Best Value Robotic Vacuums – A Comparative Review

It is a given that at this present time, iRobot Roomba products dominate the US market for robotic vacuums. However, as analyzed earlier, iRobot failed to transform Roomba into a mass market flagship product as their focus was on a broad array of niche products.

Over the years, a number of competitive products have mushroomed. The competition is more intense in the international arena with many familiar companies opting not to market their products in the US. Roomba’s dominance and their intimidating patent portfolio may be a contributing reason for this segregation.


Below is a look at Robotic vacuum manufacturers, their offerings, and availability information:

Manufacturer	Thumbnail	Models	Comments
iRobot		An array of Roomba 400, 500, and 600-series models	Please see our review.
Infinuvo		CleanMate QQ-1, QQ-2, and QQ-2L	Available through Internet retailers. Priced between $100 and $200. Please see our comparative review with Roomba products.
Yujin Robot		several products under the ICelbo brand	South Korean company yet to penetrate the US market.
Koolatron		Koolvac	Roomba won suit against Koolatron alleging Koolvac is a Roomba knock-off. As a result it is not sold in the US. Outside the US it is sold for about $200.
Hanool Robotics		Ottoro	Another Korean product – not sold in the US.
Robo Maxx		Robo Maxx	German product – not sold in US - Barebones functionality sold for the equivalent of around $60 in Europe.
TeleBrands Corporation		RoboMaid/RoboMop	Sold outside the US only. Inexpensive (~$20) product available in Europe and Asia. A dust-pad and roll-ball at the bottom along with a rechargeable battery forms the product.
Karcher/Siemens		Robocleaner RC3000 Sensor Cruiser	A fully-functional robot with an innovative two-step (on-board smaller receptacle & a half-gallon receptacle in the base station) dust disposal process. Not available in the US. Much more expensive (over $1000).
Electrolux		Trilobite	Swedish product categorized as the first commercially available autonomous vacuum cleaner. Considered functionally a lot better than the Roomba with ultrasonic & infrared sensors that allow it to avoid bumps & tripping. Much more expensive (over $1000) than the Roomba as sold in Europe –used ones can sometimes be found in eBay USA.
LG		RoboKing - V-R4000	Claims the most powerful motor in the Robotic vacuum world. Also features a Lithium Polymer battery that is superior to Ni-Mh batteries used in the Roomba. Expensive at close to $900.
Lentek		Intelli-vac	A semi-functional robot that was sold in the US through TV marketing for about $40. Discontinued.
P3 International		An array of “inexpensive” robots priced between $50 and $150	The Ni-Cd battery does not have enough suction power.
iTouchless		Robotic Intelligent Vacuum Cleaner PRO	Functionality similar to Roomba’s low-end line, but the reviews on it are not good. Pricing - $139.
Vesture		TrackVac	An RC car and vacuum combo! Priced high at $180
Samsung		GTO Hauzen, VC-RE7, and VC-B835R	Yet another Korean product in the very high-end of the market. Not available in the US.
Sharper Image		eVac	It featured a powerful motor and conventional suction design. Sold for between $150 and $300 in 2004. Status: Discontinued.
Floorbotics		iVac	An expensive Australian Robot that claimed to have an algorithm that ensured cleaning areas only once. Retailed for above $1500 in 2005. Status: Discontinued.
Zuchetti		Orazio	An Italian combo vacuum (dry), cleaner (wet), polisher product. Expensive and not sold in the US. Multi-purpose Robot that also cleans & polishes all types of floors - Currently marketed only in parts of Europe.

For a best value comparison, we chose manufacturers that are players in the US and then chose one value offering from each manufacturer/series. Below is our comparison spreadsheet:

