Comparison Karcher RCV 2 vs Karcher RCV 3

Measured in Pa, this indicator describes the robot vacuum cleaner's suction pressure: the higher it is, the easier it is for the device to pick up heavy debris and clean carpet pile. Values around 2,000–4,000 Pa are usually sufficient for regular cleaning of smooth floors, while 6,000–10,000 Pa and above are better suited for collecting hair, sand, and dirt from carpets or floor joints.

The dustbin capacity indicates how much dry debris fits in the robot vacuum’s built-in container before it needs to be emptied. Models with a 200–300 ml capacity are suitable for a small apartment and frequent cleaning cycles, while a 400–600 ml capacity is more convenient for larger areas, pets, or lots of hair. For robots with a self-emptying station, the size of the internal container is less important, as debris is automatically transferred to the docking station’s collection bin.

The tank capacity determines the water supply for moistening the pad, rotating mops, or cleaning roller. Compact tanks of around 200 ml are suitable for regular wiping of small areas, while 300–500 ml tanks allow fewer interruptions for refilling during cleaning.

Map building allows the robot vacuum to memorize the room layout, track covered areas, and plan a systematic cleaning route. The mapping method affects its accuracy, orientation speed, and the device's ability to detect obstacles.

— With sensors. The robot creates an approximate map using data from the gyroscope, motion sensors, wheels, and obstacle collisions. This system is more affordable, but less accurate at determining the exact location of walls and furniture, while accumulated errors may lead to repeated passes or missed areas.

— With a rangefinder. A laser rangefinder, or lidar, measures the distance to surrounding objects and creates an accurate map of the room even before completing a full sweep. It works reliably in low light, confidently detects walls and furniture, and also supports room division and no-go zones.

— With a camera. The camera analyzes the surroundings and navigates using visual objects, helping refine the robot's position and the room layout. Its advantage is the ability to distinguish individual objects, although performance depends more heavily on lighting.

— With a rangefinder and camera. The combined system uses lidar for accurate distance measurement and map building, and a camera to recognize small objects on the floor. Such a robot not only navigates rooms confidently in any lighting but also avoids cables, shoes, toys, and pet...bowls more effectively.

Cleaning area restriction lets you prevent the robot vacuum from entering certain rooms or selected floor areas. This is useful near pet bowls, fragile items, wires, children’s play areas, or surfaces that should not be wiped with a wet attachment. There are various methods.

— Laser sensor. A separate accessory that creates an invisible boundary — the robot detects it with its sensors and does not cross it. It can be moved between rooms, but the device takes up floor space and usually requires separate power.

— Magnetic tape. A strip is placed on the floor or under a thin covering, creating a physically defined no-go line. This is a simple and reliable method, but the tape may be noticeable in the interior and only restricts the area where it is laid.

— Mobile app. No-go zones and virtual walls are applied directly to the saved map of the room. This option does not require additional accessories, allows you to quickly change boundaries, and is usually the most convenient for regular use.

Multiple map memory allows the robot vacuum to save separate layouts for different floors or rooms. When the device is moved, it recognizes the required map and uses the already defined rooms, no-go zones, and cleaning settings. This feature is especially useful for multi-story homes, as it eliminates the need to rescan the space every time the robot is moved.

Availability of a wireless controller for operating the robot vacuum cleaner without a smartphone or mobile app. With a remote control, you can usually start and stop cleaning, select a mode, change the direction of movement, or send the device to the docking station. This option is especially convenient for elderly users, children, or in rooms without Wi-Fi.

Battery capacity indicates the amount of charge available to the robot vacuum for navigation, motor operation, brushes, and the mopping system. A higher-capacity battery can potentially provide longer runtime, but it does not allow the exact cleaning time to be determined without considering the device's power consumption. Operating time is more strongly affected by the selected mode, suction power, floor type, use of mopping pads, and frequency of returns to the docking station.

Battery life determines how much area the robot vacuum can clean before returning to the docking station. Actual performance depends on the selected mode, suction power, floor type, operation of the mops or roller, and layout complexity. Therefore, the stated maximum time is usually achieved in a gentle mode and will be noticeably shorter during intensive cleaning.