With the advancement in technology, living life is getting easier and easier.
In addition to computers working faster and more effectively, our household appliances are now also making maintaining a home that much easier.  In the same way, vacuum cleaners are coming of age and the latest addition to the technology family is the robotic vacuum cleaner.

These battery powered devices will move around your home, targeting dust and debris and will clean it all up in the absence of any human intervention.  They will clean and recharge of their own accord allowing you the extra time to do things that really matter.

The very first robot type vacuum was invented and released by Electrolux in 2001.  Very close in it’s heels come the Roomba which perfected the cordless vacuum and improved so dramatically on the design and functionality.  The Roomba works on a three stage cleaning system whereby it uses its advanced design to clean the edge of your walls as well as being able to reach those hard to reach under furniture locations.  It has been designed to seek out dirt, detect it and then dispel with it.

They are also able to detect stairs and other obstacles and steer clear of them or order to perform at optimal rates.
Using infrared sensors, they move around furniture that they cannot move under and use this same sensor system to return to its recharge station at the end of its work cycle in order to recharge for the next session.

Although Roomba are well known for their robotic vacuums, they are not the only manufacturers and it is always advisable to read reviews on all the various manufacturers to ensure that you find the right model for your own needs.  Other manufacturers include Karcher RC3000, EVac and Samsung.

The robotic vacuum cleaners are gaining tremendous interest in our day and age when time is so important and automating as much of the hard work around the house is not only time but also money savings.  Over the last three years the prices of these devices has also come down dramatically making them extremely affordable and easy to program.

From Deep Cleaning models to Uprights, Robotic – cleaning your carpets while you do something else to backpack models, our research has found that some models are better than others…

Deep cleaning vacuums

One of the most typical features of these kinds of vacuums is the rotating brushes that will agitate the carpet pile.
It is this action that loosens up the dirt and enables the machine to get a much deeper clean.
Some of the newer models available offer a useful conversion option so that you can use this device both on hardwood floors as well as on carpets.

Hand held vacuums

Purchasing a hand held vacuum will allow you more manoeuvrability.  There are both corded and cordless models available and for easy storage, many have wall mounts.
When purchasing a cordless model, it is important to do a little research on the battery performance and its ability to hold charge.  Read as many reviews as you can on the product before purchasing.

Hand held vacuums come in two very distinctive designs.  The first is a straight forward suction device while the second will have a power brush.  Depending on the use you are going to get from your vacuum will depend on the type of device that is going to be best suited.
If you are going to use your vacuum cleaner for the occasional cleanup, then a straight suction is ideal, but for more regular use, you may want to consider the power brush model.

Broom vacuums

Urban living has increased the popularity of the broom or stick vacuums considerably.  They are ideal for apartment living as they take up very little space and do an excellent job of cleaning.
These devices also come in both corded and cordless models and are ideal for the elderly due to their light weight and ease of use.
Most of these vacuums are bagless which appeals to many people as there are fewer replacement parts to have to consider.

Wet or Dry vacuums

By far the most versatile of the models available are the wet and dry combination vacuum cleaners.  They can be found in a large variety of sizes.
Most of these cleaners come in the canister design and although they may have a number of attachments, they are extremely durable and can withstand a fair amount of work.
Depending on your own personal needs, you can choose anything from a 6 gallon size all the way through to a 25 gallon for more industrial environments.

Upright vacuums

Bagless upright vacuum cleaners are the price choice for many.  Besides the ease of use, they are durable, have a very high performance level and do not require purchasing of new bags.
The uprights that do use a bag system are easily cleaned and the dirt discarded off, but do require replacements which may be costly.
Due to the popularity of this design, most of the models come with a collection of attachments that you can use for various household cleaning, including upholstery and tiles.

Canister vacuums

One of the best features of the canister vacuum cleaner is that it usually has a cord retraction system allowing you to manouvor around the home without having excessive cable to fall over or damage furniture.
These models usually have two or three different nozzle options that include regular cleaning nozzles as well as deep cleaning nozzles for the more persistent dirt.
The deep cleaning nozzle works by agitating the carpet and loosing the pile allowing suction to penetrate deeper into the pile.
In addition to this, there are also sometimes features such as suction control which will allow you to control the amount of suction and adjust it to the carpet, upholstery or drapery that you are trying to clean.

Robotic vacuums

The latest invention is the robotic vacuum which will remotely clean your floors while you do something else.  These amazing devices will seek out dirt, can distinguish stairs and steer clear of them and will return to their charging station after they have cleaned the selected area.
They are ideal for cleaning under furniture and with many new models on the market, the price has dramatically decreased since their launch in 2001.

When choosing to purchase a vacuum cleaner, you should assess what your needs are and find the right product for you and your family and home.
Where possible choose the best model your money can buy and always read reviews on your chosen product before you make a decision.