Comparison iRobot Roomba 616 vs iRobot Roomba 980

The nominal volume of the dust collector installed in the vacuum cleaner.

This indicator largely depends on the type of unit (see above). For example, in most handheld household models, the capacity does not exceed 0.5 L. The volume of the container in upright vacuum cleaners and robots can be somewhat larger — among the first variety there are quite a few models for 1 – 2 liters or even more, and among the second — by 0.6 – 1 liter and a little more. For conventional vacuum cleaners, the minimum figure is actually about 0.8 – 1 L; dust collectors for 1 – 2 L and 2 – 4 L are very popular in such devices; the maximum capacity is actually 4 – 6 liters — units of a similar layout, but with a larger capacity, are usually referred to as household ones. In turn, relatively small containers are occasionally found among workshop models. However, in vacuum cleaners of this type, the capacity is generally quite large — it can reach 26 – 50 liters or even more ; the same applies to industrial (construction) units.

In general, a larger dust container allows you to work longer without interruptions. On the other hand, a capacious container itself takes up more space and, accordingly, affects the size, weight and price.... So when choosing this parameter, it is worth considering the actual features of the use of a vacuum cleaner. Here we can give such an example: for a full-scale cleaning of an average city apartment, a capacity of about 1 – 1.5 litres is required. Thus, say, a 4-litre bag allows you to carry out two such cleanings with sufficient efficiency without unloading the vacuum cleaner. There are more detailed recommendations regarding the optimal volume of the dust collector, including specific cleaning options. These recommendations can be found in special sources.

Presence in the vacuum cleaner dust collector filling indicator.

The general meaning of this function is already clear from the name: it is an indicator that informs the user about the fullness of the dust collector. At the same time, we note that the features of the operation of such a pointer may be different. The simplest option is a mechanical or electrical device that works when the amount of debris in the dust collector approaches a critical level. More advanced indicators can show a specific degree of filling at any time. In advanced vacuum cleaners, complex electronic systems can be used with values displayed on a display or a light indicator.

This function is most popular in models with bags (see "Dust collector") since without an indicator it would be necessary to control the fullness of such a vacuum cleaner manually — by opening the dust collector compartment and checking by touch how tightly the bag is filled. In cyclone systems, fill indicators are very rare and in aquafilters — even less often: both there and there, transparent materials are often used to allow you to see the amount of debris inside without opening the vacuum cleaner.

The presence of a HEPA fine filter in the vacuum cleaner; also in this paragraph, the specific class of this filter is often specified.

HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Absorbing) filters are designed to purify the air from the smallest mechanical contaminants — up to tenths of a micron in size. It allows you to trap not only fine dust but even bacteria. For comparison: the size of most bacteria starts at 0.5 microns, and the effectiveness of HEPA filters is evaluated by the ability to retain particles with a size of 0.1 – 0.3 microns. The most advanced such filters ( class 13 and above) are able to remove more than 99.9% of these particles from the air. Here is a more detailed description of the different classes:

— HEPA 10 – traps at least 85% of particles with a size of 0.1 – 0.3 microns;
— HEPA 11 – at least 95% of such particles;
— HEPA 12 – not less than 99.5%;
— HEPA 13 – not less than 99.95%;
— HEPA 14 – not less than 99.995%;

Note that pollution with a size of 0.1 – 0.3 microns is the worst-kept by HEPA filters, so with particles of other sizes (both larger and smaller), the efficiency of such elements will be even higher.

Regarding the choice for this parameter, it is worth noting that, in fact, it does not always make sense to pursue a high filtration class. For example, during wet cleaning with a washing vacuum cleaner (se...e above), the HEPA filter, in fact, is not needed at all (in many models, it is recommended to remove it altogether for such cases). So if you plan to use such a vacuum cleaner mainly for washing, you can ignore this parameter. Another specific case is industrial units (see "Type"): they are often used for rough cleaning of large debris, where thorough air filtration is not required.

Additional modes of operation provided by the robot cleaner (see "Product type").

