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Do robot vacuums and mops actually work?
Yes, robot vacuums and robot mops work exceptionally well due to changes in technology over the past couple of years, but you need to be aware of the key specifications before buying one, otherwise you may be purchasing older technology that may not do what you want it to do.
Don’t be fooled by major brands and paying more, some well known brands are selling robot vacuums for over $1,200 which has less suction power and technology than brands like HOBOT that retail for $699.
The same for robot mops and hybrid systems, be aware of the key specifications before purchasing. Just because you pay more doesn’t make it a great robot mop. There are many robot mops on the market that fail to mop well, as they are not well designed for mopping, unlike the HOBOT LEGEE system that was created first and foremost around mopping capability.
How do robot vacuums work?
Once your robot vacuum/mop is fully charged, it will map your home automatically via the app. Most brands like HOBOT and Ultenic will allow you to set up a host of customisable features such as:
- Cleaning styles for each room
- No go zones
- Schedules
- Curtain zones
- Store multiple maps for multi-story homes
As well as the ability to control your robot vacuum/mop whilst away from home.
The latest robot vacuums/mops use SLAM technology, a must have for any decent robot vacuum or mop. You will know if a robot has SLAM technology, there is normally small round tower on the robot which house the LIDAR.
The LIDAR system uses a laser to constantly measure your home and surroundings. If a chair is moved or door is opened the robot will know. Unlike older robot vacuums that once the home was mapped that is all the robot knew. The LIDAR system has also enabled robot vacuums and mops to clean in methodical straight lines rather than random patterns, conserving battery power and ensuring areas are not missed when cleaning.
If the robot vacuum/mop you are considering purchasing doesn’t have a LIDAR, then it is likely to be old technology using infra-red or bump sensor to clean you home. These systems still work, but are unlikely to store maps, be gentle with furniture and most likely will move in random patterns. Systems like these would retail for under $500.
To clean your robot vacuum will have use a combination of:
- Sweeping brush- for corners
- Brush roller- for picking up dust, dirt etc
- Suction port- carries dust and dirt to the dustbin
- Hair suction port- feature on the LEGEE D7
Don’t be fooled by too many features thinking it will clean better. For example, many manufactures have moved away from two sweeping brushes. Rather than cleaning better, crumbs would be sent to the opposite sweeping brush and flicked away from the robot vacuum.
Like all robots, they are designed to help maintain your home in a clean state. Meaning, you should be using your robot vacuum frequently, like every day or second day. This prevents the build up of dust and dirt and is better for you and your robot vacuum.
Once your robot vacuum/mop dust bin is full it will either empty it into a self emptying tower like the Ultenic T10 or to an onboard dustbin like the HOBOT LEGEE D7.
How do robot mops work?
This varies on the brand, some brands the mop is an after thought, other brands it is a dedicated mopping system.
Mopping and Vacuuming are very different functions.
To mop well, you need very close contact and pressure with the ground. Which is opposite to a robot vacuum.
Hence the dilemma.
So, you have dedicated robot mops or hybrid.
Dedicated robot mops
These are designed only for hard floors and will not vacuum carpet. Some like the HOBOT LEGEE 7 will still vacuum the hard floors, but cannot be used on carpet.
Dedicated robot mops have very close contact to the ground and normally will apply downward force. For example, the HOBOT LEGEE 7 applies 1.8kg of force when mopping.
Dedicated mops have a larger mopping surface area and can feature round rotating or square scrubbing pads. Models like the HOBOT LEGEE 7 also scrub up to 900 times per minute.
They will also have a spray system. Some from the front, others like the LEGEE 7 have their spray system underneath. From our tests, spray from underneath works better and means your skirtings don’t get sprayed.
The mopping pads are normally machine washable on dedicated systems. The latest technology should be using SLAM tech like the robot vacuums.
Hybrid
A hybrid is a robot vacuum that also mops. The variance in quality is vastly different from manufacturers. More often than not, the mop is a drip fed system and drag mop behind the robot vacuum. So it mops, but not as well as a dedicated system.
Over the past 12 months some new hybrids like the LEGEE D7 have come onto the market
So many brands, I’m confused!
There are many brands on the market with the majority being manufactured in China except HOBOT which is manufactured in Taiwan.
Don’t be fooled by well known brands, it doesn’t mean a better product, but will guarantee a higher price tag.
They key difference between brands will be:
- Patented designs- like the HOBOT LEGEE D7 hair suction port
- Unique software features
Most of the internal workings of many robot vacuums and robot mops are starting to become homogenous. For example, there are only a few manufactures who produce brushless motors, batteries, wheels, lidars and vacuum motors.
Most manufacturers are sharing the same internals, where models differentiate are designs and software efficiencies or features.
Top 5 tips for buying a robot vacuum mop
- Ensure the features it has are suitable for your home and circumstance
- Make sure it has strong suction power
- Be clear about the warranty if something goes wrong
- Be aware of what spare parts will cost in the future
- Make sure the manufacturer is globally established
Suction Power
What about stair cases?
Robot vacuums and Mops feature cliff sensors, so they will not fall down a stair case.
What about multi level homes?
Manufacturers like HOBOT and Ultenic are capable of storing multiple maps, meaning you have have a map for upstairs and downstairs.
What about multi storey homes?
Manufacturers like HOBOT and Ultenic are capable of storing multiple maps, meaning you have have a map for upstairs and downstairs.
What about areas I don’t want a robot to clean?
The latest robot vacuums like the HOBOT LEGEE D7 have no go zones programable from the APP. Beware, not all brands or models have this feature. Some make you use magnetic strips or expensive laser sensors.
What about my furniture, do I have to move it?
In most circumstances with the latest models with SLAM technology you will not need to.
However, this may depend on your leg chair shape and space available. We always advise that once a week it is a good idea to lift dining chairs and bar stools so that those hard to reach places blocked by the chair legs are cleaned.
What about Pet hair?
Pet hair is notorious for getting wrapped around the brush roller.
If you have pets, we recommend the LEGEE 7 or LEGEE D7 that are specifically made for Pet Owners.
