Lean back and watch a robot vacuum do the work?
Sounds tempting.
But when buying an electronic helper, a few things should be considered.
Vacuum robots
can make housework noticeably easier - but there are big
differences
in the selection.
From cheap to expensive: five winners of various tests at
Stiftung Warentest
and Co. convince.
Depending on your preference, other aspects can be important.
Should
consumers
dig deeper into their pockets?
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Munich - Electronic helpers have increasingly sneaked into our everyday life and are supposed to make our life easier with sometimes annoying things like housework.
A practical invention in this regard are
vacuum robots
: once correctly programmed, they rush through the apartment and clean it in no time at all.
But of course it's not that simple: Individual needs require special solutions and the numerous offers available require
several aspects to be weighed up
.
Because apart from the price and appearance, the innovative machines also differ in other features.
Here is an overview of
current test winners
and what they
can score
with in
2021
:
Vacuum robot tested: Underdog RoboVac impresses - Stiftung Warentest honors Bosch electrical appliances
One of the inexpensive
robotic vacuum cleaners
that has been convincing in tests is the
RoboVac 30C
from the
Eufy
brand
for currently
around 250 euros
.
The vacuum cleaner sucks up dust, according to the judgment, "reliably" - also impresses with its compact shape that takes up little space.
In addition to the suction power, the acceptable noise level is also satisfactory.
The disadvantage of the product from the still young Chinese manufacturer (since 2016) is that there is no clear and somewhat "chaotic" navigation, and
some places are not thoroughly cleaned in the
Giga.de
portal's price tip
.
However: for this price range, the cleaning performance of the
vacuum cleaner robot is
absolutely okay.
For those who prefer to
dig
deeper into their pockets and value traditional German work, the
Roxxter Series 6 from Bosch is
a tempting solution: The device currently costs
over 1000 euros
, but
Stiftung Warentest has given
the device some advantages.
This includes a convincing cleaning performance for both carpets and hard floors, and obstacles are conceivably easily overcome with the help of laser navigation and an interactive apartment map.
This model is advisable for pet owners as they can handle hair well.
It can also be controlled via Amazon's Alexa.
But there is also a disadvantage, which could be due to the more complex electronics: the comparatively high weight of almost 4 kilograms.
Zaco A6 vacuum robot with a good rating in terms of price and usability
A vacuum robot for much less money is the
Zaco A6 vacuum robot
.
The
kitchen & household
portal
certifies that the
device, which costs just
over 200 euros, has
a decent cleaning performance and the advantage that it is just eight centimeters high.
The electronic vacuum cleaner can therefore cope well under many sofas.
The offer is considered a price-performance winner, which is rather simple and easy to use.
For the
Zaco A6
there is neither an app nor voice control and a rather rudimentary navigation: the inexpensive vacuum robot drives around the apartment at random and not according to the "route plan".
Nevertheless, the following applies: The result is satisfactory - you just have to give your electronic friend time.
One disadvantage: the volume of the dust container is only 0.3 liters and therefore has to be emptied more often.
In
its most recent comparison, the
Haus & Garten
magazine
particularly emphasizes
the services of the
Neato Robotics Botvac D7
- the vacuum robot
prevails
against four competitors in terms of price / performance.
The device is currently available for
around 380 euros
and, according to the test, also impresses with its ease of use and an app with a variety of setting options.
And what is really essential, the suction power?
The test object, whose Neato brand was taken over by Vorwerk in 2017, cuts a rather average figure on hard floors such as laminate and plastic and carpets.
The company caused an uproar at the end of 2019.
According to the reviews, however, this does not seem to be a big problem for most consumers: The model is an almost equal, significantly
cheaper alternative
to the popular
Vorwerk vacuum robot V300
(currently around 850 euros).
One disadvantage: the
Neato Robotics Botvac D7
allegedly gets lost on the way to the charging station.
Vacuum cleaning robot: test winner according to Stiftung Warentest not outstanding, but better than the competition
For those who would like the little household
helper to also
do the mopping,
Stiftung Warentest has
a suggestion: In issue 1/2021, the
Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo 930 mopping robot was
chosen as the test winner.
Such combination devices usually have a built-in water tank and after vacuuming, the floor is wiped with cloths.
According to the test result, however, the cleaning performance of such mopping robots is "modest".
Robot vacuum test 2021: Surprise winner at Stiftung Warentest and purchase recommendations for robot mops https://t.co/T0Up4QFjii
- GIGA TECH (@GIGATECHDE) January 5, 2021
The
device from
Ecovacs
, which
costs
around
380 euros
, has satisfactory
suction
properties, a tolerable noise level and the navigation leaves
nothing
to be desired.
The
suction wiping robot completed
the test with an overall grade of “satisfactory” (3.1), which is still better than tested alternatives.
Vacuum robot: shouldn't you use a conventional vacuum cleaner?
Are you wondering whether it even makes sense
to buy
a
robot vacuum cleaner
?
Compared to conventional “manually” operated devices, the following applies: The electronic helpers do not achieve better cleaning results!
The reason: the suction power of the conventional models is higher, the filter effect is better and it is easier to get into corners that a robot can hardly "vacuum" due to its nature.
In addition, the "dust retention capacity" of new vacuum cleaners is usually better than that of vacuum cleaner robots.
Models of the latter type blow part of the dust that is sucked in again.
For example, if you are more sensitive due to an allergy, you have to look around for certain models, as
Giga.de
explains - and you will probably have to cut corners elsewhere.
Here's how it looks with the
subsequent costs
of: With the purchase of a
robotic vacuum cleaner
is not enough - also require care and maintenance investments, which consist of the power consumption as well as wear parts such as batteries, filters or replacement brushes.
Tip
: If you decide on a vacuum cleaner robot, make sure that magnetic tapes are included.
This prevents the little helper from unexpectedly laying down a flight on stairs by marking a non-passable zone with a magnetic barrier.
Meanwhile, Stiftung Warentest is causing a stir with a shampoo comparison.
(PF)