What do robot vacuums do?
The battery operated robot vacuum roams around a house on a set schedule picking up dirt with spinning brushes and a vacuum. It has censors to guide it around rooms and has the ability to clean both carpets and floors. Once it is finished cleaning, it will retreat back to its charging station where the batteries will be replenished. Charging times vary by model but usually require several hours.
Home size
Robot vacuums are ideal for studio or one-bedroom condominium units for many reasons. Firstly, most robot vacuums have a battery life of anywhere between one and two hours meaning it will only be able to cover an area of up to 50 square metres before needing a recharge. There is also the matter of stairs. Robot vacuums are unable to navigate these which means they are not recommended for multi-story houses.
Maintenance
It is important to have a floor that is free of debris, such as clothes or cords, as these can impede robot vacuum cleaners. You will also need to empty out the dust bin a couple of times each week as well as regularly check its rollers to ensure no hairs or other items have become tangled up in them.
Price
Several low-end models have hit the market with prices coming in around USD 100, but as you would expect, their performance can best be described as dicey. Several mid-range options from Neato and iRobot are available for roughly USD 300 with these devices performing well. Dyson, iRobot and Samsung all sell high-end models in the USD 600-1000 price bracket with these robo-cleaners offering best-in-class performance.
Verdict
If you live in a condominium and aren’t inclined to vacuum, this is a great alternative to keep the floors clean. It is far from a perfect device, but even the cheapest models work well enough to prevent dust from building up as long as you don’t have a bunch of clutter lying around. Alternatively, if you already vacuum regularly or live in a big house, then you may be disappointed with the results from the robot vacuum.