To most people, are robot vacuums worth it? The answer is generally yes. These modern marvels allow for spot cleaning on the fly and can save you a lot of time and money for cleaning sessions from the finest traditional models. You’ll find that there are far more pros than cons when it comes to robot vacuum cleaners.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- People best use robotic vacuums with little time to clean who have a relatively large budget to invest in an excellent cleaning system.
- There are affordable models for robot vacuum cleaners out there, but they will not have “smart” features, and their sensors might not work as well.
- Even the most advanced robot vacuums cannot navigate stairs and must be manually moved between floors when you need a different area cleaned.
Decide If It’s Worth Buying a RoboVac
Your lifestyle will answer the question, “Are robot vacuums worth it?” better than anything else can. Consider how busy you are, how hard it is for you to get around to cleaning, and what your budget is for this investment. There are pros and cons to anything, and these cleaning systems are no different.
Insider Tip
You’ll spend far less on electricity with a robotic vac than with more powerful upright vacuums or any other type of handheld vacuum.
The Pros of Using Robot Vacuum Cleaners
There are countless ways to upgrade your cleaning sessions when it comes to robotic options for vacuum cleaners. We’ll go over quite a few of the pros below.
You Save Time and Energy on Cleaning
Are you tired of cleaning day in, day out? Robot vacs can be a massive help in keeping you from losing your mind entirely. This is especially important for those who might be more mature such as retirees or those living with a disability that makes cleaning difficult. A robot vac can also clean dirt under furniture versus a traditional upright vacuum that may have difficulty getting under there. They use smart navigation as well so through mapping a floor plan, they can shorten cleaning time spans to become more efficient. Plus with smart sensors, they can navigate around obstacles more easily. If you pay extra for a self-emptying robot vacuum, the self-emptying models empty themselves usually at their charging base, which will save you the hassle of cleaning up after the cleaning job is done. Cheaper models usually do not have the self-emptying ability.
Robotic Vacuum Cleaners are Cost-Efficient
You’ll spend far less on electricity with a robotic vac than with more powerful upright vacuums or any other type of handheld vacuum. While there is a bit of a hefty price to pay at purchase, you’ll quickly see that cost recouped as you begin integrating a robotic vacuum cleaner into your daily routine. Their suction has also improved over the years so combined with brushes, these vacuums will suck up more dirt into the dustbin and keep your house cleaner for longer through consistent cleaning cycle settings.
They Require Very Little Maintenance
While repairs can be expensive, robot vacs generally require little in the way of maintenance. They genuinely do just take care of themselves! Make sure their charging dock is clear of any blocks and is plugged in, and you’re pretty much good to go.
Insider Tip
While repairs can be expensive, robot vacs generally require little in the way of maintenance.
The Drawbacks of Robot Vacuum Cleaners
As with anything, some cons come with using robot vacs. You should consider these drawbacks carefully before you decide to invest money into one.
Robot Vacuum Cleaners Can’t Navigate Stairs
Even with the strides that have been made since their introduction in the late ’90s, robot vacuum cleaners still cannot navigate stairs. This means that you’ll have to invest in a model for every floor you have. You also have the option of moving it manually up and down the stairs, but that takes quite a bit of time. Additionally, if you have a high pile or shag carpets, you’ll want another option with a beater bar, which robot vacuums do not have.
The Lifespan of these Vacuums is Fairly Short
It’s always better to invest in a technologically current model because they will offer the best for longevity, as you’ll see in our iRobot Roomba E5 review. Otherwise, you’re looking at a handful of years at most before needing to replace your robot vacuum. For a longer lifespan, options like a good pet vacuum might be worth it as well.
Repairs Can Be Costly for Robot Vacuums
Depending on the model and your warranty, getting repairs done can get costly. Sometimes you might need to hire a professional robot maintenance specialist. Keep in mind that doing so can void any warranty you do have, so it might be best to just go through the manufacturer even if it’s a huge pain to do so.
Warning
Even with the strides that have been made since their introduction in the late ’90s, robot vacuum cleaners still cannot navigate stairs.
F.A.Q.
How do robot vacuums compare to canister and upright vacuums?
As robotic models advance, they become far more versatile and efficient when it comes to cleaning. However, at the current moment, you should have a traditional vacuum cleaner on hand. You will need to have a deep cleaning session at least once a month to keep your environment fully functional and clean.
How do self-emptying robot vacuums work?
Were you looking for the next step in self-sufficient, higher-end models? Then a self-emptying feature might be something to keep an eye out for. This self-emptying feature works by taking dust bunnies, pet hair, and other types of debris and emptying them into a canister next to its charging dock. This canister usually doesn’t need to be manually emptied by you more than once a month or so.
Do robot vacuums work in small spaces?
Yes and no. It depends on how small your spaces are and whether the vacuum will navigate successfully using its sensors. You’ll want to focus on getting a smaller model that will have an easier time finding its way through small spaces.
What’s the battery life like on a robot vacuum?
Generally speaking, you can count on a robot vacuum to give you around 90 minutes per charge. Some of the higher-end models will go back to their docking station to charge more before finishing up their cleaning for the day. This is a smart feature called “mid-cycle charging” that you should look for specifically.
STAT: On average this robotic cleaner picked up a greater amount of sand (36%) across low-pile carpet and rugs than the Roomba did. (source)
