Best Robot Vacuum Cleaners for Seniors
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Keeping your home is an essential part of life, but as we get older, chores that once seemed simple can begin to feel like much more of a challenge. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some wonderful modern appliances that can make life much easier; the robot vacuum cleaner is one of the most convenient.
Robot Vacuum Cleaners Comparison Chart
iRobot Roomba i7+ (7550) Robot Vacuum | Roborock S6 Pure Robot Vacuum Cleaner and Mop | eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S Robot Vacuum | iRobot Roomba s9+ (9550) Robot Vacuum Cleaner | Neato Robotics Botvac D7 Vacuum Cleaner | |
Bin Capacity | 0.5 L | 0.4 L | 0.6 L | 0.52 L | 0.7 L |
Suction Power (pascal) | 1800 Pa | 2,000 Pa | 1,300 Pa | 2,500 Pa | 2,000 Pa |
Self-Emptying | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
Wi-Fi Connectivity | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Smart Home Connectivity | Alexa, Google Home | Alexa, Google Home, Siri | No (comes with remote | Alexa, Google Home | Alexa, Google Home |
Smart Mapping | Yes | Yes | No (bump and continue) | Yes | Yes |
Anti-Allergy Filter | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Battery Life | 75 mins | 150 mins | 100 mins | 120 mins | 120 mins |
Weight | 7.44 lbs | 8 lbs | 5.85 lbs | 8.2 lbs | 8 lbs |
Dimensions | 13.3" x 13.3" x 3.6" | 13.8" x 13.7" x 3.8" | 12.8" x 12.8" x 2.9" | 12.25" x 12.25" x 3.5" | 13.2" x 12.5" x 3.9" |
Price |
What is a Robotic Vacuum Cleaner?
A robot vacuum cleaner is an autonomous appliance that is used for cleaning carpets and hard floors. What’s great is that these devices are incredibly smart and often have settings that allow you to clean your home in a way that suits you.
For example, a robot vacuum cleaner might have a scheduling tool that allows you to have it clean the home at set times. Many people set their vacuums to clean when they are not at home.
Other features include room and floor mapping so that the vacuum knows exactly how to navigate your home without running into obstructions. When the vacuum has finished its cleaning schedule or is running low on power, it will automatically return to its charging station for a boost before picking up where it left off.
What are the Benefits of a Robotic Vacuum?
The beauty of being an older adult in today’s society is that there are multiple aids that you can use to improve your quality of life. While something as simple as vacuuming may have once been easy, age and health problems can make it more difficult. The many benefits associated with a robot vacuum cleaner make it the ideal tool for seniors.
For starters, these devices mean that you do not need to exert yourself to sweep or vacuum. You can remain in a comfortable seat while the device does the work for you. This is the perfect solution for people who may be unsteady on their feet or who struggle with other mobility issues.
Moreover, some robot vacuum cleaners will empty their dust cups, so you don’t even have to lift a finger when the cleaning is over.
Not only is this method of cleaning much more convenient but it will also save you a lot of time. Furthermore, a robot vacuum cleaner is much more compact than a traditional upright, so you’ll save on storage space as well. There is no need to move furniture to find a suitable storage spot; you could even keep it under the couch.
Many older adults worry that a robot vacuum cleaner will run into obstacles and cause damage around the home. But the great thing about these appliances is that many of them have built-in sensors to avoid this very issue. There are others that map the room and can be programmed to move around freely and safely.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Robot Vacuum
When it comes to choosing the right robot vacuum cleaner for your needs, there are several things you’ll need to take into consideration. The following aspects are all important and will help you choose the most suitable appliance for your home.
Flooring Type
It is essential to think about the type of flooring you have in your home since different robot vacuum cleaners are designed for different surfaces. Some work optimally on hard floors, while others are better suited to carpets.
For people considering a robot vacuum cleaner for hard floors, you may want to look for a model that takes care of mopping as well.
