The best robot vacuum cleaners in the UK 2023

Cleaning takes time, energy and patience. Fortunately, today's technology is dedicated to making our daily lives easier! And if you want to do without the chores of cleaning the floor, consider a robotic vacuum cleaner, a 2-in-1 device that cleans and washes the floor simultaneously. Looking for just that? Read this complete guide to find the perfect model.

Ecovacs N8 PRO+ 1
9/10

Editor's Choice

Ecovacs N8 PRO+

The best robot vacuum cleaner in 2021

For a professional cleaning job, Ecovacs N8 PRO+ will meet your expectations. Its TrueMapping dToF navigation technology ensures precise mapping of the space to be cleaned, while its self-draining station saves you from having to manually empty its tank.

559 £ on Amazon

Ecovacs N8 PRO+ is a state-of-the-art vacuum cleaner. It already has all the features you would expect from an excellent vacuum cleaner: TrueMapping dToF laser navigation technology. This is an intelligent detection system for different obstacles and furniture as well as a precise mapping system for the different spaces to be cleaned. But on top of that, the unit has plenty of suction power to get the floor spotless. Even better, it sweeps, vacuums and cleans in a single pass.

Since the water flow is controllable, you can adjust its functionality according to the type of floor to be cleaned. Unlike other models on the market, the robot offers greater autonomy thanks to its self-draining station. Indeed, after cleaning and washing the house, it automatically empties the waste at its station with a capacity of 2.5 L. A notification alerts you when the bag is full. It is a real jewel of technology compatible with Artificial Intelligences such as Google Home or Alexa.

Conga series 1090 Cecotec 2
8/10

The best cheapest

Conga series 1090 Cecotec

The best entry-level robot vacuum cleaner

Tired of mopping the floor? This robot vacuum cleaner from Cecotec can do it for you. It is capable of sweeping, vacuuming and mopping to make your home very clean. Thanks to its 1400 Pa suction power, your floor will always be spotless.

115 £ on Amazon

A true cleaning professional, the Cecotec Conga 1090 series has the latest technology to sweep, vacuum and mop your home. It offers a total of five cleaning modes to clean in auto mode, to go around the edges, to spiral or zigzag across the room. This robot vacuum cleaner is also capable of returning to its base once its mission is accomplished or in case of low battery. Its intelligent navigation avoids obstacles and risks of falling thanks to carefully selected sensors.

Being both a vacuum cleaner and a washing robot, it has two tanks: one of 500 mL to suck up dust and another of 400 mL to distribute water. It is also the ideal robot for those who have pets. With its central silicone brush, it effectively cleans the hair of your dogs or cats, while the side brushes remove the most stubborn dirt. To perfect its work, you have its Wash4You mop system that allows you to wash the floor in an instant.

Roborock S6 MaxV 3
8/10

The best high-end

Roborock S6 MaxV

The best high-end robot vacuum cleaner

Roborock's S6 MaxV stands out with its high power of 2,500 Pa to dislodge solidly embedded dirt very easily. It is an intelligent vacuum cleaner with a LiDAR intelligent navigation system to recognize objects and rooms and remember them!

872 £ on Amazon

To keep your home completely clean, you'll need to opt for the best technology. And the best one is without a doubt this little bundle of technology from Roborock: the S6 MaxV. To move around the room, it uses its two ReactiveAI navigation cameras to detect different objects and obstacles in its path. It also uses LiDAR navigation and its advanced algorithms to recognize a room, map it and even memorize it.

In fact, it can memorize up to 10 no-go zones, 10 invisible barriers and 10 no-mop zones on a total of four floors. In addition to this technological feat, the S6 MaxV's performance is also recognized by its suction power of up to 2,500 Pa to thoroughly clean your floors. Added to this are practical features such as connection to Alexa or Google Home, water flow management and cleaning schedules. All of this through a simple app on your smartphone.

iRobot Braava Jet m6134 4
7/10

The best alternative

iRobot Braava Jet m6134

A great alternative

Technology and design combine with efficiency to make this robot vacuum unique. Buying it is like investing in an appliance that will give your floor an impeccable clean.

559 £ on Amazon

Innovative design details make the iRobot Braava Jet m6134 especially effective. Capillary soaked fibers for sticky stains, electrostatic force on wipes for dry sweeping of dust and household hair, water spray to the rescue for the toughest dirt... it has it all.

Add to that Imprint Smart Mapping that familiarizes the robot with your home and programs its cleaning cycle to your liking. Plus, the optimized shape of the unit makes it convenient for nooks and crannies and wall-to-wall traffic.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best robot vacuum cleaner

Any specific needs?

The best robot vacuum cleaner in 2021

The best entry-level robot vacuum cleaner

The best high-end robot vacuum cleaner

A great alternative

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best robot vacuum cleaners

THE BEST CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE EXCELLENT
Ecovacs N8 PRO+ 5
9/10
Conga series 1090 Cecotec 6
8/10
Roborock S6 MaxV 7
8/10
iRobot Braava Jet m6134 8
7/10
OUR SELECTION
Ecovacs N8 PRO+
Conga series 1090 Cecotec
Roborock S6 MaxV
iRobot Braava Jet m6134
For a professional cleaning job, Ecovacs N8 PRO+ will meet your expectations. Its TrueMapping dToF navigation technology ensures precise mapping of the space to be cleaned, while its self-draining station saves you from having to manually empty its tank.
Tired of mopping the floor? This robot vacuum cleaner from Cecotec can do it for you. It is capable of sweeping, vacuuming and mopping to make your home very clean. Thanks to its 1400 Pa suction power, your floor will always be spotless.
Roborock's S6 MaxV stands out with its high power of 2,500 Pa to dislodge solidly embedded dirt very easily. It is an intelligent vacuum cleaner with a LiDAR intelligent navigation system to recognize objects and rooms and remember them!
Technology and design combine with efficiency to make this robot vacuum unique. Buying it is like investing in an appliance that will give your floor an impeccable clean.
Navigation system
TrueMapping dToF
iTech Space technology via its proximity, anti-shock and anti-fall sensors
Two ReactiveAI cameras + LiDAR laser rangefinder
Imprint Smart Mapping
Capacity
2.5 L
0.5L dust pan and 0.4L water tank
0.29 L water tank and 0.49 L waste bin
150 ml
Autonomy
110 min
160 min
150 min
120 min
Dimensions (L x W x H)
35.3 x 35.3 x 9.4 cm
33 x 33 x 8 cm
9.6 x 35 x 35 cm
27 x 25.2 x 9 cm
Cleaning mode
Sweeping, dry and wet cleaning
Suction, sweep, mop
Suction, sweeping, mopping
Water sprayer and floor scrubber via wipes

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Buying guide - robot vacuum cleaner

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How to choose your robot vacuum cleaner

The performance of a robot vacuum cleaner depends on its technical characteristics. To find the one that meets your expectations, whether in terms of time saving or cleaning quality, you should consider certain criteria.

#1 - The power

You'll need to choose a device that's powerful enough to get your home looking great again in no time. For a floor cleaning robot, the ideal power depends on the type of floor you want to clean with your robot vacuum cleaner. For example, if the floor of your house or apartment is made of tiles or parquet, a robot vacuum cleaner with a maximum power of 40 W is more than enough. If, on the other hand, the floor of your home is covered with carpet or rugs, you will need a much more powerful device.

#2 - The autonomy

The ideal autonomy of your robot vacuum cleaner depends entirely on the surface to be cleaned. If it has to polish a large area, it will have to return to its charging station more frequently before it finishes the job completely. In this case, it is better to have a device with a long autonomy of two hours for example, as well as a large tank capacity. Indeed, these robots stop when there is no more water to humidify the wipes in the water tank, or when the tank dedicated to dust is full. In general, the water tank has a capacity of between 0.25 and 1 L.

