To be utterly baffled by the range of robot vacuums?

[KingdomScrolls]

I've been tempted by MN reviews and prime day deals. I want to bite the bullet and get one. We both work full-time and have a toddler, if the robot is any good it could be an excellent time saver. BUT there are so many variables, remote control, app control additional Alexa control, boundary strips, random movements Vs mapping, do I need I've that also sweeps and mops, would that just be a jack of all trades that does nothing especially well?
I am so confused about what I actually need and what's just a bell/whistle that's not essential. We have three reception rooms a large hall and kitchen downstairs where it will be used mainly. I don't want to pay for an all singing all dancing model if I don't need to. I've looked at eufy, coredy, ecovac deebot.
Anyone have any particular models, issues or wishlists with the one they've got? What should I be looking for?
I realise this isn't strictly an AIBU but prime day finishes soon and I'm making myself dizzy with vacuum stats.

[clareykb]

We have a basic eufy it does the kitchen diner daily, I just put it on and shut the door! Then I do the other rooms as and when it works really well and I don't feel like we have needed all the extras. However, I can't turn it on from work or anything like that but I don't feel that is an issue for us anyway.

[clareykb]

Just to add I love it so much that it has a name and if it broke I would cry and then immediately replace it

[GingerAndTheBiscuits]

We have a Eufy G30 edge and very happy with it.

[GingerAndTheBiscuits]

Absolutely did NOT pay the current price for it though! So worth checking camelcamelcamel and waiting until prices come down.

[Aposterhasnoname]

I have a basic one. When it dies I’m going to bury one with mapping, so I can send him to just do the kitchen, as he currently just wanders around albeit in a “smart” fashion, unless I lock him in a particular room. I like being able to tell Alexa to switch him on so I’d still want that. Don’t see a need for remote control when you have an app. I’ve heard the mopping feature is more of a wipe with a wet cloth feature so won’t bother with that. Oh and I’ll be looking for the highest suction power I can find, and easily available replacement filters, brushes etc.

[PlanBea]

I have the eufy 30c and love it! Mine is called wattkins. I can operate it from my phone, and it does a great job

[KingdomScrolls]

I am very excited admit this, so I think I'll go with the eufy as I'm not convinced I need mopping/sweeping etc and the brand seems reputable I'm looking at the 30c max which I can get for £202 on prime day deals or the 15c max £179.99 . Only difference seems to be boundary strips and I don't think we'll need them, any areas I want to restrict it to I could just close the door

[KingdomScrolls]

Oh but now I've seen the g30 for £220 with mapping and scheduling it's a little more than I wanted to spend...

[Mabelene]

I’ve got a Venga with remote control, mapping and mopping. I’m very pleased with it and use it roughly every other day

[UrAWizHarry]

We upgraded from a basic model to one with laser mapping and it does make a big difference in terms of how efficient it is - it basically knows exactly where it is so it can zip round the rooms far quicker than the old one and it doesn't spend 2 hours failing to find the base station. Being able to set up virtual boundaries works much better than the magnetic tape too.

I'm unconvinced about the mopping function on it, all it does is run a wet cloth over the floors so it's not a replacement for an actual mop. It probably does help to keep on top of things but it's a bit of a faff changing over the tanks so it doesn't get used that way very often.

[MoriaRoseForever]

Most of my living room is open plan, kitchen hall and living room, they have raised strips of wood between them. It’s all wood floor. Would a robot go over the strips or only do the space until it gets to a strip ?

[KingdomScrolls]

They have climbing wheels so seem to be able to cope with door bars etc but not full on steps

[Ozanj]

I would wait until a couple of weeks before Black friday if you can. That’s when you see the best offers

[GoFishFingers]

In the same position OP so jumping on if you don't mind? I'm keen to get one but DH 'has heard' that they are rubbish with carpets - is that true? The Eufy says it's ok with medium pile but does anyone have any experience?

[Ozanj]

They are all better at hard floors than carpets & are no substitute for a proper vacuum

[KingdomScrolls]

We have original floorboards throughout downstairs a couple of rugs and tiles in the kitchen, I'm not expecting it to replace my shark but just to do a daily run around and keep things clean in between proper vacuums

[GarethSouthgatesWaistcoat]

Has anyone found a great deal for one that comes with mapping?

I wanted the Roborock S5 Max but it's always been quite expensive on Amazon and I've never wanted to risk it with sites like AliExpress etc.

[KingdomScrolls]

Does anyone have the g30? Is it worth it or should I just go cheaper end 15c?

[KingdomScrolls]

@GarethSouthgatesWaistcoat g30 has mapping currently £219.99 with discount on Amazon, but I'm not sure if it's actually any better than the random pattern ones

[Curiosity101]

We have a Neato D5 and it's absolutely great. I'd definitely get a D7 if I was buying new now though.

[Rainallnight]

I’ve been baffled by exactly the same thing, OP! This is very helpful

[Chasingsquirrels]

The Eufy G doesn't do mapping in the sense that it maps your house and you can send it to "kitchen", it just draws a map of where it has been on the app each time.
It also uses a Gyro navigation system so goes up and down in straight lines then round the edges rather than just utterly randomly like the 11/15/30 series.

I have no idea whether this is more effective.

On the 11/15/30 series.

S = basic
C = connectivity (app)
MAX = extra power
30 = has boundary strips

[Chasingsquirrels]

I've had an eufy 30c max since last August. If/when it breaks I will be getting a new robovac immediately.

[AlternativePerspective]

I have a Eufy and I’m not overly impressed with it. It does quite well on hard floors but is rubbish on carpets. I vacuum properly a couple of times a week and sent the eufy round every day, but I have a dog and it more or less moves the hair around and doesn’t actually pick up much of it.

IMO the expensive ones aren’t any better than the cheap and cheerful ones. Prior to the eufy I had a Vileda one which I paid £35 for and it was no worse than the eufy.

you will likely get people here who rave about them and those who aren’t that impressed will feel they can’t speak out because of being the only ones iyswim.

[roses2]

I ordered a eufy RoboVac G10 with mop which should be arriving shortly. Got it for £100 from Amazon Warehouse. I'm super excited as I am sweeping my kitchen daily due to the kids!