06 May
Blog

Trifo Lucy Robot Vacuum: Prioritizes Security Over Cleaning

Trifo Lucy Robot Vacuum on hard wood

Trifo robot vacuum cleaner

"The Trifo Lucy can keep an eye on your home, but it may not do a good job cleaning it."

  • Useful surveillance camera function

  • Good at avoiding most obstacles and clutter

  • Terrible mopping implementation

  • Not efficient at cleaning

  • Jerky navigation in tight spaces / edges

Trifo's Lucy robotic vacuum first caught my interest during CES 2020 and was one of the first robotic vacuums ready to take the category in a new direction. What sets it apart from the crowded field is its ability to see its surroundings with an embedded camera right in front of the bot – with the promise of avoiding trippy wires, challenging furniture corners, and the dreaded droppings on the floor.

In addition to avoiding obstacles, the camera is designed to provide peace and quiet when you are not there as it doubles as a surveillance camera. Hence, it will pay attention to your every move and notify you if something is wrong. While we've seen other interpretations over the past year, I'm curious to see if it offers a more practical solution. However, it doesn't matter if it can't be cleaned well.

An example of the superiority of lidar

Read the specifications of the Trifo LucyIt seems like a promising bot that does double duty as a cleaning lady and babysitter. While Artificial Intelligence (AI), 1080p HDR video, Alexa integration, night vision, and 3D obstacle avoidance have a lot of technical jargon in them, I can't help but mention that all of these technologies don't distract my attention from the fact that this is it is not as efficient at cleaning.

Trifo Lucy Robot vacuum on hardwoodJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

Sure, moving my hardwood floors up and down in open spaces isn't a problem, but tight spaces and narrow hallways are a challenge despite all the technology on board. The most obvious thing is that it does not use a lidar (light detection and ranging) sensor which is used by many medium to long range robotic vacuum cleaners these days. Instead, the Trifo Lucy's navigation depends on a combination of the front-facing 1080p camera, the cliff sensors below, and the depth sensors.

The performance is a clear example of why lidar-based vacuums are so effective. While it does a good job of avoiding clutter, including loading cables on the floor that still plague many bots, it's puzzling to see jerky movements when trying to hug walls to get in a straight line clean. To make matters worse, this is a tight-knit navigational battle – it just moves in random directions. However, it avoided the false poop I put on the floor. At least you know it is smart enough to avoid it!

Maintenance is a must

The cleaning performance is average at best. It's nowhere near the most efficient or proficient at vacuuming. First, it is not so good with carpets, despite the suction force of 3,000 Pa. This is mainly due to the bristle brush on the underside, which catches tufts of hair in the process. While superficial debris is picked up, carpets never feel that deeply clean. Meanwhile, the side sweeping brush also suffers from tangled hair – frequent grooming is required to keep it in tip-top shape.

Trifo Lucy Robot vacuum floorJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

Fortunately, it works better on hard floors because the side sweeping brush doesn't turn too fast – so dirt and debris aren't flung in all directions when sweeping. Surprisingly, the Trifo Lucy's wheels can easily handle bumps and partitions, but I still had to rescue them so they wouldn't get stuck under a bedside table.

With the Trifo app, I appreciate the way a map of my apartment is displayed along with icons that indicate obstacles it encountered while cleaning. However, I would have loved to see an accompanying photo of these obstacles – similar to the Roborock S6 MaxV. Finally, it took Lucy three separate cleaning sessions to create a correct map layout of my apartment that could later be used to set up restricted areas that act as a virtual barrier.

All in all, it's an average performer who may take a few passes before you can be sure it's clean.

Don't worry about wiping

Yes, there is a wipe function on the Trifo Lucy, but it's a ridiculous implementation. This is due to the small water compartment and the disposable pads that you have to use. Because of the holder for the pads, it never seems like the pad is touching the floor when wiping. In addition, there is no way to adjust the water flow on the pad. Rather, it is simply based on gravity.

Security guard when you are not home

If there is any salvation grace for the Trifo Lucy, it has to be its safety function. This is basic for sure, especially considering that the camera detects all movement – regardless of what it is – and doesn't classify it in the app.

The cleaning performance is average at best.

Unlike other robotic vacuum cleaners, you need to be more careful with the placement of the charging station. This is because it can sense movement while it is charging in the base, even in the dark as it has night vision. If you have placed the base so that the robot can see the front door, it can therefore detect anyone who comes in.

Trifo Lucy Robot vacuum camera close-upJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

You can view all recordings through the app. What is missing, however, is two-factor authentication to really reassure home privacy. I hope this will be available in the future. Another missing feature I'd like to see is an option for some sort of patrol mode where the Trifo Lucy can patrol a given path. It's a decent secondary feature that's actually handy, but it's still difficult to overlook the other shortcomings.

