When comparing Maplin Mini Robotic Vacuum Cleaner vs iRobot Roomba 880, the Slant community recommends iRobot Roomba 880 for most people. In the question“What are the best vacuum cleaners (robot or manual) for cramped apartments?” iRobot Roomba 880 is ranked 2nd while Maplin Mini Robotic Vacuum Cleaner is ranked 3rd. The most important reason people chose iRobot Roomba 880 is:
The Roomba 880 is ahead of the curve when it comes to navigation. It is able to maneuver very well around obstacles, such as furniture, lamps, and potted plants. A rubber bumper softens the impact from hitting things and allows the robot to distinguish soft obstacles (such as curtains) and push right past them. A low clearance allows it to clean under the furniture.
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Pros
Pro One of the cheapest robot cleaners out there
This model costs just under 70 pounds (around $90) which is way less than what an average robot cleaner would cost.
Pro Can easily reach every corner of the room
This device is so compact (2.9 inches tall, 11 inches in diameter) that it has no problem cleaning even in areas inaccessible to a normal robot cleaner like under nearly any piece of furniture, in the corners or along the walls.
Pro Doesn't require much room prep from you
The Roomba 880 is ahead of the curve when it comes to navigation. It is able to maneuver very well around obstacles, such as furniture, lamps, and potted plants. A rubber bumper softens the impact from hitting things and allows the robot to distinguish soft obstacles (such as curtains) and push right past them. A low clearance allows it to clean under the furniture.
Pro Very powerful vacuum
The Roomba 880 has five times the suction power of a budget Roomba robot (e.g the 600's series.) It picks up the tiniest dirt particles on your floor and even the dust that's in between tiles or floorboards.
Pro Easy maintenance
The Roomba 880 has rubber dust collectors as opposed to the bristled ones on older models. Not only are they very effective at collecting dust, they are much easier to clean after use. You don't need to comb anything out of the collectors, just wipe it with a cloth.
Pro Can clean multiple rooms in one route
The Roomba 880 can be programmed to clean multiple rooms (up to three) in succession.
Pro Scheduled cleaning feature
You can create a schedule for the iRobot to clean at certain times of the day, like when you're at work for example. After cleaning, it will automatically return to the charging station.
Pro Can clean carpets
Its high ground clearance and powerful vacuum allows this robot to climb onto rugs and carpets and clean them from dust, pet hair, and other debris.
Pro You can limit the area that the robot cleans
A small battery-powered device called "virtual wall" allows you to create a virtual boundary that the robot will not cross. It emits an infrared ray up to 7 feet long that serves as a barrier for the Roomba. For example, if you don't want the Roomba to wander into a room with your pet's food and water, or has a bunch of wires scattered on the floor, you can just place this device at the doorway.
Cons
Con Poor battery life
The battery life of this cleaner is shorter than the majority of robot vacuums, it only lasts up to 1 hour.
Con Not suitable for large open areas
Given the small size, it would take this robot forever to thoroughly clean a big open area.
Con Small bin capacity
Due to the small size of the cleaner, the dust bin doesn't have a lot of storage capacity and has to be emptied several times per week.
Con User manual doesn't cover all features of the robot
The manual leaves out many important questions regarding the use of this robot, such as how to use the virtual walls; what do all the LED indicators on the machine mean; and what the differences are between the cleaning modes.
Con Hefty brand premium
Typically, a Roomba isn't the best choice if you're on a tight budget. When you buy an iRobot device, you pay a considerable premium for the brand. Granted, you receive superior quality offered by a well-established company.