Get Connected Logo
  • News

    News

    • Audio
    • Computers
    • Gaming
    • GC At Work
    • Hardware
    • Health
    Menu
    • Audio
    • Computers
    • Gaming
    • GC At Work
    • Hardware
    • Health
    • Mobile
    • Photography
    • Smart Home
    • Software
    • Transportation
    Menu
    • Mobile
    • Photography
    • Smart Home
    • Software
    • Transportation
    See More...
    Tech Talk: New & improved products from Amazon Echo
    Tech Talk: New & improved products from Amazon Echo
    John BiehlerMarch 1, 2021
    Want to listen to SoundCloud? What you need to know
    Want to listen to SoundCloud? What you need to know
    Ted KritsonisMarch 1, 2021
    Five Very Best Ways To Celebrate Pokémon Day
    Five Very Best Ways To Celebrate Pokémon Day
    Stephen FungFebruary 25, 2021
    Grammarly tries to make you a better writer
    Grammarly tries to make you a better writer
    Ted KritsonisFebruary 25, 2021
    Featured
    Need more storage on Google Photos? What you need to know
    Need more storage on Google Photos? What you need to know
    Thinking of Buying an EV? The Canadian Rebates are almost gone
    Thinking of Buying an EV? The Canadian Rebates are almost gone
    Want to listen to YouTube Music? Here’s what you need to know
    Want to listen to YouTube Music? Here’s what you need to know
    Wireless Earbud Options
    Wireless Earbud Options
  • Reviews

    Reviews

    • Audio
    • Computers & Tablets
    • GC PIcks
    • Health & Wearables
    • Mobile
    • Smart Home
    Menu
    • Audio
    • Computers & Tablets
    • GC PIcks
    • Health & Wearables
    • Mobile
    • Smart Home
    Want to listen to SoundCloud? What you need to know
    Want to listen to SoundCloud? What you need to know
    Ted KritsonisMarch 1, 2021
    Grammarly tries to make you a better writer
    Grammarly tries to make you a better writer
    Ted KritsonisFebruary 25, 2021
    Want to listen to TuneIn Radio? What you need to know
    Want to listen to TuneIn Radio? What you need to know
    Ted KritsonisFebruary 22, 2021
    Google Docs: It’s free, but is it worth your time?
    Google Docs: It’s free, but is it worth your time?
    Ted KritsonisFebruary 19, 2021
    Featured
    Take Alexa on the road with Echo Auto
    Take Alexa on the road with Echo Auto
    Want Spotify Premium? Here’s what you need to know
    Want Spotify Premium? Here’s what you need to know
    Making podcasts with the Rødecaster Pro
    Making podcasts with the Rødecaster Pro
    Photosticks: Are They Worth It?
    Photosticks: Are They Worth It?
  • Videos

    Videos

    • Global News Tech Talk
    • GC At Work
    • Video Podcasts
    • TV Show
    Menu
    • Global News Tech Talk
    • GC At Work
    • Video Podcasts
    • TV Show

    How Technology is Reshaping Political Campaigns

    Tech Talk: New & improved products from Amazon Echo
    Tech Talk: New & improved products from Amazon Echo
    John BiehlerMarch 1, 2021
    Tech Talk: Smart home water management
    Tech Talk: Smart home water management
    John BiehlerFebruary 25, 2021
    Tech Talk: Improve your home office
    Tech Talk: Improve your home office
    John BiehlerFebruary 18, 2021
    Featured
    The Price of Internet in Canada is Still Too High
    The Price of Internet in Canada is Still Too High
    Want Fries With Your 3D Printed Chicken Nuggets?
    Want Fries With Your 3D Printed Chicken Nuggets?
    Save for Mobile Gadgets Made from Ocean Plastics
    Save for Mobile Gadgets Made from Ocean Plastics
    Alexa Invades Your Car and Are Refurbs a Good Deal?
    Alexa Invades Your Car and Are Refurbs a Good Deal?
  • Podcasts
  • Newsletter
  • Connect
    • About Us
    • Contact
Youtube
Facebook-f
Twitter
Instagram
Linkedin-in

Amazon Echo Flex

Tech Talk: New & improved products from Amazon Echo

Amazon Echo Show 10

Tech Talk: New & improved products from Amazon Echo

Battery backup for Flo by Moen

Tech Talk: Smart home water management

Flo by Moen Smart Water Leak Detector

Tech Talk: Smart home water management

How to choose a robot vacuum

  • Hardware, Smart Home
  • Erin Lawrence
  • December 23, 2020
  • 11:37 am

A robot vacuum can make life so much less stressful. Say bub-bye to spending hours vacuuming your home, or goading your kids to do it, and hello to chilling out while the robot does all the work. Here’s what you need to consider when hunting for a robot vacuum.

