Vacuum Robot Test 2020: Stiftung-Warentest Winner And Recommendations

2023 Author: Sheila Hailey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-26 15:18

Vacuum robot test winner at Stiftung Warentest: Vorwerk Kobold VR300
Vacuum cleaning robot test winner at Stiftung Warentest: Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo 930
Vacuum robot test winner at Chip: iRobot Roomba 981
Vacuum robot test winner at "Home & Garden": Neato Robotics Botvac D7
Price-performance winner for "Kitchen and Household": Zaco A6
Price-performance tip from GIGA: Eufy RoboVac 30C
Buying a vacuum robot: what you should know

The best vacuum robots 2020: All test winners at a glance

placement	product	price	offer
Stiftung Warentest winner (robot vacuum)	Vorwerk Kobold VR300	849 euros	To Vorwerk
Stiftung Warentest winner (vacuum mopping robot)	Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo 930	approx. 490 euros	To Amazon
Test winner at Chip	iRobot Roomba 981	approx. 470 euros	To MediaMarkt
Test winner at "Home & Garden"	Neato Robotics Botvac D7	approx. 460 euros	To Cyberport
Price-performance winner in "Kitchen & Household"	Zaco A6	about 200 euros	To Saturn
Price-performance tip GIGA	Eufy RoboVac 30C	approx. 250 euros	To Amazon

Robot vacuum: look at Amazon bestseller

Vacuum robot test winner at Stiftung Warentest: Vorwerk Kobold VR300

Vorwerk VR300 - highlights of the vacuum robot (manufacturer video)

According to the Stiftung Warentest (03/2019 edition), the most expensive vacuum robot is also the best. The Vorwerk Kobold VR300, which is only available from the traditional German manufacturer in direct sales, costs an impressive 849 euros - this is no longer affordable for many households with a small cash register. On the other hand, the goblin is most likely to be able to minimize the tedious and time-consuming housework. The overall rating of Stiftung Warentest is “good” (2.4). The Vorwerk vacuum cleaner is particularly good at picking up coarse material on hard floors.

Take a look at the Kobold VR300 robot vacuum at Vorwerk

Interesting: The Stiftung Warentest also praised the "data transmission behavior" as "uncritical" because the vacuum cleaner only sends the most necessary data to the manufacturer. Similar in terms of respect: the equally expensive "Dyson 360 Eye".

As you can expect from such an expensive robot vacuum, Vorwerk takes care of the right app (Android and iOS) and regularly updates it. So-called cleaning zones have been defined on the smartphone since November 2019, e.g. for the kitchen or living room. Good to know before the costly investment: Vorwerk offers non-binding and free demonstrations in your own home that you can book online.

Advantages:

Good cleaning performance on carpets and hard floors
Reliable navigation with laser technology
Suitable app that receives regular updates
Uncritical data transmission behavior

Disadvantage:

Expensive and only available directly from the manufacturer (bargain potential low)
Fine dust is not filtered out as well

Vacuum cleaning robot test winner at Stiftung Warentest: Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo 930

Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo 930 at Amazon

In the 01/2020 issue, the Stiftung Warentest also examined so-called combination devices. These are vacuum robots that also have a wiping function. Usually these are interchangeable wipes that are kept moist with a built-in water tank. When driving through living rooms, kitchens and bathrooms, not only dust is sucked in, but also wiped with a damp cloth.

However, the wiping happens only superficially, as the Stiftung Warentest finds: The cleaning performance of the combination devices is "quite modest". Good to know: On request, the combination devices also allow pure suction operation.

The best combination device in the test was the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo 930 for around 380 euros: it works quietly, the suction and wiping performance is "satisfactory". The Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo 930 is equipped with an automatic carpet detection (suction power increases with carpets). If required, he can also clean certain areas particularly thoroughly (area prioritization) and bypass carpets during wet wiping so that they are spared (alternative: simply remove the wipe before starting). The overall rating of the Stiftung Warentest is also “satisfactory” (3.1) - truly not a top value, but at least ahead of the competitor models from Xiaomi, Zaco, Medion and Proscenic.

Ecovacs Robotics Deebot Ozmo 930 vacuum and floor mopping robot

Now from € 562.00 at Cyberport Similar offer at Amazon price can now be higher. Price from 24.03.2020 01:41 a.m.

Advantages:

Satisfactory suction and wiping performance
Quiet in operation
Good navigation properties

Disadvantage:

Corners and edges are not fully captured
Wipe function on smooth surfaces: coffee stains are removed, but dried mustard remains

Vacuum robot test winner at Chip: iRobot Roomba 981

iRobot Roomba 981 at Otto

The iRobot Roomba 981 is one of the most popular vacuum robots in Germany. The magazine Chip (issue 03/2020, also available from Readly *) named him the test winner and awarded the overall grade "very good" (1.4). At Amazon, the model has 4.3 out of 5 stars and over 4,400 customer reviews. The greatest strengths of the iRobot Roomba 981 are navigation, handling, equipment and a successful app. However, as with all vacuum robots, the suction power cannot be compared to a conventional vacuum cleaner. All in all, a tried and tested model that can offer some support for keeping clean even in households with animals.

iRobot Roomba 981 robot vacuum

Now from 515.66 € at Amazon Similar offer at Otto price can now be higher. Price from 2020-26-07 11:51 p.m.

