'I Tried The Latest Robot Vacuum From Proscenic - It's Scary How Smart It Is'

It does all the chores of cleaning so you don't have to lift a finger

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Proscenic Robot Vacuum

Proscenic X1 Robot Vacuum

The thought of clicking a button and having your floors vacuumed and freshly mopped is something I never thought possible until now, as I got my hands on one of the latest Robot vacuums.

I've heard rave reviews about robot vacuums with many homeowners praising the cleaning tech devices for their convenience and ease. Nowadays the round bots can do almost everything on their own, map out rooms, fit under furniture and use sensors to avoid bumping into objects (or the inquisitive family pet).

Newer devices can even empty contents themselves and are fitted with a floor-mopping feature, which isn't something you get every day with a usual plug-in. Jumping on the cleaning tech bandwagon, I tried the Proscenic X1 Robot Vacuum to see if automated and AI cleaning is for me.

The X1 Robot Vacuum is one of the brand's newer models, ahead of the Proscenic 850T and Proscenic VT. In fact, one of the only differentiating features of the Proscenic X1 is its charging platform station, a key accompanying feature to the robot vac.

Its price point is fairly similar to the cordless vacuums at Dyson and Shark, and normally costs around £500, Amazon currently has a price drop to £399. After making my home spotless after the past week testing out the product I'd go as far as saying it's reasonably priced for what it can do.

The unboxing and set-up The extra attachments that come with the Proscenic X1 Robot Vacuum - mop cover, dust bag and filters

The X1 comes in a box packed with the charging platform, the robot vac itself, and a host of accessories including extra cleaning tools and a remote control. At first glance I have to admit it all looked a bit confusing, with the parts all individually wrapped I didn't know where to start and the instructions were (not the best to be honest).

Thankfully I have a tech-savvy boyfriend who put the charging platform together and connected it to the mobile app, a feature I really wasn't expected to need when cleaning but it is a lifesaver. The Proscenic app connects with the X1 robot to map out your house, and you can create different areas and cleaning zones. It's also the place to go if you want to start vacuuming when in another room or even out, it will clean for you with a click of the app button.

This is very helpful when it comes to using the mop attachment (which we'll get into detail later) as it can't be used on carpeted floors, this way the bot knows which room to go into and where to avoid during mopping mode.

All in all the extras include a dust bag, the mop attachment with an extra pad, a side brush, a HEPA filter and an extra rotating brush which fits on the bottom for vacuuming.

No manpower needed - it vacuums and moves around on its own The X1 Robot Vacuum docked on the charging platform

The charging platform and pad are so much more than it seems, but it's where the main dust bag is kept. Once a cycle is complete or it returns back the pad for charging the bot will automatically empty the dust collected from vacuuming straight into the bag fitted into the station.

I have to be honest it's not a pretty sound, infact for something so high-tech I couldn't believe how loud this process was (my boyfriend joked it was louder than a flight take-off) but I'd still say the self-emptying feature is worth it. The power of the vacuum is pretty strong and picked up everything that was on the floor, including the bits of stubborn pollen we walk into our porch which is a cleaning nightmare at this time of year.

On the first time around our living room, it knocked into nearly all of the furniture, which is to be expected, but it's quick to realign and set off on a clear course. This is down to the collision sensor and bumpers fitted on the outside to prevent damage. I was impressed with how quickly it mapped the room and the second time around it picked up speed without bumping into any of the skirting boards or furniture.

Once I'd selected a zone in my home to vacuum I also tried out raising the hoovering power on the remote control, which comes in handy if there's a particular spot you want to zone in on. This is always where you can send the vac back to charge by pressing the house icon in the top right corner, no matter where it is it will drive itself back, empty the dust box into the filter and pop on charge.

The robot has a mopping feature - but is it as good as a mop and bucket? There's a pull out attachment on the X1 Robot Vacuum where you fill up the water tank and fit the mop mat

After sending the bot on a whirlwind hoover of our moderate-sized kitchen, I then tried out the mop attachment.

I've never been a fan of the lino in our kitchen as I feel its blend of browny, stone colours make it look slightly dirty, despite vigorously giving it a mop at least once a week. Moan aside and it's obviously not an issue to hold up against the X1 Robot Vacuum but I was intrigued to see how this vacuum-led product cleaned floors too.

Unlike more expensive robot vacuums, like the new Roomba Combo j7, the mop feature on the Proscenic X1 has to be manually fitted. You can do this by pulling out the draw on the front of the robot and filling the water tank, with 'deionised' or 'demineralised' water.