Our opinion

I had high expectations for $ 500 Trifo Lucy. In the year since it was introduced at CES 2020, we've seen several other robotic vacuums showing us the next evolution in robotic vacuums. Unfortunately for Lucy, the inability to clean efficiently makes it a difficult consideration when you have other bots doing better – while also providing that security camera functionality. Ultimately, the success of a robotic vacuum cleaner depends primarily on its cleaning performance. I cannot say with complete confidence that the Trifo Lucy is capable of this.

How long it will take?

Frequent maintenance is essential here as the brushes can easily get tangled. Cleaning the sensors and cameras also helps. There is a one-year limited warranty on parts only.

Is there a better alternative?

You'll need more than $ 700 for that Roborock S6 MaxV, but it is very similar to the Trifo Lucy in that it is a 2-in-1 vacuum combination that wipes, offers lidar-based navigation, and an A.I.-assisted camera for superior obstacle avoidance. And oh yes, its vacuuming and mopping performance is superior in every way.

Should you buy it?

No, although the security camera feature is a tempting package. If it can't clean well, its purpose of being a robotic vacuum is pointless.

Editor's recommendations




13 Mar
Blog

iLife A10 Robot Vacuum Review: Still Needs Babysitting

ILIFE A10 robotic vacuum cleaner on the floor

"The iLife A10 is a robotic vacuum cleaner that needs to be monitored to get the job done."

  • Lidar enables effective cleaning

  • Affordable price

  • Comes with two side brushes

  • Will trip over obstacles

  • Problems deleting humps

The Wyze Robot Vacuum has certainly raised eyebrows lately, which shows us that a low-cost offering can deliver just as good cleaning as bots doubling their price. However, we can't forget to mention another company that has its roots in the entry-level robot vacuum, iLife. It has been making robotic vacuums for a while, but its newest model, the A10, may well be a direct rival of the Wyze Robot Vacuum due to its similar features and cost under $ 300.

Comfort thanks to lidar

For the money you make, it's good that the iLife A10 has smarter navigation thanks to the built-in lidar that maps rooms. Once reserved for high-end robotic vacuums, lidar technology will slowly be introduced into budget models – and we're excited to have it available here with the A10. This allows the bot to effectively clean rooms by moving in straight lines.

John Velasco / Digital Trends

You can even set up restricted zones through the iLife app, which is essentially a virtual wall to prevent the bot from passing by. Again, you get some extra features that we don't normally find in robots in this price range. It's compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, so you can start and stop cleaning using voice control.

Decent on hardwoods

One notable thing that stands out about the ILIFE A10 is that it has two side sweeping brushes, which is less the case in robotic vacuum cleaners these days as most of them only use a single brush. The two side brushes are useful for sweeping dirt and debris on hardwoods and tiles so that they can be swallowed up by the lower brush. Plus, it's nice that they spin at a decent speed – so they don't just throw debris all over the place.

John Velasco / Digital Trends

Lidar also helps navigate corners and makes sure the side brushes capture as much as possible. However, since these are standard bristle-style brushes, they can be easily frayed. Over time, this will make cleaning less effective. I prefer rubber brushes because in my experience they have been shown to be more durable.

When it comes to carpets, the iLife A10 with its 2000Pa suction takes care of superficial things by automatically switching to Boost mode. However, it does not achieve the same deep cleaning results as an ordinary handheld vacuum cleaner. All dirt is collected in its unique 600 ml cell waste bin, which protects the filter from clogging by dirt deposits. However, I'm not thrilled with the way the mechanism opens the trash can from above – which results in debris leaking out of the trash can when emptied.

It's not as fast as other robotic vacuums when it comes to cleaning my entire home, nor does it achieve the same level of cleanliness, but for what it's worth, the iLife A10 will keep your home clean and tidy. If you don't want to run the bot often, e.g. For example, at least once a day, you want to do it for a second run. The battery life of 100 minutes is sufficient for smaller rooms, but automatically charges when the battery is almost empty – and then continues where it left off.

Necessary for babysitting

It's not perfect for avoiding common household traps like tight spaces under furniture and the occasional cord. Therefore, expect to protect it from hardship often. In fact, it got stuck on a thicker surge arrester cable on the floor, which is strange as it is the thinner cables, like those on smartphones, that tend to trigger most of the bots.

Dividers also cause problems for the iLife A10. There's a thicker divider piece at the entrance to my bathroom, and the A10 doesn't try miserably to climb over that hump. His bikes seem ready for the job, but in this case he's just having problems.

John Velasco / Digital Trends

What I really notice about the iLife A10 is the frequency with which it has to be saved. Whether it's a sock brushing the bottom or tucked under my entertainment center in the living room, the A10 needs constant babysitting.

