If you’ve been eyeing the Brookstone 3 in 1 Smart Navigation Robotic Vacuum Cleaner, you’re in the right place. I’m here to share my honest experience with this product, so you can decide whether it’s worth adding to your home.
I purchased mine directly from Brookstone’s website, but it’s also available at other popular retailers like Amazon and Walmart. Shopping online for this vacuum is convenient, especially when comparing prices and reading user reviews.
Let’s walk through the features, performance, and how this vacuum stacks up against other robotic cleaners.
My Experience With Brookstone 3 in 1 Robotic Vacuum
I’ll admit, I was pretty excited when the Brookstone Robotic Vacuum arrived.
The sleek black design immediately caught my eye, and it looked like it could easily blend into any modern home.
Unboxing it was simple, and everything you need is included—no extra purchases necessary.
The 3-in-1 functionality was the main feature I was excited to try out, promising to clean carpets, hardwood floors, and tiles all in one go. For someone like me who has multiple flooring types, this seemed like a dream.
After charging it up, I put it to the test.
- Performance and Navigation
The first thing I noticed was how easy it was to set up. This vacuum comes with smart navigation technology, which means it’s supposed to figure out the best cleaning path without getting stuck or missing areas.
In my experience, it did a decent job of moving around furniture and navigating tricky spots, although there were a few occasions when it struggled with thicker carpets.
What I appreciated most was its ability to switch between surfaces smoothly. I watched it transition from my hardwood floors to a carpeted room without hesitation. It adjusted its suction power and continued cleaning without me having to intervene.
However, I did notice that it wasn’t flawless in picking up every last speck of dust, especially in the corners. This wasn’t a dealbreaker for me, but if you’re expecting spotless cleaning every time, you might need to run it twice or touch up with a handheld vacuum for the details.
- Battery Life and Charging
Brookstone claims this robotic vacuum can run for about two hours on a single charge, and I found this to be pretty accurate. In a single session, it managed to clean my living room, kitchen, and hallway before needing to return to its charging dock.
One aspect I wish were better was the time it takes to recharge. It felt like I had to wait quite a while before it was ready to go again, so if you have a larger space, you may need to plan your cleaning around its downtime.
Pros of The Brookstone Robotic Vacuum
Let’s get into what I liked about the Brookstone Robotic Vacuum.
- Versatility: The 3-in-1 functionality is its strongest selling point. Being able to switch between carpet, tile, and hardwood effortlessly is a huge bonus for homes with varied flooring.
- Easy Setup: From unboxing to charging, the process was straightforward. It’s not one of those gadgets that requires a complicated manual to get started.
- Good Battery Life: Two hours of cleaning time is more than enough to cover an average-sized home.
- Smart Navigation: While not perfect, the vacuum’s ability to navigate furniture and avoid obstacles made it fairly low-maintenance.
- Cordless Freedom: Since it’s cordless, you don’t have to worry about untangling cords or moving the plug to a different outlet as it cleans.
Cons of The Brookstone Robotic Vacuum
Of course, no product is perfect, and the Brookstone Robotic Vacuum has its downsides.
- Corner Cleaning: While it does a solid job on open floors, it struggles with corners and edges. You’ll likely need to do a bit of manual touch-up.
- Charging Time: The vacuum takes quite a while to recharge, which can be a hassle if you need multiple sessions to clean a larger home.
- Carpet Struggles: On thicker carpets, it didn’t perform as well. It sometimes left behind small debris or got momentarily stuck.
Maintenance Tips For The Brookstone Robotic Vacuum
Owning a robotic vacuum doesn’t mean you’re completely off the hook for cleaning. To keep it running smoothly, you’ll need to do a little regular maintenance.
- Empty the Dustbin Frequently: This vacuum has a relatively small dustbin, so if you’re using it to clean large areas or very dusty rooms, you’ll want to empty it after every session.
- Clean the Brushes: Every few uses, I recommend cleaning the brushes. Hair, string, or debris can get tangled in them, affecting performance.
- Check for Clogs: While the vacuum’s suction is decent, it can get clogged if you’ve got larger debris or a lot of dust. If it seems like it’s not picking up as well as it used to, check for blockages.
- Replace Filters as Needed: Like any vacuum, the filter can get clogged with dust and debris over time. Check your manual for how often to replace them for optimal performance.
