You know your robot vacuum does a great job of cleaning a single room. All you have to do is power the device on and then sit back while it vacuums the floor. You don’t have to lift a finger, even to move objects, because the robot vacuum automatically avoids any items on the floor. However, a lot of potential customers wonder if it’s possible for a robot vacuum to clean more than one room.
Higher-priced robot vacuums can clean multiple rooms, but you may get a better performance using multiple robot vacs with each one dedicated to one or two rooms. Battery capacity limits most robot vacuums from cleaning an entire house.
To put it simply, robot vacuums can clean multiple rooms, but you’ll likely find yourself needing a much higher-quality model which will also go for a higher price. It’s important to know what kind of device you need first before buying one. Here’s everything you need to know about using these convenient devices in more than one room.
How Robot Vacuums Manage Multiple Rooms
Robot vacuums are not only convenient, but they’re also very intelligent and useful (in a number of ways that we’ve discussed elsewhere on the site). Its intelligence comes in handy when you need to use the vacuum to clean more than one room in the house.
How the device works is simple: it comes with small brushes that loosen dirt and vacuums it up. Since the vacuum is automated, you can sit back and watch the robot do all of the hard work. When you’re using a single robot vacuum to clean several rooms, there’s one feature you want to look for.
Since the small vacuum is battery powered it will need to recharge between rooms and you don’t have to worry about it falling down the stars as we’ve argued before. You want the vacuum to return to the spot that it stopped cleaning after recharging. Models that don’t will only clean the same room over again. You have to physically move the vacuum after recharging when it’s time to clean another room.
Will Robot Vacuums Clean Multiple Rooms Well Enough?
Your robot vacuum can clean floors in multiple rooms well enough that you won’t need to drag out a heavy, corded vacuum. However, there are exceptions both with the type of robot vacuum and the room. Not every automated vacuum is designed the same and how the robot vacuum functions need to work in accordance with the items and layout of the area. For instance, carpeted rooms or rooms with lots of rugs may run down a vacuum’s batteries faster than a mostly hard-wood floored environment.
Potential Drawbacks of Cleaning Multiple Rooms with a Robot Vacuum
The goal of using a robot vacuum is to make cleaning the floors easier. However, if you have to clean them again with a larger device, there isn’t much of a reason to have the robot vacuum to begin with. The main problem with cleaning several rooms is battery life because the rechargeable batteries are small and hold a limited charge.
Even the most expensive models need to recharge after an hour or two. It also takes, on average, three hours for the battery to fully recharge. Depending on the number of rooms, it can take all day for one vacuum to sweep several areas. So, the main drawback here is that the vacuum can clean multiple rooms, but takes its sweet time doing it. Not a huge deal if it’s running while you’re at work, but if you’re at home having to step over the vacuum as it moves around, that constant activity for a long period of time may be annoying.
The Room Can Be a Problem
Your robot vac is similar to your upright or canister vacuum in some ways, but it has far less power. This can lead to issues with carpets and loose fabric that wouldn’t slow down an upright vacuum at all. The small bristles of a robot vacuum can easily snag on items.
Loose threads or the fringe on rugs can get caught up in the bristles preventing the vacuum from continuing on its cleaning path. Not only can it ruin your rug or carpeting, but it could damage the small vacuum’s motor as well. The motor can overheat as the device is trying to break free. This also depletes battery life.
Electric cords are another potential problem for robot vacuums. Drapery and blind cords are also an issue if the vacuum accidentally starts sweeping it up. You’ll have the same problems with overheating and running the battery down. These obstacles are problems for upright vacuums too, though, so there’s always going to be some need to tidy up the space before (or during) vacuuming.
Robot Vacuums and Open Floor Plans
Open floor plans make your home seem larger and more accessible. They also present a problem for your robot vacuums. Since there are multiple entrances to the rooms, the vacuum can be easily confused. When it goes out one door and enters the same room through another, it will start re-sweeping the floor. Instead of cleaning multiple rooms, the vacuum will stay in the same area. Probably not a huge issue as long as it can still find the dick, but a space like this may lead to unexpected robot vacuum behavior.