Our opinion

When time is money, it's no surprise why robotic vacuums continue to come in handy at home. The $ 280 cost of the iLife A10 will easily turn heads, but just know that it takes time and patience to make sure this bot completes its cleaning. If you're okay with this, it's worth considering.

Is there a better alternative?

In this price range, the Wyze Robot Vacuum is the only logical rival that is cheaper at $ 250.

How long it will take?

With a glossy top and a mostly plastic construction, the ILIFE A10 feels at least well put together. Frequent maintenance, however, is something I would recommend because the brushes can get tangled up quickly. There is a one year limited warranty against defects.

Should you buy it?

Yes. Even though babysitting is necessary to avoid getting into trouble, this is the only big tradeoff given the low cost.

Editor's recommendations




20 Feb
Blog

Wyze Robot Vacuum Review: Efficiency Without the Pricey Cost

Wyze Robot Vacuum

"The Wyze Robot Vacuum offers efficient cleaning at an affordable price."

  • Efficient cleaning

  • Smart mapping and navigation

  • Easy to set up and use

  • Can set up virtual walls

  • There is no intelligent integration of assistants

  • Often catches cables

Wyze is known for affordable products that meet the same quality standards as much more expensive options. The company's security cameras compete against bigger names without breaking the bank, and the new Wyze Robot Vacuum is no exception. The Wyze Robot Vacuum may not have as many features as the iRobot Roomba i3 +, but it does offer efficient cleaning at an affordable price.

The Wyze Robot Vacuum is just the latest in a number of new additions to the robot vacuum market. The space has become increasingly competitive, especially in the lower section. Companies like iRobot and Roborock dominate the high-end market, but the mid and budget markets are flooded with third party companies and cheaper options from big companies. Even so, Wyze has a reputation for quality at a low price, and that reputation (combined with the functionality of this vacuum) sets it apart in a sea of ​​different vacuum cleaners.

Set up

For just $ 250, it packs a lot of features into the box. It comes with two spare brushes, the charging stand, an instruction manual and a quick start guide. Setup is just as easy. Just plug in the charging stand and leave at least 1.5 feet on either side of the vacuum and at least 4.5 feet in front of it. There is also a brush cleaner and small knife in the top cover of the vacuum cleaner itself that is used to cut the string around the main brush.

It needs to be charged for about two hours before running. Once it is fully charged, download the app and follow the on-screen instructions. From this point on, it should take less than five minutes for the vacuum to operate. The included quick start guide describes these steps in an incredibly easy to understand way. Once it is set up, you can start cleaning your floor.

A good choice for a first robotic vacuum

The Wyze Robot Vacuum is a bit barebones in terms of features, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The Wyze robot vacuum cleaner is straightforward and simple to operate, making it an excellent choice for the first robot vacuum cleaner.

There are three separate cleaning modes, which are defined by the suction level: Quiet, Standard and Strong. Calm is self-explanatory; It's quieter than any other mode, but it also has the lowest suction power. This mode is ideal for hardwood or linoleum surfaces, but doesn't work as well on carpets. Standard is louder than Quiet mode but has more suction power, while Strong is the loudest of the three. Strong is also the most efficient and results in the deepest and most thorough cleaning of all modes. It took longer than the other modes, but the difference was visible – the carpet looked and felt cleaner.

Few robotic vacuums at this price point have lidar capabilities.

Cleaning is only done via the app. You can schedule them to be cleaned up automatically or instruct them to start a run manually. Voice control is not yet available for the Wyze Robot Vacuum. Alexa compatibility is expected to be available in the first half of 2021, however, along with other features like spot cleaning.

There are some drawbacks, however. While the vacuum did a great job of the actual cleaning, it picked up and carried cables that were inferior to any other vacuum I've ever worked with. This is not an isolated incident, but the Wyze Robot Vacuum captured everything it came across. I had to stop it and salvage four different cables – three power cables and one ethernet cable – before it ended a run. It also ran into the leg of the couch and got stuck due to interference with the lidar signal, the laser signal used to map the area.

Smart navigation and mapping

The Wyze Robot Vacuum navigates through a room using lidar technology and creates an intelligent map in the process. You can view this map on your phone to know exactly where the vacuum is at any given moment. You can also use it to create virtual walls or divide the map into different zones. This is important as few robotic vacuums offer lidar at this price.

At the bottom right of the card there is a small icon in the form of a box. If you tap on it, you can edit the map. You can create a virtual wall to close off certain areas. For example, if you want the Wyze Robot Vacuum to clean your bedroom but not the attached bathroom, create a virtual wall on the bathroom door. You can also divide the map into different rooms, even within the same room. An example of this would be a large living room that is divided into a den and a dining area. You can turn the den into one room, the dining area into a second.

