Key Points
- Robot vacuum cleaners are underpowered compared to traditional vacuums, which may require multiple passes in a room.
- Stairs and obstacles can be a major issue for robot vacuums, as they cannot handle stairs and may struggle with certain objects.
- Pet messes and hair can be problematic for robot vacuums, as they may not avoid them effectively or have enough power to handle them.
- Robot vacuums are designed for convenience, not speed, which can make cleaning time-consuming.
- The price tag of robot vacuums can be a deal-breaker, especially when considering their limitations.
Vacuum cleaners have come a long way since the early days of the classic 50-pound upright. You can find cordless vacuums and smart ones, but we have six reasons to avoid a new robot vacuum cleaner today. They are convenient and may be the perfect solution for certain spaces or environments. However, for others, they are likely to end up in a closet if the issues below are concerns in your household.
Robotic Vacuum Cleaners Explained
Technically, a robot vacuum cleaner is a cordless, self-powered device that can remove debris from the floor. They are designed to work autonomously with little human intervention. While that may sound enticing, how smart they actually are depends on how much you’re willing to pay.
iRobot produced the first robot vacuum cleaner to become popular with consumers. Many manufacturers have come and gone since that time, and the technology behind these vacuums has improved immensely. You can find robot vacuums that are capable of mapping entire homes with lasers, along with bots that charge themselves.
You can even purchase a new robot vacuum cleaner that can mop, vacuum, and empty their bin as needed. Those are in the premium class, however, and no model can deal with a set of stairs.
Reasons to Avoid a Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Stairs and other unavoidable obstacles are a great reason to avoid a new robot vacuum cleaner, but these are minor compared to other issues. If budget isn’t a concern and you live in a one-story home, a robot vacuum may be a great option. Otherwise, you’ll want to think about the reasons below.
They Are Underpowered
Have you owned a cordless or battery-powered vacuum cleaner? There’s a big difference in power and performance with those models compared to a corded upright. If you have had trouble with battery-powered vacuums in the past, it’s by far the biggest reason to avoid a robot vacuum cleaner today.
As a rule of thumb, the smaller the vacuum, the less powerful it is. Despite new models having high-efficacy motors, there’s a reason you see professional cleaners using corded equipment. If your home is mainly hardwood, that might not be a concern, but all robot vacuum cleaners are considered underpowered compared to traditional ones.
That means you could end up having to run the vacuum multiple times in a room, which can impact battery life. When you factor in cleaning patterns, it can bring cleaning time to a crawl. Robotic vacuum cleaners have to move slowly to be efficient, which isn’t a great combination when you consider the power.
Trouble with Obstacles
If you live in a home with multiple floors, a robot vacuum cleaner is an accessory at best. There isn’t a vacuum in this class that can deal with stairs. If your stairs are carpeted, you’ll want to go another route or you may end up needing three vacuums to clean your home. Unless you plan to carry a robot vacuum cleaner up and down stairs, you’ll need one for each floor.
While that can work for some homeowners, you’ll still run into trouble with obstacles. Premium models use radar and lasers to map homes, which helps them avoid stairs and other things that would cause issues with their routine. Most robot vacuum cleaners rely on a boundary system to avoid objects, which may mean adding more items to your home.
Want a vacuum cleaner smart enough to avoid a sock? That can be tricky, and something many homeowners have had to deal with. Robot vacuum cleaners can have difficulty with dark flooring and are known to be a hassle in homes with pets as well. Dog waste can be a problem, even if the pets feel differently about the situation.
Pets
Dogs, cats, and vacuum cleaners can go either way. They may try to attack a robot vacuum cleaner or bat it around like a play toy. Your furry friend could also run away and have flashbacks every time you fire up your Roomba. It’s something you won’t know until you try, and it may come with some surprising results.
Dogs, cats, and even babies have been drawn to these robotic assistants in some unusual ways. That alone may seem like a great idea to try a budget-friendly robot vacuum. You’ll regret that the first time your new vacuum encounters a pile of waste your dog has left behind. The ability to avoid pet messes is often overlooked, and one of the major reasons to avoid a new robot vacuum cleaner.
