Tired of swinging the vacuum cleaner yourself? Then buying a robot vacuum is definitely advisable. However, if you have made the decision to buy a robot vacuum cleaner, you shouldn’t go for it blindly. Rather, it is advisable to clarify what you expect from your smart household helper before making a hasty purchase. After all, not all robotic vacuum cleaners are the same. It is not without reason that there is sometimes a price difference of several hundred euros between different models. Our buying tips for robotic vacuum cleaners should show you what is important.
Vacuum Robot: With or without a cleaning/suction station?
It is now almost exotic for a robot vacuum to only come with a charging station. After all, many models rely on the use of a practical suction or cleaning station. Some even offer an all-in-one solution. But which system is right for you? If you have no problem emptying the dust container of your robot vacuum at least once a week, a charging station alone will be perfectly adequate for you.
A suction station, on the other hand, provides significantly more convenience. Here, the robot’s dust container is vacuumed after every cleaning session. The collected dirt then ends up in a dust bag, which usually only needs to be replaced with a new one every two to three months. With a cleaning station, on the other hand, the robot vacuum’s mopping unit is cleaned and sometimes the mobile fresh water tank is also filled with new water.
All-in-one solutions are the non plus ultra. Here, both functions are combined. This means that not only the dirt is vacuumed, but the mopping unit is also cleaned. This naturally raises the question of what speaks against a suction, cleaning or all-in-one station. Strictly speaking, these models only have two disadvantages. Firstly, they take up considerably more space than a pure charging station. Secondly, the price is higher.
Vacuum Robot: Design and workmanship
It is almost impossible to store a robot hoover so that it is invisible when it is not cleaning. This is actually only possible with models that only have a charging station and are correspondingly flat. These can then be skillfully hidden under a sideboard, for example.
Models with a suction or cleaning station, on the other hand, are significantly larger and are not so easy to place out of sight. If you don’t want any visible technology in your household, you should keep this in mind. If, on the other hand, you don’t have a problem with this, but still value an attractive appearance, you should pay attention not only to the design but also to the build quality of the household helper.
It is generally worthwhile to go for well-known brands such as Dreame, Roborock or Ecovacs. These always score points with their great build quality. Sturdy housings with robust surfaces promise a long service life. You should always prefer a light color. Dust is less visible on this color.
Vacuum Robot: Navigation and obstacle detection
Good navigation technology is also essential for the robot vacuum to find its way around your home. Here, laser distance measurement called LiDAR is still the best the market has to offer. However, there are also models that rely solely on a camera to map your home. You should steer clear of these, as the results are not nearly as good as with a LiDAR measurement.
As a rule, the mapping of your home takes place during the first tour of your home by the robot vacuum. You can then view and edit the results in the app. Many models automatically assign rooms to the floor plan during the mapping process. If this does not fit, for example due to a complex apartment layout, you can easily make adjustments. Invisible walls and zones to be avoided can also be defined here.
The other sensors are also important. Fall and carpet sensors are now standard equipment. What is currently still reserved for high-priced flagships is reliable obstacle detection. This is where AI-supported camera systems are most effective. If obstacle detection works poorly, objects are often overlooked. This can sometimes lead to cables getting tangled up in the robot’s suction shaft.
Vacuum Robot: Suction power
Of course, the suction power of a robot vacuum cleaner also plays a major role. However, even inexpensive entry-level devices now offer sufficient power to remove dirt from hard floors. However, the wheat is separated from the chaff at the latest when the robot moves onto a carpet for the first time. A high suction power is a prerequisite here. Otherwise, the dirt will remain in the deeper fibers and the carpet will only be cleaned superficially.
At least 7,000 Pascal should be the minimum for long-pile carpets. Pet owners should also attach great importance to the choice of material for the main brush. Brushes with completely rubber lamellas have the edge over their bristle counterparts. After all, hair is much less likely to get tangled here, which makes subsequent maintenance much easier.
Vacuum Robot: Mopping function
It is now almost impossible to find a robot vacuum without a mopping function. However, the differences in quality and cleaning results between the individual models in this discipline are truly remarkable.
While inexpensive models rely on simple rigid wiping surfaces, the devices in the upper mid-range and, of course, the flagship models have much more to offer. Here you can get vibrating wiping cloths with contact pressure or rotating wiping pads.
Vacuum Robot: App
There is usually a small control unit on the robot itself. Here you are usually offered three buttons that enable rudimentary control. However, you can only exploit the full potential if you also use the smart household helper with its dedicated app. Here you can make individual adjustments. This not only includes selecting the right cleaning mode.
It is also advisable to create a cleaning schedule. For example, you can specify within the app that the smart household helper should always clean your home when you are out of the house. The support of voice assistants also provides convenience. Many robot vacuums can be controlled by voice using Amazon Alexa or the Google Assistant.
Conclusion: If you have the choice, you’re spoiled for choice
In recent years, the range of robotic vacuum cleaners has literally exploded. Of course, it’s anything but easy for newcomers to find the right model. So that you don’t have to try out numerous robots yourself, we’ve done it for you. In our list of the best robot hoovers 2024, you will find our personal test winners from various categories. You’re sure to find the right household helper for you!
