A robot vacuum cleaner is an automatic type of vacuum cleaner invented by iRobot in 2002. Such devices are capable of cleaning the floor from debris and dust without human intervention or under minimal control. Thanks to the built-in motor, the robot moves along the floor, and special sensors prevent it from falling from a height (for example, from steps) and colliding with interior objects.
On AliExpress you can choose a vacuum cleaner for every taste - from budget models with a basic set of options to much more functional premium robots.
Types of robot vacuum cleaners
There are 3 types of these devices:
- for dry cleaning;
- for wet cleaning;
- combined (support both types of cleaning).
Types of robot vacuum cleaners
For dry cleaning
This type of robot vacuum cleaner is the simplest. It was he who appeared on the household appliances market before anyone else. Moving across the floor, such a device collects dust, debris, food crumbs and animal hair. In its operating principle, it resembles a regular vacuum cleaner or electric broom - it only moves independently, without human intervention.
The robot vacuum cleaner for dry cleaning can work on any hard surface:
- parquet;
- laminate;
- tile;
- linoleum;
- short pile carpet.
For wet cleaning
The robot vacuum cleaner for wet cleaning is similar in principle to the previous one. But there is a difference - he sprays water in front of him or uses a rag to moisten. And at the end, he collects it in a built-in container and wipes the floor.
Combined
This robot vacuum cleaner is almost universal. It has 2 operating modes:
- dry;
- wet.
Essentially, a combination vacuum cleaner combines both previous types of devices. Therefore, it is considered universal and preferable for purchase.
| Cleaning Features | Which type of robot vacuum cleaner is suitable? | |
| Lots of carpets | For dry cleaning | |
| No carpets, all floors are waterproof | For wet cleaning | |
| It is planned to use it in several rooms (at home, in the country, etc.) | Combined | |
| Planned use during renovation | Combined | |
| Have a cat or dog | For dry cleaning |
No. 5. How to control a robot vacuum cleaner?
You can control the robot vacuum cleaner in one of the following ways:
- buttons on the body - the most primitive method;
- buttons on the charging base;
- using the remote control. This method is available for almost all models;
- using an application on a smartphone. This is where the greatest opportunities arise. The assistant can be programmed to clean on certain days of the week and time, and a timer can be set (this function is also available when controlled from the remote control). In the application, you can watch how your smartphone is mixed and view cleaning reports. Some manufacturers add other useful features.
The presence of a display will be a plus, since it will display current data on the status of the vacuum cleaner.
Top 17 best robot vacuum cleaners from Aliexpress
| Photo | Name | Rating | Price | |||
| TOP 8 premium robot vacuum cleaners from AliExpress | ||||||
| #1 | Xiaomi Roborock S6 MaxV | ⭐ 5 / 5 2 - votes | Find out the price | |||
| #2 | Xiaomi Roborock S5 Max | ⭐ 4.9 / 5 2 - votes | Find out the price | |||
| #3 | Proscenic M8 PRO | ⭐ 4.9 / 5 3 - votes | Find out the price | |||
| #4 | ILIFE A9s | ⭐ 4.8 / 5 2 - votes | Find out the price | |||
| #5 | Ecovacs Deebot T9 | ⭐ 4.7 / 5 | Find out the price | |||
| #6 | HOBOT Legee 688 | ⭐ 4.7 / 5 2 - votes | Find out the price | |||
| #7 | Viomi V3 | ⭐ 4.6 / 5 | Find out the price | |||
| #8 | Trifo Emma | ⭐ 4.5 / 5 | Find out the price | |||
| TOP 9 budget robot vacuum cleaners from AliExpress | ||||||
| #1 | Xiaomi Mijia Mi Essential G1 | ⭐ 4.8 / 5 1 - voice | Find out the price | |||
| #2 | Xiaomi Mijia Mi 1C | ⭐ 4.9 / 5 1 - voice | Find out the price | |||
| #3 | ABIR X6 | ⭐ 4.9 / 5 | Find out the price | |||
| #4 | Midea VCR03 | ⭐ 4.8 / 5 | Find out the price | |||
| #5 | LIECTROUX C30B | ⭐ 4.7 / 5 1 - voice | Find out the price | |||
| #6 | MOLISU V8S PRO | ⭐ 4.6 / 5 | Find out the price | |||
| #7 | Lefant M201 | ⭐ 4.5 / 5 | Find out the price | |||
| #8 | Comfee CFR05 | ⭐ 4.4 / 5 | Find out the price | |||
| #9 | ILIFE A4s | ⭐ 4.3 / 5 1 - voice | Find out the price | |||
Which robot vacuum cleaner on Aliexpress would you choose or recommend?
