Tag Archives: vacuum

Reviews

SwitchBot K10+ Review: A Small Robot Vacuum Cleaner for Compact Spaces

The SwitchBot K10+ vacuum comes with a powerful 2500Pa suction that is commonly found in larger, budget-friendly robot vacuums. The K10+ effectively picks up dust, cat litter, fur, and food crumbs from hard floors, thin rugs, and textured, medium-pile carpets commonly found in apartments.

While it may not pick up every single piece of dirt and debris, most robot vacuums struggle with that as well. The K10+ manages to pick up noticeable particles from the floor while leaving rugs and carpets visibly fluffier after cleaning. Additionally, its compact size allows it to access areas that a regular vacuum, such as an Ecovacs Deebot T20 Omni, might not be able to reach. The K10+ moves swiftly under office chairs and couches, between bike tires, and into narrow spaces beside toilets.

switchbot k10+ navigation sensorsSarah Chaney/SlashGear

When it comes to maneuvering around obstacles, the K10+ performs reasonably well. The SwitchBot app advises users to remove cables and other potential obstacles before cleaning, which is a common practice for most robot vacuums. While they are smart, they are not yet that advanced.

In a test scenario with a pair of shoes and a small plate of cat food on the floor, the K10+ navigated around the shoes, moving them slightly in the process, but nudged the plate as it crossed paths. If the item on the floor is heavy, the K10+ will navigate around it, but it’s advisable to clear thin and light items before initiating the vacuuming process.

News, Robotics, Technology

iRobot’s Roomba Combo J9+ Takes A Smarter Approach To Mop Drips & Pet Mess

iRobot has introduced the new Roomba Combo j9+ robot vacuum and mop, which makes a significant improvement in how it handles mop drips and pet messes. Unlike previous models that simply raise the mop pads slightly when encountering carpeted surfaces, the Roomba Combo j9+ lifts the mop pads onto the top of the robot to avoid any drips. Additionally, the new Roomba features SmartScrub, a function that applies extra pressure and back-and-forth motions to the mop for twice the scrubbing power. With dual rubber brushes and 100% more powerful suction than the Roomba i Series, the Roomba Combo j9+ ensures a thorough clean.

Cleaning Preferences in app
iRobot

One of the standout features of the Roomba Combo j9+ is its compatibility with iRobot OS 7.0’s Dirt Detective. This feature analyzes the cleaning requirements of each room and determines which rooms should be cleaned first based on their level of dirtiness or their most recent cleaning. It automatically adjusts its cleaning behavior accordingly, such as doing two passes in kitchens and bathrooms, increasing vacuuming strength on carpets, and using less liquid on hardwood floors. The Roomba also has a smart sequencing feature that leaves the bathroom for last to prevent tracking messes into other rooms.

CleanBase open
iRobot

The mapping capability of the Roomba Combo j9+ has been significantly improved, allowing it to map rooms up to 7 times faster than its predecessors. It also supports automatic room naming for easier identification. Users can manually override settings through the iRobot app, and the Roomba itself is equipped to detect over 80 everyday household objects, such as wires, socks, and pet waste. In fact, iRobot’s Pet Owner Official Promise (P.O.O.P.) guarantee ensures that if the Roomba fails to avoid solid pet waste, the company will replace the robot.