Household
Stiftung Warentest tests 13 vacuum robots – only two models are “good”
A robot vacuum cleaner, whether with a wiping function, can make household cleaning easier. However, manual cleaning remains mandatory at the moment.
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In the current comparison of the latest vacuum robots, Warentest judges quite mercilessly. Only two products were really convincing; the expensive luxury models with wiping functions failed in large numbers.
Robot vacuum cleaners are an ideal addition to the household – this is also the opinion Stiftung Warentest. But when it comes to keeping the place clean on your own, expensive devices with a wiping function are particularly weak. Candidates without a mop fall flat anyway because they simply run over spots on the floor. The current comparison shows when a robot vacuum cleaner still pays off and which model you can use without hesitation. (You can take the entire test for a fee here see.)
Unlike last year, one of the most expensive devices is no longer the best. If the test winner at the time, the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra, had taken part again – it would have landed in first place again based on grades. Its successor is having a harder time in the current test: The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, currently priced at 1111 euros, only achieves a “satisfactory” rating (3.6). The comparatively poor grade is due to several devaluations. The testers complain that short animal hair is not picked up properly and the wiping results are extremely unclean. The experts consider the suction power of the fallen test winner to be good, as is the handling and navigation.
A solid vacuum-mopping robot for under 450 euros
The only robot with a wiping function that achieves a “good” rating in this important sub-discipline is the Shark RV2600WSEU, currently priced at 440 euros. It vacuums and mops “well”, but is weak on carpets and struggles with long hair, which can quickly hinder the operation of the device. This also affects device cleaning, which is why the robot only received a “satisfactory” grade (2.7) overall. Nevertheless, the Shark is a recommendable offer for the current price.
The two robot vacuum cleaners rated “good” are not equipped with a wiping function. If you believe the testers, you should probably take this job into your own hands anyway. According to the test, the Vorwerk VR7 has the best suction power. The grade “good” (2.1) makes it one of the best devices that have completed the Stiftung Warentest course so far. With the partial rating of “very good” (1.3), no competitor could beat the device when it comes to suction power on hard floors. The Vorwerk is also the only robot that, according to the testers, cleans carpets “well”. The Vorwerk robot is currently only available with a cleaning station for around 1000 euros.
Price-performance winner among vacuum robots no longer exists
The second robot with a “good” (2.4) is the Neato D10. The experts attest that this device has good suction power, satisfactory performance on carpets and solid, if average, results in terms of practicality and handling.
The Neato would theoretically have been the price-performance winner, but it has a huge catch. Stiftung Warentest lists the device as having a “purchase price paid by us” of 289 euros. According to the manufacturer, the foundation says it is a discontinued model with remaining stock in stores. These remaining stocks actually exist – but their price is far away from what Stiftung Warentest has stated. The Neato D10 is only available completely overpriced for up to 1000 euros or used from around 480 euros. The really low price of 289 euros comes from a discount campaign in spring – so the device is no longer interesting in terms of price, as it is already above the price of a Shark vacuum-mopping robot as old goods.
Due to the collective weakness when it comes to vacuuming carpets, but also the mediocre performance when mopping, Stiftung Warentest sees all robots only as a supplement to manual cleaning, for example with hand-held vacuum cleaners or suction mops. If you really want to clean your carpet down to the pores, you can hardly avoid purchasing a powerful hand-held vacuum cleaner with a rotating brush.
You can take the entire test for a fee here see.