If you are choosing a robot vacuum cleaner for carpets, then you will also want to think about the type of carpet you have. This is because some robot vacuum cleaners are better suited to either long or short pile carpets. Different types of brushes are used in robot vacuum cleaners and this determines their ability to pick up dust, dirt, and debris deep within the fibres of the carpet.
For people who have pets, a more intense suction is essential. This is an important factor to consider when buying a robot vacuum, and you should check whether its function is suited to the needs of your pet-friendly home.
Connectivity
It comes as no surprise that many robot vacuum cleaners can be controlled using a smartphone app. This offers you greater convenience as you can control the appliance from the palm of your hand. Just be sure to check that the compatible app is available on your particular smartphone platform.
You may find that your smartphone app also provides you with notifications. These may be but are not limited to things like letting you know that the vacuum is stuck, battery notifications, and cleaning schedules.
Some can be controlled using your voice. If you have a smart home system that runs off things like Google Home or Alexa, then you may be able to operate the vacuum through these.
In any case, it is also important to look at how the robot vacuum connects to your other devices. For example, does it connect via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi?
Other robot vacuums come with a handy remote control which many seniors may prefer due to its simplicity.
Self-Emptying Dust Bin
It’s great that a robot vacuum cleaner will take care of the floors, but what about when the clean is finished? Does the robot vacuum cleaner come with a self-emptying feature?
If you are someone that may struggle to get down to the vacuum to pick it up and empty it, then a self-emptying dust bin is a no-brainer. Many models have this feature, so keep an eye out for it.
Whether you are opting for a self-emptying robot vacuum cleaner or one that you manually empty, it is important to consider its capacity. Homes that have a tendency to gather more dust or homes with pets may benefit from a larger capacity to avoid having to stop and empty as frequently.
Home Mapping
Many robot vacuum cleaners come with a mapping feature that allows you to input details of any obstacles and make cleaning much safer.
One of the most important things to look for is the type of sensor that the vacuum is fitted with. For example, there are those that can detect stairs meaning that there is no chance of the vacuum falling down them and sustaining damage.
Battery Life
Depending on your cleaning needs and the size of your home, you may benefit from a longer battery life. Almost all robot vacuum cleaners return to their charging dock without any assistance, but you want to make sure that yours provides you with optimal cleaning time before doing so.
That said, there are some robot vacuum cleaners that cannot automatically return to their charging station so you should check this before purchasing. By choosing one that does have this feature, you are again saving yourself time and effort.
Generally speaking, most robot vacuums will give you between an hour and two hours of cleaning time before they need a recharge. But of course, those with larger homes or more detailed cleaning needs may benefit from choosing something with a longer run time.
Anti-Allergy Filter
One of the most important features of any vacuum cleaner is the HEPA filter, and this is no exception when choosing a robot vacuum cleaner. A HEPA filter is perfect for people who suffer from allergies and will ensure that all dust and allergens are contained within the vacuum with no risk of spreading.
This type of filter is also incredibly effective for homes where there may be pets as it will reduce the number of allergens in the air.
Ease of Use
For many seniors, the idea of using a robot vacuum cleaner is fraught with uncertainty. These appliances are often relatively easy to program, but if you have never used this type of equipment, it can feel daunting.
It is worth checking out online reviews, such as this one, to get an idea of how user-friendly the robot vacuum is. In addition, you will want to make sure that any related smartphone apps are clear and easy to use.
Programming the robot vacuum cleaner should be simple and quick with no complex processes. Clear instructions on operating the machine should always be given.
Best Robotic Vacuum Cleaners for Stress-Free Cleaning
With robot vacuum cleaners being such a convenient and smart invention, it is little surprise that the market is now inundated with new products. Even after having taken the previous points into consideration, seniors may struggle to choose a viable appliance.
We have been looking at some of the top robotic vacuum cleaners and have come to the conclusion that the following are among some of the very best currently on the market.
