do you really need a robot vacuum cleanerSince Trilobite – the first version of robot vacuum cleaner from Electrolux – was featured in BBC’s program Tomorrow’s World, robot vacuum cleaners have been increasingly taking center stage when it comes to domestic floor cleaning. In fact, movie makers seemed to have prepared us for this humanlike helper by depicting an old vacuum cleaner that came to life in the 1998 movie Stardust.

By 2016, a research by iRobot showed that 20% of vacuum cleaners in the entire world are robots. Right now, this number is expected to have grown by another 5%.

However, to most homeowners, the big question remains; is a robot vacuum cleaner a worthy purchase? In this article, we are going to evaluate whether you really need to consider buying a robot vacuum cleaner or not.

The Good about Robot Vacuum Cleaners

I am an avid fan of robot vacuum cleaners and since I got my first robot cleaner, I hardly use the regular handheld vacuum I own. If you are still not sure whether you need a robot vacuum cleaner or not, here are some of the benefits these cleaners offer.

Versatility

Robot cleaners have been built to suit all floor types. They can do tile, linoleum, hardwood and even thin carpet floors. Besides, they can handle pet hair and offer deep carpet cleaning. However, note that for specialized cleaning, there are specific cleaners for the job. For example, the Roomba 980 is best for carpets while the ECOVAS DEEBOT R95 is ideal for pet hair.

Minimal Human Intervention

These cleaners require minimal human intervention. Unlike handheld vacuum cleaners that require you to push them around, a robot cleaner works autonomously. All you have to do is press the clean button and it will start cleaning. The only time it will need your intervention is when the bin is full or when it gets stuck.

Programmable Cleaning

This is perhaps the best thing about robot cleaners. If you hardly have time to clean your floors, the Schedule function will come in handy. Most of these cleaners have been engineered with a 7-day programmable schedule cleaning function. All you have to do is set your preferred cleaning times and it will start cleaning immediately.

Cleans Hard to Reach Areas Easily

Even with the most powerful regular vacuum cleaner, it is very hard to clean under beds, sofas, deep corners and other hard to reach areas. You will have to move around furniture which is very cumbersome. Actually, when using my handheld vacuum, I often ignored these areas because I didn’t have the time. Fortunately, robot vacuum cleaners maneuver their way to these areas and thoroughly cleaned them.

Extra Cleaning Features

Many new robot cleaners come with additional features besides sweeping and vacuuming. You can now get a cleaner that combines vacuuming and mopping. With such a cleaner, you won’t have to buy another machine for mopping. There are also other vacuum cleaners that have UV sterilization and even air purification. These are features you can hardly find in regular vacuum cleaners. Some of the best vacuum cleaner brands you can trust here include Neato, ECOVACS, iRobot and so on. Here is a great Neato vs Roomba comparison review that will help you make a great choice..

Smart Features

If you want your home to be a Smart Home, a robot cleaner will be the best vacuum for you. There are robot vacuums that come with Smart features like Wi-Fi, App compatibility, Voice-activated control and so on. This gives them an upper hand over regular vacuum cleaners when it comes to Smart Home Connectivity.

Compact & Cordless Design

Robot vacuum cleaners sport very compact and low-profile designs. This makes them easily portable and easy to store as they occupy very little space compared to other types of vacuum cleaners. Also, the cordless design ensures they don’t tangle or derail the cleaner from reaching far places away from the power source, unlike corded cleaners that work only near the mains.

The Downside of Robot Vacuum Cleaners

If you are excited about what robot vacuum cleaners offer, don’t throw your regular vacuum cleaner just yet. Just like a coin that is two-sided, these cleaners have a few shortcomings too.

Average Cleaning Performance

One of the biggest issues with robot cleaners is that their cleaning performance can’t be compared with that of regular vacuums like canisters and handheld vacuums. This is because they have small motors thus low suction power. If you want to clean a very dirty room, these cleaners won’t be effective.

Cleans Floors Only

Robot Vacuums are designed to vacuum floors only unlike canisters and handheld vacuums that can be used for general vacuuming If you want an all-round vacuum cleaner for floors, sofas, curtains and even car cleaning, a robot vacuum won’t be of help to you.

Get Stuck in High-Traffic Rooms

Even though they are built with accurate navigation systems, these cleaners are not invincible. They get stuck especially in rooms with high obstacle traffic. However, with high-end vacuum cleaners like the Dyson 360 Eye and Roomba 980, this is not a problem as they also have cameras for real-time local visualization.

Verdict; do you Really need a Robot Vacuum Cleaner?

A robot vacuum cleaner is ideal for those with mobility issues like old folks. It can also be a great purchase for homeowners with very busy schedules or pet owners as pet messes are frequent and daily manual cleaning is cumbersome. However, if you have a high-traffic house that gets very dirty, this won’t be a wholesome cleaning solution.

What’s the Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner?

There are hundreds of vacuum cleaners in the market each designed for specific cleaning needs. They are also priced differently depending on the features, performance, and brand. However, form a general perspective, I would say this is a Neato vs Roomba battle!