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Pure Clean Robot Vacuum Review

Derek Hales

Written By: Derek Hales

Updated on:

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Pyle Pure Clean

The Pyle Pure Clean is an inexpensive robot vacuum that is designed to clean best on hard floors, followed by low pile carpets. This robot vacuum is as basic as it gets. There are no bells and whistles, no mapping technology, and no smartphone connectivity. For the price, it’s pretty good for hardwoods, but if you have lots of carpets, there are better options.Check Price

Pros

  • Low cost for a robot vacuum
  • Cleans well on hard floor types

Cons

  • Struggles to clean on carpets and rugs
  • No memory or dirt detection technology
YouTube video

Pure Clean Design

The Pure Clean robot vacuum is designed in a circular shape, contains one bumper wall, and an easy to understand interface on the top, including the filter flap and power button.

Pure Clean robot vacuum parts & accessories
Pyle Pure Clean robot vacuum – 1) filter, 2) charger, 3) spinning brushes

The power button is the only button on the vacuum, therefore there is no confusion as to what is doing what. Just click the power button and let it clean.

What does the bottom of the vacuum look like?

On the underside of the Pure Clean robot is a battery, two spinning brushes, two rear wheels, one front wheel, and a battery charging port. Although it may sound like a lot, the bottom of the vacuum is quite simple.

The bottom of the Pure Clean has 2 spinning brushes, 3 wheels, and one suction slot
The bottom of the Pure Clean has 2 spinning brushes, 3 wheels, and one suction slot

From an aesthetic standpoint, this Pure Clean vacuum offers an all white color scheme on the top accompanied with their logo embossed to filter flap. By offering an all white design, they have separated themselves from the majority of robot vacuums.

Most robot vacuums I have tested thus far seem to follow the grey and black color scheme. In my opinion, the all white adds a nice flare to the appearance of the Pure Clean robot vacuum.

How the Pyle Cleans

Unlike most robot vacuum cleaners, the Pure Clean does not utilize a memory or dirt detection system. Typically, robot vacuums offer one of these two technologies, allowing them to either map your home for consistent cleaning cycles or detect dirt and debris so they can attack it with a purpose.

1) on / off switch, 2) filter release, 3) bumper ring, and 4) charging port
1) on / off switch, 2) filter release, 3) bumper ring, and 4) charging port

So how does this robot vacuum know where to clean?

The Pure Clean simply travels around your home, cleaning up messes (if they are there at all) in its path.

Pure Clean robot vacuum underbelly parts
1) wheels, 2) spinning brush, 3) suction, and 4) secondary wheels

That said, the Pure Clean vacuum does clean methodically.

But how?

Two spinning brushed sweep dirt and debris into its suction path. Additionally, this vacuum cleaner starts by driving in a random pattern, then switches to a spiral pattern, followed by cleaning along the edges of your walls and finishing back in the spiral pattern. By doing so, the vacuum is able to make several passes through the area.

No Brushroll

One final note about the way this vacuum cleans, there is no rolling brush. Pure Clean states the reason for this design as the following:

The brushless suction design prevents the automatic cleaner from getting clogged in homes with cat or dog hair.

This explanation is a bit of an oversimplification, in my opinion. I suspect the primary rationale to use a brush-less assembly is simply in the interest of keeping costs lower.

Pure Clean Size & Dimensions

With regards to size, the Pure Clean is one of the smallest robot vacuums I have tested to date. This unit is only 2.9″ tall and 11″ wide with a total weight of 3.52 pounds.

As with most robot vacuums, the smaller stature of the Pure Clean allows it to drive under furniture and low spaces.

  • Height – 2.9″
  • Width – 11″
  • Weight – 3.52 lbs
Pure Clean robot vacuum size & dimensions

Size doesn’t change everything…

Bear in mind, the smaller design does not mean it will not get stuck when driving under furniture or into those tighter, low spaces. As it gets stuck, cosmetic damage, such as scratches may appear.

Do the scratches change performance?

These scratches should not have any affect on the functionality of the vacuum cleaner, but they are also not going to add any aesthetic benefits to the vacuum. Therefore, I would recommend keeping a close eye on the Pure Clean as it makes its first few runs around your home.

This issue is with respect to virtually all robot vacuum cleaners, not just the Pure Clean.