1. iRobot Roomba i7+ (7550) Robot Vacuum
Best Overall Robot Vacuum Cleaner – iRobot Roomba i7+ (7550) Robot Vacuum
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is one of the most innovative and high-quality robot vacuum cleaners on the market at the moment. It is perfect for homes with pets as the appliance is optimized to meet the cleaning demands of an animal. It is fitted with dual surface rubber brushes that resist hair and won’t end up getting tangled on both hard floors and carpets. Did we mention that it also boasts 10 x the amount of suction compared to previous models?
What’s more, this robot vacuum cleaner comes with the option of Alexa operation meaning that you need to do nothing more than speak in order to get started. Moreover, the self-emptying feature means that you really don’t need to lift a finger.
One of the most outstanding features of the iRobot Roomba i7+ is that it has an improved ability to map out a room. It learns the layout of your home, and it will even suggest the most optimal cleaning schedules. If there are areas of the home that you don’t want it to go, you can program this too; it’s a totally personalized process.
Whether you want a full house clean or simply want the iRobot to spot clean messes as they appear, this versatile and super-smart machine is a must.
While this robot vacuum cleaner does have an excellent number of impressive features, there is a small downside. The charging base has been reported to have some issues, and users are having to return this. While it is possible to troubleshoot yourself, this will void your warranty, and you’ll see a good selection of tools to even get inside the base.
Key Specs:
- Bin capacity: 0.5 L
- Suction power (pascal): 1800 Pa
- Wi-Fi connectivity: yes
- Smart home connectivity: Alexa, Google Home
- Smart mapping: yes
- Battery life: 75 mins
2. Roborock S6 Pure Robot Vacuum Cleaner and Mop
Best Robot Vacuum Cleaner with Mop – Roborock S6 Pure Robot Vacuum Cleaner and Mop
What’s great about the Roborock S6 is that this is an incredibly affordable robot vacuum cleaner when compared to some similar products. If you’re living on a pension, then this might be a very attractive thing.
But while it is a budget-friendly option, this doesn’t mean that the vacuum cleaner is lacking in features. If anything, it far outperforms its competition thanks to the inclusion of a mopping feature. What’s more, with powerful 2000Pa suction and automatic power increase on carpets, the Roborock is a great choice for homes with pets.
You’ll also find that this is a beautifully easy robot vacuum to program, and the options are incredibly versatile. It has no-go zones, so you can avoid the vacuum entering specific areas, and the home mapping feature is accurate and reliable. When setting your cleaning schedule, you can program the appliance to clean only in certain rooms, giving you a clean that suits your day-to-day needs.
This is a great choice for slightly larger homes as the 180ml water tank allows mopping for up to 1610 square feet.
All of this and more can be controlled using the clear and user-friendly smartphone app. If you prefer, you can connect to Alexa via a Wi-Fi connection for voice control.
You may, however, notice that when cleaning, this robot vacuum doesn’t always pick up debris that is outside of the central cleaning path. If your floors are heavily soiled, this may not be the most suitable option.
Key Specs:
- Bin capacity: 0.4 L
- Suction power (pascal): 2,000 Pa
- Wi-Fi connectivity: yes
- Smart home connectivity: Alexa, Google Home, Siri
- Smart mapping: yes
- Battery life: 150 mins
3. eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S Robot Vacuum
Best Budget Robotic Vacuum Cleaner – eufy BoostIQ RoboVac 11S Robot Vacuum
We really like the fact that the Eufy BoostIQ is a super-smart robot vacuum cleaner that leaves the user with very little to do. It benefits from a self-charging function so when the power runs low, the appliance will return to its charger and give itself a boost.
The three-point cleaning system means that nothing will be left behind, and for such an affordable appliance, it certainly delivers an immaculate clean. Even better is that this is a quiet robot vacuum cleaner, so you don’t have to worry about a noisy appliance disturbing the peace in your home.