Advantages:

Easy-to-use app with many settings
Good handling and equipment

Disadvantage:

Average suction power
Scattered customer reports about navigation problems (return to the charging station)

Vacuum robot test winner at "Home & Garden": Neato Robotics Botvac D7

Neato Robotics Botvac D7 at Cyberport

“Haus & Garten Test” magazine tried out five vacuum robots for the 2020 yearbook, volume 3 (also available from Readly *). The test winner is the Neato Robotics Botvac D7 - with a price of around 550 euros it is also the most expensive model in the test of "Home and Garden". The final grade “good” (1.5) was earned.

The suction power of the Neato Robotics Botvac D7 convinced the testers, not only on hard but also on carpets - again taking into account the fact that no vacuum robot can keep up with the power of a conventional vacuum cleaner. The "well thought-out" app control was also convincing. At Amazon, the Neato Robotics Botvac D7 is currently 4.1 out of 5 stars with almost 1,400 customer reviews. There are isolated negative experiences with the software (navigation, planning). Overall, the Botvac D7 comes away positively and, according to one user, is even recommended as a "good alternative to the Vorwerk V300". Interesting at this point: The company Neato Robotics was completely taken over by Vorwerk in 2017. Both brands are still present independently on the market today, and there is cooperation in research and development. With a little imagination you can see that: At least a certain similarity in the housing design of Neato Robotics Botvac D7 and Vorwerk V300 cannot be denied.

Neato Robotics D7 Connected robot vacuum

Now from € 369.45 at Saturn Similar offer at Cyberport Price can now be higher. Price from 2020-27-07 12:16 a.m.

Advantages:

Easy-to-use app with many settings
Good handling and equipment

Disadvantage:

Average suction power
Scattered customer reports about navigation problems (return to the charging station)

Price-performance winner at "Kitchen & Household": Zaco A6

Zaco A6 at MediaMarkt

With a street price of around 200 euros, the Zaco A6 is not too expensive, but does quite well in terms of performance. In the 01/2020 issue of the "Kitchen & Household" magazine (also available from Readly *), the robot vacuum earned the rating "very good" (1.3) and the title "price-performance winner". The cleaning performance is overall satisfactory, which can also be seen in the Amazon customer reviews from the average rating of 4.1 stars.

Before you buy, you have to be aware that the Zaco A6 is a rather simply knitted vacuum robot. No app, no voice control and navigation according to the chaos principle - he drives the apartment by accident without a "timetable". The manufacturer somewhat euphemistically calls this "adaptive navigation". The result can still be good - you just have to give the robot enough time. The maximum volume of the dust container is comparatively small at 0.3 liters.

One should know about the still very young brand name: The vacuum cleaner robots of the Zaco brand were sold in Germany until mid-2019 under the name "ILIFE".

ZACO A6 robot vacuum

Now from € 194.95 at Saturn Similar offer at Amazon price can now be higher. Price from 2020-26-07 11:32 p.m.

Advantages:

Decent cleaning performance for the price range
With a height of 8 cm, built relatively flat, it goes well under sofas

Disadvantage:

Not an app, but a remote control for simple commands (rather an advantage from a data protection perspective)
Tightly dimensioned dirt container

Price-performance tip from GIGA: Eufy RoboVac 30C

Eufy RoboVac 30C at Amazon

The Eufy brand, launched in 2016, is not yet well known. Many Amazon customers are already familiar with the Anker umbrella brand (power banks, accessories). The manufacturer from China has now developed a good reputation for being inexpensive and yet reliable.

In the GIGA test, the Eufy RoboVac 30C achieved a rating of 72 percent. A good result, because with around 250 euros the vacuum robot is comparatively cheap. "Dust, crumbs, confetti and even animal hair are hardly a problem for the vacuum cleaner - whether on laminate or carpet," stated GIGA editor Lisa while trying it out within her own four walls. Some users could be bothered by the chaos principle of cleaning - nevertheless one of the best vacuum robots that you can currently get in the price range. It does not have a wiping function.

Robotic Vac 30C from Eufy by Anker

Now from € 249.99 at Amazon price can now be higher. Price from 2020-27-07 00:11 a.m.

Advantages:

Decent cleaning performance for the price range
Compact design

Disadvantage:

Sucking according to the chaos principle: no clear navigation, places are sometimes forgotten

Suction robot: This is how we selected the test winners

GIGA editor Stefan has incorporated research into specialist journals, but also his own experience into this summary. Current vacuum robot models are presented here, which have received special praise from the press and customers and are therefore recommended for a purchase. One of the most complex test procedures for vacuum robots is that of the Stiftung Warentest. If you are interested in the test setup, we recommend this video:

Buying a vacuum robot: what you need to know

What tasks should the robot do? Does a robot vacuum make any sense?

