This article was taken from the May 2014 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.Wired put four of the latest robotic cleaners on a 220cm x 160cm area of hard floor and carpet to see how efficiently they cleaned up five-gramme samples of crushed chalk, digestive-biscuit crumbs, green poster-paint, flour and crushed cheese puffs. Each model was given two minutes on its standard setting to clean up the entire mess. The volume cleaned up by each model was then measured. The cleaners were also judged on performance, versatility, ergonomics, hygiene and smart features. Average noise levels were also monitored, using the Decibel Meter app.This clunky model sounded like it was about to take off when it started and took a while to get moving. But once in action it came top in our pick-up test with its "laser eye" that uses infrared light to scan the area five times a second.

It aimed for -- and cleaned -- the line of mess in one fell swoop, steering well to avoid bumping into corners. craftsman vacuum cleaner bagsIt can be programmed in nine languages and has a filter to remove dust particles from the air.robotic pool vacuum cleaner reviewsThe robust and attractive Roomba (also pictured right)can be programmed via IR remote to clean throughout the week. bissell vacuum cleaner how to useAlthough it worked pretty well in our test, it smeared the paint across the floor and struggled to pick up the larger biscuit crumbs. A spinning side brush, however, cleaned along edges and corners well, and a built-in Hepa filter, which claims to capture particles as fine as 0.3 microns, makes it a good buy for allergy sufferers.

WIRED Good for all floor typesOne of the best-looking designs on test, the Navibot glided smoothly in a zig-zag manner towards the mess. Once there, it neatly avoided obstacles thanks to a built-in camera that maps out its surroundings at 15 images per second. It is also impressively smooth and quiet, and its built-in "cliff-sensor technology" means it will steer clear of stairs and other dangerous drop points when cleaning upstairs areas.The Hom-Bot picked up the least volume, but it was accurate, heading straight for the line of mess. It comes with two side-brushes that remove dirt from tight corners, and using infrared and ultrasonic sensors lets it dodge anything in its path -- even in the dark. With its Hepa filter and easy-access side-opening bin, its design is very hygienic, and the clever voice-alert will let you know when its work is finished.WIRED Smart voice alerts and sensors VRF530E Robot VC with Visionary Mapping™ System, 0.6 ℓ 355 x 93 x 355 mm 423 x 160 x 511 mm

SR8900 ROBOT VC with Auto-Emptying Dust Bin, 40 Watt, BlackAre you trying to decide between iClebo Arte and iRobot Roomba 880? Both are excellent vacuum cleaners. However, each of them have their own speciality and it helps to know a little bit more about them. Read our comparison guide below to learn more: iClebo recently won 1st place award at the German Cleaning Robot Performance Test. It is a two-in-one cleaner that can vacuum and mop at the same time. It has a smart engine algorithm consisting of 50 navigation sensors that analyze surroundings 10,800 times/sec. It will find and clean every corner of the house meticulously. iClebo is amazingly always able to automatically find it’s base no matter at which corner of the house it is. It is very efficient and is able to clean most of your house in the time that the Roomba cleaned one room. It’s ultralight and slim and therefore easy to carry. It can clean underneath most of your stuff in your home or office.

This will be a great buy if you mostly have hardwood floors. Amazon users have given it a 3.8 stars out of 5. Read Customer Reviews here. Here are the specs: Dimension:8.9 x 35 cm Sensors:Camera, IR, PSD, Gyro, Encoder, Bumper Area Recognition:Camera & Gyro Sensor Cleaning method: Vacuum, Brush, Mop Cleaning time:120 - 160 mins Charging Time: 110 min Battery Current: 2,200 mAh The one advantage that iClebo YCR-M05-10 Arte has over Roomba 880 and many other competitors is its ability to vacuum as well as mop. You can find the iClebo here for a reasonable price. iRobot led the efforts early on towards making robotic vacuum cleaner a common household item. iRobot Roomba 880 is one of the best robotic vacuum cleaners around. Depsite being more expensive than the rivals, it has received raving reviews and is well worth the price ($674 on Amazon). You can control it with an infrared remote without having to get up. It comes with virtual walls to help it stay within a certain area that you want cleaned.

The walls do require additional batteries. Roomba does a fantastic cleaning job, and is very easy to use. It can be scheduled to perform up to seven cleaning sessions per week. It massively reduces the dust load in a home, far more than humans can reasonably do. However, if you are just getting started with Roomba, you will need to frequently empty the dust bin. It has a fall-detection technology, so you won’t have to worry about it falling down the stairs. In order to provide an optimized cleaning, roomba can self adjust its bristles between carpet and bare floor. It has advanced wall-follow technology that allows it to clean the corners and edges effectively. Roomba is very smart with wires, loose clothes and other ‘tangly’ items. If you’re a programmer or roboticist, you have a 7 pin TTY serial port under the flap on top of the unit. Here are some quick specs: UI: Touch Panel & Remote Dimension:13.9 x 13.9 x 3.6 inches Cleaning System:AeroForce Performance Cleaning System

Dirt Detect:Series II w/Persistent Pass Cleaning Accessories Included:2 Virtual Wall Lighthouses, Extra Large HEPA Filter If you’ve got pet, constantly have lots of hair, or simply need heavy-duty cleaning, get Roomba 880. It will serve you well. This listing listing has the cheapest price I’ve found so far. iClebo Arte vs. Roomba 880: A Quick Comparison iClebo ArteiRobot Roomba 880 Camera Vision Mapping SystemYesNo Floor Type Auto AdjustmentYesYes At the end of the day, if you are looking for a automatic vacuum cleaner that is reasonably priced, does a decent job, and can vacuum as well as mop, you should get  iClebo Arte. If you are looking for top-of-the-line product featuring revolutionary technology and excellent performance you should get Roomba 880. This is especially true if you own a pet or have allergies – Roomba is proven to remove up to 50% more dirt, dust, hair, debris and harmful allergens. You might also want to read: