What to Look for in a Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
While we once may have dreamed of having a household full of robotic servants at our beck and call, most of us are still doing all that tedious housework on our own. While it may not be able to fetch your coffee or cook your dinner, a robotic vacuum cleaner can reduce the drudgery of cleaning the house, while providing a bit of entertainment along the way.
For those in the market for a robotic vacuum cleaner it is important to know what to look for. These devices have improved a great deal since they were first introduced, and many of the early challenges, such as getting stuck in one place and failing to move from hard surfaces to carpet, have now been overcome. Even so, it is important to look for a number of important features when shopping for a robotic vacuum cleaner, including:
- Light weight – remember that you will be moving the vacuum from place to place. Most of these devices are quite light in weight, but it is important to look for a vacuum you will not mind carrying from time to time.
- A self charging base – it is vital to look for a robotic vacuum cleaner that includes a self charging base. Having such a base will keep the vacuum cleaner charged and ready to go at a moment’s notice. It is also important that the vacuum automatically return to its base and start charging when it finishes cleaning the room.
- A large dustbin, or multiple dustbins – the earliest robotic vacuum cleaners were hampered by the fact that they had only one small dustbin. Many of these early units were able to clean only one or two rooms before requiring emptying. It is important to look for a vacuum with a dustbin large enough to clean the entire house without needing to be emptied.
- Sturdy construction – it is important that the robotic vacuum be able to stand up to the inevitable bumps and bruises it will suffer as it moves from place to place. Even though the improved sensors of the new models reduce collisions, these devices still do bump into the occasional wall. It is important to look for a robotic vacuum that is built to last.
Last but not least, it is a good idea to keep an eye on the pets the first couple of times the robotic vacuum is turned loose. Some cats and dogs totally ignore these vacuums, but others either run in terror or attempt to attack the device. It is important to keep an eye on Fido or Fluffy in order to make sure neither your pet or your vacuum come to harm.