First of all, let us clarify that the standard modes, in this case, include two formats of cleaning at standard power — continuous, in which the vacuum cleaner carefully cleans the entire room (or its specified area), and chaotic, in which it moves randomly within the working area. Other ways of working are considered additional; their list is given in this paragraph. Among the most common additional modes are spot cleaning (Spot), perimeter cleaning (Edge), and turbo mode. In addition, a fairly popular function is the Zigzag. Here is a detailed description of the different options:

— Spot cleaning (Spot). A mode that allows you to use the vacuum cleaner for targeted cleaning of a relatively small area of the room — for example, when spilling a small amount of debris. Most often, this programme works as follows: the robot moves to the centre of a user-defined zone, and then starts moving from this point in an expanding spiral and stops at a given distance from the starting position.

— Perimeter cleaning (Edge). A mode that allows you to start the vacuum cleaner around the perimeter of a given zone. By the name, it is mainly used for cleaning along the walls of the room: a lot of dirt accumulates in these places, which...are difficult to remove when using standard cleaning modes.

— Turbo mode. Power mode for more suction force. Usually, the movement of the vacuum cleaner, in this case, can be carried out according to any programme available in the settings — both standard (combing, random movement) and additional (Spot, Edge, Zigzag). Anyway, the turbo mode is useful primarily for cleaning carpets and other floor coverings with pile, for which the standard power of the vacuum cleaner is not enough. However, working at increased traction increases the load on the unit and increases its wear. Therefore, most models have restrictions on the maximum time of continuous operation in turbo mode and sometimes on the minimum duration of breaks between switching on this mode.

— Zigzag. Zigzag movement is a kind of transitional variant between the orderly combing of the room and the random choice of direction. Zigzag allows you to achieve greater efficiency than chaotic movements. In addition, with such a movement, it is easier to compensate for the presence of various obstacles and ensure thorough cleaning of the entire given area.

Additional functions provided in the design of the robot vacuum cleaner (see "Type").

Most often in modern robots you can find such special functions: scheduled cleaning, fall protection, obstacle sensor, object recognition, water supply adjustment, control via the Internet, remote control and video surveillance camera. Here is a more detailed description of each of them:

- Scheduled cleaning. The ability to set a schedule according to which the vacuum cleaner will clean automatically, without additional commands from the customer. At the same time, the specific features of such programming may be different, they should be specified separately. So, in the simplest models, the schedule is limited to individual hours within a day - for example, from 16 to 17; at the set hours, the vacuum cleaner is switched on every day. More advanced devices may provide a schedule for the days of the week or even for the dates of the month or year. In any case, this function greatly simplifies the use: it is enough to set the schedule once - and you can not worry about cleaning for at least a few days; especially since most models with this capability also have the function of docking(see “Robot Configuration - Charging Station”), and the customer only needs to periodically empty the dust container (which is even more simplified if there is a docking station with a bag - see . below).

- Fall protection. Special protection that prevents the vacuum cleaner from falling off steps, high thresholds, etc. In most cases, the basis of such a system is one or more sensors located on the underside of the case. When the vacuum cleaner travels to the edge of the surface being treated, the sensor reacts to this edge - as a result, the device stops and changes direction in order to avoid falling.

- Obstacle sensor. Sensor (or sensor system) for detecting obstacles in the path of the vacuum cleaner. The specific type of such sensors can be different: ultrasonic, infrared, laser, contact, etc. However, in any case, this function allows the device to move in space, avoiding collisions and determining the best detour path. Note that models without such a sensor, for the most part, are also able to bypass obstacles - however, for this, the robot must not only stumble upon a foreign object, but try to pass through it. And only in case of failure, the trajectory changes - moreover, randomly, far from always in the optimal (or at least suitable) direction.

- Object recognition. The function of recognizing various objects on the floor that may interfere with the cleaning process. It is implemented through the presence of a front camera to adjust the optimal route for the vacuum cleaner along the perimeter of the serviced area. The camera in the design of the robotic cleaner reads the outlines of objects and allows you to bypass such obstacles. As a result, slippers, socks thrown under the bed, children's's toys and wires will no longer interfere with the movements of the vacuum cleaner. The function is of particular benefit in the presence of pets at home that are not accustomed to the tray - the robot will calmly has their waste products and keep the nervous system of pet owners healthy.