Once the rooms are divided up, you can tap on any of them to tell the Wyze to only clean that particular room. If there are multiple rooms on the card, you can choose as many as you want to clean at once. If you don't select a room and just tap Clean, the entire room will be vacuumed.

A notable feature of the Wyze is the accuracy of its navigation. If it is picked up and moved, it learns its new location and its repositioning within the smart map in just a few seconds. It also stops just before most obstacles. During a test run, the vacuum was once applied directly to the side wall of a PC that was on the floor. The vacuum stopped within an eighth of an inch of the disk, turned, and continued on its way. It used its lidar reading instead of the shock sensor, although it does use the shock sensors when navigating along walls. It can also vacuum close to the edge of a staircase without falling over. Sensors at the bottom of the vacuum guarantee that it does not move over the edge.

Use and accessory tracking

In addition to the settings, the settings menu of the Wyze Robot Vacuum offers a wealth of valuable information. In this menu you can set up specific cleaning schedules, change the suction power and turn notifications on and off. You can also access clean records to measure when the last run was, how long it took, and how much space was covered. The map editor can also be accessed from this menu.

The standout option, however, is the Accessories menu. This lists the main brush, edge brush, and HEPA filter, and the time remaining for each of these parts before they need to be replaced. If you replace it, you can update the time by tapping the accessory and selecting "I replaced it". You also have the option to purchase another part. The main brush is designed for 300 operating hours, the edge brush for 200 operating hours and the HEPA filter for 150 operating hours.

In addition to the basic Wyze Robot Vacuum settings, you can set up rules that allow interaction with other Wyze devices, shortcuts that perform actions on the home screen, and schedules that set controls at certain times of the day.

Our opinion

Wyze Robot VacuumWyze / Youtube

The Wyze Robot Vacuum is by no means a bad investment. While it lacks some of the bells and whistles other robotic vacuums have, it does a good job of cleaning a room, provided you have the right vacuum level selected – a few runs over carpet in quiet mode left dirt on the floor. The mapping and navigation is on par with much more expensive models, however, and once more features are added that allow it to interact with intelligent assistants and perform spot cleaning, it will be quite a competitor.

Is there a better alternative?

At $ 250, there are few robotic vacuums that can match. If you put in just $ 50 more you could get one iRobot Roomba e5, a robotic vacuum cleaner that is great for picking up pet hair and has all of the advanced features of iRobot.

In the premium range, the iRobot Roomba s9 Plus offers enormous cleaning functions and a range of functions that you will not find anywhere else. That comes with a premium price of around $ 1,100, of course. There's no doubt that iRobot is the king of the hill, but you don't have to sell an arm or leg to pick up a robotic vacuum that does excellent cleaning.

If even $ 250 is too much, there are budget options like the Eufy Robovac 11S, which costs $ 30 less at $ 220. It lacks the efficiency of better vacuums, but it cleans your floor so you don't have to.

How long it will take?

The Wyze Robot Vacuum is designed for a long service life and depends solely on the estimated service life of the accessories. However, the vacuum can operate anywhere from 32 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (although lower or higher temperatures in a house create a number of other problems). With proper care and maintenance, the Wyze Robot Vacuum will last for years to come. There is a one year limited warranty that protects it from defects.

Should I buy it?

Short answer: yes, if you are looking for a budget friendly robotic vacuum cleaner. At this price, only a few robotic vacuums have lidar functions. Although the Wyze Robot Vacuum does not yet offer voice control or spot cleaning, these functions are in preparation. It cleans your floor quickly and efficiently and will only get better over time.

Editor's recommendations




07 Feb
Blog

LG CordZero ThinQ Robot Vacuum Review: Eyes Wide Shut

LG CordZero ThinQ Robot vacuum angle holder

LG CordZero ThinQ robotic vacuum cleaner

"This ambitious robotic vacuum tries to do more but trips over the basics."

  • Provides 5-stage HEPA filtration

  • Brush works well on carpets

  • Its bulky size

  • Limited coverage with HomeGuard functionality

  • Expensive costs

  • Corners cannot be cleaned effectively

LG is a company that has brand recognition in nearly every imaginable area of ​​consumer technology. From smartphones to televisions, it's a brand that is trustworthy and has been proven to make amazing products. In the vacuum space of the robot, however, this is an entirely different story.

One could imagine a giant company like LG being seen as a leader in this space, especially if its various smart devices are also highly valued, but it has been an uphill battle to get the same notoriety as iRobot, Shark, too to reach. and Ecovacs. The LG CordZero ThinQ Robot Vacuum is its newest roving bot, packed with unconventional features and a design that is sure to raise your eyebrows. Does LG finally have a winner?

