I've been reviewing robot vacuums professionally for a couple of years now, and as a result I've been drawn into conversations about these handy home helpers on a regular basis. Everyone I've met outside of a work context seems intrigued by the idea of a robot vacuum, but there are some misconceptions about what they can and can't do. In many cases, people are underestimating modern robot vacuums' capabilities.
So let's set the record straight. Here are eight common robot vacuum misunderstandings, and some information on what you can actually expect…
1. They're just for vacuuming
Newsflash: modern robot vacuums can mop, too. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that these days, you'd be hard-pressed to find a robovac that doesn't have mopping functionality built in.
The level of mopping varies quite considerably, however. Cheap, basic machines such as the Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 will have a large, flat water tank with a mop pad mounted to the bottom. You'll need to fill it up and attach it to the machine every time you want to mop your floors. In some cases, having the tank attached automatically means water will be coming out, so you'll need to carry the robovac into any target room unless you want your carpets mopped too.
Pricier robovacs have really quite advanced mop setups. You'll almost always be able to set no-mop zones, many robot vacuums can lift their mop pads when traversing carpet, and some will even drop their mop pads off in the dock when they're not needed. Some premium robot vacuums have docks that will refill water tanks, dispense detergent, and wash and dry the mop pads for you.
2. They can't be used on multiple floors
Autonomous stair-climbing is off the cards (for the moment, at least… more on that in a sec) but that doesn't mean your robovac is confined to one floor only. You'll just need to carry it up and down the stairs yourself.
The vast majority of robot vacuum…