If window cleaning is not your favorite type of house chore, then you might want to consider purchasing one. Also, if you live on a higher floor or your window does not open, it is a great and safe way to enjoy a clean environment.

Window cleaning robots are also very useful in commercial premises for cleaning your office or shop windows.

Window-cleaning robots need a power source to operate

 Wired robots (recommended) 

If you want a smooth cleaning without interruption and not to worry about recharging the batteries, go with the wired window-cleaning robots. Also, they come with a built-in emergency battery in case of an electricity outage. It allows the robot not to fall on the ground.

 Wireless robots 

Wireless (battery-powered) robots need charging, so you want to plan the cleaning. Also, the amount of cleaning time is limited depending on the battery life.

Great question! The window-cleaning robot can also clean mirrors, tiles, shower cabins, and conservatory glasses. Some models can even clean the TV screen and uneven surfaces.

People, who have window robots, encounter a problem – their robots cannot reach edges and corners. Some manufacturers have solved this problem by creating square-shaped devices, because such a design makes it easier to adapt to the edges of the window. In terms of “Hester M2-PRO “, its angles are also rounded – it not only cleans corners and edges, but also does not damage and scratch the window frame.

The maintenance of the robot is minimal – all you have to do is wash the cloths, clean the castors and charge the battery(if needed). It is recommended to wash the cloths after each cleaning by hand or in the washing machine, at a low temperature of up to 30 degrees, without using a fabric softener and other rinsing agents. The castors and caterpillars are also recommended to be cleaned after each cleaning with a damp cloth so that they will not leave traces on the glass.

Window-cleaning robot stays on the surface usually in two ways: by a powerful vacuum pump or magnetic connector. Robots with the magnetic connector are fixed on one side of the window and the magnet on the other. It can be a problem if the windows are partitioned or unbraced.

 The robot is smart and, therefore, it does almost all the work itself. All you have to do is to put on the cloths, connect the robot to the mains and attach the safety rope. When the robot is ready for work, place it on the surface and, after pressing the power button, specify the cleaning program. If your robot does not have an automatic liquid spray function, then you will have to manually moisten the cloths.

Various protection systems ensure smooth and safe cleaning. A powerful vacuum pump keeps a strong suction so the robot won’t fall from the surface. Edge detection usually prevents the robot from falling during frameless surface cleaning. Extra batteries keep the device on the window in case of power cuts, and a safety rope keeps the robot from crashing on the ground if it does fall.

Each window-cleaning robot can come with different cleaning stages that allow it to effectively clean the surface. It can include different cleaning paths and modes. For example, a robot can wet clean the window and then polish it, leaving a sparkling and clean finish.

All the window robots, that have been tested, are controlled by remote control or smartphone. To control it by telephone, you need to download and install a special app on the robot and, in addition, watch the telephone for it to stay charged. 

Both methods of control are intended to indicate cleaning programs, directions of movement, return to the starting point or repeated washing in places where it is required. 

All 5 tested models automatically return to the starting point. So, there is no need to manually navigate in order to reach the robot and place it on another surface. Unfortunately, there are still robots on the market that do not clean the window completely and stop at random places.

In all cases, we recommend using only the fluid specified by the manufacturer of the robot. If, however, no fluid has been specified by the manufacturer, then use a cleaning fluid that does not foam and does not leave a film on the surface resulting from chemicals it contains.

Each manufacturer states differently, so make sure to read the user manual. As a standard, robots are not recommended to be used during rain, snow, or when the temperature drops below +5°C.

During the robot testing, we noticed that the cleaning cloths have a significant impact on the efficiency of the process, because they absorb different amount of dirt and moisture. For example, the “Winbot 880” cloths had to be changed often. If this is not done in time, then traces are left on the surface that is being cleaned. Experience with the “Hester M2-PRO” cloths was completely different. They cleaned the same windows without leaving traces, even though we changed the cloths less often. The “Hester M2-PRO ” cloths are thicker, softer, their fibres are longer. The manufacturer also ensured reliable attachment of the cloth, it never slipped off, which we can’t say about “Winbot 880”.

Wet cleaning

Window cleaning robots usually have two cleaning modes – wet and dry. Only cloths are needed for the dry mode, while the wet mode also requires a fluid to moisten the surface or cloths. 

Manual moistening

• All what needs to be done is to periodically remove the robot from the surface being cleaned and, depending on the type of the robots, spray the cloths or the surface being cleaned with a fluid. 

Automatic moistening

• The robot is equipped with an automatic spraying system, which releases fluid and moistens the surface.

 Advantages of automatic moistening

The automatic system is much more convenient because there is no need to watch the cloths to prevent from drying out and to moisten them each time by yourself. The dried off cloths may leave traces and leave the windows uncleaned. Therefore, automatic moistening really facilitates work and you can be sure that you will not have to re-wash the windows. All you have to do is to fill the tank of the robot with a fluid. The capacity of the “Hester M2-PRO ” tank is 45 ml, which is enough to clean the room-height windows in the living room, because the robot distributes the fluid with the help of two metal nozzles, 0.1 ml during each spray. This significantly reduces the fluid consumption and increases cleaning efficiency.

 Window cleaning robots have powerful motors, which make noise when they operate. To reduce the noise, the manufacturers install sound insulation systems, which reduce the emitted sound to about 60-70 dB. The sound of 60 dB is equal to laughter, while the sound of 70 dB – to the hum of the hair dryer. Therefore, a difference of as many as 10 decibels is quite significant when we talk about a quite environment at home.

The “Hester M2-PRO” is powerful, but silent. Its 80 W motor emits a sound of up to 60 dB. Other robots emit a sound of 70 dB, because they are slightly more powerful than the “Evis” robot. But we did not notice that it has a big impact on the difference of the duration of the operation.

While moving on the surface, the robot may encounter unexpected obstacles. The size of the robot, will prevent it from overcoming those obstacles. If it will not fit between the window and the window handle, the robot will do washing around them and, as a result, there will remain uncleaned spots. The narrower and smaller the robot, the better it cleans hard-to-reach places. 

Thickness – up to 12 cm

The thickness of the robots, that are available on the market, varies between 8 and 12 cm. The smaller the dimensions of the robot, the narrower surfaces it can wash. 

“Hester M2-PRO” is only 8 cm thick and it, therefore, it may reach the places which other robots cannot. This model is the “slimmest” of those, that have been tested, and one of the thinnest on the market.

Weight – up to 4 kg

On average, robots can weigh between 1 and 4 kilograms, or more. The robot needs power to reliably attach to the surface, and the more it weighs, the more power is needed. So, a heavier robot not only works louder, but it also consumes more electricity. The “Hester M2-PRO” weights 1.5 kg. Such a weight is optimal for smooth and economical work, that does not disturb the peace.