An article about the pros and cons of robot vacuum cleaners may seem redundant because most people don’t enjoy vacuuming their homes. Getting a machine to clean up after us sounds like a dream and the sales of robot vacuum cleaners have soared for this reason. But, despite significant technological advances. There are still some things to consider before you invest in the latest automatic cleaning robot.
The Automatic Cleaning Robot Basics
As the automatic cleaning robot is working, you will not see the cleaning action that takes place underneath the unit. Most modern machines have 1-2 brushes that spin and these are paired with 1-2 rolling brushes. These various brushes work in conjunction to catch and drive the debris further into the cleaner. Where it can be sucked into an internal waste bin.
This waste bin is removable, everything collected is deposited there. With regular cleaning you can expect to empty this bin once per week. If you have not used the robot vacuum cleaner in a while or you have pets. It may be necessary to empty the waste bin every few days.
Some expensive models have an automatic docking station where the waste bin is emptied and the user only empties this station every few weeks. Most docking stations use a disposable bag system and these can be very convenient if you don’t have much free time and a higher budget.
How the Robot Vacuum Works
A robot vacuum cleaner has a number of sensors to help it navigate your home efficiently as it cleans. The most common sensor found on less expensive models faces downwards and this provides obstacle avoidance at a basic level. More expensive models may have forward facing sensors that can identify specific pieces of furniture, room mapping and improved collision avoidance.
A less expensive cleaning robot is designed to run on a programmed schedule using the built-in control system. A smarter variant can be controlled via voice commands or an app on your smartphone remotely.
In the past, these types of features were out of reach for most people. But they are more affordable now and they offer a great deal of flexibility. As an example, you can set specific high traffic zones for more frequent cleaning instead of wasting energy to clean the entire floor. This is a great feature for smaller messes when you don’t want the vacuum robot underfoot for an hour of cleaning.
Certain models may have a mopping attachment which is convenient but it does introduce more work for the user. Any dirty water collected from the floor must be emptied and the reservoir will need to be refilled with clean water. The mopping attachment must be added or removed as required and this can get old fast. But, the most advanced robot vacuum cleaners with this feature can make the switch between vacuuming and mopping automatically. It may even be capable of removing dirty water and replenishing with clean water automatically at the docking station!
Pros and Cons of Robot Vacuum Models
Let’s take a look at the various pros and cons of robot vacuum cleaners in more detail, they are (in no particular order):
Pros:
Pros:- Spot Cleaning: Some robot vacuum cleaners have a spot cleaning mode to deal with a localized mess or spill. This is very handy when you don’t want to clean the entire floor.
- Scheduled Cleaning Tasks: The vacuum can be programmed to run at designated times or on specific days for your convenience. This means that the floor can be cleaned when you are not present. No interaction with the machine is required and you don’t need to watch it unless you want to.
- Tough to Reach Spots: When we vacuum our homes with a standard vacuum cleaner we tend to circle around larger pieces of furniture. It’s hard to move a sofa or bed on your own and it’s all too easy to hurt your back or shoulders. But, a smaller robot vacuum cleaner can get directly under those areas for efficient cleaning with no strain on your lower back. Using a robot vacuum cleaner can help you to say goodbye to hard to reach dust bunnies.
- Mopping Duties: As we mentioned previously, the more advanced models can do double-duty as a mop for your home. The best robot vacuums can empty and refill themselves but at this time the results may not be worth the extra investment.
Cons:
- Small Objects: Using a robot vacuum is more difficult if there are small loose items on the floor. Objects, such as: pet toys, socks and others can become caught in the vacuum. Just like they would in a traditional vacuum cleaner. The only difference is that you are not there to remove the items. For this reason it’s a great idea to “vacuum proof” the home by removing small loose items regularly.
- A Dead End: The robot vacuum cleaner can get stuck, they vary in size and the larger models are more prone to this drawback. Bear in mind that a small sliver of size difference will determine if the cleaner can or cannot get under the sofa. For this reason it’s a great idea to check the clearance height carefully for your home.
- The Little Lost Robot: When the battery runs low the cleaner should return to the charging base automatically. But, larger models or vacuum robots operating in larger areas may run out of juice before they find their way home.
- The Need to Vacuum: Sadly, it will still be necessary to do some traditional vacuuming. As the robot will not be able to reach tight corners. The overall need to clean is significantly reduced. But you need to hang onto your standard vacuum cleaner for the occasional outing.
Conclusion
The automatic cleaning robot has become an essential tool in the home of many busy people. Aside from the obvious amusement that can be derived from watching the cat or dog follow them around. There are both pros and cons to a robot vacuum cleaner. Yet, they can be a real help when it comes to daily cleaning. At this time, the mopping technology is pretty new and results are somewhat variable. However, the smart models are well worth the extra investment due to their inherent flexibility.