This vacuum is ideal for homes with different floor types throughout. While it won’t work very well on long pile carpets, short and medium-pile carpets, as well as hard floors, are a breeze for the BoostIQ. This feature ensures that the power is adjusted quickly to optimize performance.
Moreover, the robot vacuum cleaner is fitted with an infrared sensor to avoid unwanted collisions and everything is controlled with a simple remote control. OK, you don’t get smartphone or Alexa operation but again, we have to point out that this is a budget option that is still bursting with excellent features.
Key Specs:
- Bin capacity: 0.6 L
- Suction power (pascal): 1,300 Pa
- Wi-Fi connectivity: no
- Smart home connectivity: no (comes with remote)
- Smart mapping: no (bump and continue)
- Battery life: 100 mins
4. iRobot Roomba s9+ (9550) Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Best Premium Vacuum Cleaner – iRobot Roomba s9+ (9550) Robot Vacuum Cleaner
If you are looking for an extremely powerful robot vacuum cleaner, then the iRobot Roomba S9+ might be the way to go. With 40 times more suction power than previous models, this is a serious cleaning machine that would benefit homes that get very dusty or have pets. It cleans via a three-step system that lifts dirt from deep within the carpet for an optimum result.
What’s more, the iRobot Roomba S9+ has a self-emptying function so is perfect for people who would struggle doing this for themselves. Not to mention that the dirtbag doesn’t need to be emptied for up to 60 days at a time! In addition, you’ll notice that the vacuum cleaner quickly and effectively learns the layout of your home with sensitive scanning and sensors to ensure safe and efficient cleaning.
The iRobot Roomba S9+ benefits from several options when it comes to operation. There is a compatible smartphone app that is easy to use, or you can connect it to Alexa or Google Home. The vacuum detects when the battery is low and will return to the charger, completing the cleaning schedule once it has sufficient power.
Of course, this is a more expensive machine, but it’s worth it considering all of the superior features. The only real downside is that it is considerably noisier than some of its competitors, which isn’t ideal when you’re trying to have a peaceful afternoon nap!
Key Specs:
- Bin capacity: 0.52 L
- Suction power (pascal): 2,500 Pa
- Wi-Fi connectivity: yes
- Smart home connectivity: Alexa, Google Home
- Smart mapping: yes
- Battery life: 120 mins
5. Neato Robotics Botvac D7 Vacuum Cleaner
Best for Hard to Reach Areas – Neato Robotics Botvac D7 Vacuum Cleaner
The Neato Robotics Botvac D7 comes in a less-than-standard shape. Rather than being totally round like many robot vacuum cleaners, this one has a flat rear which allows it to get into corners and hard-to-reach spots. It also benefits from laser mapping giving you an efficient clean without the risk of the vacuum running into any obstacles.
What’s more, the Neato Robotics Botvac D7 features a larger than average brush; up to 70% bigger than its competitors, meaning a much wider cleaning range that will get deep into the carpets. The appliance is suitable for both carpets and hard floors, giving it excellent versatility. It’ll navigate under and around the furniture, and with No Go Lines, you won’t need to worry about it venturing into places you don’t want it to.
We also really liked the fact that the Neato Robotics Botvac D7 has a long-running time of up to 120 minutes. If you need something that’ll offer a more detailed clean, this is a superior choice. The battery also recharges quickly, so you don’t need to wait long between cleans.
With Alexa and Google Home compatibility, this is the ideal appliance for anyone who wants the simplicity of voice control. Operation is super simple with one-touch controls making this perfect for anyone new to this type of equipment. The only problem is that many users report connection problems which can be a little tasking.
Key Specs:
- Bin capacity: 0.7 L
- Suction power (pascal): 2,000 Pa
- Wi-Fi connectivity: yes
- Smart home connectivity: Alexa, Google Home
- Smart mapping: yes
- Battery life: 120 mins