What it does and does not do
A robot vacuum is good at the daily repetitive job: fine dust, pet hair and crumbs on flat floors. It does not replace properly cleaning corners, vacuuming the sofa, or tidying up clutter. Think of it as the thing that saves you sweeping every evening, not as a cleaner.
Which features are worth paying extra for
- Self-washing and drying dock: the most worthwhile. Without drying, damp pads start to smell within days.
- AI object recognition: worth it if you have small children or charging cables on the floor.
- Suction above 10,000 Pa: only worth it with rugs or a heavily shedding pet.
- Self-emptying dust bags: convenient, but the bags add up — factor that into a long-term budget.
The real cost after six months
Beyond the purchase price we spent money on replacement mop pads, a HEPA filter and one main brush. Budget for this before you decide, especially on models that use proprietary dust bags.
Who should buy, who should not
Buy if your home is over 60m² with flat floors and you have children or pets. Skip it if you live in under 40m² and already sweep regularly — a good handheld vacuum will serve you better.