Robot Cleaner Buying Guide

Godfreys stocks a wide range of cleaners because floorcare isn’t a one-size-fits-all operation, and different homes and lifestyles will benefit from different types of cleaners. Traditional barrel vacuums and cordless stick vacuums are still the perfect options for a lot of people, but the ever-growing popularity of robot vacuum cleaners throws another, more innovative horse into the race.

If you’re considering bringing a robot vacuum cleaner into your home but aren’t sure whether to take the leap, here are some of the benefits of these autonomous little cleaners.

This is the crux of a robot vacuum’s appeal. They whip around your house and clean up your mess without you having to lift a finger. This is a real game changer for busy people and lazy people alike, as it saves a lot of time and effort without sacrificing a clean home environment. Whether you’re out at work all day, you’ve got a new baby occupying your time or you just really hate vacuuming, a robot vacuum is the closest thing to a professional live-in cleaner that a lot of people will experience.

For some, vacuuming is a physically draining activity. Opting for a vacuum you don’t have to push around or carry from room to room is a great option for people with injuries or low mobility. Besides the occasional bend to pick your robot up, these cleaners come with a lower chance of causing or aggravating conditions like back strain. Bonus points if they have remote control capabilities or can be ordered around via your phone. 

Compared to a classic barrel vacuum or even a lightweight stick vacuum, a robot model takes up very little space. A sleek, compact design makes them convenient to store even if you’re tight on space. Many models also come with their own hybrid charging-storage stations, so while they’re not in use they’re less likely to get in anyone’s way.

While manually pushing your vacuum around is the most straightforward way to determine exactly where and how well your floor gets cleaned, a robot vacuum gives you almost complete control at the touch of a button. Features like app integration allow you to remotely control and monitor your robot, including setting up recurring cleans at the same time every day so you never have to think about it again. Meanwhile, the remote control handles things like water flow, suction level and manual direction control if you want to get particular.

For a thorough, really satisfying clean, you’ve got to suck the dust up from every bit of floor in your house – yes, including the bits under your furniture. Where you might otherwise have been shoving the couch aside or getting down on your knees to wriggle a vacuum head around under your bed, a robot vacuum is slim and low enough to slip underneath furniture and deliver a more reliable clean.

At Godfreys, we have a range of robot vacuums available from several great brands. Which model is right for you is going to depend on a number of factors, including the size of your home, the type of flooring you have and your budget. Robot vacuum prices start as low as $399 – for the entry-level DEEBOT OZMO U2 Robot – and rise as they’re packed with more and more innovative features.

Here’s our guide to the features to look out for, how they can benefit you and which models offer them.

One of the major benefits of a robot vacuum is its autonomy, allowing it to make its way around your home without you manually controlling it. This is achieved by technologies that create a virtual map of the space, including any walls, furniture or obstacles the cleaner could run into. Models like the Hoover Ranger and Ecovacs DEEBOT OZMO T8 AIVI use laser detection to scan your home, create a map and transmit it directly to your user app. The robots then use those maps to navigate each room and determine the most effective cleaning path.

Certain robot models are designed to get all your cleaning done at once and simplify your daily routine. Technology like Ecovacs’ OZMO™ oscillation system, featured in models like the DEEBOT OZMO T8 AIVI, allow your robot to vacuum and mop simultaneously as it moves across your floor. This may not be a necessity for everyone, but can cut cleaning time in half.

Along with virtual mapping, many robot vacuums are equipped with a series of sensors to keep your vacuum on track and out of danger. It’s rare for a room to be completely empty or for floor to be completely level, so a robot that can safely navigate your home in its cluttered, lived-in glory is essential. Sensors that detect stairs and drops are vital for keeping your vacuum in one piece and will lead your robot to turn heel and go the other way when it reaches a step it could otherwise fall down. Anti-collision sensors will stop the cleaner from bumping into any furniture, people or animals it encounters, protecting itself as well as the things and creatures you care about.

These days convenience is essentially synonymous with ‘accessible via smartphone’, which extends to cleaning your floors. While all our robot vacuums come with handy remote controls, a majority of them are also equipped with smart app integration. Models like the Hoover Ranger and the entire Ecovacs DEEBOT range allow you to sync your robot and phone using Wi-Fi to control and monitor its operations. Once your robot is connected and has mapped out your home, you can use the app to schedule cleaning times and send the cleaner back to its charging station. The app also controls cleaning zones and no-go zones, stopping it from entering certain rooms or mopping your carpet.  

Filtration is an important factor in choosing any vacuum, not just a robot model. While all cleaners are equipped with some form of filter to catch dust, dirt and other particles, they’re not all created equal. Certain filters are specially designed to improve air quality and are incredibly beneficial for people with allergies or homes with pets, for example. A HEPA filter or similarly powerful filtration system can eliminate micro particles and allergens to create a healthier environment.

As with any cordless vacuum, convenience and manoeuvrability come at the cost of a corded vacuum’s endless runtime. How long you need your robot to keep kicking between charges depends on the size of your home. Nobody wants to stop mid-clean and wait for their cleaner to recharge, but a one-bedroom apartment won’t take nearly as long to clean as a full family home. Our robots range from a runtime of 110 minutes to 230 minutes, with the longest being the Wertheim Elegance. Keep in mind, however, that these estimates are based on each cleaner’s lowest power function and raising the power or suction will reduce the expected runtime. One of the benefits of a robot vacuum over other cordless models, however, is that many are programmed to head straight back to their charging stations once they’ve finished cleaning, so they’re charged up ready for your next use.