Is a good “hard floor vacuum” enough or does the robot have to fight its way through high carpets? Someone who only has parquet, tile or laminate floors could do with a cheaper vacuum cleaner. If the floor surfaces are also to be wiped off on the surface, a combination device is recommended, i.e. a vacuum robot with an integrated wiping function. The highest requirements for suction power are carpeted living rooms and households with animals. Here, at least the most powerful suction robots can offer good support to keep the hairy legacies of dogs and cats at bay.

The best cleaning results can still be achieved in the household with a conventional vacuum cleaner that you have to operate yourself. The suction power is significantly higher, the filter effect is usually better and you can also get into the corners that a vacuum robot likes to overlook due to its shape.

How loud are vacuum robots?

The noise level of vacuum robots is between 55 and 90 decibels. If no one is on site while the vacuum cleaner is working, this volume should not be a problem. In the event of constant presence or noisy neighbors, it is better to choose a model that sucks particularly quietly. We recommend vacuum robots up to a volume of 60 decibels.

Allergy sufferers: higher demands on the filter

The subject of allergies should not be underestimated. According to the Helmholtz Zentrum München, an estimated 7 percent of the population in Germany suffers from year-round house dust mite allergy. Some vacuum robot models are equipped with a so-called HEPA filter. This ensures that the fine particles that are floating around in the air and trigger some allergies are largely captured. Cleaning or replacement is done by hand.

How good is the air that the robot vacuum releases?

One should not have false hopes: the so-called dust retention capacity is in most cases significantly better with conventional cylinder vacuum cleaners than with vacuum robots. Many vacuum robot models blow out a certain part of the sucked-in fine dust. Anyone who attaches particular importance to this must look for very specific models - and, if necessary, accept weaknesses elsewhere. According to Stiftung Warentest, the Xiaomi Roborock S6, for example, has good dust retention.

How smart must the robot vacuum be?

The term "smart" has long been used in connection with vacuum robots - for example if the device can also be coupled with Amazon's digital assistant Alexa. Such vacuum robots can be started, stopped or sent back to the charging station via voice commands. The inexpensive Eufy Robovac 30C is fully equipped with smart features. But the slightly more expensive Roomba 960 can also be controlled via Alexa.

How do I prevent the robot vacuum from falling?

There are various locking options so that the robot vacuum does not drive into rooms that it should not enter. Some models react to barriers that are invisible to humans, which are generated with the appropriate transmitters. When purchasing, ensure compatibility with the vacuum robot. Another solution are special magnetic tapes that you stick to the floor:

Magnetic tape (with adhesive strips): boundary strips for vacuum cleaner robots

Now from € 39.95 at Amazon price can now be higher. Price from 2020-26-07 11:32 p.m.

These are attached in front of a staircase, for example, so that the robot vacuum does not jump off the cliff like a lemming. Most models have sensors to prevent them from falling - but it's safe to be safe. Because nobody likes to see how their own 500-euro gadget makes the departure. Of course, the magnetic tapes only work if the robot has appropriate magnetic detection. This information is easy to find in the product descriptions of the manufacturers, some vacuum robots even come with a set of magnetic tapes.

What follow-up costs does a robot vacuum cleaner cause?

A vacuum robot is an investment with consequential costs. The most important are:

Power consumption
Battery (wear part)
Replacement brushes or rollers (wear part)
Filter (wear part)

Find cheap electricity providers at CHECK24

How high the costs actually are in the end cannot be determined in a general way. It all depends on the electricity provider and the vacuum robot model purchased. We recommend that you find out how much spare parts cost before you buy, so that there are no unpleasant surprises. An overview of suitable accessories for the test winner Kobold VR300 can be found at the manufacturer Vorwerk. A new side brush for the VR300 costs 5 euros, a battery replacement including the battery 99 euros (source: Stiftung Warentest, issue 03/2019).

Tip: watch at the beginning

The manufacturers' marketing videos give the impression that a vacuum robot is a product that can be unpacked and left running without any worries. We recommend a little skepticism here and watch the newly purchased robot vacuum cleaner carefully for the first cleaning. How well does he cope with obstacles such as chair legs or thresholds? Which places does it not clean sufficiently? Can he find his way back to his base station?

The vacuum robots with app control are usually easily adaptable. For example, focus points can be set at which the robot vacuum should be particularly thorough. It may be necessary to adapt the apartment to the robot: move furniture, set limits (e.g. using magnetic tape) and remove obstacles (e.g. children's toys, shoes). If the first problem-free runs are successful, you can do what you bought the robot vacuum for: lean back and let the bot do the housework.