How to choose a robot vacuum cleaner
Educational Program Technologies / / December 19, 2019
1. Area cleaning and power
It is necessary to bear in mind that the vacuum cleaner does not leave half of the room dirty, going to recharge. It is better to take with a reserve, because the characteristics of the area available for the empty space, and in fact, the robot will have to wind the extra meters of furniture and other obstacles.
Unlike conventional vacuum cleaners, robotic power is significantly lower, ranging from 20 to 120 watts. Due to the lack of a hose and a compact design that's enough.
The figure of 90 watts and above is rare. Most robots are 50-60 watts, which is enough for a full cleaning. In this 30-watt model only suitable for surface cleaning.
2. Size and shape
From the design of the robot cleaner will depend on the quality of cleaning. Round gadgets worse cleaned the floor in the corners and baseboards, while square and D-shaped freely penetrate into any corners and moved well along the walls.
From the dimensions of the most important height. It should be approximately 1 cm below the furniture to the cleaner could get under sofa or cabinet.
Most often, the height of the robots - 7-9 cm, but the manufacturers usually specify it without lidar, camera and other protruding parts. So be careful.
3. type of brushes
There are three options: a brush-brush, turboschotka and the combination of both types. The first is usually equipped with the most low-end models, the rest are found in more expensive robots.
Brush-brush are suitable only for surface cleaning on hard surfaces - they only sweep large debris, which is then sucked into the dust collector. When the two brushes, they revolve in opposite directions and the particles get inside the vacuum cleaner. One brush is much worse to cope with the task, and often throws trash in the room.
Turboschotka much more efficient and capable of clean carpets, Carpet and other soft surfaces. It rotates rapidly, raising the nap, and I'm not just a big waste, but also wool, hair and small particles.
Some vacuum cleaners have both types at the same time. This combination of performance, but also one turboschotka good job with cleaning.
4. volume of dust bag
Robots because their mobility is quite limited amount of dust collector. Generally, it depends on the cleaning area and ranges from 0.3 to 1 liter.
The median, which is worth to navigate - 0.5 liters. Smaller dust collector is suitable only for small apartments and will quickly become clogged with hair pets.
There are also vacuums with garbage storage devices that are built into the base. Robot to unload the contents of the dust bag and returned to the cleaning. This is quite cumbersome and expensive design.
5. filter type
For trapping particles in the outlet air cleaner installed filters. Most cases conventional fine cleaning elements delaying motes to 0.3 micron. Such filtering is sufficient in most cases.
But if the house has asthmatics or sensitive to allergens, you need a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA-filter. They are much more effectively cope with the cleaning air and are capable of catching 85-99,95% smallest particles of size 0.06 microns.
6. passability
From it depends on how well the robot vacuum cleaner will move around the house. The description specifies only the maximum height to overcome the threshold, which is typically 1-2 cm.
Other barriers to cleaner are carpets with high pile, wires and some items on the floor. but from the reviews can be seen on real terrain, so be sure to check before you buy them.
7. Navigation
For low spatial orientation robots use probes obstacles that are built into the bumper strikes emollient. Faced with the barrier, the vacuum cleaner turns and continues to move in the other direction according to the algorithm. As a rule, it is riding in zigzags, spirals, or along the walls.
More expensive cleaners are equipped with non-contact infrared sensors that allow to stop in a couple of centimeters from the barriers. There are also models which are able to build a map of the room and lay the best route.
Also, some robots are equipped with infrared sensors height difference, which protect from falls from ladders. They measure the magnitude of the reflected signal and therefore perceive all the black surface as a precipice, not allowing the vacuum cleaner to call back.
For cleaning small rooms sufficiently zigzag movements, and therefore suitable first embodiment of navigation. But for complex and large in area apartments rather intellectual type, or to achieve good results is difficult. The two-story house, and not interfere with the height sensors.
8. Ways to manage and schedule
Giving the robot commands in three ways: using the cleaner body on the buttons, the remote control or smartphone. In the most simple models are usually available the first two and the last one is found in more expensive cleaners. Control via the mobile application more convenient, but by and large any suitable method, as the program is configured once, and then the vacuum cleaner just works.
Most robots have a useful function for scheduled cleaning. Thanks to her, you can adjust the vacuum cleaner so that it removes from the given days. For example, while you are at work. smartphone support for this is not necessary - all manipulations are carried out on the body buttons or remote control.
9. Autonomy and charging
Almost all modern robot cleaners working on lithium-ion batteries, but some still meet older nickel-metal hydride. Life and autonomy of the latter is much lower, so it is best not to buy such models.
The average battery life of the vacuum cleaner - for about two hours and this is enough for the standard flat. Budget models run 40-60 minutes and can clean a room without additional charge. For private homes will suit the more expensive robots with autonomy 2-3 hours.
Most vacuum cleaners charged from docking station to which they can dock automatically after cleaning or when the battery discharges. In most low-end models have a conventional power supply cable which should be inserted into the connector yourself.
Bonus: what functions are not needed
UV lamps
Manufacturers of low-cost vacuum cleaners are often inserted into their models UV lamps and actively promote them as a floor disinfectant.
As for the destruction of the bacteria must be long-term exposure to UV rays, and robots are constantly in motion, this approach, to put it mildly, not very effective. Furthermore, the lamps consume extra energy, and the battery is quickly discharged.
Camera
This is another useless feature that is served under the guise indispensable. Track cleaning process with smartphone bored after the first time, and to use the robot as a system CCTV uncomfortable, no matter what the manufacturer says.
Wet cleaning
Even devices from top brands wet cleaning does not replace a full washing of floors - at best it will be easy rubbing. Generally, for switching to wet cleaning mode is set instead of a special dust collecting tank with water or poured into the built liquid tank. You also need to be washed and changed periodically microfibre cloth. All these manipulations are quickly bored.
In fact, any model can be transformed into the wash when attaching the water-soaked rag. If you need really high-quality wet cleaning, it is better to buy a special robot polotora.
Virtual wall
Optional accessory is designed to limit the movement of the robot. This is an infrared transmitter, which is mounted near the feeders animals, children's play area and in other places where the cleaner does not have to call. These modules take up space and are expensive.
A similar function is performed by the magnetic tape, which are glued to the floor. They are much more affordable and less effective. In general, you can simply block the path of the vacuum cleaner on-side stool.
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