All the Smart Gadgets You Need for a Self-Cleaning Home
Cleaning is one of those necessary chores that most of us aren’t particularly enthusiastic about. It’s often a grueling and tedious task, and once you’re done, you realize you’ll have to do it all over again next week.
However, there’s good news for those who don’t like cleaning: modern technology can take on many of these tasks, as smart cleaning gadgets are getting better and better. In recent years, they’ve become more reliable and efficient, giving you a wide range of models to choose from.
This introduction to smart cleaning technologies will introduce you to the devices available on the market and their capabilities. Yes, you can make your home cleaner and tidier with just a few clicks of a button.
Pros and cons of cleaning technologies
The big advantage of investing in smart cleaning devices, of course, is that you don’t have to do the work yourself, so the time you save can be spent doing what you really enjoy.
These gadgets don’t get tired, sick, or irritated, and will work at any time of day or night, although you don’t necessarily need a robot vacuum buzzing at 4 a.m. In many cases, they can be controlled remotely and operate autonomously, meaning they can do housework while you’re at work or on vacation.
You ‘ll need to make an initial investment in the technology, which can be quite significant for some devices. It’s arguable that hiring a cleaner is a better option than robots: they can do a more thorough job, depending on the person and the device being compared, and you can give them more specific instructions. However, hiring a cleaner means giving someone else access to your home and scheduling a convenient time for you. Furthermore, it comes with ongoing costs.
There are a few other drawbacks to consider. One is that some cleaning and preparation is often required before robots can take over. For example, you may need to gather up toys and clothes before the robot vacuum can vacuum. By the time you’ve done this, you might feel it’s smarter to do all the work yourself.
Moreover, these gadgets require a certain amount of maintenance: depending on the model, you’ll need to empty them, supply them with power, water, and cleaning agents, and perhaps even clean some of their parts yourself. Like any device, they are subject to wear and tear and will eventually need to be replaced.
Another thing to consider: manual cleaning is a great way to get some exercise. Research has shown that household chores can provide enough physical activity to prolong life and improve a number of health indicators, so it might be worth using the time these gadgets save to go for a run or hit the gym.
The Best Smart Cleaning Gadgets You Can Buy
If you’ve decided to transform your home into a self-cleaning home, you can automate a number of processes using various devices. The choice is vast, so here are some general guidelines: take your time researching the various options, compare their features and price, and find as many reviews as possible from those who have used them.
Robotic vacuum cleaners and mops
This is an obvious place to start, as these are the gadgets that usually come to mind when you think of smart cleaning technology. You can find devices designed for a single purpose—vacuuming or mopping—or combining both.
While earlier models had issues with reliability and cleaning performance, modern robot vacuums are generally more impressive in their cleaning performance on carpets and hardwood floors. They feature features such as LiDAR, camera mapping, obstacle avoidance, self-cleaning, and automatic adjustments based on the type of surface being cleaned.
Often, all of these machines’ actions can be customized via a companion app, allowing you to schedule cleaning sessions and designate restricted areas or rooms. We’re even starting to see robot vacuums that can climb stairs , so they can truly vacuum and mop your entire home without assistance.
These vacuums can be a serious investment. The Samsung Jet Bot+ costs $600 and features an automatic emptying feature, LiDAR-based room navigation, intelligent suction power adjustment, and an advanced 5-layer HEPA filtration system for dust capture. If you have more money to spend, the Roborock Saros 10R is available for $1,600. It offers superior suction power, obstacle avoidance, corner and edge cleaning, and automatic cleaning via the included docking station.
Smart window cleaners
You can also have robots clean your windows, although the selection is smaller. Using suction, these robots move across your windows, cleaning and drying them as they go, leaving your glass clean and dust-free. These tools, again, can be controlled via an app, although they require a bit more manual setup to get them ready for cleaning.
The Ecovacs Winbot series includes some of the best window cleaning models currently on the market. The Ecovacs Winbot W2 Pro Omni costs $450 and can be powered by either a corded or built-in battery. It features a three-head system and a cleaning cloth for effective cleaning of windows of virtually any size and type.
Smart washing machines and dryers
There are also devices that add additional intelligence to existing appliances, such as smart washers and dryers . These devices take laundry to the next level with a host of useful and intelligent features, including the ability to customize wash and dry cycles based on load type and size, remote control via mobile apps, and a range of self-service features.
A good example is the LG WM6700HBA , which will set you back $1,250. Built-in artificial intelligence selects optimal wash cycles for your laundry, an automatic detergent and fabric softener dispenser reduces waste, and remote control and monitoring via the LG ThinQ app.
Smart dishwashers
Finally, we have smart dishwashers , which use automated technologies to clean dishes and cutlery more effectively than standard appliances. Features similar to those found in smart washing machines and dryers include sensor technology to detect the load and adjust the wash cycle accordingly, remote control via an app, integration with smart home systems, and fully automated maintenance and self-cleaning.
Consider the Bosch 500 series , which at the time of writing costs $1,250. It features smart sensors to monitor the cleaning process, an AutoAir feature that automatically opens the dishwasher door after cleaning to circulate air, and the ability to control cleaning cycles and other dishwasher functions via a phone app.