No shame in its scope

Boy, this is the clunkiest robotic vacuum I've seen and tested so far. I can certainly understand the decision to design a robotic vacuum cleaner that looks like a mini-tank, but it's significantly bulkier than its counterparts. "Unconventional" best describes its design, which looks like it fused the head of a cordless vacuum cleaner with the body of a fat robotic vacuum cleaner. Because of its thickness of 5.6 inches, it has problems getting into tighter spaces – like under furniture. For comparison: the iRobot Roomba i3 + is only 3.63 inches thick.

LG CordZero ThinQ Robot vacuum front brushJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

Nevertheless, the design is functional as it has an above-average 0.6 liter trash can. For those with larger spaces, it's helpful because it simply means it can gobble up more dirt before it has to be disposed of. However, the bulky size doesn't help extend battery life. The 100 minute rating is enough to clean my 1,000 square foot apartment, but the Roborock S6 MaxV gets it done compared to around 120 minutes.

Not the hottest in the shed

In addition to the chunky appearance, I immediately notice that the camera sits right on the front of the LG CordZero ThinQ Robot Vacuum. The camera offers the bot its security functions, which I will explain in detail later. However, it is used for navigation through the visual SLAM technology (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping). Essentially, the camera combined with Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) helps in mapping spaces, but in practice it is not as efficient as others. Sensors around the robot help it see edges, objects, and other obstacles, but it is still triggered on wires and clutter.

LG CordZero ThinQ Robot vacuum cleaner brushJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

Once you have done a full cleaning, the generated map will be saved in memory. So you might think that it will be faster or more efficient next time. Unfortunately, this was not the case and often took just as long. I even tried the poop test with this bot where I put fake poop on the floor to see what would happen. In almost every case, it slowly approached and made minor changes to the navigation, but then continued to walk over it. Good thing it's wrong because this bot doesn't wipe.

In all fairness, the sticker price of $ 1,200 doesn't help.

Another area that is problematic is when tackling corners. Since there is only one main brush on the bottom, it just needs to approach the corners. This implementation is not good at trapping debris compared to bots that have a sweeping brush on the side to help direct the debris. With the LG hiring, you're hoping the suction is strong enough to get the job done, but not on hardwood floors.

Speaking of vacuuming, I'm excited to announce that the anti-tangle brush does a good job of collecting hair and balling it up. When certain surfaces such as carpets are detected, extra suction is applied to ensure dirt is engulfed for a thorough clean. It is loud in this mode, but it is not distracting under normal cleaning conditions. Overall, it's good for carpets, but I found it struggling with hardwood floors.

One of the few with HEPA filtration

Catching dirt and debris is the basic job of all robotic vacuums, but not all offer the same level of fine particle collection as this one. In fact, it's one of the few on the market that uses a 5-stage HEPA filter system. Of course, I take the word for filtering 99.9% dust, pollen, and flakes of skin, but when I look at the trash can it's almost impossible to tell as it looks very similar to the other bots I've used.

LG CordZero ThinQ Robot Vacuum CleanerJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

That said, it's nice to know that this filtration method makes it more proactive to capture debris. Even better, the filter is easily accessible and washable, which saves money in the long run as you don't have to take out the extra batter for filters. Finally, I like how the trash can makes it easy to release its contents with the push of a button that opens the lid on the bottom – which minimizes the blowing back of the fine dust particles.

Stick with a security camera

As I mentioned earlier, the LG CordZero ThinQ Robot Vacuum has a camera that effectively turns it into a roaming watchdog. After trying it out, your conventional surveillance camera will not be replaced. This is partly due to the terrible user interface. With the LG ThinQ app, set the HomeGuard feature first by navigating the bot to where you want to see it. The problem with this, unfortunately, is that it is limited to no more than 10 feet from the charging station. In my situation this is a problem as I have the base in the bedroom but want the bot to keep an eye on the front door in the living room.

LG CordZero ThinQ Robot vacuum camera close-upJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

Now the camera only takes a few snapshots when it detects movement – and they look kind of grainy. You can also forget to see something in the dark as the camera does not have night vision. Your standard security camera has better detection and image quality than this, but I can see the benefit that you can access the camera on the go (and manually navigate to where you want to see it in your house).

Our opinion

The LG CordZero ThinQ Robot Vacuum is no ordinary cleaning robot. It aims to do a lot more, but in this attempt to do more, it is not a competitive proposition to measure up to other respected bots in the market. To be honest, the sticker price of $ 1,200 doesn't help either. You can spend a fraction of that on something that is at least more efficient to clean.

How long it will take?

The LG ThinQ app does a good job of maintaining the robot. Accessing the intelligent diagnostics will check if the filter and sensors need cleaning and will show reminders about maintenance. Following the guidelines will only help enhance its proper function.

