Robot vacuums are becoming increasingly popular for their convenience and efficiency, but can a robot vacuum replace a normal vacuum? 

My expert ByPurify team has done the research and testing, so that you don’t have to. 

Discover the benefits and limitations of robot vacuum cleaners and decide whether they’re the right choice for your home.

So sit back, relax, and let's dive into the world of robot vacuums…

How Does a Robot Vacuum Work?

A robot vacuum cleaner works with a small motor that rotates brushes or rollers that gather trash as it's drawn into an inside dustbin that's no larger than a quart of milk.

Some include extra characteristics that make it possible to control them remotely, including WiFi connectivity.

Modern robotic vacuum cleaners are capable of mapping rooms on their own and sending that data to both the manufacturer's servers and an app on your smartphone. 

After that, you may specify which rooms are on the map and when the robot vacuum should clean them. 

Get this…

Some even let you have it cleaned only in a particular area of the room.

Smart vacuums depart and dock at a station that also serves as a battery charger.

How Does a Normal Vacuum Work?

A normal vacuum works with a tiny electrical motor and is operated manually.

The brushes spin when the vacuum is plugged in and turned on; they then sweep around the floor as they gather dust and other debris that's drawn into the vacuum. 

You do have to plug the vacuum into a power source unless it's battery-operated; while some canister kinds of upright vacuums can operate on rechargeable batteries, most upright models don't. 

While battery-powered vacuums must remain on their charging station, which can be an inconvenience if you're not used to it, electric vacuums that use a cable connection can be stored virtually anywhere.

Pros & Cons of Using a Robot Vacuum

The pros of using a robot vacuum include that they’re lighter, and the cons include that they don’t clean difficult places easily. 

Let's have a look at all the pros and cons of a robot vacuum below:

Pros

Here’s a list of pros to consider:

Robot Vacuums Are Lighter & You Don’t Have to Put Them Away

The majority of users may undoubtedly attest that typical vacuums aren't quite as light as feathers, and even ones that run on batteries aren't always simple to lift. 

Cleaning up daily is difficult with these vacuums, whereas robotic vacuums are useful in this situation.

What’s more

With a robot vacuum, you don't have a weight-related issue, and more importantly, it automatically docks itself when it's finished, saving you from having to do it yourself. 

You never pick up a robot vacuum other than when you open it to empty the dirt bin.

Robot Vacuums Make Thorough Cleaning Jobs Way Easier

It works well to remove stray debris that gathers on your flooring, and in addition to saving time when cleaning up little messes like stray dirt, leaves, and pet hair, sweeping up breakfast crumbs and any dinnertime food fragments is also quick.

A robot vacuum is great for anyone who despises having anything stuck to their feet at home. 

Robot Vacuums Can Spare You Time

Robot vacuums save you a great deal of time compared to cleaning by hand, especially now that many robot vacuums are equipped with infrared and other cutting-edge technologies that enable them to vacuum at night.

Cons

Here’s a list of cons to consider:

Robot Vacuums Don’t Clean Difficult Places Easily

Your floors constantly have the appearance of being clean.¹ 

It's a different scenario, though, when it comes to corners, crevices, and other constrained spaces, as robot vacuums simply don't fit into these spaces to clean them.

Robot Vacuums Don't Usually Have Attachments

You lack the useful attachments that are included with normal vacuums that let you dust furniture and surfaces. 

As you likely already know, normal vacuums come with attachments for cleaning windows, fans, corners, ceilings, and corners.

Pros & Cons of Using a Normal Vacuum

The pros of using a normal vacuum include that they pick up larger pieces, and the cons include that they’re noisy.

Explore the pros and cons of a normal vacuum below:

Pros

Here’s a list of pros to consider:

Picks Up Larger Pieces

The amount of debris that your typical vacuum, whether it be an upright or a canister model, can suck up probably surprised you. 

A typical vacuum can pick up larger debris, and the majority of standard vacuums have additional carpet settings.

Adjustable Height

If you utilize the right attachments, you have the tools to clean everything from deep corners to curtains, furniture, and even stairs. 

You can adjust the vacuum's height to handle low- or high-pile carpet.

Cons

Here’s a list of cons to consider:

Heavy & Bulky  

Normal vacuums can be heavy and difficult to move around, especially up and down stairs.

Noisy  

The sound of a normal vacuum can be loud and disruptive, causing discomfort for people and pets.

Limited Maneuverability  

Normal vacuums can be difficult to maneuver around tight spaces, corners, and under furniture.

Requires Physical Effort  

Using a normal vacuum requires physical effort, which can be difficult for elderly people, those with disabilities, or those with back pain.

Can Stir Up Dust & Allergens 

Normal vacuums can stir up dust and allergens, which can exacerbate allergies and respiratory problems.²

Limited Reach  

Normal vacuums often have limited reach, which means that it can be difficult to clean high areas or hard-to-reach places.

Requires Frequent Maintenance  

Normal vacuums require frequent maintenance, such as changing filters and emptying dustbins, which can be time-consuming and costly.

How Robot Vacuums Perform Compared to Normal Vacuums

My experts have done the testing to compare robot and normal vacuums with regards to cleaning time, cleaning power, and convenience.

Let’s take a look at the findings:

Cleaning Time

If you need to swiftly remove pet hair from your hardwood floors, choose a normal vacuum. 

Even expensive robot vacuums can take up to 5 hours to thoroughly clean a 1,500-square-foot area.

Cleaning Power

A low-end robotic model won't have a regular canister vacuum's strong suction. 

The finest robot vacuum for pet hair can still do the job of vacuuming fur since a modern robot vacuum cleaner on the higher end of the range will feature a cleaning mode for low-pile carpets and hardwood floors. 

If you have a lot of pet hair or other dirt, an upright vacuum is a superior choice.

Convenience

When it comes to convenience, a normal vacuum just can’t compete with a robot vacuum. 

If you have one, you only need to press a button for it to start working, as you may already be aware. 

In a normal vacuum, you either push or draw the vacuum, and some intelligent vacuums are even self-emptying, so you may avoid getting your hands dirty when emptying the machine.

Why You Can Trust ByPurify

You can trust ByPurify because, as a reputable source for home appliance reviews, the ByPurify team offers impartial and thorough assessments of the best normal and robot vacuum cleaners on the market. 

My team of experts evaluates each product based on a variety of factors, such as the filtration system, suction power, durability, and more. 

I conduct rigorous tests on each product, as well as gather and analyze feedback from real customers, to ensure that my recommendations are reliable and trustworthy. 

Common Questions

In Conclusion

If the majority of the flooring in your home is low-pile carpet or hardwood, a robot vacuum can take on the role of a normal traditional vacuum. 

Stairs can be a headache for robot vacuums that require pre-sweeping, or if carpeting and thick carpeting are present, then it'll require an upright vacuum for deep cleaning.

My vacuum cleaner experts urge you to consider your cleaning needs carefully before making a final decision between a robot vacuum and a normal vacuum.

Take a look at our vacuum reviews!