Just like in robot tests, the width of the test bed is proportional to the vacuum’s nozzle width. We also use nozzle width, plus the flooring type, to calculate the soil density for each test, per International Electrotechnical Commission guidelines. The IEC is an international standards body responsible for managing vacuum testing procedures, among other things, for vacuum manufacturers. Our rice-based, medium-size shark cordless particle test didn’t show enough differentiation between each cleaner, which says they can all handle larger particles without trouble. According to iRobot, it makes 60 navigational decisions per second, and having watched it work through a tangle of chair legs we’re happy to believe it. Thankfully the S6 MaxV is quick and relatively quiet, although you’ll not want to chat while it’s in the same room.
When one of these sensors is activated, Roomba stops and backs away. Other sensors respond to infrared transmitting units called virtual walls. These units act as invisible barriers that mark the limit of the space where the Roomba is supposed to clean. This robot vacuum is a huge step in the right direction and if you know how Dyson operates, it will only get better over time.
The Dyson 360 Eye gives you 30 to 40 minutes of cleaning on full suction, while Dyson 360 Heurist can run for 75 minutes between charges. The good thing about these vacuums is that they are smart enough to return to their charging stations when the battery drains. As mentioned above, a robot vacuum is not the same as a stick vacuum. While both will get your house clean, their cleaning approach is quite different. The Dyson V10 uses a central brushroll at the base and a new design that allows for better airflow up the stick of the vacuum. The dustbin takes on a new look, compared to older models, that allows for optimal airflow and stronger suction.
The great thing about a camera based system is that even if you have black furniture or chrome plated furniture, this robot will still see it unlike systems that use infrared or laser guided systems. Unlike the older Roomba and Neato robots that rely on infrared lasers so make sure that you run this during the day or have your lights turned on. Of course when you compare it to a full sized upright, it won’t match the sheer suction but when you compare it to other robovacs, nothing comes close to it. It almost doubles the height of any current Roomba or Neato vacuum which hurts its ability to clean under furniture. However, you don’t need to worry about such things with the iRobot Roomba j7. It won’t tidy away your mess but it will give a wide berth to obstacles that could cause it problems.
That’s in between two of Roomba’s top models, the i7 and the S9. Dyson, through the sheer number of products they have, manufactures cheaper vacuums than Roomba doesn’t, at least in quantity and the number of options between vacuum styles. The V8 is cordless and has a battery that lasts for about 50 minutes before charging is needed again. If you can have a minimalist home or furniture with good space underneath, this won’t apply to your situation and the 360 would do a phenomenal job traveling throughout your floor plan.
The iRobot Roomba 980 has also dropped the ball when it comes to overall performance. However, the 980 does make sure it picks up as much as possible and does a fairly decent job. The camera navigation is a lot better than expected, and it doesn’t have as much difficulty finding its docking station as previous models did.
If you cannot abide vacuuming, and only want to do it every couple of weeks to grab any spots a robot might have missed, then perhaps this vacuum is for you. However, at £799.99, this is no small investment, especially given the significant weaknesses with this vacuum. On occasion, the app would not allow our testers to start the vacuum; it stalled, waiting for a software update which did not come.
And the S7 getting into a room it shouldn’t be in could cause a serious holdup. If you have rooms with high-pile rugs or cords on the ground, you’ll want to move them or be sure to take advantage of the zone feature. My S7 wouldn’t suck anything when its bin was full until it came across a phone charger — and suddenly, it was starving. It fiddled around with that and my beloved fluffy white rug, and even got tripped up on thicker cords like extension cords. They’re easy to pull out of the bottom once cleaning is paused, but this could waste hours of cleaning time if you aren’t there to fix it.
Once I learned how to do everything in the app, I still had trouble getting most things going. A few too many steps involved, unless you just want to start cleaning. The reports were the same as the Roomba, with coverage, battery and charging times. The cross angles bristles pick up most hair and fur and stings, but it is easily wrapped around the extractor bar.