Even if the robot is smart enough to avoid a collision with a puddle or pile, pet hair can bring it to a halt. Powerful uprights are best suited for homes with shedding pets, not stick vacuums or robots. There are a handful of models that do a respectable job with pet hair, but they pale in comparison to a powerful vacuum designed for it.
Speed
While some people love to clean, it’s safe to say it’s not an activity most people enjoy. From dusting to cleaning windows or flooring, it’s an activity we want to accomplish effectively in a short amount of time. Well, that’s an issue with robot vacuum cleaners.
If you run a vacuum too fast, you’ll need to make multiple passes on a messy floor. A robot vacuum cleaner slows that process down considerably. That rules them out when you need to clean something quickly, and means you’ll need to have another vacuum cleaner on standby.
Robot vacuum cleaners are designed for convenience, not speed. It could take an hour to vacuum a large home, and some may need to do multiple passes. If the battery runs out before it’s finished cleaning your home, you’ll need to tack on 30 minutes to a few hours of charging time.
Small Bins
Bin size is something that affects every robot vacuum cleaner regardless of price, design, or power. Manufacturers design them to slide under objects and leave a minimal footprint behind. That means they can’t hold as much waste as a bagged or bagless system.
While you can find robot vacuums with bins large enough to handle smaller homes, it’s an issue for most homeowners with carpets. It’s also another area where pet hair can be a major drawback. You may have to empty the bin several times during a session, which defeats the hands-off nature of these devices.
Companies have found a way to solve that problem to a degree with self-emptying robot vacuum cleaners. These robots will return to a base and dump their bin when it’s full. However, these models are considered a serious investment by many when compared to the best upright or cordless vacuum cleaners.
The Price Tag
The last reason to avoid robot vacuum cleaners will be a deal-breaker for some but not a concern for others. It’s something everyone should consider, however, when you take the other negatives on our list into account.
Prices have come down on robot vacuum cleaners to the point where you can purchase one for well under $200. They can do a great job on hardwood and low-pile carpets but are still underpowered. For the same price, you can get something powerful from Shark or Bissel. It’s not smart or autonomous, but it has a HEPA filter, a massive dust bin, and the top part detaches to let you do stairs or upholstery.
You’ll need to purchase a hand vacuum or another system to do those things if you own a robot vacuum cleaner. The same proves true at mid-range and premium price points as well. Miele has fantastic canister vacuums that perform better than anything available from iRobot, Shark Eufy, and others.
Alternatives to Robotic Vacuum Cleaners
If you don’t like the power or the price, or you feel that a robot vacuum cleaner isn’t a good fit, there are suitable alternatives. We chose three models we feel best represent most consumers whether you have carpet, kids, or you want something cordless and compact.
Shark Rotator NV501 Professional Upright Vacuum
If you’re looking for a solid vacuum cleaner at an affordable price, Shark does not disappoint. Dyson gets a lot of love for their upright lineup, but our favorite comes from Shark’s Rotator lineup. The Shark Rotator NV501 has enough range to cover most households and comes with everything you need out of the box.
The NV501 is a lift-away system. You can use it as a traditional upright but can detach the canister and use the hose for hard-to-reach spots. That includes stairs, curtains, or couches thanks to the wide upholstery tool. It has enough suction to draw things in hard floor mode but excels on carpeted floors as well.
Another perk of this vacuum is the HEPA filter with the company’s anti-allergen seal. It traps over 99.9% of dust and allergens while you vacuum. It can hold more dust than comparable models with an XL dust cup and has a 30-foot cord. The cleaning path of the Shark NV501 is listed at 10 inches, but it has an 11-foot range with the hose and attachments.
