How To Choose The Right Robot Vacuum Cleaner For A Small Apartment?

Ah, the monotony of vacuuming. If you’re not one of the blessed ones who derives joy from cleaning, then vacuuming is one of those repetitive chores that just seems never-ending. But a smaller space should be easier to clean than a larger space, right? Not so fast! It’s easy for dust and debris to accumulate on the limited square footage and with limited airflow in a compact home, as well as for space to become occupied with this, that and the other piece of furniture; resulting in a situation where you have trouble maneuvering a vacuum cleaner into every nook and cranny.

A fast-growing category of smart home devices, robotic vacuums offer respite to the burdened with their automated cleaning, slim profiles and intelligent navigation. In this guide, we will explore whether it’s worth getting a robot vacuum cleaner for a small apartment.
 

Why Choose A Robot Vacuum For A Small Apartment?

 

Smart vacuum cleaners are an asset in small apartments for a few key reasons.

First, they are compact and require little storage room, a significant advantage when space is at a premium. Second, smart vacuum cleaners can operate on schedules set by the user, meaning you can have your apartment cleaned while you’re out or otherwise occupied. Third, they are designed to recognize and maneuver around obstacles and clean under furniture, essentially cleaning every reachable inch of the apartment.

Fifth, they are generally quieter and less disruptive than traditional vacuums which can be an important consideration in a tight space where you share walls with neighbors. Sixth, robotic vacuums improve air quality by trapping allergens and micro-dust particles in small spaces where air circulation is limited. Finally, versus the eyesore of stick or canister vacuums, robot vacuums and their docking stations have sleek and aesthetically pleasing designs.
 

Best DEEBOT Smart Vacuums For Compact Spaces

 

DEEBOT X1 PLUS

 

The DEEBOT X1 PLUS is powered by AIVI 3D and TrueMapping 2.0 technology to create and save a detailed map of even the most compact spaces with indications of furniture locations. With built-in air freshener with luxury scent, 4-stage cleaning system (comprised of dual side brushes, a floating main brush, 5,000 Pa suction¹ and OZMO Pro 3.0 oscillating mops), it is a well-rounded smart vacuum mop housed in the Empty Station. This charging dock not only charges your robot vacuum but its large 3.2L dust bag eliminates the need for frequent manual dustbin emptying – just empty every few weeks or months. Control the DEEBOT X1 PLUS from anywhere in your apartment with the human-like YIKO voice assistant which understands natural voice commands.

DEEBOT N10 PLUS

 

Another good robot vacuum and mop for small apartments is the DEEBOT N10 PLUS. It has all the features of the N10, with the added ability to customize cleaning modes, water flow, suction power and cleaning times between rooms, plus the ability to set the order in which DEEBOT cleans spaces and mark no-go zones in the ECOVACS HOME APP. It’s also equipped with a stronger battery than the N10 model which extends use on a single charge to 300 minutes.

DEEBOT X1 TURBO

 

Another DEEBOT from ECOVACS which is a fantastic option for small apartment dwellers is the DEEBOT X1 TURBO. This is a dual vacuum mop housed in the Clean Station with automatic washing and drying of mop cloths to prevent bacteria and mold growth. The device can be controlled hands-free with YIKO virtual assistant. With 5,000 Pa suction and equipped with AIVI 3D technology, astrophotography-grade RGB camera and artificial intelligence for even more responsive obstacle avoidance, the X1 TURBO is also designed by renowned Scandinavian design consultancy Jacob Jensen Design for a premium look that seamlessly fits into the modern home.
 

Steps To Choosing Robot Vacuums For Small Residences

 

Consider Your Lifestyle

The robot vacuum industry is in a cool space of innovation. Different models have very different capabilities in terms of suction power, navigation technology, smart home compatibility and ease of use and so it’s important to look for an auto vacuum that suits your small home’s specific needs.

Do you have pets? Kids? Look for a robot vacuum with strong suction power and a brush roll that can handle pet hair and large pieces of debris. Do you work long hours and have limited time for cleaning? An important feature to look for, then, will be scheduling capabilities on your robotic floor cleaner can clean on a routine without any extra mental exertion on your part.

Check Lowest Clearance

A robot vacuum and mop for small rooms and apartments should be able to reach every corner, otherwise it’s leaving a percentage of the already small space untouched. Measure the height between the bottom of furniture and the ground to ensure your little housekeeper can fit under all the furniture you want to clean underneath. This is especially important in tiny homes where significant portions of ground are obscured by furniture and appliances.

Height & Size

It’s easiest to limit your search to smart vacuum cleaners with a low-profile design that can easily clear low-sitting furniture. The overall size will also affect the robot’s ease in maneuvering around tight spaces and corners. Robot vacuums require base stations, so you should also factor in the height and width of the accompanying station when seeing what will best suit your home.

Cleaning Performance

Vacuum robot cleaning performance is generally determined by suction power, brush type and filtration system. Is your tiny residence comprised of hard surfaces like hardwood, linoleum or tile, soft surfaces like carpet or a mix of both? Stronger suction power is better for extracting large debris and micro dust from between carpet and rug fibers, while if your apartment just has hard surfaces, you can probably suffice with average suction power (for a frame of reference, DEEBOT floor vacuum robots range from 40 to 50 Watts in motor power). Also consider a device with multiple cleaning modes (e.g., Certain DEEBOTs have enhanced spot cleaning and edge cleaning) to tackle more kinds of messes.


 

Dust Bin Capacity

The next step in choosing the best robot vacuum cleaner for a small apartment is checking how much debris can fit in the onboard dustbin. Taking convenience to the next level, most DEEBOT robotic vacuums feature automatic dust emptying, where the dust in the device’s reservoir is hoovered into the docking station so users can go longer in between manual empties (up to 60 days!).

Battery Life

Now take a close look at the automatic vacuum’s battery life. This encompasses run time on a single charge and how long it takes to recharge. The vacuum robot will be most effective if it can cover your entire apartment in one pass, given that it’s already a small living space. To this effect, ECOVACS’ DEEBOT robots can vacuum for up to 300 minutes on silent mode². And while they can take up to five hours to fully charge, newer generations feature intelligent charging where the device returns to its station to charge when it’s running low on battery, then independently resumes unfinished cleaning tasks.

Navigation & Mapping

Next up, one of the most important factors of selecting a robotic vacuum for size-challenged homes is navigation and room mapping. Smart vacuums utilize one or a few sensor technologies to ‘see’ and move around your space effectively (which affects how long cleaning sessions take and whether it will frequently get stuck), each sensor with its strengths and weaknesses. Look for one with a camera sensor that can analyze and actually recognize obstacles and lidar and/or ToF sensors for detailed environment mapping. These sensors can also help them map different floors in a home, which can come in handy if, for instance, your apartment has a loft.


 

Noise Output

Finally, in the search for an apartment-friendly robot vacuum and mop, consider the decibel level the device is rocking at normal operation. This can be a make or break if you have thin walls. Smart vacuums are generally quieter than normal handheld vacuums and what constitutes ‘loud’ is subjective, but as a guideline, look for one with a motor around 69dB (which is about the same noise level as an average conversation). DEEBOTs go as quiet as 65dB on sweeping mode.
 

FAQ