Karcher robot vacuum cleaners: rating of popular models

Until recently, robots for automatic cleaning of premises were found only on the pages of science fiction books. But today they are confidently becoming part of everyday life.Almost every well-known manufacturer of household appliances has already presented consumers with several models of such devices.

Not the last place in this series is occupied by Karcher robot vacuum cleaners - traditionally high-quality and expensive, like all equipment of this brand. The article we presented describes in detail the robotic models of the German manufacturer. For complete information, their technical characteristics and capabilities are given.

The nature of the automatic cleaner

The design of most models of such devices is very similar. The low body is equipped with one or more brushes, which are driven by a motor. Wheels are installed to move the device.

The debris captured by the brushes goes into the dust collector, from where you just need to shake it out. The engine is powered by a battery. A station is provided for charging it, although this can be done directly if necessary.

An important part of such a vacuum cleaner is a set of sensors with which the device orients itself in space. Typically, infrared sensors are used, although some models may also include ultrasonic devices. Sometimes a video camera works alongside them.The processor controls the actions of the vacuum cleaner and processes information.

The Karcher vacuum cleaner is controlled using buttons located on the top cover; the presence of a remote control is not provided by the manufacturer

If the robot is programmable, you can usually set the type and time of cleaning for a week. The vacuum cleaner starts from the charging station and methodically processes the surface, collecting debris and dust. Sensors prevent collisions with various obstacles, falling down stairs, etc.

At the end of the cleaning cycle, or when the battery power is depleted, the vacuum cleaner returns to the station to charge the battery. Some models allow cleaning to continue after the battery is charged.

Robotic cleaners from Karcher are designed to tidy up rooms in apartments and private houses; they cannot be used in servicing commercial and industrial facilities

Features of devices from the Karcher brand

The Kärcher company produces a small line of robotic cleaning devices of the non-professional category. They are intended for automated cleaning in private residential buildings; they cannot be used in servicing offices or hotels.

So far, only two models are offered to the consumer: RC 3000 and RC 4000, in which there are practically no differences in functionality. Any of the Kärcher RoboCleaners cleans all types of floor coverings currently used in the finishing industry.

They are “up to the task” of cleaning both hard and textile options, although we note that there are restrictions on the height of the pile of carpet products. Ideally, it should not exceed 10 mm, but 20 mm is allowed.

Robotic vacuum cleaners of the German brand do an excellent job of removing dust and dry fine dirt from hard floor coverings and carpet varieties, if their pile does not exceed 1 cm

List of restrictions on use

Robotic vacuum cleaners from Kärcher are prohibited from cleaning rooms with a characteristically high level of humidity. They are not suitable for use in industrial and warehouse facilities; they should not be used in basements and attics.

Operation on wet surfaces is not allowed due to the possibility of rapid filter clogging and subsequent engine overload. Kärcher cleaning robots must not be used in open areas.

Use is prohibited in fireplace rooms, in rooms with burning candles and where the air may contain vapors of flammable substances: solvents, gasoline, alcohol, etc. Use is prohibited in rooms under security or fire alarms due to the standard response of systems to moving traffic. point.

Robot vacuum cleaners of the specified brand may only be connected to an AC power supply, the performance characteristics of which must correspond to the data specified on the device. In case of violations in operation, the manufacturer releases itself from liability for the damaged device.

Karcher cleaning robots should not clean wet floors or surfaces with intensely peeling paint to prevent active clogging of the filters.

Operating principle of a robotic device

Cleaning devices from the company Kärcher, according to the tradition inherent in such systems, include two main components, these are:

• Parking station. It functions as a base that charges the batteries of the device and accumulates in its two-liter dust bag everything that the robot collected during the automated cleaning period. The base weighs 5.8 kg.
• Robot vacuum cleaner. A movable device that moves independently along the surface being treated. It receives energy from built-in nickel-metal hydride batteries (Ni-MH), which are charged by the parking station. The robot weighs 2 kg.

The operation scheme is extremely simple. Once charged, the vacuum cleaner moves independently within the room entrusted to it and collects debris with its built-in brushes. To ensure that the device does not leave the room and does not go, for example, onto a dangerous staircase landing, it is recommended to install a boundary strip along the perimeter or only in the doorway.

A device for automated cleaning includes two components: a station that charges the device and collects dust extracted from it, and a robotic cleaner itself.

To allow movement, the robot is equipped with wheels. It moves chaotically according to the “random principle” laid down by the manufacturer. Those. it follows in an arbitrary direction until the sensors built into the body detect an obstacle.

After detecting an obstacle or danger, the vacuum cleaner changes direction and goes to clean in a different vector until the next collision. Then everything is repeated during the cleaning period programmed by the owners.