Pure Clean Accessories & Parts

The Pure Clean robot vacuum includes the following accessories and parts:

Spinning brush included with the Pure Clean

Spinning brushes: Four spinning brushes are included with the Pyle Pure Clean robot vacuum.

HEPA filter included with the Pure Clean

HEPA filter: Two HEPA filters are also included with the Pure Clean. One of them is extra, which means you do not have to purchase a backup right away.

Charger included with the Pure Clean

Charger: A pin connection charger is the last included accessory with the Pure Clean.

With the large number of extra cleaning tools and accessories included with the Roidmi, there is not much of a need to look for other parts.

This vacuum comes with a wide variety of tools that allow users to clean a wide array of surfaces in both handheld vacuum and stick vacuum mode.

RELATED – Need something inexpensive? See our guide on the best cheap robots and best Roomba alternatives for a good starting place.

Cleaning Tests

The following vacuum cleaner tests are designed to show how the Pure Clean robot vacuum performs on different surfaces, picking up a variety of debris types.

We test on three different floor types, including:

  • Hardwood floors
  • Low pile carpet
  • High pile carpet

Overall

54%

Hardwood

75%

Low Carpet

69%

High Carpet

18%

For each floor type we test the vacuum cleaner against:

  • Rice – 3 ounces
  • Dry Cereal – 1 ounce
  • Kitty Litter – 3 ounces
  • Sugar – 3 ounces

Each of the aforementioned debris types was spread across our testing lane. The base surface of our testing lane is an engineered hardwood floor. For our carpet tests, we slide in a low pile and high pile carpet insert on top of the hardwood floor.

Cleaning test debris types
Testing Debris – From left to right: Rice (3 oz.), Kitty Litter (3 oz), Cereal (1 oz), Sugar (3 oz)

Our vacuum cleaning process strives to be as consistent, fair, and true to real world use as possible. Our tests utilize the following procedure:

  1. Measure the weight of the testing debris and the weight of the empty vacuum debris container.
  2. Spread the respective debris type evenly across the central portion of the testing lane.
  3. Run the vacuum cleaner over the testing lane.
  4. Measure the weight of the now filled container and take notes on the cleaning performance.

For more great vacuum cleaning tests, see our complete vacuum cleaner review series here.

Hardwood Floor Cleaning

After running the Pure Clean through a series of hardwood floor tests, the vacuum proved its performance level for all debris types, except cereal.

Cereal

11%

Kitty Litter

95%

Rice

99%

Sugar

95%

Where did the struggle come from?

The smaller suction nozzle of the vacuum cleaner did not allow cereal to be sucked up as easily, leading to only 11% of the debris field being cleaned up. Additionally, the lighter build of the Pure Clean struggled to get over the cereal at times.

Pure Clean robot vacuum hardwood cleaning tests

Low Pile Carpet Cleaning

While the Pure Clean robot vacuum is designed to run on hard floor surfaces, it did perform at an average level on the low pile carpet.

Cereal

70%

Kitty Litter

44%

Rice

94%

Sugar

69%

What was the difference?

There was a slight decline in the amount of rice picked up, an increase in cereal, and a decrease in both kitty litter and sugar. The most surprising debris test was the cereal. The friction between the carpet and the Pure Clean allowed the vacuum to crush the cereal and suck it up to a higher degree.

Pure Clean robot vacuum low carpet cleaning tests

High Pile Carpet Cleaning

High pile carpet was the most troubled test for the Pure Clean robot vacuum.

Cereal

0%

Kitty Litter

49%

Rice

15%

Sugar

8%

I’m sure you’re wondering what caused the issue on this test…

The thickness of the carpet prevented the vacuum from moving a majority of the time. Throughout the testing, this robot vacuum got stuck with every debris type. Therefore, the highest amount of debris picked up was kitty litter, at 49%.

Side note:

Bear in mind, this vacuum is designed for hard floor surface types, so the high pile carpet struggles were somewhat expected with the Pure Clean.

Pure Clean robot vacuum high carpet cleaning tests

Is the Pure Clean Easy to Use?

Overall, this robot vacuum is extremely easy to use. There are no difficult processes that need to be completed before putting the Pure Clean to work.

First things first, setup:

Setting up the Pure Clean was straightforward and took no time at all. Once everything has been removed from the packaging, you have to snap in two of the four brushes (two extras are included), plug it in, and send it on its first cleaning.

