Among the upright vacuums, the handheld vacuums, and the robot vacuums, there is Bob, a vacuum personality brought to life by bObsweep.
bObsweep is a name that is fairly new to the robot vacuum market; however, bObsweep reviews across the internet have been generally quite positive.
The bright red aesthetic of a bObsweep robot vacuum cleaner is a visual pop that catches your eye… but how does it do at catching the dirt?
This bObsweep reviews guide is going to take a look at the entire line of bObsweep robot vacuums in an effort to help you decide if Bob belongs in your home. There are quite a few models to cover, so let’s get started.
bObsweep Robots Compared
The bObsweep company — based out of Toronto, Canada— launched its first robot vacuum in 2011. The basis of the bObsweep technology is a robot vacuum that can simultaneously vacuum, sweep or mop, and sterilize the floor with UV light.
There are currently six members of the bObsweep family, with a seventh model still in the incubator.
Dustin, not shown on this chart, was estimated to launch sometime by the end of 2017, but it has yet to show up on the bObsweep website.
Competitive brands like iRobot’s Roomba or the Neato Botvac offer similar features and capabilities.
With unique features like the XL dustbin that can hold up to 1 liter of dirt and debris, as well as the UV light sterilizer, the bObsweep continues to try and break away from the pack of robot vacuum brands.
Junior | Bob Standard | Bob PetHair | Bob PetHair Plus | bObi Classic | bObi Pet | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Runtime (approx.) | Up to 60 mins | Up to 60 mins | Up to 60 mins | Up to 60 mins | Up to 75 mins | Up to 75 mins |
UV Sterilizer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Self-Charging | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Scheduling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Spot Cleaning | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Virtual Barriers (included) | Yes | |||||
Washable Dustbin | Yes | Yes | ||||
Remote Control | Standard Remote I | Standard Remote II | Standard Remote II | Advanced Remote | LED Screen Remote | LED Screen Remote |
2,200 mAh | 2,200 mAh | 2,200 mAh | 2,200 mAh | 2,200 mAh | 2,200 mAh | |
Battery | Lithium-Ion | Lithium-Ion | Lithium-Ion | Lithium-Ion | Nickel-Metal Hydride | Nickel-Metal Hydride |
Dustbin Capacity | 1000 mL | 1000 mL | 1000 mL | 1000 mL | 350 mL | 350 mL |
Sensors | 2 touch sensors, 4 edge sensors, and 5 wall detection sensors | 80 touch sensors, 4 edge sensors and 5 wall detection sensors | 80 touch sensors, 4 edge sensors and 5 wall detection sensors | |||
Full Bin Indicator | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Score | 88% | |||||
Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Review | Read Review |
Here is a list of some of bObsweep’s top features and performance similarities between models:
Multi-Level Clean
The bObsweep robot vacuums put a lot of emphasis on their multi-level clean capabilities— which basically means that the vacuum can:
- Sweep
- Vacuum
- Mop
- Sterilize the surfaces
bObsweep claims that it can do all of these functions simultaneously as it runs. With that in mind, I would argue that the terms “sweep” and “vacuum” are a bit interchangeable.
Sweeps generally refers to picking up dirt and debris on a hardwood surface while “vacuum” refers to picking up debris on carpeted surfaces. If you do have a large quantity of hardwood you should consider a vacuum specifically designed for it.
To that end, see our best vacuum for hard floors buyer’s guide, which includes robots, sticks, uprights, and canister choices.
What this does mean, though, is that bObsweep has the technology to adjust and navigate different flooring types and heights.
The mop function doesn’t use a continuous flow of water, but instead relies on a clip-on microfiber cloth for damp mopping or dry polishing. Here’s what bObsweep says about the mopping function:
“[bObsweep] functions just fine if the floor is slightly wet, although he is not designed to dry the wetness…”
As for sterilization, there is a light at the base of the vacuum that emits a 400 NM ultra-violet light as it cleans. UV light can be used to decompose and damage the molecules needed for bacterial and viral reproduction.
The UV system works in tandem with the HEPA filter, which helps eliminate small particles like mold particles, dirt, or dust mites.
Self-Charging
All of the bObsweep robot vacuum models have the ability to self-charge when their battery gets below 15%.
Some of the bObsweep models also have the ability to resume an unfinished cleaning cycle after charging up, although bOBsweep does not explicitly call out which models have this capability on its website.
Schedule Cleaning
All of the current bObsweep robot vacuums have the ability to schedule a clean with the exception of the bObsweep Junior, which can only run manual cleaning cycles.
With the bObsweep models, you use the charging station to program a cleaning. The bObi models allow users to schedule a cleaning directly from the remote control.
Spot Clean
There are three main cleaning modes for the bObsweep:
- Spiral cleaning
- Straight line cleaning
- Edge cleaning
The spiral cleaning, also called Spiral Track, instructs the bObsweep to clean in a spiral motion, working its way outward as it goes. This is great for spot cleaning.
For a whole room clean, there is also a mode for straight cleaning, called Waffle Track. When in this mode, the bObsweep vacuum makes straight lines back and forth, working its way across the room until the whole area is clean.
