Winbots: All You Need to Know About Window Cleaning Robots

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Window Cleaning Robots Buyer’s Guide, Top Choices, and FAQs

When it comes to household chores, there’s cleaning windows and there’s everything else. Admittedly, I have yet to meet someone who likes cleaning windows. And because nobody in a household likes to do it, folks pay a whole lot of money (up to 25 dollars an hour) for people to clean their windows.

Cleaning windows, especially in high-rise houses, could bring a lot of potential dangers. There’s the risk of equipment malfunction, falling off ladders, and so on. And if it’s that time of the year again to clean your house’s windows, it’s painstakingly boring and involves you contorting in uncomfortable positions to get to certain places. It’s totally not fun!

Thankfully, technology has come through for us once again. From robotic vacuum cleaners and mops, robots have invaded the window-cleaning business to make cleaning much easier and better yet, less risky.

Before looking at my recommendations for the best window cleaning robots, let’s look at some Frequently Asked Questions first.

Winbot FAQs

What Is a Window Cleaning Robot?

Window cleaning robots, or winbots for short, is an automatic cleaner that specializes in cleaning windows easily. It is designed to whisk windows clean from one end to the other and alerts you when it finishes the task. If you have experienced cleaning windows yourself, making them clean and streak-free is hard to do, especially if you just scrub it manually.

How Does a Window Cleaning Robot Work?

If you’re familiar with how robotic mop cleaners work, such as iRobot’s Roomba, winbots are basically like Roomba but for windows. Window cleaning robots use the latest technology and some models have excellent features to efficiently clean from one end of the window to the other. 

The basic parts of a winbot are the cleaning pads, a cleaning detergent solution, an adapter for its power, and some safety ropes to make sure that it does not fall off. As is true with many models, the only intervention you do is placing the bot on the window and removing it when it’s done.

If you are new to this whole winbot technology, you are probably asking how the window cleaning robot attaches to the window. To be able to do this, winbots either have a suction mechanism or a magnet. The more popular choice is suction connectivity since, in theory, you can use this with any type of window thickness. The drawback is that suction connectivity winbots are more prone to falling off so they often come with safety cords to combat the problem.

On the other hand, some winbots use magnetic attraction to keep the unit in place. For magnetic connectivity window cleaners, you’ll need to access both sides of the windows to make it work. Generally, winbots that use magnets operate at a slower pace, but they are quieter and less prone to falling off. However, there are windows that do not make access to both sides possible, mainly contributing to the dwindling popularity of magnetic cleaners.

What Winbot Shape Should I Choose, Square or Round?

Square or round shaped winbots operate a little differently, primarily in how the cleaning pads are placed. In a winbot with a square shape, it cleans with a large microfiber cloth pressed into the window by a pneumatic pad. Because they are square, it can reach corners with ease. 

On the other hand, a winbot with a round shape operates via two cleaning wheels with double-side usable microfibers. The wheels rotate as they clean, mimicking the hand motion when you are manually wiping windows. Generally, because of the rotation of the cleaning wheels, round-shaped winbots are more effective in cleaning thick films of dust than their square-shaped counterparts.

The cleaning patterns between these winbots also differ. For a square-shaped winbot, it goes linear, zigzags, and then does an N-shape. For a round-shaped winbot, it simply rotates and then does a zigzag pattern. 

Whatever winbot shape you choose, decide based on your preferences, and your cleaning needs and environment. If your windows do not get dusty in a hurry and you have time to operate the unit frequently, choose one with a square shape. If your windows accumulate dust fast, then you may be better off with the rotating wheels of a round-shaped winbot.

Does It Work on Tiles, Too?

Some models are versatile enough to be used on tiles, but to be sure, check out the user’s manual first.

Best Window Cleaning Robots in the Market

Hobot 298

The Hobot 298 is on the higher end of the price spectrum, but if you’re big on technology, then you shouldn’t mind that at all. This machine is equipped with the latest stuff including app integration, ultrasonic super spray technology, a trustworthy UPS system, and other smart features.

What I personally like about this unit is its cutting-edge spray technology. This enables the machine to fragmentize droplets of water into smaller droplets, making it look like a fine mist that initially softens the dirt. After that initial micro-droplet spray, the unit can now render the dirty window spotlessly clean.

Gladwell Gecko 

The Gladwell Gecko is a popular choice for many, primarily because of its affordable price tag. The better part is, it also comes with higher-end features! There are remote control and app control features, and anti-fall technology for safe usage.

The Gecko is equipped with dual microfiber pads and a robust suction technology, making it a very versatile appliance. Not only can the Gecko clean windows, but it can also do windows, tables, and smooth ceilings. It also has a battery that should keep the suction in place in the event that a power outage occurs.

The drawbacks for this unit is that it could be extremely slow. What’s more, it’s round-edge design is not good for cleaning corners. Other than that, the Gladwell Gecko is a bang-for-the-buck winbot that will not break your budget.

Mamibot W120-T

The Mamibot W120-T puts a premium on simplicity and design. There are no confusing things going on in the unit and its rectangular design allows it to reach and clean corners easily. What about technology? Well, consider it done! The W120-T also has manual control and app control features, like the Gecko and the Hobot 298.

When it comes to pricing, the Mamibot is in the middle tier; it’s not as expensive as the Hobot 298, but it’s priced slightly higher than the Gecko. One of the best features in the Mamibot W120-T is the dry cleaning mode that practically leaves out the need for manual pre-dusting of the windows or surfaces. It can then do the wet cleaning afterwards (along with a cleaning solution) making your windows squeaky clean.

Overall, there isn’t much to hate about the Mamibot W120-T. Given its mix of design, versatility, and technology, I’m not surprised why it always appears in any list of the best robot window cleaners out in the market today.

Investing in a Winbot

Window cleaning robots are wonderful investments that help you ditch the risky use of ladders and buckets. These machines are admittedly not perfect yet, but there is reason for optimism that it will eventually get close to being immaculate. What’s more, there are plenty of options in the market that work for people on any budget.