This is the first thing I ran into that just didn't work for me or my home. At first, I thought 'Surely it doesn't mean just to use tap water to mop the floor' but after googling it turns out it did, but filtered.

This is not something I have at home, nor expect the majority of households to have readily available. For me, this just takes the whole efficiency of having a self-mopping robot out of the window, as I ended up spraying Zoflora floor cleaner over the kitchen floor before setting it off to clean.

I contemplated putting Zoflora in the water tank but I couldn't find anywhere if this would damage the machine or not.

Once I'd filled up the tank with water I then fitted the mop attachment, don't be alarmed if it leaks as soon as you turn it over after an initial 'ahh what have I done wrong' I figured out it's an intended design. The water 'leaks' out and attached mop pads on the robot clean the floor.

As cool as the feature sounds I'll be sticking to my usual Flash mop.

Does it work in every home? I tested out both the mop and vacuum features in the kitchen

I can't speak for everyone but after using it for a week in our relatively small rented home I can see how the X1 could be an asset in a small flat, open plan home, an old-style cottage and especially a larger home which may be a bigger task to clean.

The only thing I'd say that's a clear no is if your home is fitted with a lot of different stairs or raised rooms, as it would mean you have to map out a lot of different areas. Saying that I found it worked really well identifying where the drop by the stairs, and it's not something you have to map on the app thanks to the cliff sensors.

I wasn't overly pleased with the mop feature at all, as you can see above, but its namesake vacuum function is definitely a game-changer for me.

You can buy the Proscenic X1 Robot Vacuum on both Amazon and similar versions at Currys.

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Your Robot Vacuum Can Clean Even Better (but You Need To Do These 5 Things First)

Robot vacuums are certainly convenient. With intelligent navigational capabilities and, in some cases, self-emptying dustbins, these domestic helpers can automatically clean your floors for you while you go on with your day-to-day tasks. 

Even so, they're not completely hands-free. Without regular maintenance, cleaning and care, they can fail in their duties. The same is true if you don't properly prepare your home before vacuuming. Clearing problematic obstacles and other physical hazards (like cords, discarded socks and curtains) from the ground goes a long way to achieving true automatic vacuuming bliss.

That means you'll need to follow some best practices to get the most out of your robot vacuum. I'll walk you through all of it below -- and have no fear, it's still less work than cleaning your floors the old-fashioned way. (You can also check out CNET's favorite vacuum cleaners and cordless vacuum cleaners of the year.)

1. Get rid of cords and other household obstacles

Apart from pet messes and discarded socks, the biggest threats to robot vacuums are electrical cords and other household wiring. These cables can easily ensnare a robot's rotating brushes and wheels, at which point you'll need to carefully untangle things yourself. 

A messy tangle of AV cords and wires can easily snarl robot vacuums.

Tyler Lizenby/CNET

That's why it's a good idea to tidy up any masses of tangled cabling as best you can before your robot vacuum starts a cleaning run. Fortunately, there are plenty of off-the-shelf products that can help with cord management. In a pinch, a cheap twist tie will get the job done, too.

Dining chairs and hanging curtains can also hinder your robot vacuum's cleaning ability. Your robot vacuum can't properly navigate if it gets stuck on curtains that pool on the floor or is blocked by dining chairs. To prevent any obstacles, consider moving curtains or finding a trick to shorten the fabric so it's not draped to the floor, and flipping dining chairs upside down on the table while the robot vacuum runs. 

Cable management systems or even a twist-tie can help deal with cord clutter.

Tyler Lizenby/CNET2. Beware of high-pile carpets

I admit the stylish allure of plush, high-pile and shag area rugs is hard to resist. Sadly, these floor decorations also tend to be problematic for robot cleaners. Many models often become bogged down by the thick fibers of high-pile carpeting. 

To keep your robot vacuum from getting stuck, consider rolling up the edges of your thick area rugs before initiating a cleaning session. Another option is to virtually block off these floor sections. If your robot supports this function, you'll find it within the machine's phone app.

Water and robots don't mix. Clear away or block access to pet water bowls and potted house plants.

Chris Monroe/CNET3. Watch out for water

Typically water and electronics don't mix well, so you'll want to be aware of any liquids your robot vacuum may encounter on the floor. Pet water bowls are a notorious source of spilled water, for instance. Your best bet is to fence off areas like those either physically or electronically (via the vacuum's app) so your robot can avoid them.  

4. Keep the sensors clean

Robot vacuums use a bevy of electronic sensors to navigate through your home properly, including infrared emitters, laser turrets and cliff sensors, plus optical sensors and digital cameras. Over time, your robot and its sensor hardware will get dirty. 