— Adjustment of water supply. Dosing system for the degree of wetting of the washing cloth in automatic mode. The ability to select the intensity of the water supply allows you to adjust the operation of the robotic vacuum cleaner for different types of floor coverings. For example, for parquet and laminate, the customer can set a low water flow rate, and for less whimsical tiled flooring, a high water flow rate. Also, the vacuum cleaner can turn off the water supply to avoid leaks, for example, when charging. In advanced models of robotic vacuum cleaners, the function of choosing an individual degree of wetting of the napkin for each of the rooms of the dwelling is often incorporated.

— Docking station with a bag. Docking station with its own trash bag. Upon arrival at such a stand, the robot can not only recharge the battery, but also carry out self-cleaning - unload the collected garbage into an external container; The capacity of the dock, as a rule, is enough for several unloadings. The convenience of this function is obvious: it allows the device to work longer without customer intervention, eliminates the need to manually clean the vacuum cleaner when the dust container is full (besides, unloading garbage from the dock is usually easier than such cleaning). True, and such opportunities are quite expensive.

- Management from the Internet. The ability to control the vacuum cleaner via the Internet - most often through a special application on a smartphone or other gadget (theoretically, such control is also possible through a web page that opens in any browser, but in practice this method is almost never used). The robot itself is connected to the network via Wi-Fi. The main advantage of this function is obvious - it allows you to give commands to the device from anywhere in the world where there is Internet access. In this way, for example, you can start a cleaning programme the day before you return from vacation in order to return to a freshly cleaned apartment. And the vacuum cleaner, in turn, can send various notifications to the customer - about the state of the battery, the progress of cleaning, the fullness of the dust container, etc.

- Remote control. A classic remote control that allows you to give commands to the device from a distance. As a rule, such a remote control covers all the main functions of the vacuum cleaner, and in many models it also allows you to directly control the movement. In any case, without remote access, it would be very difficult to control a moving vacuum cleaner - you would either have to wait until it finishes working, or catch the unit on the go. In light of this, this feature is very popular; however, on sale you can find a lot of robots without a remote control. As a rule, these are either the simplest budget devices with a random movement mode and without any additional functions, or advanced models where a smartphone / tablet with an application is used for control.
We also note that the remote controls in robotic vacuum cleaners usually work via an infrared channel - similar to remote controls for TVs, air conditioners, etc. Thus, to receive a command, the vacuum cleaner must be in the line of sight. However, in most cases this can not be called a serious inconvenience.

- Videcam. Own surveillance camera built right into the vacuum cleaner. This feature is only found on web-based models (see above); it allows you to use the robot as a remote video surveillance system and control the situation in the room, being outside and watching the picture from the camera on the smartphone screen. Also, the built-in camera can be used in the mapping system (see "Building a room map") - however, we note that not every vacuum cleaner with a built-in mapping camera has a video surveillance function.

The mapping system is provided in many modern robots. It allows you to determine the size of the room and the location of various obstacles present in it, as well as fix the route travelled by the vacuum cleaner. There are various systems according to their principle of operation, among which there are three types. Methods for building a map based on data from a sensor or a camera belonging to the basic level. But building a map using a laser rangefinder (lidar) gives more accurate results and elevates the device to a higher category. Accordingly, the presence of such a system affects the overall cost but provides several advantages. Firstly, cleaning efficiency is noticeably increased: the robot remembers which areas have already been cleaned and pays maximum attention to untreated areas. Secondly, movements are carried out along optimal trajectories, the shortest paths; this saves energy and extends battery life. Thirdly, it becomes possible to effectively clean large spaces of complex shape (for example, the entire apartment). And if the vacuum cleaner is controlled through an application on a smartphone or other gadget, the created map is displayed in this application. It gives various additional features: correcting the collected data, real-time device control, building routes, limiting cleaning through the application (see above), etc. P.

As for the methods of building maps (and further...navigation), there are mainly such options:

— Camera. Such systems work because the robot, using a digital camera, “examines” the room, remembering its shape and the location of objects. A fairly simple, inexpensive and at the same time practical way: usually, the camera is supplemented by an object recognition algorithm, thanks to which it can recognize obstacles stored in memory, regardless of their position in space. It is useful when you have items that are frequently moved around, such as chairs. In addition, if the map is displayed in an application on a smartphone, it looks like not just a conventional diagram but a real image, which is very convenient. The disadvantages of this option include perhaps a slightly lower accuracy than that of sensors and even more so rangefinders. However, it is not critical, and in some models, information from the camera can be supplemented with data from sensors, which completely reduces this drawback to zero.