Comparison With Other Robot Vacuums
Let’s take a closer look at how the Brookstone Robotic Vacuum stacks up against similar brands like Lubluelu, bObsweep, and Kalorik.
- Lubluelu Robot Vacuum
The Lubluelu Robot Vacuum is a solid competitor in the mid-range category.
It comes with advanced features like mapping, app control, and voice commands.
Compared to the Brookstone vacuum, Lubluelu has stronger suction power and offers better control through its mobile app, which lets you schedule cleanings, adjust suction levels, and track its progress in real time.
On the downside, Lubluelu’s battery life is a bit shorter, offering around 100 minutes of runtime, whereas Brookstone gives you up to two hours.
However, if you’re tech-savvy and want a vacuum with more customization options, Lubluelu might be worth the extra cost. But if you prefer simplicity and longer cleaning sessions without needing to reprogram settings, Brookstone is a better choice for easy, everyday use.
- bObsweep Robotic Vacuum
The bObsweep Robotic Vacuum is known for its all-in-one design, which includes a vacuum, mop, and UV sterilizer.
This makes it a strong contender for anyone looking for extra cleaning functionalities.
The bObsweep also has a larger dustbin than the Brookstone, which means less frequent emptying—a big plus for larger homes or pet owners.
However, the bObsweep is bulkier and struggles more with maneuverability, especially in tight spaces. In contrast, the Brookstone vacuum is slimmer and easier to navigate around furniture.
If you need a more compact vacuum that can handle a variety of floor types without the extra mopping or sterilizing features, Brookstone still holds its own.
- Kalorik Robot Vacuum
The Kalorik Robot Vacuum is another popular choice in the budget-friendly category.
It features automatic cleaning modes and works well on both hard floors and low-pile carpets.
One area where Kalorik outperforms the Brookstone vacuum is in its ability to pick up pet hair—thanks to its strong suction and specialized brushes.
If you have pets, Kalorik might give you a slight edge.
However, Kalorik doesn’t offer the same versatility as the Brookstone. While it handles floors well, it doesn’t transition between different surfaces as smoothly, and the battery life is shorter, typically lasting around 90 minutes.
Additionally, the smart navigation on the Brookstone vacuum feels more reliable, as Kalorik has been known to get stuck in tight corners more frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
From my research and personal experience, the top five robot vacuums currently available are:
iRobot Roomba s9+: Known for its powerful suction and self-emptying feature.
Shark IQ Robot: Offers strong performance and smart mapping features.
Eufy RoboVac 11S: A budget-friendly option with decent suction for hard floors.
Neato Botvac D7: Excellent for larger homes, with precise navigation and good cleaning power.
Roborock S6 MaxV: A high-end option with advanced navigation and mopping capabilities.
It depends on your needs. If you live in a small apartment or have primarily hard floors, budget models like the Brookstone or Eufy RoboVac can do a good job without breaking the bank. However, if you have a larger home or thicker carpets, you might want to invest in a higher-end model for better cleaning power and features.
The iRobot Roomba s9+ is known for having one of the strongest suctions on the market. It’s designed to tackle tough messes and can handle pet hair and deep cleaning on carpets with ease. However, it’s also one of the most expensive options.
Yes, robotic vacuums can clean well, especially on hard floors. They’re great for daily maintenance and picking up dust, pet hair, and small debris. However, they may struggle with deep cleaning, especially in carpeted areas or tight corners. For thorough cleaning, you might still need to use a traditional vacuum occasionally.
Conclusion: Should You Buy the Brookstone Robotic Vacuum?
In the end, whether or not the Brookstone Robotic Vacuum is the right choice for you comes down to what you value most in a vacuum.
If you’re looking for a versatile, easy-to-use vacuum that can clean different floor types without too much effort, the Brookstone 3 in 1 is a solid option. It may not have the same level of power or advanced features as higher-end models like the Roomba or Shark, but for its price point, it does the job well.
Personally, I’ve found it to be a reliable cleaning companion for day-to-day upkeep. You can grab yours from Brookstone’s official site or check out retailers like Amazon for potential discounts.
Just keep in mind that it might need a little manual help with deep cleaning and corners, but for everyday use, it’s a convenient tool to have.