How to Clean Multiple Rooms with One Robot Vacuum
You can clean several rooms with one robot vacuum if you’re willing to pay extra for a better model. In fact, you might find it more cost-effective to purchase two cheaper models instead. Each vacuum can tackle a few specific rooms, instead of the entire home. You’ll get a better cleaning job, without worrying about the problems that can come with only using one, however, you will still need to make sure there isn’t anything in the rooms for the vacuum to get caught on.
More Maintenance (More Dirt to Empty)
If you’re cleaning more space and cleaning it more often, it’s worth noting that the vacuum will get full faster. This should push you toward a higher capacity or self-emptying robot vacuum to get better performance on cleaning multiple rooms. Even if the battery can support that much cleaning, if the robot gets full and you don’t notice, then it loses its effectiveness. And if you have to empty it all the time you’re just creating a different kind of work for yourself (even though you’re automating the vacuuming).
Best Robot Vacuum for Multiple Rooms
There are robot vacuums that will clean multiple rooms if you don’t mind the heftier price tag (more on robot vacuums and traditional vacuums in our guide) . Additionally, there is more than one option just in case your needs are a bit more nuanced and specific. For example, there is the iRobot Roomba 980 and the Eufy by Anker, just to name a couple. Comparing these two models reveals some differences that you can consider against any robot vacuums you’re considering.
iRobot Roomba 980
iRobot is a familiar name when it comes to robot vacuums. They were one of the first on the market and have a history of manufacturing high-quality devices. You will pay a little more for the iRobot Roomba 980 (on Amazon), but if you want a vacuum that will clean multiple rooms it can easily handle the task.
It boasts 10x the suction power of similar robotic vacuums, and also comes with a power boost feature for use on carpets. Patented technology allows the device to map the area to ensure it cleans around objects and underneath furniture. This is one of those features that’s going to scale really well with multiple rooms too, because it’s intentionally building a map of what it needs to clean that you can review.
Pet fur and dander isn’t a problem for the Roomba 980. Along with its premium cleaning system, the robot vacuum also has flexible, adjustable rubber brushes. The brushes are designed for multi-surface use. The device also comes with a high-efficiency filter that traps dust, dander, and other allergens.
Eufy Boost IQ by Anker
While not as well-known as other brands, the Eufy BoostIQ Robo Vac by Anker (also on Amazon) will thoroughly vacuum your floors. It’s designed to work on all types of surfaces, including medium-pile capering. When needed, the small vacuum automatically increases suction power for 1.5 seconds to ensure all dirt and debris is swept up.
The small but powerful rechargeable battery will run for up to 100 minutes giving the device plenty of time to tackle multiple rooms. It also comes with convenient boundary strips making it a breeze to control where the vacuum goes. You can use the boundary strips near stairs and other areas you want the vacuum to avoid. Reviews suggest this model is good enough at a few rooms at a time, but maybe not an entire house. Again, this one will be battery-limited, and it’ll keep to a couple of room radius of that charging station.
Not only is the robot vacuum surprisingly quiet, but it’s also a breeze to control. You can use the boundary strips or your home Wi-Fi connection. The robot vacuum is compatible with both Google Assistant and Alexa. You can control the vacuum with your voice or a connected handheld device.
Pro Tip: Consider Multiple Robot Vacuums
When you want to clean multiple rooms, you can use one robot vacuum but there is an easier way, including what’s probably the best alternative: purchasing multiple less-expensive models that ensure that each room is thoroughly cleaned. It will take less time to vacuum the floors since the devices won’t need to stop and recharge after each room. You also won’t need to empty the dust bin as often with multiple devices.
Homes with more than one level also want to think about getting a couple of robot vacuums. At least one model for each floor. Robot vacuums cannot go safely downstairs. You will have to set up boundaries in front of the stairs and carry the device with its docking station downstairs. In the long run, it’s easier to have more than one robot vacuum.