LG's robot is solidly built so I'm confident it will last. There's a one-year limited warranty in case something goes wrong. There is also a 10-year guarantee on the Smart converter motor.

Is there a better alternative?

The functionality of the surveillance camera is difficult to find in robotic vacuum cleaners, so it is unique in that sense. When it comes to cleaning, however, there are many models to choose from that can clean more efficiently – such as the iRobot Roomba i3 + and the Roborock S6 MaxV. The latter also has a camera with an A.I. drive to detect and avoid obstacles.

Should you buy it?

No, also because the costs are too high and the functionality of the surveillance camera is not so practical.

Editor's recommendations




14 Nov
Blog

Bissell SpinWave Robot Vacuum: A Basic Bot That Cleans Well

The Bissell Spinwave wet and dry robot vacuum

“This is a very simple robotic vacuum that works as advertised. No more, no less. "

  • Simple vacuum, simple interface

  • Dry vacuum cleaner and pug

  • Low profile fits under most furniture

  • Simply change / empty the trash can

  • No frills

  • Inefficient travel routes

I am probably the worst person to test a robot vacuum. I have two children and two dogs, my house is on two levels, which means there are stairs everywhere, and we may vacuum our house every quarter as well. As a result, our carpet is terrible. But maybe all of these things make me perfect for testing a robotic vacuum? When Bissell asked me to take his newest bot for a spin (no pun intended), I was all in. Here's what I found out:

The Bissell SpinWave wet and dry robot is a very flat floor sweeper and mopper that covers the basics of floor cleaning. As the name suggests, there are two modes. The mode is determined by the attachment to the robot. The dirt cup puts the vacuum in dry mode and the mop head puts the robot in wet mode. The vacuum itself is short enough to fit under my couch, kitchen chairs, and even the step board along my kitchen counters. These are all pleasant surprises.

No frills

The vacuum (which my daughter called "Turbo") only navigates with optical sensors and shock sensors. The vacuum cleaner neither maps rooms with unusual technology like the Eufy RoboVac L70 Hybrid with its lidar, nor does it do anything particularly clever. It uses structured gyroscopic navigation (back and forth pattern) and returns to places it may have missed. The only other sensors are a downward-facing sensor, which prevents strips from moving, and a soft-surface avoidance sensor, which prevents the robot from hitting carpets while mopping. This is a basic robotic vacuum.

I've tested the vacuum on carpets – very dirty carpets – and ceramic tile floors. Both the vacuum passed the hair and grain tests, which was good. Some larger pieces of debris such as lollipop sticks and some cheese stick packaging were not picked up. All in all I would say that the robot vacuum is not as strong as the upright vacuum normally used. However, the advantage of using a robotic vacuum cleaner is that you can use it far more often and even schedule it for the night or other times that I normally wouldn't vacuum. If you run a robotic vacuum cleaner several times over the course of a week, it will become just as powerful as the post, depending on how often we are currently using it.

When a vacuum cycle is complete, or when the battery goes low, the vacuum finds its way back to its charging station. There the vacuum charges wirelessly. After several vacuum cycles, the vacuum will still easily find the charger. The installation instructions recommend that the Base Station be placed in an area 40 inches on each side. I placed them under a chair less than 4 inches on each side, however, and the vacuum still found the charger flawless.

Works wet and dry

Let's move on to the mop mode. The vacuum comes with a bottle of solution that you mix with water. Just take out the bin and insert the mop head. So you are simply in mop mode. The mop attachment has a garbage can that is significantly smaller, but can still collect dust and dirt before running over it with a mop. It's always a good idea.

Bissell Spinwave Robot Vacuum with wet and dry attachments

In wipe mode, the vacuum becomes very stubborn in small corners. I watched the robot mop the same 4 "x 1" corner for about 10 minutes before finally maneuvering to the rest of the floor. The robot has algorithms that tell it where to go, but I can't find a method in the madness. I have no doubt that the vacuum covers the entire floor, but I am not sure that it does this in the most efficient way

There are some things the vacuum doesn't do that I would want in a second generation device. There is no way to block the vacuum in certain rooms. Since the vacuum does not map your home, there is no way you can prevent it from migrating to places it shouldn't be. Even additional sensor barriers that you could purchase separately would be a welcome addition. It would hit the board I put across the threshold of my son's room to keep the vacuum out and the baby gate that I used to keep the vacuum in the kitchen.

I initially struggled to get the stain cleaner to work. I found out because I didn't get the robot to where I wanted to clean it. Bissell's support website provided the answer, but the app didn't prompt me to tell me that a clean patch couldn't start while the device was still in the charger. I would also like to see the option to remotely control the vacuum for spot cleaning.

