Tips

3 Key Factors to Consider When Buying a Budget-Friendly Robot Vacuum

After years of using various vacuum robots, our group of women has gathered these invaluable experiences to find the perfect fit.

Administrator

8 March, 2024

Robot vacuum cleaners are becoming more and more popular, with a wide range of brands and models for people to choose from. Older models, which are cheaper, can be as low as 3-4 million VND, but there are also high-end models that can cost over 30 million VND, equipped with a self-washing and drying mop, as well as a self-emptying feature for collecting debris…

The main difference actually lies in the lower price segment of around 5 million VND or less. These models often only have basic vacuuming and mopping functions, sometimes without a 3D sensor on the back, but they can still be used effectively if you know how to choose one that meets these 3 requirements:

Strong suction power

Ability to create virtual walls and restricted zones

Easy availability of replacement parts

Cheap robot vacuum cleaners can still be very good if you choose the right type that meets your daily cleaning needs. (Illustration)

Ms. Huong, an office worker who rents an apartment in Hanoi, is extremely satisfied with the robot she bought over 2 years ago. “I bought this robot in 2021 for only 4.5 million VND. It doesn’t have any special features, just basic vacuuming and mopping. I even have to turn on the lights in the room so that it can see the path, but I am still very happy with it.”

Ms. Huong has researched many different types of robots, and even tried out many models ranging from cheap to mid-range at her friends’ houses, but in the end, she still “settled” for this almost cheapest model because it met her needs. “When using this machine, I still have to make sure the floor is tidy before letting it run, as it can get stuck on electrical cords. This model doesn’t have a 3D sensor on the back for mapping, but it can still create a room map and draw virtual walls to prevent it from going out into the hallway, balcony, or bathroom. Recently, I also looked at another machine from a very famous brand, priced at around 5 million VND, but it doesn’t allow you to create virtual walls, which means that if you accidentally leave a door open, it will wander into places that you don’t want it to go, especially the bathroom, where it may suck up water and damage the filters.”

Ms. Huong is very satisfied with buying a cheap robot that still has the feature of creating virtual walls to prevent the robot from running out of the house or into the bathroom.

Ms. Huong also realized that she had to buy a robot with strong suction power because after using it for a while, the dust filter would no longer be as effective as when it was new, and she would sometimes have to turn it to the highest setting to get enough suction.

If you buy robots with low suction power, below 3000Pa, it is best to clean and replace the dust filter regularly to ensure the desired cleaning performance. Not to mention, when increasing the suction power, the battery will deplete quickly, sometimes it can only last about 20 minutes per charge, so those with larger floor areas should take note.

A dust filter that hasn’t been cleaned for a long time will reduce the effectiveness of dust vacuuming, so it should be cleaned or replaced every 6 months to 1 year. In addition, when shopping, it is recommended to choose a model with high suction power to ensure long-term peace of mind. (Photo: NVCC)

Speaking of filters, there is another issue that people should pay attention to when choosing a robot vacuum, which is the availability of replacement parts. Ms. An, a mother of two young children in Xuan Dinh, Hanoi, regrets buying a cheap robot from an unknown brand for only 3 million VND, and after using it for a while, the robot reported that it needed a replacement filter, but she couldn’t find a place to buy one.

“Now I have to clean the dust filter myself, but the vacuuming effectiveness is noticeably lower compared to when I first bought it, not to mention that the brushes have also worn out, and the tangled bristles have changed color and no longer look neat and straight like they used to, but I can’t replace them.” – Ms. An shared.

People should consider buying robots from popular brands to ensure ease of finding replacement accessories. Otherwise, it will affect the lifespan of the robot and reduce the effectiveness of cleaning the house.

In addition, the mopping function is also a concern for many families. If you use cheap and mid-range robot models and only attach a mop cloth to it to mop the entire house, the effectiveness will not be very high. Also, if you don’t remove and wash the cloth after each use, it will definitely start to smell.

High-end models with rotating mops and automatic washing and drying functions may not always satisfy the users. Mr. Hoang, a person who has used a model priced at over 20 million VND from a well-known brand, shared his perplexing experience when the robot constantly reported that it couldn’t clean the water tray in the charging dock, only to find out that the drain hose was clogged with dust and had to be manually cleaned. “After that incident, I no longer trust advertising too much. I heard that the newer models from that brand have fixed that issue, but I still don’t want to buy it. I think it’s more reassuring to invest in a wet and dry vacuum cleaner, while a robot that only vacuums dust is enough.” – Mr. Hoang recounted.

Robot vacuum cleaners with mopping functions and self-washing and drying charging docks may sound good, but sometimes they also “backfire,” causing inconvenience and requiring “rescue” efforts. (Illustration)

Source: Tổ Quốc

Frequently asked questions

The main difference lies in the price segment of around 5 million VND or less. Cheaper models often have basic vacuuming and mopping functions, sometimes lacking advanced features like 3D sensors. However, they can still be effective if they meet certain requirements: strong suction power, the ability to create virtual walls and restricted zones, and easy availability of replacement parts.

Absolutely! As shared by Ms. Huong, it is possible to find affordable robot vacuums that meet your daily cleaning needs. Look for models with strong suction power and the ability to create virtual walls to restrict their movement. These features can often be found in cheaper models and can be just as effective as their more expensive counterparts.

Strong suction power is important to ensure effective cleaning, especially as the dust filter may lose some efficiency over time. With stronger suction, you can also increase the battery life by using a lower setting, which is useful for larger floor areas.

It is recommended to clean or replace the dust filter every 6 months to 1 year to maintain the effectiveness of dust vacuuming. A dirty or clogged filter will reduce the suction power and impact the overall cleaning performance.

As shared by Ms. An, it can be frustrating when you can’t find replacement parts for your robot vacuum. Buying from popular brands ensures that you can easily find and purchase accessories, prolonging the lifespan of your device and maintaining its cleaning efficiency.

If you opt for a robot vacuum with a mopping function, be mindful that cheaper and mid-range models may not be as effective. Remember to remove and wash the mop cloth after each use to prevent odors. High-end models with rotating mops and self-washing/drying functions may be more convenient, but even these can sometimes require manual intervention, as shared by Mr. Hoang’s experience.