Edge cleaning, also called Wall Track, allows the bObsweep to clean the edges of a room, by traveling around the perimeter only.
For a quick clean, pressing the Auto Pilot button will allow the robot vacuum to clean using modes of its own discretion.
Virtual Barriers
The bObsweep robot vacuums come with a barrier technology, similar to iRobot’s Roomba virtual barriers.
With bObsweep, the system is called the “blOck” and is compatible with most bObsweep models, although it’s unclear which Bobsweep models include a barrier with purchase or whether you must purchase separately.
We did not receive any blOck barriers with our Bobsweep Pet Hair robot vacuum.
Remote Control
All bObsweep robot vacuums come with a remote. The Junior remote is the most basic and has simple features. With the Junior remote, you can:
- Power the vacuum on / off.
- Use the auto cleaning cycle.
- Corner clean.
- Switch cleaning modes.
- Send to the charger.
- Adjust the vacuum speed.
- Use manuel navigation.
- Mute the beeping noise.
The Bob Standard and Bob PetHair have slightly more advanced remote, compared to the Junior. With the standard bObsweep remote control, you can:
- Power the vacuum on / off.
- Activate the UV cleaning function.
- Corner clean.
- Use the auto cleaning cycle.
- Spot clean.
- Send to the charger.
- Adjust the vacuum speed.
- Use manuel navigation.
The alternate series of robot vacuums offered by bObsweep is the bObi. The bObi remote has a large LED screen which allows you to see the current time as well as scheduled cleanings. With the bObi remote, you can:
- Power the vacuum on / off.
- Use the standby mode.
- Pause a cleaning.
- Schedule a cleaning.
- Activate UV cleaning.
- Check current time.
- Adjust the vacuum speed.
- Send to the charger.
Dust Bin Details
One unique feature of some bObsweep robot vacuum models is the XL dust bin, which is included for all of the current bObsweep model (Junior, Standard, PetHair, and PetHair Plus).
bObsweep Dust Bin Model Comparisons
- bOBsweep dust bin capacity: 1000 mL
- bObi dust bin capacity: 350 mL
As a comparison, the iLife A4s robot vacuum, which is a comparably sized vacuum,holds 400 mL of debris.
In addition, the dust bin is also washable with the bObi models, which helps to prevent dirt build-up or the spread of allergens between cleaning cycles.
bObsweep Models
There are currently six different models of bObsweep robot vacuums, which are divided up into three categories: Junior, Bob, and bObi.
1. Junior Robot Vacuum
The Junior model is the simplest model that bObsweep makes and the least expensive. Junior lacks the bells and whistles of Bob and bObi, but includes features like self-charging, the XL dust bin , mopping pad, and compatibility with the blOck barrier.
bObsweep Robot Vacuums
The Bob robot vacuums feature a large LED screen which shows a variety of features, ranging from battery power, to scheduled cleanings, to maintenance items. Within the Bob line, there are three robot vacuums available: Bob Standard, Bob PetHair, and Bob PetHair Plus.
2. Bob Standard
The Bob Standard robot vacuum offers the multi-level clean (sweep, vacuum mop, UV sterilization), self-charging, HEPA filter, XL dust bin, and scheduling. The Standard also comes equipped with three cleaning modes: Spiral, Waffle, and Wall Track.
There is a small round LED screen for settings and scheduling a clean is completed using the charging station. The Bob Standard model is compatible with the virtual blOck barriers (although none are included). Bob Standard is available in champagne or red.
3. Bob PetHair
The PetHair robot vacuum has all of the same features as the standard Bob, but swaps out the smaller LED screen for a large 3×5″ screen size. The PetHair model is compatible with the virtual blOck barriers (although none are included). Bob PetHair is available in champagne or red.
4. Bob Pet Hair Plus
The Bob Pet Hair Plus model is compatible with the virtual blOck barriers (although none are included). Bob Pet Hair is available in four colors: red, blue, champagne, or silver.
bObi Robot Vacuums
The bObi line features quite a few changes from the bObsweep models. Some improvements include:
- Slimmer height (3.5″ on bObi vs. 3.9″ on bObsweep)
- More brushes (dual brushes on bObi vs. dingle brush on bObsweep)
- Smaller dust bin (350 mL on bObi vs. 1000mL on bObsweep)
- Longer run-time (nickel-metal hydride battery on bObi vs. lithium-ion battery on bObsweep)
- More touch sensors (80 on bObi vs. 2 on bObsweep)
- Simpler aesthetic (No screen on bObi)
Within the bObi line, there are two robot vacuums available: bObi Classic and bObi Pet.
5. bObi Classic
The bObi Classic robot vacuum offers self-charging, a programmable cleaning schedule, and the added bells and whistles listed above. Unlike the bObsweep robot vacuums, where you use the charging station to schedule a clean, the bObi uses the remote control for scheduling. The bObi Classic only comes in white.
6. bObi Pet
The bObi Pet robot vacuum offers many of the same features as the bObi Classic, but has a stronger suction (11,500 rpm vs. 10,000 rpm) and also includes the bObi blOck, making it the only model (currently) where this is included.
Still not sure which Bobsweep robot vacuum is best for you? Drop us an email via our contact form. We’re always happy to help our readers!
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