— Sensors. Creating a map through the operation of various special sensors. Most often, such systems use sensors for obstacles and fall protection (see "Robot features"), working in conjunction with an inertial module that determines the current position of the robot in space. Receiving a signal from one of the sensors, the robot saves data on the trigger point; from such points, as a result, the map is formed. It is a fairly reliable method. It is inferior in accuracy to rangefinding cartography (see below) but it is also cheaper. The disadvantages of this type of mapping include some inconvenience when managing via the application. The map is displayed in the form of a scheme map, which is not always convenient for the user. In addition, vacuum cleaners with such systems are unable to respond in advance to a change in the situation — this change is determined only when the sensor is triggered again.

— Rangefinder (laser). Building a map using a laser range finder — lidar. Usually, such a rangefinder covers the space all 360 ° around the vacuum cleaner, scanning the space at a high frequency (hundreds and even thousands of measurements per second in all directions). It allows you to create very accurate maps in a short time and with a minimum of movement in space. In addition, the rangefinder is used not only during the initial mapping but also during further work. Thanks to this, the robot instantly reacts to changes in the environment and corrects the trajectory of movement. The main disadvantage of such systems is their rather high cost. In addition, as in the case of sensors, when controlling the vacuum cleaner from a smartphone, the map is displayed in the form of a scheme map, which is somewhat less convenient than when using cameras.

— Rangefinder + camera. It is the most advanced and functional option: the laser provides high accuracy in determining distances and a quick response to changes in the environment. And the camera allows you to create not just scheme maps but realistic images of premises that are convenient when controlled via a smartphone. The main disadvantage of such combined systems is their very high cost. Therefore, they are extremely rare, mainly in premium robot vacuum cleaners.

Types of voice assistants supported by the robot vacuum cleaner.

As the name implies, this function allows you to control the robot using voice commands. However, we emphasize that in this case, we are not talking about the voice recognition system built into the vacuum cleaner but about compatibility with an external device on which the corresponding voice assistant is installed — a smartphone, tablet, smart speaker, etc. Thus, to use voice control, an additional device will inevitably be required; on the other hand, there are no problems with the search for such a device nowadays. And in itself, such a control method often turns out to be more convenient than a command from the remote control or searching for the desired option in the control application.

As for specific assistants, the most popular nowadays are (in alphabetical order) Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, Google Assistant. And in robot vacuum cleaners, compatibility can be provided both with one of them and with several at once. The specific control functionality available through the voice assistant should be specified separately for each model. It is also worth paying attention to the supported languages: for Siri, the language must be selected in the settings, for the Google Assistant, automatic language recognition is available (some adjustment may be required), and in Alexa (as of early 2021) support for the Russian language is not provided at all.

Cleaning area for which the robot vacuum cleaner is designed.

It is the maximum size of the room that the device can effectively process without the need to empty the dust container or charge the battery. It is worth choosing according to this parameter with a certain margin — this will give an additional guarantee in case of various emergencies. On the other hand, you should not take too much stock: after all, a large cleaning area requires more capacious batteries and capacious dust collectors, which significantly affects the dimensions, weight, and most importantly, the price of the vacuum cleaner.

As for specific figures, the most modest models nowadays are designed for 45 – 60 m2 — this corresponds to an average apartment with 1 – 2 rooms. And in the most advanced and heavy devices of this type, the cleaning area can be 300 m2 or even more.

The rated voltage of the battery used in the vacuum cleaner with the corresponding type of power supply (see above).

Initially, manufacturers select the characteristics of the battery (including voltage) in such a way that the vacuum cleaner can be guaranteed to deliver the power claimed in the specifications. Therefore, when choosing this indicator often does not play a decisive role. However, it can also be useful in such cases — for the most reliable comparison between models with different battery capacities in ampere-hours. See "Battery capacity" for details.

In addition, voltage data can be useful during operation — for example, to find a spare/replacement battery or a third-party charger.