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Household chores are something that must be done – but nobody enjoys doing them.
This is one of the reasons there are so many different smart home devices and home robots to do this work for us.
You can now find home robots to water your plants, control your heating and cooling systems, clean your pool, answer your questions and vacuum your home.
Robotic vacuum cleaners are an especially a popular purchase today – although in fact the iRobot Roomba has been around for quite a while – almost 15 years.
It’s true: appeal of a robot cleaning your home cannot be denied.
However, as with everything, there are myths and preconceived notions about home cleaning robots that you really need to understand the truth about, before making a purchase.
In this article, you will learn about common robot vacuum cleaner myths and the real-world pros and cons of owning one.
Vacuuming Stairs
Sorry, but no robotic vacuum can vacuum stairs for you.
There is rumor that one that can go up and down stairs is being developed, but so far this is not something that is available.
If you have stairs in your home, then you are still going to need to vacuum them with your regular old vacuum cleaner.
It is important to note that while robotic vacuums cannot go up and down stairs, many do come with a sensor that detects stairs – so that you do not have to worry about the robot taking a tumble down to its death.
Too Little Suction For The Job
One of the most common complaints (and myths) about robotic vacuums is that they don’t provide as much suction as a regular vacuum.
This is mostly true. On the other hand, it doesn’t matter as much as you think.
It is important to remember that a robotic vacuum is physically smaller than your normal upright vacuum cleaner. This means that it is not going to be as good at getting up large debris.
Also, instead of relying on a 115/220V main power source, robotic vacuums rely on a 12V or 24V battery packs which provide less juice and therefore less power.
So, yeah: robot vacuums aren’t as powerful as traditional upright vacuums.
But that doesn’t matter.
You see, robotic vacuums are used far more frequently, so a lower amount of suction is not an issue. Because your floors are being vacuumed far more often.
Less suction doesn’t matter nearly as much, when you’re getting your floors cleaned every other day.
Clutter In Your Home
If you are a clutter hound, then think twice about getting a robot vacuum.
Robotic vacuums are designed to sweep up dirt and debris, but they can’t move over large objects on your floor.
In order for a robot vacuum to be effective, you need to make sure your floors are clear of clutter such as stacks of books or dirty laundry.
For some people, keeping their floors clear of clutter is not an issue, for others this may be a struggle.
Robots Don’t Need Maintenance
Many people think that robot vacuum cleaners are completely hands off.
However, this is not the case.
Just like a regular vacuum, you are going to need to perform periodic cleaning and maintenance to make sure that they remain running properly.
In order to keep your robot vacuum cleaner running, you will need to remove the brushes and clean them on a regular basis. You’ll also need to make sure the debris bin doesn’t get overstuffed or clogged with dust bunnies and hair.
You may also need to remove the chassis bottom plate every few months or so, to get rid of internal debris.
Price
One of the biggest myths about robotic vacuums is that they are really expensive.
While some models do come with a high price tag, many quality robot cleaners are available for about the same price you’d pay for a decent upright vacuum cleaner – about $200.
On the higher end, the excellent iRobot Roomba 980 costs about $800. This vacuum offers mobile connectivity, can clean an entire floor of rooms each day, can handle shag carpet, and has superb navigational skills – so it’s really thorough.
In the middle of the pack, the Roomba 650 costs about $300 and offers excellent cleaning power plus proven reliability. But it’s not as smart as its younger cousin, the 980 – and it can’t clean high pile rugs/carpet.
Dyson recently released a robotic vacuum cleaner called the Dyson 360 Eye. This is a high end robot vacuum with a price tag of over $1,000. This vacuum comes with great performance, but it is surprisingly bulky and doesn’t have the best customer reviews.
Conclusion
When it comes to robotic vacuums, it helps to look past the hype and consider the facts.
Reading reviews like ours – or from verified owners on sites like Amazon – is a great way to open your eyes.
The first positive thing to consider about automatic vacuums is the fact that they automate the tedious chore of vacuuming your house.
They can be used every day, too, which can help keep floors cleaner than they would be if you were only vacuuming once a week.
While there are quality robot vacuums available at affordable prices, the cheaper versions often lack some of the features that you may desire.
In addition, the suction of the robotic vacuums is less when compared to a regular vacuum. However, since you will be vacuuming more, the lower amount of suction should not really become an issue.
Overall, automatic robotic vacuums are great devices that can really help you keep your floors cleaner than most people would, left on their own.
It is important to do your research to learn which device would be best for your floor types and home.
Once you have decided to purchase one of these devices, set a budget and find one that will work best at the price that you have set.
Learn More
If you’d like to learn more about the best robot vacuums selling today, check out the following buying guides on this site:
- Best Robotic Vacuums for Any Type of Floor
- Best Roomba Vacuum Models Compared
- Best Robot Vacuum for Pet Hair and Allergies
Best of luck on your purchase!