#3 - The navigation system

To navigate through the room, floor cleaning robots are equipped with a navigation system. But this differs from one device to another. In particular, you have those that incorporate laser rangefinders to map the surface and orient themselves using it. Others have cameras, and there are also models equipped with sensors to better avoid obstacles and stairs. You also have blind robots that move around the room randomly and only change direction after hitting an object. Ideally, opt for a model with a programmable or intelligent navigation system.

#4 - The different features

Features define the intelligence of your floor scrubber vacuum. For example, it's best to opt for a model that returns to its charging station once the battery is low and can pick up where it left off. A machine that moves back and forth to scrub the floor is better than one that moves randomly. So are ways to program it to do the cleaning in a timely manner, using a remote control or an app for remote control. Also, make sure it incorporates handy sensors to avoid obstacles, stairs, or even certain rooms in the house.

#5 - The dimensions

In fact, the parameter to consider here is mostly the height of the floor scrubber robot. You would certainly like the vacuum cleaner to be low enough to get under as much furniture as possible right? If so, make sure that your device has a height of 8 to 9 cm at the most so that it doesn't forget any hard-to-reach corners of your home.

How does a robot vacuum cleaner work?

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The working principle of a robot vacuum cleaner comes in two different options:

Spraying water in front of it

To wash the floor, it can first spray water in front of it. The robot vacuum cleaner actually incorporates a spray directly linked to its water tank. From then on, all it has to do is spray water on its path to moisten it. Thanks to its brushes and mop, it can scrub and loosen dirt or polish the floor.

.

Wetting his wipe

Other models, however, do not have a spray system, but the wipe or mop attached to the bottom of the device is moistened manually or directly by its water tank. Thus, it does not need to moisten the floor beforehand to work, because its wipes are already wet and allow to scrub the floor effectively. To finish the job, some devices have a second mop, whose function will be to dry the floor after the passage of the first.

Dust before washing

Also, the robot vacuum cleaner can include a dusting function. Also, it first performs this task to remove the maximum amount of dirt from the floor. It then proceeds to clean the floor with water and the wet wipe.

Different wash systems

Every brand is constantly innovating to ensure their robots provide impeccable floor washing. For example, some units incorporate a vibration scrubbing system to clean the floor while others use an ingenious organized back-and-forth or S-shaped motion to keep your home's floor free of dirt.

The different types of robot vacuum cleaners

There are only two types of vacuum cleaners: those whose mission is to just wash the floor and those that suck up the dust before mopping.

Robots that are exclusively washers

This type of robot vacuum cleaner has a water tank that allows it to moisten its wipes or spray water on the floor to start its cleaning work. Also, its only function is to wash the floor. It can also polish the floor with brushes and vacuum the dirty water before finishing the job with a mop or wipe.

It is a very practical robot if you want to shine your tiles or your parquet. The device is also distinguished for being much quieter than other models. Depending on the brand and range, it has different degrees of autonomy and programming.

Vacuuming and washing robots

To operate, these robot vacuum cleaners stand out for having two separate tanks or a bin to be changed manually depending on whether you want to dust or wash. Their method is therefore different from that of purely washing robots. Indeed, they must first vacuum the dust before passing a wet wipe to complete its work.

But they can also be equipped with brushes to better dislodge the dirt and scrub the area. These machines provide a triple function of sweeping, vacuuming and wet mopping to make your floor shine. They are equally suitable for hard floors such as parquet or tiles as well as for soft floors such as carpet or rugs.

Conventional vacuum cleaner or robotic vacuum cleaner?

On the market of vacuum cleaners you can choose between the classic model or the robot vacuum cleaner. Which one is the ideal one to take care of your home?

