There is no doubt that having a robot vacuum cleaner makes home maintenance a much lighter task. After all, all you have to do is press a button (more or less) and that’s it: he alone takes care of vacuuming your house with greater or lesser skill. However, in the market we find everything from robot vacuum cleaner for just over 100 euros to others that exceed four figures. In this article we will try to break down what characteristics justify this price difference in a certain way and what are the most interesting models in terms of value for money.
Choosing a good robot vacuum cleaner
Design has a lot to say about cleaning
The first point to consider is the design. Thus, while the vast majority is flattened cylinders, we also find D-shaped designs such as the Neato or the current IRobot flagship, the Roomba s9+.
More than a matter of shape, something that determines how they will face the obstacles they encounter is their height and the size of their wheels. Thus, while the bulkier ones – consequently with larger wheels – will be able to climb thicker carpets better than the smaller ones, they will also have more problems cleaning under sofas or getting between the legs. Although here navigation has a lot to say.
Over time we also find variations in something a priori as simple as the charging base. In essence they are still small, but there are them with mats to collect moisture from the scrubbing accessories and not damage the floor, and also bulky like those of the Roomba s9+ or its predecessor, the Roomba i7+, or the Roborock S7 (optional version). Why so big? Because one of the distinguishing features of both is that its tank is cleaned only when it reaches the base thanks to an extraction system that deposits the dirt in a bag integrated inside. Hence the size.
Finally, it is essential to look at the composition and materials of the brushes. The most basic thing that we are going to find at this point is a central roller – in the past there were models without this, simply with a suction slot – to trap dirt and hair. Those of the entry and mid-range opt for helically distributed bristles, but those designs that replace it with materials such as rubber better withstand hair entanglements. It is also common for them to come with one or two side brushes to direct the dirt to the central part.
Cleaning capacity: look at the power and type of filter
The essence of a robot vacuum cleaner, whatever type it may be, is its ability to trap dirt by suction and leave it confined in its container, so that it not only removes hair, dirt and dirt in general, but also captures and retains dust and other micro particles. Thus, not only do we achieve “macroscopic” cleaning, but if the vacuum cleaner is powerful enough and has a high-efficiency filter, we can also minimize the effect of allergens, something highly recommended for people with respiratory problems.
In practice, the simplest range is around 1,500 Pascals and as we go up the range, the suction capacity increases, even reaching the exceptional 10,000 Pascals of the Conga 6090. Of course, be very careful because the side B with more suction capacity is noise.
Regarding the filter, it is important that it be HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) and not of the HEPA type, which means that they must trap all particles equal to or greater than 0.3 microns in diameter with 99.97% effectiveness according to established standards. A good example is that of the British brand Dyson and its 360 Heurist, a model inheriting the efficiency of the sled format but in a robot type.