Take the survey
No. 9. How noisy are robot vacuum cleaners?
Robot vacuum cleaners make noise within 50-60 dB, which is not so much, or rather much less than a regular vacuum cleaner, but do not rush to think that this parameter can be neglected. Take into account the specifics of use:
- If the vacuum cleaner cleans when no one is home, then it doesn’t matter how loud it will be. Take a device that says 60 dB and don’t worry;
- if you are often at home or want to always be nearby when the vacuum cleaner is cleaning, then it is better to take a device that is a little quieter, for example, with a noise level of 50 dB.
How to choose the right robot vacuum cleaner? Tips and tricks
To make the right choice, you must proceed from the specific tasks assigned to the vacuum cleaner. Additional functionality increases the price of the device, and if some options seem unnecessary, it is better to save money.
Dimensions
If the house has hard-to-reach areas (narrow niches, closely spaced furniture), the dimensions of the vacuum cleaner are very important. It is worth measuring the narrowest and lowest places where the robot will have to go and compare them with the dimensions of the selected model.
Important! It is worth paying attention to the height of the thresholds. If the threshold is significantly higher than usual, then the budget model may not be able to climb it. Information about the maximum height can be found in the instructions for the vacuum cleaner.
Battery capacity
Another important parameter that you must pay attention to. Many budget models work for no more than 40 minutes, after which they require recharging. This may not be enough time to clean a large house. Therefore, you have to buy a more expensive model that can work much longer - up to 2 hours.
Important! You need to pay attention to the battery if there is a lot of carpeting in the house. They drain the battery faster.
Robot vacuum cleaner assembly diagram
Suction power
A vacuum cleaner with a power of about 1000 Pa can easily handle cleaning an apartment where there are no animals or carpets. Otherwise, you need a more expensive model with a power of at least 2000 Pa.
Dust container volume
A compact vacuum cleaner with a small container (up to 0.25 l) is a good choice. Most often, this volume is enough to completely clean the apartment. But if the dirtiness of the room is increased (an animal is shedding, renovations are planned, etc.), then it is worth buying a more powerful model with a dust collector volume of up to 0.5 liters.
A good option is a vacuum cleaner with a container full indicator. It beeps when it's time to empty the dust bin.
Driving Modes
Budget vacuum cleaners often support only one method of movement - a random route within the room. More expensive models also have other modes:
- along the walls;
- in a spiral;
- at one place.
The last mode deserves special attention. The vacuum cleaner intensively cleans the place where it is placed and does not move anywhere until it is turned off. This is very convenient for removing stains, dried dirt and spills.
Video - Simple instructions and overview of the main functions of the Xiaomi robot vacuum cleaner for dry and wet cleaning
Obstacle sensors
All robot vacuum cleaners have a collision sensor. When the device collides with furniture (a rubber bumper protects it from damage), it changes direction. But more expensive models are equipped with other sensors:
- optical and laser - prevent collisions at all, changing the direction of movement in advance;
- ultrasonic – facilitate the penetration of the vacuum cleaner under low furniture;
- infrared - prevents you from falling down the steps.
Scheduler
Almost every modern model has a turn-on timer. But the functionality of this timer varies. Some models allow only one setting, so they start every day at the same time (or manually at the press of a button).
Other models have a more flexible scheduler. You can set the vacuum to clean at different times depending on the day of the week - for example, 7 am on weekdays and 10 am on weekends, so that the vacuum cleaner does not interfere with sleep.
Important! The “advanced” scheduler allows the robot to turn on more than once a day, which can be useful during repairs or during the pet’s molting period.
Other useful features of a robot vacuum cleaner
Premium devices have additional functionality that may be useful:
- “on-board” camera – builds a route, thereby reducing cleaning time;
- auto-return to “base” after cleaning;
- self-cleaning - once full, the vacuum cleaner does not stop working, but cleans itself at the “base” and moves on;
- ultraviolet lamp - according to popular belief, kills germs;
- voice assistant - instead of simple sound signals, the vacuum cleaner “talks”;
- complete set (spare filter, container, wet cleaning cloth, etc.).
Video - Robot vacuum cleaner - which one to choose? What do you need to know?
Criterias of choice
The choice should be made according to the most significant parameters. Among them we can distinguish basic and additional ones.
The main criteria include the following characteristics:
- The area that a robotic assistant can cover in 1 cleaning without additional recharging. This parameter is usually indicated in the technical specifications, but you can calculate it yourself. To do this, you need to take the time of its operation in minutes before discharge and subtract 10 from this value, this will be the approximate area.