The classic vacuum cleaner

This model is certainly the most present on the market. Moreover, it is seriously starting to be popularized for its great practicality. It allows you to clean the house from top to bottom quickly, even in your absence. It also incorporates the latest technology thanks to its easy programming, numerous sensors and different navigation systems. However, after it's done, you'll sometimes have to mop the floor to remove the most stubborn dirt!

The robot vacuum cleaner

The vacuum cleaner robot is a variation of the classic vacuum cleaner robot. Its particularity is that it is able to wash the floor thanks to its water tank and its mop. It therefore has more functions than the classic vacuum cleaner. And it can clean your floor very well thanks to its wet wipes. However, it is much more expensive than a classic robot vacuum cleaner.

Verdict

If you're going to invest in a robot vacuum cleaner, isn't it better to choose the most versatile one? The robot vacuum cleaner performs at least two functions: it vacuums and washes your home by itself! With such a piece of technology, you can be sure to have a clean house, without having to manually mop.

Why buy a robot vacuum cleaner?

The floor cleaning robot is a solution for cleaning every corner of the house. It is an indispensable device for maintaining impeccable hygiene in your home. But you will also want to buy it for these good reasons:

For its multi-functionality

A floor scrubber vacuum cleaner can simultaneously suck up dust and wash your floor. No matter what type of floor you have, whether it's hard or soft, its versatility will give you satisfaction. Your carpet, as well as your tiles or your parquet, will be clean.

For its practicality

It is less tiring to clean a floor with a vacuum cleaner compared to a mop. You won't have to bend or kneel down to scrub the floor and reach hard-to-reach areas. A robot vacuum cleaner can go anywhere its small size allows!

For its autonomy

Totally autonomous, it does its work by itself when you ask it to do so. It is even able to recharge itself once its battery is exhausted and resume cleaning where it left off.

For its ease of use

Nowadays, most floor cleaning robots are activated by a simple voice command. But you can also control them with a remote control or manage them remotely from an app installed on your smartphone.

For its ease of maintenance

The maintenance of a floor scrubber vacuum cleaner does not require any special treatment. After each use, manually empty the dust tank as well as the water tank. For persistent dirt, you can detach the cleaning brush and wash it independently. Good maintenance of the device increases its life span.

For its design

Just looking at the futuristic design of a robot vacuum cleaner makes you want to try it on your floor. The vacuum cleaner market offers various models with different colors, sizes and styles.

The best brands of robot vacuum cleaners

In our opinion, the best brands of robot vacuum cleaners in 2022 are :

Ecovacs Robotics
Cecotec
Roborock
iRobot
Proscenic

Founded in 2006, Ecovacs Robotics is a Chinese brand, whose vocation is to design domestic robots to facilitate the daily life of consumers. The brand offers, among others, vacuum cleaners for the floor, but also for the windows. In perpetual quest of innovations, and after having succeeded in imposing itself on the Asian market before being one of the best brands in Europe as well as in America, Ecovacs sells today the best floor cleaning robots on its website as well as on different sales platforms such as Amazon.

Created in 1995, the Cecotec brand specializes in a wide range of household appliances ranging from pressure cookers, to fitness machines, through electric heaters and of course robot vacuum cleaners. Experiencing a dazzling success in Spain, the brand is seducing more and more French consumers appreciating its floor cleaning vacuums compatible with voice assistants such as Alexa, but with an excellent quality/price ratio.

Roborock is a very young company that only saw the light of day in July 2014 in China. Despite this, it has quickly captured the hearts of consumers with its cutting-edge home cleaning robots. As an example, its Mi Home Robotic vacuum cleaner was quickly ranked as the best-selling robot in China in 2016. Today, the brand is taking on the international sector to become a leader in its field.

Created in 1990, this American company originally designed robots for military purposes. Then, it expanded its field of action in the production of household robots. Among its most popular devices are the Roomba robot vacuum cleaner, the Scooba mopping robot and its Braava floor cleaning vacuum cleaners. Being in the production of high-end robots, the brand remains among the leaders in the sector.

