Robotic Vacuums

Are robotic vacuums worth it?

All you need to do is close the door to the basement and press start; or do you even need to do that? The advancement of vacuuming now includes robotic vacuums like the iRobot Roomba, the Sharper Image e Vac robotic vacuum and the Electrolux robot vacuum, Trilobite. These fun, pet-like cleaners have found their way into homes because of the time-saving ease they bring to cleaning.

Most robot vacuum cleaners come complete with schedulers, memory and sensors to detect dirt levels. The advanced models will even map a floor plan and know where the stairs are so they can avoid them!

How much does something so high-tech and sophisticated cost? For the less advanced models, prepare to spend hundreds of dollars, and as the technology increases, so does the price tag.

Are You Ready to Roomba?

The Roomba is one of the many brands of hands-free, battery charged robotic vacuum cleaners that are making household chores a sporting event. In its class, the Roomba has stood out, taking approximately seven hours to charge about 18 volts, which is equal to about two hours of cleaning time, enough for three medium-sized rooms.

The concept of robotic vacuums is relatively new to the cleaning market. Launched by European companies Electrolux and Karcher, robotic cleaning machines found their niche with people who didn’t have the time to vacuum top to bottom. Shortly after the Electrolux Trilobite and Karcher Robocleaner hit the floors, American manufacturer iRobot came out with its line of Roomba robotic vacuums, priced to sell.

Since 2004, the second generation of robotic vacuums has brought new features to this fun cleaner. Their strength still remains cleaning hard surfaces and not deep-carpeted areas.

The debate is still on as to whether the suction power compares to a more traditional canister or upright vacuum. While some robotic models won’t clean carpet as thoroughly as your traditional vacuum, they will give you time to do more important things than clean your floors.

So Sophisticated, It’s Smarter than You

The Dyson robot vacuum, DC06, features more than 70 sensory devices and 3 on-board computers, making this machine just 5 percent vacuum and 95 percent robotic intelligence. If you think you aren’t smart enough to operate this machine, though, not to worry: it requires no human input or training to clean an entire area!

So, why doesn’t every home have a Dyson DC06? At the hefty price tag of $6,000, the Dyson has some less expensive competition on the market. Fingers crossed it will come down in price a few thousand to make it a household must-have.