It’s hard to find a fault with this vacuum. Shark put together a powerful system that’s been well-received by consumers and reviewers alike. It’s fairly lightweight for its size and comes in four colors. You’ll also get a five-year warranty from the company, along with top-tier support. If you have pets in your home, the NV742 is an excellent alternative.
- 3-in-1 system with detachable canister
- Swivel steering
- HEPA filtration
- Extra Large Dust Cup
Miele Triflex HX2 Cordless Stick Vacuum
Miele is the best company to turn to if you’re interested in a high-efficiency canister vacuum. It took a while for them to break into the cordless niche, but the first Triflex cordless system arrived to much fanfare. The sequel, the Miele Triflex HX2 is an improvement, and the best cordless stick vacuum for all-around usage.
The new Triflex has an upgraded digital motor which increases power on both hard flooring and carpet. Miele designed this vacuum to tell the difference between floor surfaces. Their electro brush adapts as you clean, and the form factor allows you to use this vacuum in three ways. As a traditional stick vacuum, with an extension, or as a handheld vacuum cleaner.
This flexible system can run for up to 60 minutes per charge on the company’s VARTA Litihum-Ion system. Have allergies? If so, you’ll appreciate the HEPA filter on this model. It’s a “lifetime” filter with a dust retention capacity of 99.9%. The system is lightweight, easy to use, and designed for efficiency and power.
Meile’s vacuum cleaners are one of those items you just have to try to understand how great they are. The original Triflex HX2 received positive reviews for its ability to clean carpets with battery power, and the new model has even more power. While there aren’t many reviews on the HX2 yet, rest assured it’s a cordless vacuum that will not disappoint.
- Digital motor increases efficiency and power
- Lifetime HEPA filter
- 60 minute runtime
- 3-in-1 design
Shark WS632 WANDVAC System
A good robot vacuum cleaner is expensive, but so are the best cordless stick vacuums. If you’re not ready to jump into a model from Meile or Dyson, Shark has something for you. The Shark WS632 WANDVAC is an innovative system, and it is the best choice for a cordless vacuum when you’re on a budget.
Shark took a different approach with this stick vacuum compared to others in their arsenal. The design is largely the same, but it comes with a portable charging base that is stored in a unique way. It’s lightweight but has plenty of power. The company’s HyperVelocity suction system plays a part in that, along with Boost mode.
Have pets? While not designed for pet hair, it won’t get tangled around the roller of this vacuum. The anti-wrap system ensures that PowerFins work to keep your flooring clean. The dust bin is reasonably sized and easy to remove with a one-touch system. The Shark WS632 is a 3-in-1 vacuum like others in this class, and while the stick vac is solid, the hand vacuum stands out.
You won’t get as much oomph from this vacuum as you would with a cordless model from Dyson, but it’s considerably cheaper. It’s a great choice for homes that have more hard flooring than carpet. It has a washable HEPA filter as well. The Shark WANDVAC is available in five colors, including rose gold and green.
- Multifunctional design
- Portable charging base
- Boost Mode
- Powerful hand vacuum
The Wrap-Up
Robot vacuum cleaners can be a godsend if you lead a busy life and don’t mind the speed or price of a vacuum that’s truly smart. Otherwise, you may find that they are underpowered for your needs, resulting in the purchase of a second vacuum for certain areas of your home. If you’re still intrigued by the idea of a robotic vacuum cleaner, check out our list featuring some of the top models available today.
| Alternatives to Robot Vacuum Cleaners |
|---|
| Shark Rotator NV501 |
| Miele Triflex HX2 |
| Shark WS632 WANDVAC |
- Shark NV501 Rotator Professional Upright Vacuum
- 3-in-1 system with detachable canister
- Swivel steering
- HEPA filtration
- Extra Large Dust Cup
- Miele Triflex HX2 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
- Digital motor increases efficiency and power
- Lifetime HEPA filter
- 60 minute runtime
- 3-in-1 design
- Shark WS632 WANDVAC System
- Multifunctional design
- Portable charging base
- Boost Mode
- Powerful hand vacuum
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We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
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