Having something or someone else clean your house is a dream shared by many but realised by so few. Almost everyone would love their home to be cleaned by someone, or something… or “anything but me!” When we ask people why they want a robot vacuum most say “to save time”. While the convenience is amazing, after living with your robot for a while you may be surprised to find that “time-saving” isn’t what you appreciate most.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, many remain sceptical. Will this little robot really eliminate my need to vacuum? Other countries have long since answered this, so much so that over 30% of all vacuums (including super budget ones) sold world-wide are now robotic. Experts predict the robotic vacuum cleaner market to be worth $12.1 billion by 2027.
So, a lot of people do love them then. But why have those that use them become giddy with these little robots? What makes them such a life-changer?
It really does depend from home to home, but here are 7 of the most common reasons:
1. You don’t have to clean yourself
I mean this one is obvious but most people don’t really appreciate how smart these little machines actually are. You can schedule a clean for any time, whether you’re at work or tucked up in bed catching some hard earnt Zzzz’s. Or if you still want to claim credit for doing the vacuuming, you can simply open the app to start a clean and your robot will explore your home, eliminating dust as it goes. So, if you’re on the golf course when you hear the in-laws are coming to visit, there’s no problem – they’ll be greeted by freshly vacuumed floors, perfectly groomed like the greens that you’re putting on.
2. Cleaning
This one is a little more surprising to most people. Most of our users actually say that their robot cleans better than they would’ve with a traditional vacuum. While robot vacuums don’t have as much raw suction power as a traditional vacuum, they usually have a powerful brush and the suction motor is right on the ground so the debris doesn’t have to go up a hose! Methodical robots (check each robot’s navigation type) clean in straight parallel lines which is also satisfying and demonstrates reliable accuracy – which can’t always be guaranteed by vacuums operated by humans!
3. It cleans where you can’t
Many robovacs will clean under furniture where you can’t reach, including couches, beds and cabinets. Dust often settles in these areas because there is less air-flow and if you leave it too long it can make the whole house dusty when it gets disturbed. It’s also hard to dedicate the appropriate amount of time to cleaning the skirting boards and edges of a room. Luckily, some robots come with an “edge cleaning” option so you can let it free and allow it to focus on those troublesome spots.
4. Ease of use
Most robot vacuums are pretty much “plug and play”. They explore the house on their own and create their own floor plan. Once connected, most models can be controlled and scheduled with a smart-phone app which displays a map of your home and will also send updates on your bot’s status. Some even empty themselves and come with a mop function or webcam, so you can watch it clean remotely (or chase your pets).
5. Allergies
Did you know that the average carpet collects around 18kgs of dust each year? Being able to clean your home daily (or even twice a day) is a lifesaver for people with allergies or asthma. Keeping on top of the dust situation has health benefits for everyone! If respiratory issues are a consideration for you, look out for the filtration-level on each robot as some have HEPA filters that remove 99.97% dust down to 0.3μm , or you can just have a chat with one of our experts. Some auto-empty stations have sealable bags and some dust-bins are trickier to empty than others – we’ve all used them in our own homes so we can help you decide.
6. Say “bye” to back-pain
Those with back-pain may find that no longer vacuuming can reduce their discomfort significantly. To use a traditional vacuum we normally stoop over and twist our torso side-to-side which results in a lot of ACC claims every year. Obviously a robot vacuum totally removes this physical strain and even helps some elderly people stay independent for longer. Remember that you will still need to bend over to empty your bot, so if this is an issue for you then consider an auto-emptying robot which can return back to its base and empty its dustbin into its charging station.
7. Pets
We sure do love them but our furry mates make a mess. As we come into summer they’ll begin to shed their hair and also decorate your floors with dirt, leaves and other small presents. The brush system on robots is particularly effective on fur and you may discover that your traditional vacuum hasn’t actually been getting it all for years! A large percentage of robot vacuum owners have pets and could not imagine living without one.
So, what are you waiting for? Have a go in your own home and let us know what you love! Or if you don’t love it, send it back for a full refund.*
Have any questions or comments? Let us know in the comments below!
*see 30 day returns policy for T&Cs.