The Taiwanese company was founded in 1996 and has the motto of offering smart devices to make life easier (the first part of its name coming from the English word "Prosperous"). Since its existence, the brand has been very successful in Asia, especially with its robot vacuum cleaners and robot mops. In Europe, its appliances are mainly available online, among others on the Amazon platform, where they rank among the best high-end products.

What is the price for a robot vacuum cleaner

The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).

However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.

Entry-level
125 £ to 300 £
Mid-range
300 £ to 700 £
High-end
more than 700 £
Price range diagram

Tips

Schedule your cleanings during your absences

To allow the robot vacuum cleaner to do its work without being in the way, program it to clean when you go to the office, when you have to run errands, or when there are a minimum number of people in the house. Depending on your schedule, you can also vary its programming. For example, on weekends, you can ask it to work while the kids are out doing activities.

Prepare the ground for your robot vacuum cleaner

The robot vacuum cleaner can't put away your shoes or clothes. Put them in their place so it doesn't get in the way. It's smart enough to go around obstacles, but small objects like toys can also get in the way and make it less efficient! Also, remove cables and wires that get in his way. Otherwise, to limit its boundaries, don't forget to close off access to rooms not involved in cleaning.

Clean your robot vacuum cleaner

Always take care to clean the brushes of your robot vacuum cleaner by removing, for example, hair balls stuck between the bristles. Similarly, the mop or wipe must be regularly washed or replaced to ensure the performance of your device. Note that for some models, it is possible to put the mop in the washing machine. Read the instructions to be sure. You will also need to remember to clean the filter frequently by dusting it with a brush or gently rubbing it with a wipe.

Inspect your robot's tanks regularly

Is your robot vacuum cleaner no longer working? Maybe you forgot to empty its tanks? In order for it to clean your home properly, you'll need to empty the dust pan regularly. Also, make sure to fill the water tank so that it can properly wash your home's floor.

Save it from doing tasks it wasn't designed for

Despite its performance, a robot vacuum cleaner has limits. For example, you can't ask it to clean gravel or pieces of glass, or it may get damaged. The same goes for water-related damage like a mud puddle! If your house is too grimy, you have to admit that he can't make it shine in one pass.

FAQ

Are robot vacuum cleaners suitable for all types of floors?

The best robotic vacuum clean ers can clean any type of floor, whether it's a soft floor (carpet, rug, etc.) or a hard floor (tile, parquet, etc.). Check the instruction manual or technical specifications to make sure the model you choose is suitable for the floor in your house or apartment.

What product should I put in my robot vacuum cleaner?

As a general rule, you cannot add detergents or other cleaning products, or even essential oils, to the water tank of your robot vacuum cleaner. Eventually, you can put some directly on the mop. But if it foams, you'll have to do a second pass to rinse everything. Otherwise, some models can still tolerate a non-foaming detergent. Read the instructions to be sure.

Why does my robot vacuum cleaner stop or turn in circles?

Yourrobot vacuum can break down if dirt gets stuck in its wheels or navigation system. You can either clean it or take it apart to see what the problem is. It could also stop because of a lack of water in the tank or because its dust pan is full. If it was supposed to return to its charging station, and stopped on the way, maybe it didn't "find" it. In this case, make sure you set up his base in a well-cleared area within his "view."

How do I define the working area of a robot vacuum cleaner?

Already, you can limit his workspace by closing doors. As asmart device, its sensors also allow it to avoid falling down stairs for example. But you can also deny him access to certain rooms or areas by creating virtual walls. This management of his work area allows you to better optimize his efficiency and avoid him to be stuck in a lost corner of the house.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
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Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

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Our selection
Ecovacs N8 PRO+ 9
Ecovacs N8 PRO+
Conga series 1090 Cecotec 10
Conga series 1090 Cecotec
Roborock S6 MaxV 11
Roborock S6 MaxV
iRobot Braava Jet m6134 12
iRobot Braava Jet m6134

Lecteurs

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