Robot vacuum: Features

Before you choose a robot vacuum, it’s good to understand the range of different features available. There are lots of different things these small but mighty bots can do, but you may not actually need all of them. Investigate features you believe you’ll actually use, since getting a botvac without some of the pricey upgrades can save you a boatload of cash.

Scheduling

Most robot vacuums have a calendar function so you can set it to vacuum at specific times of the day or week; like when you’re at work. Most of this scheduling is done via a companion app on your smartphone, though with some less expensive models, you’ll need to manually program this schedule into the bot using buttons.

Mapping

Some robot vacs also combine high tech mapping with scheduling features (Roomba’s i7 and s9 vacuums have it) and let you program specific rooms to be cleaned on certain days, giving you amazing flexibility and freedom.

Should I get automatic dirt disposal?

With most botvacs, they may do the vacuuming, but you’ll have to empty the dustbin just like any regular vacuum cleaner. Some models will automatically dispose of dirt into their own bin (and in sealed vacuum bags) located inside the base station and will remind you when this bin needs to be emptied via an app. These models are definitely more expensive, but if not getting your hands dirty is a priority, this might be an upgrade worth the expense.

Robot vacuums: Round vs D-shape?

Most robot vacuums are round, as this makes it easy for them to move around independently and not get caught on things, but that lack of corners can make it difficult to get into narrow spaces. The recent rise in D-shaped robots have a range of sensors and the added bonus of being able to get closer to wall edges and corners than their circular counterparts.

Robot Vacuums that mop

Some robot vacuums also have built-in mopping: a small water tank inside the bot moistens a microfibre or disposable cloth that is clipped under the robot. Although they are not as effective on stubborn stains as a regular mop, or even a dedicated single-purpose robot mop they do work on light messes or day-to-day wiping up.

Best robot vacuum brands

There are a lot of great robot vacuum brands out there, all with different prices. Before purchasing a vacuum cleaner, it’s a good idea to do a little research on the brand and check customer reviews. iRobot is often an expensive brand, with vacuums costing in the $1,000 price category and up, but with that said, iRobot makes some of the best and most well-reviewed robot vacuums on the market. Neato is a snappy little upstart compared to iRobot, but it’s got a reputation for making solid, hardworking bots. Ecovacs robot models are extremely sophisticated, with the latest having a Wi-Fi enabled camera, and a mop plus the vacuum. Eufy, iLife and Dyson all also make robot vacuums with varying levels of skill.

Who wouldn’t love the idea of never vacuuming again? With a robot vacuum cleaner, this is very nearly possible. With a host of brands to choose from plus all kinds of useful features, and in price ranges from budget to luxury, it’s possible to live in the Jetsons-era today.

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on reddit
Reddit
Share on email
Email
Erin Lawrence

Erin Lawrence

Related Stories

Tech Talk: New & improved products from Amazon Echo

March 1, 2021
Featured, Global News Tech Talk, Media, Smart Home
Mike runs down the newest features on the Amazon Echo Show 10, plus he has tech news from Lyft and...

Tech Talk: Smart home water management

February 25, 2021
Featured, Global News Tech Talk, Media, Smart Home
Mike shares some smart home devices to make water management more efficient and help prevent any water related mishaps.
The NEW Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is Here

Ring's Doorbell Pro 2 is Here - Is It Worth the Upgrade?

February 24, 2021
Smart Home
Ring's latest Video Doorbell 2 Pro is here and it is packing some new features to make it better than...
Subscribe for Updates

To ‘GetConnected’ to our newsletter, fill out the details and hit the ‘SUBSCRIBE’ button. We do require you to confirm your email. 

Watch & Listen
  • Global News Tech Talk
  • TV Show
  • Podcast
  • Radio Show
Connect
  • Social Media
  • Contact
  • Events
Company
  • About Us
  • Agency Blink
  • Careers
Youtube
Facebook-f
Twitter
Instagram
Linkedin-in

© 2020 – GetConnected. All rights reserved.