Robot Vacuum Buying Guide: Suction, Mapping and Upkeep

Robot vacuum buying guide in short: pick the navigation type first, then check the dustbin, the dock, the upkeep cost and the warranty. Suction numbers come last, because they are the easiest figure for a seller to inflate.

Start with how the robot finds its way

Early robot vacuums moved at random. They bumped into things, turned, and hoped to cover the floor over time. That still works in a small, simple room. It misses spots in a long flat or a room with many chairs.

Newer machines build a map. Laser-based mapping arrived in 2010 with the Neato XV-11, which cleaned in straight lines instead of random paths. Camera-based mapping followed, and Dyson and iRobot both introduced it by 2015. A map lets the robot clean room by room and return to where it stopped.

For a one-room studio, a random-pattern robot may be enough. For a multi-room home or a flat with stairs or a loft, a mapping model is worth the extra money. Mapping also makes it easier to keep the robot out of a room, which helps if you have a prayer corner, a pet area or a floor of loose cables.

Sources: Wikipedia, Robotic vacuum cleaner

Read the specs that actually change results

Look for these items on the box and the maker's spec sheet:

• Navigation type: random, laser or camera.
• Dustbin size: a small bin fills fast in a home with pets or long hair.
• Battery runtime and whether it returns to charge and then resumes.
• Drop and bump sensors: these stop falls on stairs and steps.
• Carpet and rug handling: check whether the robot lifts or avoids carpet when mopping.

Suction power is quoted in different ways by different brands. A bigger number from one brand does not prove it cleans better than a lower number from another. Treat it as one clue, not the deciding factor. If a store lets you test the robot on your own floor type, do that. Tile, laminate, wood and rugs all behave differently.

Check the size too. A robot that cannot fit under your sofa or bed will leave a lot of dust behind. Measure the gap before you buy.

Decide if you want a self-emptying dock

Some robots empty their own dustbin into a bag in the charging station. This means you handle dust every few weeks instead of every few days. Models that also mop can refill water and drain dirty water on their own.

These docks cost more up front. They also use bags, which you must keep buying. If you clean a small space, a simple dock and a quick manual bin wash may be cheaper over the years.

Sources: Wikipedia, Robotic vacuum cleaner

Plan for upkeep and running costs

The price on the box is not the full cost. Replacement parts and batteries can add up over time, and a robot is only as good as the care it gets.

A simple routine keeps it working:

• Empty the bin when it is full, and tap out the filter.
• Cut hair from the main brush and the side brush.
• Wipe the sensors and charging contacts with a dry cloth.
• Clear small items such as cables, socks and toys from the floor before each run.

Before you buy, look up the price of a spare filter, brush set and battery. If the maker does not list them, or if they are hard to find in Vietnam, that is a warning sign. A cheap robot with parts you cannot buy becomes waste once the first brush wears out.

Check the power rating on the spec sheet, but expect the bigger costs to be bags, filters, brushes and the eventual battery swap.

Check the warranty and the seller

Ask for the warranty terms in writing before you pay. Find out how long the warranty lasts, whether it covers the battery, and who repairs the robot in Vietnam. Ask whether the battery and brushes are treated differently from the main body, and whether the brand honours the warranty only when the robot was sold through an authorised dealer.

Keep the receipt, the warranty card and the box serial number in one place. A seller who is vague about service, or who will not put terms on paper, is telling you something. Choose a seller with a shop address, a phone number and a clear return rule.

These are practical tips, not legal advice. Warranty terms differ by brand and by seller, so read the spec sheet and the warranty card for the exact model.

A short checklist before you pay

• Does the navigation type fit the size of your home?
• Will the robot fit under your furniture?
• Is the dustbin big enough for your floors and pets?
• Do you want the dock to empty the bin for you?
• Can you buy filters, brushes and batteries locally, and what do they cost?
• Is the warranty written, and is there a repair point in Vietnam?

Write the answers down for two or three models and compare them side by side. The model that answers most of these well is usually a better buy than the one with the biggest suction number on the box.

Source for the navigation history above: Wikipedia, Robotic vacuum cleaner. Maker spec sheets and warranty cards for the model you are considering are the right place to confirm the rest.