Product	iRobot Roomba 410	Infinuvo CleanMate QQ-2	P3 International V-Bot P4940 Robotic Vacuum	iTouchless Robotic Intelligent Vacuum Pro	Vesture TrackVac
Thumbnail
List Price	$149.99	$249	$129	$209.95	$299
Best Price	$149.99	$159	$79	$139.95	$165
Warranty	1 year	1 year for parts. 6-months for battery.	6-months.	1-year.	1-year
Measurements	13 by 4 inches	14 by 3.5 inches	14 by 3.5 inches	13.5 by 3.4 inches	19 by 14 inches rectangular
Battery Type	14.4V 3.0Ah NiMH	14.4V NiMH 2.5 Ah	NiCd 2 Ah	NiCd 1 Ah	Alkaline
Battery Charging Time	7 hours	3.5 hours	12-16 hours	4 hours	2.5 hours
Self-Charging Home Base	No – optional accessory	Yes.	No	No	Yes
Voice Demo	No	No	No	No	Yes
Dirt Detection – spends more time cleaning dirtier areas	Yes	No		No	No
Cleaning Times	120 minutes	70 minutes PLUS additional 40 minutes after recharge.	45 minutes max.	60 minutes	90 minutes
Spot Cleaning	Yes	No	No	No	No
Remote	No	Standard	No	Yes	Yes
Virtual Wall – Allows blocking off-limit areas.	Yes	No	No	No	No
Light House – directs Roomba back to the home-base from up to 4 rooms	No	No	No	No	No
On board scheduling	No	No	No	No	No
UV light based disinfection	No	Yes	No	No	No
Motor Cleaning Movement Design	Counter-Rotating – but a generation behind compared to 5-series technology.	5-step repetitive	Auto – random, spiral, or along-the wall.	Auto-random.	5-step repetitive
Supported Floor Types	No published limits	Not suitable for plush and long fur carpets.	Not suitable for plush and long fur carpets.	Not suitable for plush and long fur carpets.	Not suitable for plush and long fur carpets.
Odor Removal	None	Fragrance slot.	None.	None	None
Dirt Detection	Yes	None	No.	No	No
Stair Detection/Avoidance	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Motor Details	Quiet and Slow	Less Quiet and Faster.	Quieter, Slower, and less powerful.	Less Quiet and Slow.	Quiet.
Auto Resume After Recharge	No	Yes.	No.	No.	No.
Under-bed Sensor – Moves out of a dark area when battery is closed to being drained.	No	Yes	No.	Yes.	No.

Summary:

From the comparison-spreadsheet, it is obvious that the Roomba Red followed closely by the Infinuvo QQ-2 holds a slight edge over the rest of the competition because of better battery and a few other unique and innovative features. That said, P3 International and iTouchless are carving a niche in the deep-value line. The newer versions of these products should give the Roomba Red and Infinuvo QQ-2 a run for their money.

The Vesture TrackVac is unique in its race-car design (the design is patented). But, attempting dual role simultaneously is also its downfall – lack of functionality prevents it from lending credibility to either of its intended purpose – as a vacuum, it lacks power and an absent key feature is the ability to avoid falling down the stairs – as a race car, it is overly bulky for indoor use.

For the value oriented consumer, the suddenly crowded playing field, presents a pick and choose opportunity. Specifically, it should coerce iRobot to sell Roomba Red in the deep-value playing field priced in the $100 range. Such a strategy would also require iRobot to release another product in the $150 range to fill the slot vacated by the Roomba Red – a pared down Roomba 500-series product without the self-charging dock and the Lighthouse/Virtual Wall should fit the bill satisfactorily. The great value in these offerings will definitely be noted as the days of conspicuous consumption are over.

Having owned the Roomba 535 for a couple of years, based on our frugal inclinations we have come to realize its excess:

1. The lighthouse and virtual wall technology – we tend to use it a room at a time and the door amply serves to keep the Roomba in. Even in an open floor-plan family area, it is easier to block access to certain areas than reaching for the lighthouse.
2. The self-docking capability – Roomba is usually transported to the desired location sans the dock and returned to the dock for charging.
3. The scheduling interface and the voice demos - The remote for the scheduling option is beyond the scope of our purpose and the voice demo was used only the first time and its real value is moot.

In essence, a bare bones value product at a lower price point would suffice for the likes of us. Even though we salute the convenience of our Roomba, it has to be admitted that the bells and whistles don’t add up to significant value. In our opinion, a lean and mean product in the $100 price range would command a better mass-market appeal than a feature-rich product costing several hundreds.

Early this year (2010), we decided to recycle our Roomba 535. A we were getting ready for a move half way around the globe, it did not make sense for us to take with us a product that was out of warranty - further, the battery had died and replacing it would have cost upwards of $60. Roomba's modular design helped us as we were able to resell the Lighthouse, Self Charging Home Base, and the main robot (without batteries) for around 60% of the price we originally paid. Having had the experience of owing a Robotic vacuum for over two years, our feeling is that cost of ownership is somewhat higher than traditional vacuums, as the batteries need to be replaced periodically at a sizable cost - we used it once a week or so on the average for around two years when the battery ran out. We will look for at-least a 5-year warranty for the batteries and/or lower warranty at a reduced price point before investing on another robotic vacuum.

Last Updated: 07/2010.

Related Posts:

1. Roomba 600 & 500 Series Comparison/Review (5-series: 530, 532, 535/540, 550, 555, 560, 562, 570, 580, 6-series: 610) - 12/07.
2. iRobot (IRBT) Analysis – 01/08.
3. ConnectR delays highlight growing pains at iRobot (IRBT) – 2/08.
4. Infinuvo CleanMate QQ-1, QQ-2 – An Alternative To The iRobot Roomba Robotic Vacuums – Comparison and Review! - 09/08.
5. iRobot Roomba 5-series Robotic Vacuum Part/Accessory Replacement (Side Brushes) – Customer Support/Warranty Coverage Experience - 09/08
6. Best Value Robotic Vacuums - A Comparative Review - 03/09.