Don't forget to empty it!

The dust collector fills up very quickly. It is worth repeating that I have two children and two dogs. That's why I have to empty the trash can after every cleaning to keep it running. Unfortunately, like the iRobot Roomba S9 +, the robot doesn't automatically empty the trash can, but that's about a third the price, either. It's okay to schedule several cleanings a week, but it's difficult to empty the bin every morning after a clean. A notification from the app would be nice.

This vacuum absolutely covers the basics and nothing else, but at this price point it doesn't really have to cover anything else.

The outer casing of the vacuum is very sensitive to abrasion. I mentioned earlier that the vacuum cleaner can be cleaned under the kickplates of my kitchen cabinets, but it has often left a scuff mark that makes the vacuum cleaner look beaten up. Fortunately, the scuffs have been polished off with a clean cloth and some cleaner, but it would be nice to see a more abrasion-resistant finish in the future.

After all, the vacuum is not compatible with smart assistants like the Google Assistant and AmazonAlexa. It's not terrible. Actually, it's more of a footnote. It would be nice if you could start a cleaning cycle with a voice command, but to be honest. Starting the app or pressing the start button on the vacuum itself is not difficult.

Our opinion

Overall, this is a very basic vacuum that offers limited robot vacuum functionality and little else. But that's perfectly fine as it's available at a low price for the rest of the field. The normal retail price for this vacuum is $ 400. This is a bargain for a wet / dry vacuum. Even better, at the time of this writing, Bissell is making a sale that will bring the price down to $ 250. That's a staggering amount.

Is there a better alternative?

Naturally! There is no shortage of robotic vacuum cleaners. We have several recommendations that cover the scope. But this package offers a lot of value, especially at the discounted price of $ 250. At this price point, it competes with the Lefant M571 Robot Vacuum, which also wipes. However, these vacuums are at the bottom of the price spectrum, and the cut corners don't detract from that overall value.

How long it will take?

The Bissell SpinWave wet and dry robot vacuum is made of solid plastic. Sensors keep it away from falls and falls. The battery can even be replaced. I don't see any problems with this vacuum that will last long. It comes with a 1 year limited warranty.

Should I buy it?

Yes! Despite all the compromises this vacuum makes, Bissell is a well-known brand that has long been active in the vacuum sector. This vacuum absolutely covers the basics and nothing else, but at this price point it doesn't really have to cover anything else. As long as it covers the entire floor, you are golden. There are more advanced robotic vacuums out there for sure, but none for that kind of value and with a brand name.

Editor's recommendations




07 Jul
Blog

Shark IQ Robot R101AE Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum Review

Hai iq robot vacuum rating 3

Shark IQ Robot 101AE with self-draining base

"The self-draining ability of the IQ robot combined with its ability to clean only certain areas allows me to schedule 30 days and achieve a truly automated cleaning experience."

  • Empties

  • Excellent suction power

  • Useful home mapping

  • Reasonable price

  • Loud operation

  • The robot needs a week to learn the environment

I'm too lazy to do robotic vacuum cleaners.

I don't want to make sure the dog bowl is out of the way, pull my shoes out of the middle of the entrance, and move my laptop cable and cell phone chargers so the robot doesn't eat them. I also don’t feel like emptying the trash can regularly.

I recently had the opportunity to review a new Shark robot vacuum called IQ Robot. What does the Shark IQ Robot have compared to the millions of other robot vacuum cleaners on the market? Is it nicer Smarter? Will it fold my laundry? What makes it special?

Well, like the Roomba i7 plus, the Shark IQ R101AE is an automatically emptied robotic vacuum cleaner. It is also said to have exceptional suction power, a self-cleaning brush roller, advanced mapping functions and a relatively affordable price. Given that features tend to increase pricing, it's reassuring that Shark keeps them relatively available.

Let's see if this self-draining robot is as good as it sounds.

Get ready

When I opened the box, I found the Shark IQ robot with the self-cleaning brush roller, wheels and main components already installed. To complete the assembly of the robot, all I had to do was snap open the two front side brushes, which are one-sided. I also found the self-draining base that also serves as a charging station. Finally, there is a mat included in case I want to set up the IQ robot on a carpet area. I did not use the mat because I placed the device on a hard floor.

Erika Rawes / Digital Trends

The setup process was very simple. It took less than five minutes. After fully charging the robot, which took six hours to fully charge the battery, I installed the Shark Clean app and connected the voice control device to Alexa.

Yes, it empties itself and is pretty cute

Erika Rawes / Digital Trends

I can hear the dirt being sucked out of the robot every time the robot interacts with the docking station. The emptying station is also without a bag, so I don't have to worry about replacement bags or environmental damage caused by plastic.

