Are Robot Vacuums Worth the Money?
Robot vacuum cleaners have come a long way in recent years, and many models are now more affordable than ever. Electrolux introduced the first robotic vacuum in 1996, but it wasn't until iRobot launched its Roomba devices in 2002 that the gadgets became a commercial success.
We tested 11 robot vacuums that cost between £36.99 and £899.99 so you don't have to. Fast-forward 27 years and many of the devices now offer extended battery lives, clever navigation systems, and greatly improved suction.
The Cheapest Models vs. the Expensive Brands
But are they really worth the money and how do the cheapest models compare to the expensive brands? We've tested some of the cheapest models around and compared them to two £900 gadgets so you don't have to. Two devices beat iRobot and Samsung's flagship device on both price and performance.
Okocase Robot Vacuum Cleaner
The Okocase robot vacuum packed a punch even if it was the cheapest in our test. My expectations for the budget Okocase robot vacuum were really low, but it impressed me with its suction power. Despite being miniature compared to the other model, it did a pretty good job at sucking dust and dirt out of my carpet. That said, it was much more effective on my hard kitchen floor.
Price: 5/5
Noise: 2/5
Performance: 2/5
TOTAL SCORE: 9/15
Jallen Gabor Robot Vacuum Cleaner
This was the worst device in our test. Jallen Gabor has produced a very light vacuum, the second smallest of the bunch. But like the Okocase, it doesn't have a docking station like more expensive models. Once switched on, it sounds like your car windscreen wipers which is incredibly annoying. It moves very slowly and doesn't pick up any of the pet fur my cats have deposited around my house.
Price: 5/5
Noise: 2/5
Performance: 1/5
TOTAL SCORE: 8/15
Lefant Robot Vacuum Cleaner
The Lefant robot vacuum is a decent cheap buy. I wasn't expecting much from Lefant's robot vacuum given its low price point, but I was pleasantly surprised. It had very little issue pulling up cat hair from my carpet and was fairly good with getting mud up too. Although it did have to go over it a few times. It has two little propeller arms, which means it is more effective than the other vacuums at cleaning corners efficiently.
Price: 5/5
Noise: 3/5
Performance: 3/5
TOTAL SCORE: 11/15
Medion MD 19700 Robot Vacuum Cleaner
The Medion Robot Vacuum was the only device to come with a remote. Medion's device costs just £150 and can be bought from Amazon or picked up at your local Currys store. Again I was dubious as this has a lower price point than other top-end models but the device really blew me away. Designed and manufactured by Medion, a subsidiary of tech giant Lenovo, this robot vacuum is simple to use, and quiet but powerful.
Price: 5/5
Noise: 3/5
Performance: 3/5
TOTAL SCORE: 11/15
Beko Robot Vacuum Okocase VRR60314VW
Beko's robot vacuum lacked the suction power even the cheaper devices had. Within seconds of coming out of its dock, Beko has got itself stuck on my furniture. Thankfully, it wiggles itself free within a similar time frame and starts marching up and down my living room in a set pattern. While it's methodical, the suction power leaves something to be desired. Instead of hoovering up cat fur, it squashes it into my carpet further.
Price: 4/5
Noise: 3/5
Performance: 2/5
TOTAL SCORE: 9/15
Eufy RoboVac G30
Eufy's robotic vacuums came with the best app. The Eufy G30, made by Anker, was our favourite mid-range device, it was the quietest of all the models but didn't disappoint with suction power. Its slimline profile allows it to pick up dust under sofas and its app-connectivity generates a handy map of your home to show where it's cleaned.
Price: 5/5
Noise: 5/5
Performance: 5/5
TOTAL SCORE: 15/15
Eufy RoboVac X8
Eufy's X8 didn't disappoint and its performance makes it well worth the price. I'd heard good things about Eufy's X8 robot vacuum, and it didn't disappoint. However, this model talks to you in a little robot voice to announce charging and cleaning when it starts, which is a bit creepy. It comes with an app which allows you to map your house and set it off remotely.
Price: 4/5
Noise: 5/5
Performance: 5/5
TOTAL SCORE: 14/15
iRobot Roomba i1 Wifi
If you're a sucker for big brands iRobot's entry-level i1 is a great choice. The Roomba i1 is iRobot's basic model. However, it's basic by name only. This vacuum is powerful and will give both hard floors and carpets a deep clean. It comes with a dual rubber brushbar which is sure to trap every bit of dirt and can be controlled via the firm's handy app.
Price: 3/5
Noise: 4/5
Performance: 4/5
TOTAL SCORE: 11/15
iRobot Roomba J7+ Wifi
This is the best robotic vacuum we tested but it's priced steeply and others beat this on cleaning alone. If price wasn't an issue, this device beats all the others we tested on both performance and convenience. The Roomba J7+ comes with a self-emptying bin and an app-based mapping system which allows you to control and schedule which rooms in your home are cleaned.
Price: 2/5
Noise: 5/5
Performance: 5/5
TOTAL SCORE: 12/15
Samsung Jet Bo AI+
Samsung's Jet Bot works wonders but its self-emptying bin is tall and could be awkward to place in certain homes. Samsung's flagship Jet Bot works wonders to clean every inch of your floor space and it does it extremely well. Unlike the other robotic vacuums we tested this one has a more conventional shape which helps it clean right up to skirting boards on a single pass.
Price: 2/5
Noise: 5/5
Performance: 5/5
TOTAL SCORE: 12/15
Did you miss our previous article…
https://hellofaread.com/money/family-of-four-ditches-it-all-to-live-in-a-van-and-travel-the-world/