The robot, charged at the parking base, according to Kärcher engineers, can clean the floor for a full 60 minutes.However, many owners of German brand appliances claim that the charge is only enough for 20 minutes, after which the vacuum cleaner rushes to the base to obtain a power reserve.

The station monitors the movement and condition of the vacuum cleaner, accompanying it with an infrared beam. When the charge runs out, the mobile device independently returns to it and is installed to charge the batteries. At this time, the owners do not need to turn on/connect anything or carry out similar activities.

The robotic vacuum cleaner is navigated using an infrared beam emanating from the parking station. The location for its location should be chosen so that the device can return to the base in any case

During recharging, the robot frees itself from the debris accumulated in the built-in reservoir, throwing dust into a dust bag located in the station. Owners of mini-equipment have to empty this bag periodically. The device will signal the need for cleaning.

Technical specifics of Karcher robot vacuum cleaners

Robotic vacuum cleaners with the Kärcher logo cannot be called multifunctional; they have only 4 programs in their memory. But the device can configure itself to perform them independently, determining the degree of contamination using sensors in the dust collector.

These sensors react to the degree of contamination of the floor, according to which they change the speed and principle of movement of the device:

• for routine cleaning, the robot moves at standard speed;
• in areas with moderate pollution, it slows down movement;
• in areas of heavy pollution it moves slowly and runs forward/backward;
• To remove stubborn dirt, the vacuum cleaner moves along a “star” path until it is able to clean.

When the robot is finished with persistent or heavy contamination, the sensors will detect that there is no need for intensive work, and the device will automatically switch to normal mode. If the floor on which the robot is moving is clean, and it cannot find the contaminated area for a long time, the brushes are turned off in order to save energy.

Obstacles to movement and cleaning do not include cables and low thresholds. However, curtains in contact with the floor can create a serious obstacle, in which the vacuum cleaner can simply get tangled and stuck.

This type of cleaning equipment is equipped with optical sensors that can recognize stairs and landings. Thanks to their presence, an independent device, without the participation of its owners, determines a dangerous place and protects itself from falling.

RoboCleaner cleaners are equipped with signal indicators, which, depending on the situation and technical condition, light continuously or pulsate. The green indicator is responsible for the operating characteristics, the red one indicates problems, the need to remove a device that is stuck somewhere, etc.

On the side facing the surface being treated, height sensors are installed that recognize obstacles arising in the path of the vacuum cleaner (+)

Happy owners of a robotic vacuum cleaner have the right to choose the duration of operation, focusing on the area of ​​the room being processed. When programming, it is taken into account that in 1 hour the vacuum cleaner can clean only 15 m² of dust. Therefore, a room of 45 m² will require a minimum of 3 hours.The selection can be made up to 9 o'clock.

The device’s functions include a “Silent operation” position, which should be used if the robot is activated at night or in the presence of people who do not like the “buzzing” of equipment.

Vacuum cleaners with robotic operating principle from Kärcher can be switched to a silent operation mode, thanks to which the cleaning process does not interfere with the rest of those present

Cleaning equipment care

For normal operation of any household appliance, regular, competent care is required.

RoboCleaner devices are no exception; they also need cleaning and replacement of wear elements:

• The base filter bag is changed periodically. There are 4 of them in the factory configuration; if necessary, it’s easy to buy additional ones.
• Before installing a fresh filter bag for the station, be sure to clean the flat filter.
• The filter protecting the device motor is being replaced. The package includes one spare copy, which is used after replacing the above 4 bags for the base.
• Depending on the circumstances and actual condition, the wheels are cleaned.
• As wear occurs, the brush shaft and batteries are replaced.

In addition, it is necessary to regularly clean the sensors from dust that accumulates on them, using a brush or cloth.

Batteries cannot be opened and disposed of by simply throwing them in a trash container. They must be handed over to collection points that collect them. The used unit should also be returned there so that useful components can be recycled. Filter bags can be safely disposed of with your household waste.

At the frequency specified by the manufacturer, the parts and assemblies of the robotic vacuum cleaner located on the bottom should be cleaned. As necessary, it is necessary to free the wheels and brush shaft of the device from threads and hair wound around it

To prevent the robotic vacuum cleaner from becoming unusable ahead of time, you should not sit on it or on the station, much less stand up. There should be no loose objects on the path of movement: newspapers, CDs and DVDs, paper and plastic packaging, clothes, glasses, small rugs and similar things.

Thresholds up to 10 mm high, fringes of similar length and cables are not considered an obstacle to the movement of vacuum cleaners of this type. However, the presence of wires on the floor is undesirable, because the device can simply become entangled in them and interrupt its operation if the owner is not nearby to rescue it from the trap.

If a cleaner is stuck among furniture legs, tangled in curtains, or unable to exit an alcove due to loss of the IR tracking beam, the red light will flash. The device then needs to be turned off, released and turned on again.

