Is the Bobi Classic a classic robotic vacuum cleaner? Our Bobi Classic review considers its features and performance to find an answer to this basic question.
Bobi Classic: Overview
The Bobi Classic combines sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, UV light sterilization and HEPA filtration into an attractive cleaning robot. Its dust bin is washable. The robot vacuum has three control buttons on its top, but it also has a remote control for controlling movement and creating a daily cleaning schedule.
The Bobi Classic has a snow-white top cover with sensors, battery charging bars and three touchscreen buttons: GO, JUICE and WAFFLE. The GO button tells the robot vacuum to go clean on its own. The JUICE button commands the robot to go back to its charging station and recharge. Press the WAFFLE button to make it clean a specific spot in a waffle pattern.
The Bobi Classic has multiple touch sensors and wall sensors in front. It has a charging inlet and on/off switch on its side.
The vacuum cleaning robot has three wheels: one small front wheel and two bigger side wheels. It has two floor sensors which detect sudden changes in height. A single ultraviolet light sterilizes the floor. The sweeping is done by a single side brush and two main brushes: one bristle brush and one rubber duster brush. Its dust bin has a HEPA filter for removing allergens from the vacuumed air.
Bobi Classic vs. Roomba 650
What does the Bobi Classic have that the Roomba 650 does not have?
Quite a few things. It has a remote control with an information screen and advanced controls. It also has a UV sterilization light, mopping attachment and HEPA filter. The noise it makes while cleaning is quieter than the Roomba.
What does the Roomba 650 have that the Bobi Classic does not have?
The Roomba 650 has a virtual wall barrier which prevents it from crossing a certain point opposite the barrier. The Bobi Classic does not have a virtual wall.
Does this mean that the Bobi Classic is better value than the Roomba 650?
The UV light is a rare feature, but we are not sure how well it actually works. Another thing to consider is that the mop extension is really too small to effectively damp mop a big room. The small mop attachment does not seem like an effective extension. However, the advanced remote control does add real value. The Bobi Classic might be better value if you can get it at a cheaper sales price than the Roomba 650 (which might be the quintessential vacuum cleaning robot).
Bobi Classic vs. Bobsweep Pethair
These robots are both made by the Canadian company called bObsweep (we just write Bobsweep which is easier for us). They both have a similar 5-in-1 cleaning system, but the Bobsweep Pethair (reviewed here) has a single central bristle/rubber brush and a larger 1-liter dust bin. We do not know the exact size of Bobi’s dust bin, but we suspect that it is smaller.
The Bobi Classic has a large remote control which incorporates an indicator screen. The indicator screen of the Bobsweep is situated on the robot vacuum itself.
There does not seem to be much of a price difference between these two vacuum robots. They are both good at vacuuming pet hair, but we might prefer the Bobi Classic because it is a newer model.
Bobi Classic vs. Bobi Pet
They have similar top covers, but in different colors. Nonetheless, they have the same basic cleaning system. The only difference that we could quickly find is that the Bobi Pet comes with a virtual wall called the Bobi Block.
What is in the box?
The product box contains the following essential items:
- Bobi Classic robotic vacuum cleaner
- charging station
- two main brushes
- charging adapter
- remote control
- screwdriver and extra screws
- two side brushes
- cleaning brush (for cleaning the other brushes)
- blindfold stickers
- mop extension
- two mopping cloths
- extra HEPA filter
- owner’s manual, quick start guide and warranty card
- syncing tool
What type of battery?
The Bobi Classic comes with Bobsweep’s X-amplified battery. It seems like it is a long-lasting lithium-ion battery with a two-year warranty. It can power the vacuum robot for more than one hour on a single charge.
How well does it mop?
The mop extension is small and does not work well. It might work for dry mopping or damp mopping small areas. It is simply too small for mopping large areas. The mop extension is not really worth it and most owners never use it.
Can you control it remotely?
Yes, the Bobi Classic has an advanced remote control with a display screen and lots of buttons. The remote control needs two AAA batteries (not included).
The display screen shows the weekdays from one to seven. It has indicators for the signal strength, UV light, speed, current time and scheduled time.
The time and scheduling buttons are on the left side of the remote, while the command buttons are on the right side. The On/Off, Select/OK and navigation buttons are in the center.
You can navigate the robot vacuum by pressing the navigation buttons. It also has the WAFFLE and JUICE buttons. The speed selection button switches between the standard fast cleaning mode and the alternative slow cleaning mode.
Conclusion
The question still needs answering: is it a classic robotic vacuum cleaner? We do not think so. The fact that it has a detachable mop, UV light and remote control makes it more modern instead of classic.
Would we buy it, or would we get a Roomba instead? We might buy the Bobi Classic, but it would depend on the price (find more details on Amazon).