Video – Window Cleaning Robot: how to choose it, and the best 10
If instead of washing the windows you wait, and hope that a storm will clean them, well… you are not alone. A good percentage of homeowners consider cleaning windows to be one of the most strenuous and boring chores. Fortunately, for some years now, automatic window cleaning robots have been available on the market for cleaning windows and smooth surfaces generally.
How to choose a window cleaning robot
The most common problem with robotic window cleaners is their difficulty in cleaning the corners of the windows. Many people find this a minor inconvenience, others resort to a little manual tweaking in some cases. Pads or circular brushes may not be able to reach all corners, while a square-edged device may be better.
Vacuum and magnetic suction
A robot has to stick to the window to do its job, and it does so via vacuum suction, or magnetic connectivity – each system has its pros and cons. The vacuum suction is convenient, and works on most glass, but it may not be perfect if the humidity level is high: that’s when the safety rope (usually supplied) comes back useful. Magnetic connectivity may be more complex, but it also creates a more powerful grip.
Control modes and cleaning programs
Many models of window cleaning robots have multiple cleaning programs, which are essentially paths or directions to follow when cleaning windows. You can control the robot via a remote control or a smartphone app, so you can sit back and watch it work, rather than constantly repositioning it or having to drive it. If you feel that the window or surface to be cleaned needs an extra pass, for a perfect job, a remote control is convenient and useful.
Wet or dry pads?
The more expensive models of window cleaning robots can be equipped with special microfibre pads, for dry or wet cleaning. Dry cloths are the best for removing dust, while wet pads work with a detergent. Preferably choose robots already sold with additional pads. Microfiber cloths are washable, reusable, and leave no fibers on surfaces after cleaning.
What is the safety rope, and how does it work with a window cleaning robot?
One of the best reasons to buy a window cleaner robot is that it can clean windows that are high up, or where you can’t safely climb. The window cleaning robots can also work upside down to clean the inside of skylights. The safety rope can be elastic, and must obviously be secured before placing the window cleaning robot on the window.
Can I use a window cleaner robot on the solar panels placed on the roof?
Window cleaning robots work on almost any smooth or lightly textured continuous surface, with no gaps or raised or lowered areas. If your solar panels meet these criteria, that’s no problem. One concern is that the robot could fall off the edge if its sensors don’t detect it. Almost all robots (except the cheapest models) still detect the edges of surfaces, even those without frames.
The following video illustrates the typical operation of a common model of window cleaning robot.
Below are the 10 best models of window cleaning robots that have been selected, and which represent the “state of the art” of this relatively new technology.
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