The spinning brushes even have an “R” or an “L” etched into the brush so you know which brush goes where. No tools are needed to set up this robot vacuum cleaner.

How do you operate the vacuum?

As we move onto actually using this Pure Clean vacuum, it’s hard to get easier. Press the power button and you’re good to go. The vacuum will change modes automatically while cleaning, so there is nothing for you to do but push the power button and let it work.

Press the power button once to turn on and once to turn off
Press the power button once to turn on and once to turn off

Once the vacuum has exhausted itself, the LED light within the power button will turn red, meaning it needs to be plugged in and fully charged before returning back to work. Once the battery is charged up, the LED light will illuminate a solid blue color.

Maneuverability

As a robot vacuum, maneuverability is a strong suit of the Pure Clean. The circular design allows it to turn 360°, the 2.9″ height allows it to slide under low spaces, and the lightweight build prevents it from bumping into objects with a lot of force.

  • Weight: 3.52 pounds
  • Width: 11″
  • Height: 2.9″
  • Turning: 360°

These attributes give the Pure Clean an edge over most upright vacuums, as they may need a couple of passes to really clean around the leg of a chair, whereas the Pure Clean robot vacuum can tightly turn around the chair in one pass.

But wait, there are some flaws…

The biggest issue that faces this Pure Clean vacuum is corner cleaning. Although the circular design provides a decent amount of benefits this is one area where the design hinders performance.

The two spinning brushes located on the underbelly of this robot vacuum help give it some reach into those corners, but that does not always leave the corners spotless.

Charge the Pure Clean by connecting the pin charger directly to the vacuum
Charge the Pure Clean by connecting the pin charger directly to the vacuum

Compared to a more traditional uprights like the Shark Navigator or robots designed to drive into edges (like the Neato Botvac D3), the Pure Clean struggles in this portion of the cleaning cycle.

There is one other positive characteristic:

Pure Clean did include edge-drop sensors with this robot vacuum. These help the unit detect an edge, preventing the vacuum from driving off of stairs or other ledges present in your home.

Replacement Parts & Maintenance

The following table indicates the frequency at which you will likely want to replace the various parts and components of the vacuum.

Normally, we try to find specifically what the manufacturer recommends for parts replacement. However, we were unable to find this information for Pure Clean. As a result, the replacement frequency below are estimates based on what we have seen is common for other similar robot vacuums.

Accessory / PartReplacement FrequencyReplacement Cost
HEPA Filter3-6 monthsUnknown
Spinning brush6 months Unknown
Battery2 yearsFree (currently)

Maintenance tasks for the Pure Clean robot vacuum include simple things like emptying the dust bin, brushing the filter, and keeping the intake area clean and free of debris. While these tasks are good for prolonging the life of your Pure Clean, this general maintenance will not eliminate the need for replacement parts over time.

Annual maintenance costs for the Pyle Pure clean robot vacuum are unknown at this time. We were not able to locate the exact costs it takes to replace parts of this vacuum.

My biggest complaint about replacing parts on the Pure Clean:

Finding and getting replacement parts is difficult.To get replacement parts you must:

  1. Go to the manufacturer’s website
  2. Go to the FAQ page
  3. Find your model
  4. Open a customer service ticket
  5. Deal with customer service to get your part

That process just feels insane to me.

How loud is the Pure Clean?

All vacuum cleaner reviews on Modern Castle are put through our standard noise test. For this test, we use a sound meter to measure noise in terms of decibel level approximately 3′ away from the vacuum.

The Pyle brought home a noise level of 65 db.

At 3' away, the PureClean (robot) emits 65 dB of sound.

How long can the Pyle Pure Clean vacuum run?

All cordless vacuum reviews on Modern Castle are put through a standard assessment of battery size, runtime, life, and replacement cost.

BatteryDetails
Size850 mAh
Charging Time4 hours
Run Time90 minutes
Replacement CostFree (currently)

Is the Pure Clean a Good Value?

The Pure Clean robot vacuum is sold at the lowest price point, for robot vacuums, that I have seen to date. Priced in the low tier, this vacuum offers a decent value with respect to the performance.

Where does this vacuum excel?

Keep in mind, this robot vacuum is designed for hard floor surface types and low carpet, therefore, limited performance on higher pile carpet should be expected.

So is it worth buying?

Would I recommend this vacuum over a more expensive option that handles carpeted surfaces better?