Thanks to the self-draining bagless technology, I can leave the vacuum alone for about a month. When it's finally time to empty the dirt, I just lift the container up and push a button to throw dust and dirt into a trash can.

Much better mapping than previous Shark robots

Earlier Shark robot vacuum cleaners like the ION R85 weren't particularly good at card technology. The R85 has intelligent sensor navigation with which it can avoid objects and move around the house. However, it does not have a visual assignment.

The new Shark IQ Robot is far ahead of the ION R85 in this regard. It does not repeatedly drive over areas where it has already been cleaned, and it creates a map of your house in the app that allows you to select specific areas in which the robot should clean. For example, you can instruct the robot to only clean the master bedroom or living room and they know exactly where to go.

Powerful shark suction

This vacuum has an amazing suction power. The suction power is better than most upright units I have encountered. As a result, my floors were completely free of dust, dirt and dog hair. However, what really impressed me about the IQ robot was its ability to pick up large debris. We have a lot of trees on our property, so my family and I track a lot of dried leaves. The robot picked up all of the last leaves, crumbs, and scraps of food left on the floor from the day.

The IQ robot comes with 8 feet of magnetic strips that I can use to block areas where the robot shouldn't be driving. I cut the magnetic strips into smaller pieces and put the strips in front of my dog's crate, around their feeding area and in front of an area where there are many cables and charging cables. This way, I don't have to move anything before I have vacuumed or cleaned up, which cancels the purpose of automated cleaning.

Planning, automatic top-up and more

I can set the IQ robot to clean on a schedule. In general, the robot vacuum planning features are not too useful since the user has to empty the trash can and prepare the cleaning area between cleanings. The self-draining ability of the IQ robot, combined with its ability to clean only certain areas, allows me to set a 30-day schedule and have a truly automated cleaning experience. The robot has a battery life of 90 minutes on a single charge. However, if the robot runs out of battery juice or the dust container fills up during cleaning, it will return to the station to get more battery power or drain itself and then continue cleaning.

The robot also speaks and lets me know when problems arise. If I can't find the robot, the app has the "Find my robot" function that the robot uses to beep so that I can find the device if it gets stuck under a couch or in a cabinet. Since it is compatible with Alexa and Google Home, I can also use voice commands to control the IQ robot.

The robot is a bit loud

Erika Rawes / Digital Trends

This vacuum makes a lot of noise. It's louder than any other robot vacuum I've used during operation. It is also extremely noisy when the robot empties the dirt into the self-draining base. When emptied, it sounds like one of those vacuum cleaners in the car wash. It frightened my dog ​​for the first time, and now she looks at the robot every time he approaches the docking station and waits for him to make the loud noise.

For me, the volume of the device wasn't too much of a problem as I can just stop my Hulu show when the vacuum approaches. But for those who have young children or in a home situation where they need a robot vacuum that works quietly, this could be a problem.

There is a learning curve

Most robotic vacuum cleaners take some time to learn your home. This device had to vacuum my house for eight days (14 separate cleaning cycles) before a complete map of my house was created. For the first week before the card was ready, I couldn't set the robot to only clean certain rooms.

The robot couldn't find the dock when he was still learning my home. It searched for about 45 seconds and then the robot said aloud that it couldn't find the dock and asked me to put it on the dock manually. It still worked normally and emptied itself after I put it on the dock, but I was a little surprised that it couldn't find it on its own. After about five days, the robot started to locate the dock with no problems.

Warranty info

The Shark IQ robot is guaranteed for one year.

Our opinion

The practical and powerful Shark IQ robot solves most of the problems customers have with robotic vacuum cleaners. There are a few drawbacks – the robot is noisy and it takes about a week to learn the house and unlock all of its features – but since the IQ robot is cheaper than other robots in its category, I'm still happy with that Total unit.

Are there any better alternatives?

The main competition to the IQ Robot is the iRobot Roomba i7 Plus, an excellent machine with excellent mapping functions and exceptional cleaning performance. The two main differences between the IQ Robot and the i7 Plus are the price and the fact that the IQ Robot is bagless.

You can buy the IQ Robot for $ 600, which is the normal retail price. The i7 Plus costs around $ 1,000. The i7 Plus is also self-draining, but the emptying station contains disposable bags. The customer must replace the bag after the trash can has been emptied 30 times.

How long it will take?

With visual mapping and smart home compatibility, this robot is technologically exactly where it should be. Functions such as self-draining and the option to select certain cleaning areas make it even better and bring it a little ahead of the curve.

There's no reason to believe that the Companion (Shark Clean) app will soon end support for the IQ Robot, and you shouldn't have to worry about the quality of the robot either. All parts and components feel robust and well made.

Should you buy it

Yes. If you don't want to worry about vacuuming at all, this robot is a good investment.

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