This grime will impair a robot's ability to interpret the physical space around it. That's why it's imperative to regularly clean your vacuum's external chassis and sensor system. I've found that a slightly damp microfiber cloth works well here. Still, it's a good idea to consult your robot's manual for the manufacturer's recommended method.     

Some robot vacuums can empty their own dustbins. If yours doesn't make to clean it out regularly.

iRobot5. Empty its dustbin often

Shop around, and you'll find a number of fancy robot vacuum cleaners that come with charging docks that can also empty the robot's dustbin -- but that's still a high-end feature not available with most cleaners. 

In the majority of cases, your robot vacuum will only have a small-capacity dust container inside it that you'll need to empty often, ideally after each cleaning run. Fail to do so, and you'll clog things up, diminishing the vacuum's ability to continue sucking up dirt and debris.

Even sophisticated robots with self-emptying bins can get clogged from time to time, so no matter how fancy your robot vacuum is, you'll want to be sure to check its dirt-handling apparatus frequently to avoid any unexpected problems.

For more vacuum tips, explore the best Roomba alternatives to keep your floors clean and the best robot vacuum deals available now. 

How To Choose A Robot Vacuum

When it comes to keeping your home clean, few smart home devices are as beloved as robot vacuums. These nifty gadgets let you put away your cordless vacuum and sit on the couch while it sucks up all the dust, pollen, debris, and other gunk that's trapped inside your carpet. Some models even double as a mop, while others can automatically empty their dustbin.

There's a wide variety of robot vacuums on the market today, which means you can find a product for every budget. It also means there are a lot of choices to wade through — and not all of them are worth considering. If you need some help with your search, here's how to choose a robot vacuum in 2023.

Once you're done checking out this list, be sure to read through our roundup of the best robot vacuums.

Features to consider in a robot vacuum Sensory sophistication and virtual mapping

Most modern robot vacuums use sensor technology to navigate around a room, but some models are more advanced than others. Basic robots have infrared sensors to stop them from bumping into things and changing direction when they collide with something, whereas more sophisticated models will map out a room using laser-guided scanners or a combination of cameras and sensors. These high-tech robots also sometimes have "dirt sensors" to be sure they have cleaned properly, and can add additional cleaning passes to dirty or high-traffic areas.

Automated scheduling

Most robot vacuums have a scheduling function, so you can set it to work at specific times of the day or week — when you're at work, for example. Most of this scheduling is done via a companion app on your smartphone that makes changes and updates easy. With some models, however, you'll need to manually program this schedule into the bot using buttons. If that sounds like about as much fun as setting the clock on your car radio, make sure to check in advance how the calendar interface works on your chosen robot vacuum.

Some robot vacs also combine high-tech mapping with that scheduling feature (Roomba's i7 and s9 vacuums have this) and let you program certain rooms to be cleaned on certain days, giving you amazing flexibility and freedom.

Automatic dirt disposal

With most bots, they may do the sweeping up, but you'll have to empty it just like any regular vacuum cleaner. However, some models will automatically dispose of dirt into their own bin located inside the home base, and they will remind you when this bin needs to be emptied. These models tend to be more expensive, however. With the majority of robot vacuums, you simply pop out the dustbin, open a flap or door, and pour it into the garbage. Not a big deal, but if you're looking to save even more time and hassle, automatic disposal is a feature to look for.

You can find it in robots like the Shark IQ Robot R101AE Self-Emptying Robot and the Roomba s9+.

The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is one of the latest robot vacuums to hit the market, and it can automatically clean its dustbin for weeks before needing any manual intervention — making it an easy recommendation.

Additional mopping functionality

Many manufacturers now produce devices that function as both a robot vacuum and a robot mop. These typically require manual intervention between each task — that is, you'll need to remove mopheads before letting the robot wander onto carpet — but some high-end models offer fully automated cleaning routines.

The Roomba Combo j7+ is a particular standout, as it can automatically stow its mophead away before moving onto carpet. This means it can clean just about every surface in your home without any manual input. It's a bit expensive, but be sure to consider a robot vacuum + mop combo if your home is composed of multiple floor types.

A similar feature can be found on the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, although its mop can only retract a few millimeters. That's not a big deal if you have short carpet, but it might graze the top of plush carpets on the way back to its dock.

Which are the best robot vacuum brands?