Probably not, unless you are restricted by a tight budget. The Ecovacs Deebot N79 is a little price jump and performed much better during our cleaning tests.

With regards to warranty and returns, Pure Clean is in line with most other robot vacuums. Included with your purchase is a one year warranty and a 30-day return policy.

Pure Clean, a product of Pyle manufacturing, states the following with regards to their product:

“…don’t expect it to go between different floor types if there is a barrier.”

Personally, I appreciate Pyle’s effort to inform potential buyers about the issues with surfaces that are not hardwood, tile, or other hard surfaces. That said, this vacuum is not for everyone.

Pure Clean Specifications

Below is a complete list of important specifications and features included on the Pure Clean robot vacuum:

Specifications
TypeRobot
ManufacturerPyle
ModelPure Clean PUCRC25
Length11"
Width 11"
Height2.9"
Weight3.52lbs
Floor TypeHard surfaces & low pile carpet
Battery850 mAh
Dust Bin Capacity0.2 L
CordlessYes
BaglessYes
ReturnsVaries by retailer
Warranty1-Year limited
PriceCheck Price

Who Should Buy the Pure Clean Robit Vacuum?

The Pure Clean robot vacuum is a budget-friendly unit that works best on hard floor surface types. With the simple click of a button, this robot vacuum will take off and clean your floors with three different patterns. If you like the idea of a low price-point robot vacuum, this may be an option worth considering.

I would recommend the PureClean if you’re looking for the following features in a robot vacuum.

  • You have mostly hard floor surfaces in your home – Due to the lack of a roller brush, the Pure Clean robot vacuum really does best on hard surfaces, like hardwoods or tile. The spinning brushes are effective at corralling dirt towards the suction, however, they are not strong enough to significantly agitate carpets, in my opinion.
  • Don’t need added bells and whistles – Added features like wifi connectivity, scheduled cleanings, dirt detection, and smartphone control are just a few features you’ll find on many other robot vacuums, but Pure Clean decided to leave out. Forgoing these features helps to keep the costs down and focus on the basics.
  • Want to spend the least amount of money possible – To date, this is the least expensive robot vacuum we’ve tested (or even seen). Granted, you do get what you pay for, but if the cleaning performance (ie, mostly hard surfaces) aligns with your needs it could be a reasonable option.
  • Have a small space to maintain – The Pure Clean is one of the smallest robot vacuums we’ve tested to date, at under 4 pounds and less than 3″ tall. By the same token, it also has a small dust bin, only holding 0.2 liters of dirt, dust, or other debris. For larger homes, this would likely mean multiple times emptying the dust bin per each cleaning cycle.

For more information on the PureClean visit here.

Scoring Details

  • Design – The design of the Pure Clean is extremely simple. The size is a bit of a double edged sword, as it struggles on carpets.
  • Performance – Overall performance was poor. Hardwood floor performance was decent, but low and high pile carpets left much to be desired.
  • Quality – Although this is not a terrible quality, it does not stack up well against other robot vacuums we have tested.
  • Usability – Easy to use, but no extra features.
  • Value – The price you pay is low, but the performance is well below average.

Update Log

  • September 12, 2018 – updated review to our latest format. Clarified some of our remarks based on subsequent tests of other robots.
  • August 6, 2018 – Updated the review score as part of our site-wide 1.0 scoring overhaul. Score decreased from 84% to 82%.
Inexpensive, But So-So Performance
  • Design - 85%
    85%
  • Performance - 72%
    72%
  • Quality - 83%
    83%
  • Usability - 85%
    85%
  • Value - 85%
    85%
82%

Summary

The PureClean robot vacuum is a budget-friendly robot vacuum with basic features. The brush-less system relies entirely on the power of suction to clean the floor. During the cleaning tests, it performed decently on hardwoods, but for the carpet tests, the missing roller brush really turned out to be a big problem and the performance suffered because of it. Overall, if you’re looking for an inexpensive robot vacuum and have a small simple space to clean with a hard surface, this vacuum may be acceptable. That being said, for the average home, the Pure Clean is likely going to leave you disappointed.

About Derek Hales

Derek HalesDerek Hales is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of ModernCastle.com. He has been featured in Fast Company, Reader's Digest, Business Insider, Realtor.com, She Knows, and other major publications. Derek has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Kansas State University. Hales has been testing and reviewing products for the home since 2014.