- Has a soft touch function. Almost all robotic vacuum cleaners have a bumper that softens shocks when contacting obstacles, but if unstable objects such as a floor vase, a figurine, or a floor lamp get in its way, then the presence of a bumper may not save them from falling. In this case, it is better to choose a model with special proximity sensors. Such a robot slows down when it approaches any obstacle in its path.
- Patency. This parameter implies the ability of the robot vacuum cleaner to overcome thresholds, wires and other similar obstacles.
- Dimensions. There is no big difference between different models in this parameter. The usual height of the disk is about 10 cm, and the diameter is 30-40 cm; only some models are equipped with a massive stationary garbage collector base. It takes up a lot of space, but the robot loads all the garbage collected after cleaning there. This operation does not always go flawlessly; sometimes, as a result of unsuccessful docking, some of the debris may end up on the floor.
- Garbage bin size. For a small apartment up to 50 sq. m is enough 0.3 l., up to 80 sq. m. - 0.5 l, more - 1 l.
General view of a robot vacuum cleaner using the example of one of the models
Voting for the best robot vacuum cleaner from Aliexpress
Which robot vacuum cleaner on Aliexpress would you choose or recommend?
Xiaomi Roborock S6 MaxV
13.33% ( 2 )
Xiaomi Roborock S5 Max
13.33% ( 2 )
Proscenic M8 PRO
20.00% ( 3 )
ILIFE A9s
13.33% ( 2 )
Ecovacs Deebot T9
0.00% ( 0 )
HOBOT Legee 688
13.33% ( 2 )
Viomi V3
0.00% ( 0 )
Trifo Emma
0.00% ( 0 )
Xiaomi Mijia Mi Essential G1
6.67% ( 1 )
Xiaomi Mijia Mi 1C
6.67% ( 1 )
ABIR X6
0.00% ( 0 )
Midea VCR03
0.00% ( 0 )
LIECTROUX C30B
6.67% ( 1 )
MOLISU V8S PRO
0.00% ( 0 )
Lefant M201
0.00% ( 0 )
Comfee CFR05
0.00% ( 0 )
Bottom line. So do you need a robot vacuum cleaner?
Robot vacuum cleaners are still a new product for many domestic users, and our people are skeptical about everything new. In general, he does the right thing. The main thing is not to go too far. You shouldn’t expect miracles from a robot vacuum cleaner, but there’s no need to criticize these products either. You just need to understand that this type of device has its own tasks , and demanding more from it is the same as buying an old nine and wondering why it doesn’t accelerate to 200 km/h in 10 seconds.
Evaluate the capabilities of a robot vacuum cleaner. It will become indispensable if:
- There are shaggy animals living in the house who constantly sprinkle the floor with hair, and between cleanings with a regular vacuum cleaner an indecent amount of this hair accumulates. By turning on the robot vacuum cleaner once every 1-2 days, you can keep your apartment clean;
- you live in a busy, dusty area near the highways, and you’re pretty tired of constantly cleaning the house or enduring the stuffiness when the horses are closed;
- You are a fan of cleanliness, and even a small amount of dust infuriates you, but you don’t have the energy to clean more often than once a weekend. Then a robot vacuum cleaner is what you need. Some users, buying a robot specifically for these purposes, say that the baby cleans so well that they now only use a regular vacuum cleaner a couple of times a month;
- you don’t like cleaning, and you want to spend your time on the weekend on more enjoyable activities. A robot vacuum cleaner will become a lifesaver, especially if the apartment does not have a lot of carpeting;
- you are a fan of all the latest technology and want to experience each product personally.
Let us repeat that robot vacuum cleaners cannot yet be called a complete replacement for conventional vacuum cleaners . You will still have to do traditional cleaning, although much less frequently than usual. But if we analyze the evolution of these devices from 2002 to the present day, we can assume that a few more years will pass and robotic vacuum cleaners will become a full-fledged replacement for conventional ones.
Garbage collection
Naturally, the main purpose of a robot vacuum cleaner is to clean the area. In this case, all manufacturers are similar to each other. As for the classic version of garbage collection, it looks like this: while moving, the side brush sweeps all the debris towards the central one, which is capable of collecting almost all types of dirt.
Many people mistakenly think that the power unit that sucks up dust is the main part of the vacuum cleaner; in fact, it is the central brush that does all the main work. It throws dirt towards the garbage receptacle, where dust, lint, etc. are sucked out with the help of air. Clean air comes out after passing through several filters.
These are classic operating principles that are taken as a basis and applied in almost all models.