There are loads of great robot vacuum brands out there, all with varying price points and levels of functionality. Before purchasing a vacuum cleaner, it's a good idea to do a little research on the brand and check reviews, as well as customer comments. These are some of the biggest brands:

iRobot

Although it's one of the more expensive brands, iRobot makes some of the best and most well-reviewed robot vacuums on the market. Their most recent model, the Roomba S9+, for example, has a 3D sensor allowing it to move around your home with incredible intuition. Conveniently, iRobot has also introduced vacuums at all price points, from budget to premium, so there's likely to be a model that's right for you.

Neato

Neato may be as popular as iRobot, but it's got a reputation for making solid, hardworking bots. The latest Neato models are D-shaped vacuums with incredible cleaning power and superbly-long battery lives.

Ecovacs

Ecovacs models are extremely sophisticated, with the latest comprising a Wi-Fi-enabled camera, a mop plus the vacuum, and the ability to create highly complex virtual maps of your rooms. It even gives you the ability to move the bot around your home remotely and use the camera to see what's going on.

Eufy

These robot vacuums are great budget-friendly options with fewer fancy features but a focus on strong suction power. The latest Eufy model has an easy-to-use app and is one of the slimmest on the market, meaning it can get into lots of hard-to-reach areas.

iLife

Another affordable brand, iLife, makes powerful vacuums with a good range of features such as voice control and room mapping. It also offers several different cleaning modes and dirt sensors.

Roborock

Roborock offers mid-range and premium robots that are loaded with technology. Roborock vacs typically offer advanced mapping, powerful suction, and lengthy battery lives, and many offer mopping in addition to vacuuming.

Should you get a round robot or a D-shaped robot vacuum?

Most robot vacuums are designed with a round shape, as this makes it easy for them to move around independently and not get snagged; however, that lack of corners can make it difficult to get into narrow spaces or angles. D-shaped robots have a range of sensors and the added bonus of being able to get closer to wall edges and corners than their circular counterparts.

D-shaped robot vacuums also tend to have wider roller brushes that span the length of their flat edge, making them more efficient than round models, giving them a bigger cleaning footprint and theoretically cutting down on overall cleaning and runtime.

However, round robots tend to get stuck less frequently. At the end of the day, other features such as suction power, mopping skills, and affordability are typically more important than the shape of the vacuum.

Maintenance considerations

You will have to look after your robot vacuum just as you would a regular vacuum — perhaps more so since these smaller dustbins need more frequent emptying. You'll also need to dust the sensors, empty and clean the dustbin, and keep the filter clean to make sure your vacuum runs smoothly. As with most machines, maintaining it will keep it running better and for longer. You'll also want to check the brushes regularly to make sure they are not blocked, inspect the rollers for threads or fibers that can get wrapped around the roller and remove them, as well as clean the wheels and remove hair or tangled threads that may be impeding their movement.

If your robot vacuum doubles as a mop, you'll also need to take care of its maintenance. Some high-end products do this for you, but if you pick up a budget-friendly model, you'll need to be ready to clean the mop after each run and leave it out to dry.

Specifically, you'll want to look for models that can both wash and dry their mops. Units with docking stations that can't perform these features will require much more maintenance than you'd expect. And even if a robot vacuum can wash its mop, it'll still be prone to obnoxious odors unless it can also perform a drying sequence. The best robot vacuums on the market use warm air to speed up this process and reduce the build-up of mildew-like smells.

They might cost a bit more, but we'd highly recommend picking up a robot vacuum that can perform routine maintenance tasks like the above. At the very least, be sure to find one that can empty itself after each cleaning cycle to truly automate your home care routine.

Price

As previously mentioned, the different brands of robot vacuum have varying price points, and they can range from around a hundred bucks to upwards of $1,000. Of course, it's natural to pay more for trusted, high-quality brands such as iRobot. If you can afford the upfront investment, these models are extremely sophisticated and powerful.

However, if you are operating on a budget, you can find some great options that are way more affordable. ILife and Eufy have some superb, inexpensive models that may not come with all the functions you get with a more expensive vacuum but are nonetheless effective and responsive machines. Make sure to do your research before buying.

Keep in mind that products that cost less than $200 might be making significant cuts to hit that price tag. That could mean reliability takes a hit, or it simply won't clean up to your standards. It might be best to bulk up your budget before purchasing a robot vacuum, as there's nothing worse than a robot that requires constant babysitting or tons of maintenance.

It's definitely a domestic dream to imagine never having to vacuum again, but with a robot cleaner, this is actually possible. With a host of brands sporting lots of cool capabilities and accessible price ranges, this dream can easily become a reality in your home.

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