Also, in order to avoid causing property damage to yourself, there is no need to leave valuable fragile objects on the table if there is a possibility of them being knocked over by a cable that was accidentally caught by the robot.

Although, in principle, operating the device without anyone’s presence is quite possible. You just need to carefully prepare for such cleaning in advance, eliminating all possible threats, removing obstacles, interfering objects from the room, protecting equipment from the possibility of falling and blocking.

The safest operating option for a vacuum cleaner of this type is to carry out cleaning within one room, maximum one floor. It moves freely under furniture equipped with legs, rolls over low thresholds and cables.

When using it for floor-to-floor cleaning, the base should be positioned so that it can always track the movements of the vacuum cleaner with an infrared system, and it will always have the opportunity to return to it to recharge and discharge the collected debris.

The robot's batteries can only be charged at a parking station, which may only be used for its intended purpose. Before disconnecting the device for repairs, the station must be disconnected from the power supply.

Rating of automatic cleaners from Karcher

Karcher is traditionally an expensive and reliable technology; robotic vacuum cleaners released under this brand are no exception. The Karcher RC 3000 is equipped with a small dust container, which, once full, is emptied automatically when connected to the charging station.

Here the garbage is moved into a two-liter bag. This model does not have side brushes, so the quality of cleaning the corners leaves much to be desired. But at the same time there is excellent suction ability.

According to customer reviews, Karcher robots can get tangled in wires or get a sock pulled into the body, but overall they cope with navigation very well

RC 3000 effectively removes stains even from old carpets. Externally, the RC 4000 vacuum cleaner differs from the earlier model in color. It is made in white and black, but the RC 3000 has the traditional Karcher yellow and black color scheme.

There are also some differences inside: improved cylindrical brushes that provide better cleaning even on carpets with fairly long pile.

It is noted that the RC 4000’s sensors are more accurate, and therefore navigation is better. It is less likely to get tangled in wires and curtains than the RC 3000. The equipment and operating procedures of both models are almost identical.

The Kärcher RC 4000 model is equipped with a very effective central brush, which, with high suction power, ensures high-quality cleaning of almost all contaminants

Programming the device for a week in advance is not provided. Ironically, the RC 3000 vacuum cleaner is almost $500 more expensive than the newer model because it has been on the market longer and is popular.

Karcher robots are included in the group of premium devices that are characterized by good performance and a high price. True, products with this logo are no longer produced only by Germans.

Future buyers are presented with devices made in France and China. They are significantly more affordable in terms of cost, but are not always pleased with the build quality.

According to the Functional criteria for modification, the RC-4000 is not much different from the RC-3000. She does a slightly better cleaning job. This series has improved navigation; collisions with obstacles occur somewhat less frequently. But in terms of the number of traffic disruptions, everything is almost the same.

Place #1 - Karcher RC 4000

Color design and excellent performance are the main differences between this model and other representatives of the brand’s line of robotic vacuum cleaners. Otherwise they are very similar.

Main characteristics:

• period for charging the battery - 10-20 minutes;
• the duration of a single cleaning cycle is 20-60 minutes;
• cleaning speed - 15 sq.m/h;
• dust collector volume - 0.2 l;
• the volume of the dust bag at the parking station is 2 l;
• sound production - 54 dB;
• device weight - 2 kg;
• station weight - 5.8 kg
• vacuum cleaner dimensions - 285X105 mm;
• dimensions of the charging station - 500x250x230 mm.

This brand can be blamed for the high cost of consumables. For example, the price of a set of five dust bags can be about 1000 rubles.

But for models of this class, high prices are a completely natural phenomenon. Basically, such a vacuum cleaner does an excellent job of removing hair, but some of this dirt inevitably gets wrapped around the brush and wheels. Do not put off cleaning them, this will improve the operation of the device and reduce the number of breakdowns.

Place #2 - Karcher RC 3

Karcher RC 3 is used for dry cleaning. For navigation, a set of optical sensors is provided that record furnishings. The device does not fall down stairs and can map the room, although, according to the owners, its movement during cleaning looks somewhat erratic.

List of main characteristics of the model:

• battery charging period - 240 minutes;
• duration of a single cleaning cycle - 120 minutes;
• control from a smartphone - yes;
• opportunity to use in smart home - yes, Wi-Fi communication protocol;
• dust collector volume - 0.35 l cyclone filter;
• sound production - 71 dB;
• device weight - 3.6 kg;
• dimensions of the vacuum cleaner: HxWxD - 96x340 mm.

This model is valued for its good cleaning quality and long service life.

Inexperienced owners may feel that the lack of a clear cleaning plan worsens the result, because some places may remain untreated. But that's not true.If the vacuum cleaner works regularly, it will gradually collect debris everywhere and process missed areas, if not in the first, then in the second or third cycle.

