threw its way. The vacuum also got the bin out easily and quickly, reducing cleanup time by half.
The Dyson 360 Viz Nav did not perform as well as other robots we tested in our obstacle avoidance tests. It had a hard time with a temporary drying rack that it was unable to maneuver under, eventually getting stuck and interrupting the cleaning process. It also had difficulty navigating some furniture pieces that are taller, like chairs or tables. The Dyson 360 Vis Nav is also not able to climb stairs, which can be a problem for many people who live in multi-story houses.
Roborock
Roborock robot vacuums are equipped with top-of-the-line features that help them stand out from the rest. Dual mops are included that spin and lift stains when pressing down. They also automatically lift when vacuuming carpets to avoid leaving dirty streaks and cleaning the vacuum of dirt. They have extreme suction of 5,500 Pa to ensure superior dirt and dust removal. They also have smart water flow controls to ensure the appropriate amount of moisture is absorbed by every floor type.
Roborock's ability to map your entire home using laser technology is among its most impressive features. The LiDAR system of the Roborock robot arm rotates continuously emitting lasers, and measuring how long it takes to bounce off the surrounding objects. This data is then used to construct a real-time map of your home layout, allowing it to navigate with precision and avoid obstacles.
Depending on the model you choose, you can customize your map to include no-go zones, furniture placements and specific cleaning for rooms. You can also choose the option to only vacuum mop or vacuum and mop, and plan regular cleanings using an app-based cleaning cycle that lets you set it and forget it.
Roborock provides a range of options, from the budget-friendly S6MaxV up to the top-of the-line S7 MaxV. All models feature advanced mapping capabilities, a long battery life, and a huge capacity dustbin. The docking station offers many features, including charging and refilling the hot water tank. Additionally, they have a two-year warranty in the UK.
Beko RCV 5
The Beko RCV 5 may be a relative newcomer in the robotic vacuum and mopping industry, but its sleek design and affordable cost have already made it a huge hit. This robot has a few tricks in its sleeve that distinguish it from the competition, including object recognition and self-emptying functionality. It's also simple to install and use, thanks to an easy-to-use app that lets you alter the settings to suit your needs.
The navigation system in this model uses a combination of sensors and mapping technology to guide your home and does a great job of getting around obstacles. The app allows you to modify the cleaning route so that certain areas can be cleaned more frequently. The app is a bit difficult initially, but once you get the knack of it you'll be able organize cleaning schedules and control your robot's power levels effortlessly.
The RCV 5 has some flaws despite its impressive list. It has a tiny water tank that can hold up to 240 milliliters of water at a time. This is sufficient for a basic wipe-clean, however, it isn't ideal for more stubborn stains. In addition the wiping plate is rather simplistic and doesn't feature the ability to rotate or vibrate.
The battery life of an RCV 5 at this price is not as long as one might imagine. The battery of the RCV 5 only lasts for about a third of a cleaning cycle. It's not a huge issue, but is something you should be aware of when searching for an updated robotic vacuum cleaner.
Karcher RCV 5
Karcher is a German manufacturer renowned for its pressure washers, has entered the robot vacuum market with a model which vacuums and mop. The RCV 5 has a range of remarkable features including a superior obstacle detection, with a dual laser system and mapping that can monitor in real-time using the smart app.
It can also detect carpeted surfaces, which automatically triggers mopping mode when wet. There's also a handy spot cleaning feature that cleans a localised area of about 3 feet. It can also be programmed to repeat every week. The RCV 5 is a great robot cleaner that has suction capacity of 2,500 pascals. It can clean both hard and soft flooring and can reach into corners and under low furniture.
Like many modern robots, the RCV 5 has a smartphone-powered app called Karcher Home Robots. It can be used to initiate cleaning processes and create and manage maps of your home. It's also possible to set up virtual walls and zones within which the RCV 5 can't drive, along with numerous other controls.
The RCV 5 has a downside in that its dust container is only a litre and it'll require regular emptying. This is different from other models which have integrated disposal technology into their docking station. It's also heavier than many of its rivals, making it less mobile and needing more space in the charging station. However, the test participants found the RCV 5 very user-friendly and gave its app control high. It did well in our tests, but some testers had difficulty getting its voice technology to work correctly.