Robot Vacuum Reviews

At Fizzy Offers, we test robot vacuums in a detailed and scientific way. We look at how well they clean, how they move around, their build, ease of use, and upkeep. We use many tests to find the top robot vacuums.

Our Robot Vacuum Testing Process

We test robot vacuums in five key areas. These are:

• Cleaning Performance
• Navigation
• Build Quality
• Usability
• Maintenance

We also check for noise and size. But these don’t count towards the score.

1. Cleaning Performance

This is our top test, making up 60% of the total score. It includes several tests, depending on if it mops too.

• Debris Test (55% or 45% of Cleaning Score): We test on three floor types and four debris types. We see how much is removed.
• Pet Hair Test (25% or 15% of Cleaning Score): We use 1.0 grams of dog hair on high-pile carpet. We measure how much is removed from the carpet and the brushes.
• Long Hair Test (10% of Cleaning Score): We use 1.0 grams of synthetic hair on high-pile carpet. We measure how much is removed from the floor and the brushes, checking for tangles.
• Edge Test (5% of Cleaning Score): We place debris along a wall and measure how effectively the vacuum cleans close to the edge.
• Crevice Test (5% of Cleaning Score): We fill three crevices on a tile floor with sugar and measure how well the vacuum cleans them.
• Mop Test (20% of Cleaning Score): For vacuums with mopping capabilities, we thoroughly clean a large space. We check the mopping pads to see how much dirt was removed.

2. Navigation

This test accounts for 20% of the total score. It has three important parts:

• Cleaning Efficiency (50% of Navigation Score): We track if the robot can fully clean a space, return to its docking station, and not get stuck.
• Obstacle Avoidance (40% of Navigation Score): We set up four obstacles to see if the robot can avoid them.
• Cleaning Speed (10% of Navigation Score): We measure how quickly the robot can clean a large space.

3. Build Quality

This subjective test accounts for 5% of the score. We look at the robot’s materials and design for any flaws. We rate the build quality using a 7-level system.

4. Usability

This category accounts for 10% of the total score. It evaluates three weighted factors:

• App (75% of Usability Score): We check how well the robot connects to its app. We see how the app’s features enhance the cleaning experience.
• Setup (20% of Usability Score): This subjective test records the time and difficulty of getting the robot ready to use.
• Controls & Display (5% of Usability Score): We evaluate how easy the physical controls and display are to use.

5. Maintenance

This test makes up 5% of the total score. It has two equally weighted parts:

• Recurring Costs (50% of Maintenance Score): An objective test that calculates the yearly cost of keeping the robot vacuum running.
• Maintaining Tasks (50% of Maintenance Score): A subjective test that assesses how difficult it is to keep the robot vacuum in good shape.

Non-Scoring Tests

We also measure the following, but they don’t affect the final score:

• Noise: We use a sound meter to measure the robot vacuum’s volume. But this is not a scoring factor because noise doesn’t affect cleaning performance.
• Size & Dimensions: We report on the robot’s size, weight, and capacity. But this is not a scoring factor.