In order for the robot to cope with cleaning as effectively as possible, it is necessary to prepare the room - before starting cleaning, you should remove socks and other small objects from the floor, as well as thin and light rugs, if they are not attached to the floor.

Experience shows that when using this vacuum cleaner every day, the room looks clean - the Karcher RC 3 household appliance copes flawlessly with cleaning on various surfaces thanks to its 24 W suction power and good navigation.

Place #3 – Karcher RC 3 Premium

The new development of the Karcher company went on sale only at the beginning of 2018. The vacuum cleaner, already tested in practice, has earned recognition from satisfied owners.

Standard robot control schemes are supplemented by sending commands via smartphone. You can start and stop it while away from the cleaning site. To do this, you need to download and install a special application.

A smart device with a charged battery works for 2 hours, after which it moves to the parking base to restore its energy reserve. It charges in 4 hours. If cleaning was interrupted to complete charging, then after recharging the vacuum cleaner returns to the end point of the session.

Laser navigation KARCHER RC 3 Premium eliminates situations of collision and falling of the robot. It is possible to program a temporary map of the room, perform cleaning by day of the week and start the vacuum cleaner on a timer.

Cleaning efficiency is ensured by two counter-rotating brushes and a powerful suction device.

The disadvantages include the rather noisy operation of the device.According to measurements, its sound level is 71 dB. The capacity of the dust collection box is small, only 0.35 liters. However, if you consider that the vacuum cleaner is regularly emptied of accumulated dirt while it is being charged at the station, then the volume of the dust collector is quite sufficient for work in the private sector.

Subtleties of choosing the right model

Robot vacuum cleaners are rated on a range of characteristics and additional functions.

To begin with, you should consider the following points:

• quality of floor cleaning;
• navigation accuracy;
• battery life;
• programming capability;
• the amount of suction force;
• sound parameters created during cleaning;
• number of operating modes of the device;
• presence of a module for wet cleaning, etc.

Typically, inexpensive models are quite popular, but rarely justify high demands. The main criticism is the low suction power, which reduces the cleaning efficiency.

An important aspect that is worth detailed study before making a considered purchase is the maneuverability of the device, providing freedom of movement on smooth and rough surfaces. It is desirable that the wheels have a sufficiently textured tread

You need to pay attention to the device’s ability to remove fur and hair. Some vacuum cleaners cope with this task successfully, but their wheels and brushes quickly become clogged, and you have to often remove these elements for cleaning.

In this case, it is better to purchase vacuum cleaner with Anti Tangle turbinecapable of dealing with such a problem.

When choosing a cleaning device, you should pay attention to what types of surfaces it can work on and what obstacles it can overcome on its own

A HEPA filter is usually installed to filter the air passing through the cabinet. It is not washed, but cleaned of dust with a brush. This element needs to be replaced approximately once every six months to a year.

The presence of an additional fabric filter is welcome. The cost and availability of replacement elements: brushes, wheels, nozzles, filters is an important point.

For expensive models, such an update can be expensive, but their consumables are usually more durable than those of budget devices. The ability to wet clean is desirable, but not required. The attachment for this is a microfiber cloth, which most often has to be wetted with your hands.

This option is not capable of performing a good general cleaning. She needs washing robot, the characteristics and functionality of which will be introduced in our recommended article.

Some models are equipped with a UV lamp for additional surface disinfection. According to many buyers, this element is expensive and completely optional. Low noise levels are a highly desirable feature, but even the best robots don't clean silently.

Two, three or four operating modes are usually found in each such device. Usually this is standard cleaning, processing of baseboards and corners, as well as local cleaning of a specific area.

If you need a model that will run every day for a full week, you should clarify this point before purchasing; not all vacuum cleaners are equipped with this function. Robotic vacuum cleaners from Kärcher can only be turned off or on. There is a function for selecting the duration of cleaning and a program for locking the device in the parking lot until the next session

To limit the cleaning area, magnetic tapes or infrared beacons are used. The latter are considered more convenient to use. If there is no possibility of such a limitation, you will have to install some kind of barriers from available materials.

The volume of the dust container is usually designed so that it fills during battery operation. Some models clean the container while charging. In any case, you should not allow the dust container to overfill, as this may adversely affect the operation of the vacuum cleaner.

According to reviews, this vacuum cleaner does an excellent job of removing fur and hair. A small amount of such contaminants may accumulate on the wheels and brushes. These elements are easily removable, so cleaning will not take much time.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

How to choose a robotic cleaner to clean your home:

Video about the benefits of using Karcher robotic vacuum cleaners:

Robot vacuum cleaners with the Karcher logo can hardly be called the discovery of the century, yet their performance indicators remain quite high for many years. For the home, this is a worthy choice that will provide regular and effective cleaning over a large area.

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