What makes a good robot vacuum? Everything you need to know
The history of the robot vacuum cleaner dates back to the 1990s, and demand for this practical household helper has increased significantly over the past decade. According to Graphical Research , the market size for household vacuum cleaners in Europe exceeded $5.5 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow by over 5.8% from 2020 to 2026 .
According to KBV Research ’s estimate, the household vacuum cleaner market size will reach USD 17,568.2 million by 2023 , growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9% between 2017 and 2023 .
As a consumer, you may be asking yourself: Do I need a robot vacuum? If so, which brand and model is best? Are there robot vacuums that offer great value for money? A thousand questions arise when you're ready to spend a few hundred euros on a new product. Understanding the basic specifications will help you choose the right robot vacuum. In the following text, we'll introduce you to the most important features of a good robot vacuum to help you make your decision.
1. Suction power and wiping function as additional features
With the advancement of technology, robot vacuum cleaners have increasingly diverse functions, but suction power remains one of the most important. This primarily refers to the suction power, which is measured in "air watts," in "mm/H2O," and "pa/kPa" (Pascals/Kilopascals). With a power between 1300 and 2200 Pa, you can expect very good vacuuming results. The Chuango RV-500, with a suction power of 2200 Pa, can not only easily pick up dust from hard surfaces but also vacuum dirt from carpets and other fabric surfaces. In addition to suction power, you should also consider the robot vacuum's motor power and rotation per minute: With at least 10,000 revolutions per minute, the robot vacuum cleaner develops good suction power.
Many robot vacuum cleaners now offer a mopping function in addition to the vacuum function. This means that the robot vacuum cleaner also mops as well as vacuuming, saving you even more time and effort. The mopping function is divided into active and passive mopping systems . An active mopping system has an integrated water pump with which you can regulate the moisture intensity and thus adapt it to the floor covering and degree of dirt. A passive mopping system does not require its own water pump. When choosing a mopping function, you should pay attention to the type of floor: the passive mopping system is suitable for hard floors such as tiles, real wood floors, laminate, PVC or parquet . The active mopping system would be more advantageous for sensitive floors.
2. Battery life and battery charging:
Based on tests by the Robot Vacuum Portal , a robot vacuum can clean a 25-square-meter room in 25-30 minutes . In fact, battery life depends on several factors: the robot vacuum model, the power mode—a smart robot vacuum can alternate between different cleaning modes such as spot mode, auto mode, edge mode, etc. as needed— the room's layout, the level of dirt, etc. The battery life of different models ranges from 60 minutes to 200 minutes: the Bagotte BG600 MAX and Eufy RoboVac 30V can last a maximum of 100 minutes , while the Chuango RV-500 has an above-average maximum battery life of 150 minutes . The longer the battery life, the larger the area the robot vacuum can clean in one go, and the less often it needs to be recharged.
A brief digression on batteries: modern robot vacuum cleaners primarily use lithium-ion batteries, which guarantee greater capacity, shorter charging times, and longer service life . Since the robot vacuum cleaner itself is equipped with a suction container, water tank, and other accessories, it doesn't have much space for heavy or large batteries, so a lithium-ion battery is ideal. Modern robot vacuum cleaners are programmed to automatically return to the charging station after each cleaning cycle or when the battery level is very low. Of course, the cleaning process can also be ended at any time via the app and the vacuum cleaner can be sent back to the charging station for recharging. A full charge varies depending on the model and can take between three and six hours.
3. Sensors and navigation system
Your robot vacuum cleaner is designed to effectively clean your living space. Therefore, it needs to be able to reach as many areas as possible, including under beds, cupboards, tables, and chairs, and ideally, it should also be able to negotiate carpet edges or avoid stairs. A robot vacuum cleaner is equipped with a series of sensors that allow it to detect obstacles .
The main types of robot vacuum navigation are random navigation, gyroscope navigation, camera navigation and laser navigation.
Many inexpensive robot vacuums with random navigation feature so-called "touch sensors" and bumpers to analyze their surroundings and react accordingly. If the robot vacuum encounters an obstacle, it turns at a specific angle and attempts to move again. This process is repeated until the robot vacuum can move freely again.With this gyroscope navigation, the robot vacuum "remembers" the rotations of its wheels from the start from the base station, allowing the robot vacuum to travel in straight lines around a room without repeating the same route. The camera allows the robot vacuum to better perceive its surroundings and thus navigate more precisely. However, the camera's vision is poorer in the dark, so the robot vacuum takes longer. Laser navigation is considered the most advanced navigation method to date; with it, the robot vacuum can easily find its way through the home even in complete darkness. Such robot vacuums, such as the Roborock S7 and Ecovacs OZMO 950, cost more than €400.
If a magnetic strip (boundary strip) is included with the robot vacuum, it means the robot vacuum has sensors on the bottom that detect the magnetic field and can thus initiate the change in movement . If you place the boundary strip around a deep-pile carpet or plant shelf, the robot vacuum will recognize it and avoid entering this "virtual zone."
In addition to obstacle and magnetic field detection, the robot vacuum cleaner should be able to overcome certain obstacles, such as door thresholds or carpets - the climbing ability reaches between 1.3 and 2.4 cm depending on the model of different brands .
4. The device size:
The average height of a modern robot vacuum is approximately 7-8 cm, with a diameter of approximately 30-35 cm . The areas under the sofa or bed aren't usually cleaned often, so a slim robot vacuum can help you vacuum or mop those hard-to-reach areas without having to move the furniture yourself. Furthermore, a robot vacuum with a smaller diameter can move more flexibly between furniture.
A robot vacuum cleaner with a dusting and mopping function has a water tank in addition to the suction container. The larger the container, the less often it needs to be cleaned. Therefore, both large and small devices have their advantages.
5. Volume:
Compared to a conventional vacuum cleaner, which has an operating noise of approximately 65-80 decibels , a smart robot vacuum cleaner is significantly quieter. The operating noise of a good robot vacuum cleaner should be between 50-65 decibels – roughly the volume of a running faucet. On the quietest setting, i.e., with the lowest operating noise, you can even let the robot vacuum work in the evening or at night without waking you or disturbing your neighbors.
6. Other features of the robot vacuum cleaner:
In addition to the features listed above, there are other characteristics you should consider when choosing your robot vacuum cleaner. If you're a real techie, the app and the device's programmability are probably important to you. Can you create cleaning and schedule schedules? How easy is it to control the robot vacuum via the app? A wide range of accessories is also an attractive option for many users.
A survey by Vacuums Guide concludes:
This survey is only a reference to illustrate consumer needs and product requirements.
Conclusion:
A robot vacuum cleaner is indeed a great helper for housework, so many factors should be considered when choosing one. While features like suction power and battery life play an important role, it's even more important to understand the unique cleaning needs of your home and then choose the product that best suits your needs.
One thing is certain: There is no one “best” vacuum robot, but there is the perfect one for you, because ultimately everyone makes their own decision based on their own needs.
If you have a specific budget, such as €250, and want a robot vacuum with all the basic features, you should consider the Chuango RV-500 . For more information, click on: Robot Vacuum Cleaner RV-500 – Chuango Smart Home.