Magnetic tape for robot vacuum cleaners – How to find an affordable alternative
Cleaning floors as if by magic? Robot vacuum cleaners have long since made this dream a reality. But if you want the device to vacuum a specific area of your home, you don't need to close the doors: using magnetic tapes on the floor, you can create "virtual walls" or "invisible walls" for the robot vacuum. These prevent it from getting caught in expensive deep-pile carpets, for example.
Instead of purchasing the expensive original magnetic tapes from the manufacturer, you should consider inexpensive alternatives such as magnetic boundary tapes. The following guide shows which optional magnetic tapes are available as boundary tapes for robot vacuums and what you should consider when using and purchasing them.
Why a magnetic tape for vacuum robots?
Magnetic tapes create a static magnetic field along the floor. Robot vacuums equipped with special magnetic sensors on their underside detect this field as soon as they approach the tape. Once the sensor registers the magnetic field, the robot interprets the magnetic tape as an obstacle - similar to a wall or piece of furniture.
As soon as the sensor detects the magnetic field, the robot reacts in real time: it stops, turns, and automatically chooses a new direction. This prevents it from driving into certain areas, such as under delicate furniture, onto deep-pile carpets, or into staircases.
The effect is purely virtual – the vacuum robot's magnetic tape does not represent a physical barrier. It functions like an "invisible wall" and is particularly useful when you want to demarcate areas flexibly and easily.
This is what you should consider if you are looking for an alternative to the robot vacuum cleaner's magnetic tape
Intelligent robots that vacuum autonomously have sensors on their underside that detect a magnetic field. The device—whether from Miele, Xiaomi, or Prevac—is immediately prompted to turn around when it encounters the magnetic field (e.g., to protect your baseboard). To use magnetic tapes as virtual boundary tapes in your home, the magnetic field, or the magnetization of the material, must be sufficiently strong. This is ensured by a certain width (about 2 to 2.5 centimeters) and height (about 3 millimeters) of the tape.
The material also plays a role: You can choose between ferrite and neodymium magnetic tape. The special dimensions give the magnetic tape additional weight as a boundary tape, ensuring it sits flat on the floor and won't be moved sideways by the robot vacuum's impact. Suitable magnetic tapes are available in our shop.
What size magnetic tape is right for a robot vacuum cleaner?
How many meters of magnetic tape you need for your robot vacuum cleaner depends entirely on how many areas of your home you want to block off from the robot vacuum. The tape can be placed over doorsteps to block off rooms but can also be used to demarcate individual elements and protect baseboards. Many robot vacuums, for example, have difficulty with deep-pile carpets and rugs with raised edges.
If you want to attach the tape according to the robot vacuum boundary, it is best to proceed step by step:
- Position the magnetic tape along the carpet edges, invisibly under the fabric, to prevent the robot vacuum from hitting it. This works most reliably on carpets less than one centimeter thick.
- Lock individual items such as valuable vases or delicate furniture as needed.
All common robot vacuum models respond to the boundary created by magnetic tapes. This allows you to protect, for example, skirting boards or staircases.
Tip:
If your robot vacuum's magnetic tape doesn't stay in place on smooth floors, adhesive pads or carpet tape can help. Especially under carpets, adhesive pads provide a secure hold without damaging the floor.
"Kobold magnetic tape>"– alternative for the Vorwerk vacuum robot
While its predecessor, the Kobold VR100, is identical to the Neato robot vacuum, the updated Kobold VR200 model boasts several new features. First and foremost, the body is one centimeter lower, allowing the device, with a total height of 9 centimeters, to work well under beds and sofas.
Lasers, ultrasonic, wall, and magnetic sensors help the robot navigate and prevent collisions with furniture and baseboards. What sets the Kobold apart from other robot vacuums, such as those from iRobot and Xiaomi, is its climbing aid. With this, it can climb over carpet edges and thresholds up to 2 centimeters high. Furthermore, the device is compatible with the digital voice control system Alexa, making it particularly user-friendly.
Use an alternative "Vorwerk Kobold VR200 magnetic tape"
Like all robot vacuums, the Kobold VR200 features integrated magnetic sensors that automatically turn the device around when it detects magnetic fields.
To demarcate rooms, areas, and surfaces, you can use a magnetic tape of equivalent width and strength instead of the original Vorwerk magnetic tape. Such a magnetic tape for the robot vacuum can be laid out as a boundary tape as needed and removed without a trace after cleaning (to protect expensive furniture or your baseboards).
"Xiaomi magnetic tape" – Alternative for your XIAOMI vacuum robot
The Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum stands out compared to other robot vacuums with its high battery capacity (5200 mAh). According to test reports, the Xiaomi device only loses 11 percent of its charge after cleaning a two-room apartment and works quickly. Only high door thresholds and carpet edges over 1.2 centimeters high cause the robot vacuum to falter in its routine. At a price of around €300, users should be able to live without the fact that the Mi Robot Vacuum comes with few accessories. The app, which maps the vacuum path and rooms, is at least available in English on the Chinese product. Its successor, the Xiaomi Roborock s50, however, has CE marks and European standard connections. Slightly more expensive than the Mi Robot, it scores points for its additional floor-mopping function. Protect your expensive furniture and baseboards with a magnetic boundary tape.
Use an alternative "Xiaomi magnetic tape" as a boundary tape for robot vacuum cleaners
Just like the "Invisible Wall" magnetic tape for the vacuum robot from Xiaomi, an alternative tape magnet that is sufficiently wide can also be used. Follow the same steps for attachment as for the branded product:
- First clean the floor.
- If necessary, fix the magnetic tape for vacuum cleaners with double-sided adhesive tapes to prevent it from slipping.
- You can limit the range of action of your robot vacuum cleaner, for example, for skirting boards, delicate carpets, stairs or similar.
"Neato magnetic tape" – Alternative Limiter for the Neato Botvac D85 and Botvac D7 Robot Vacuums
In contrast to the round models from Xiaomi and iRobot, the Neato Botvac D85 features a D-shaped design. The manufacturer promises more efficient cleaning of the edges and corners of a room. Although otherwise identical to the Vorwerk Kobold VR100, the Neato robot vacuum also features a HEPA filter, which allergy sufferers particularly appreciate: pollen and allergens remain trapped in the dust container instead of being blown back into the room air. The further developed model, the Neato Botvac D7, is also equipped with Wi-Fi and can be controlled via an app for iOS and Android from a smartphone or tablet. As it navigates through rooms, it creates a map that can then be accessed and digitally assigned boundaries.
Use an alternative "Neato Magnetic Tape" as a robot vacuum boundary tape
Even though the Neato Botvac D7 can be controlled via the app to keep the robot vacuum away from specific areas, setting boundaries with a robot vacuum's magnetic tape is more time-efficient for most users. You don't need a special tape from the manufacturer for this; alternative magnetic tapes can be used.
"Miele magnetic tape" – Alternative magnetic tape for the Miele Scout RX 1 and RX 2 robot vacuum cleaners
The Miele Scout RX1's round design is like iRobot's Roomba 880, but at 2.9 kg, it is about 1 kg lighter. Its capacity is 0.6 kg, and it features bagless vacuum technology with an exhaust filter. The lack of a HEPA filter is a disadvantage for allergy sufferers. The robot vacuum features a camera-controlled navigation system that allows it to clean rooms in orderly paths. Users can choose between four cleaning modes: "Auto" and "Turbo" are suitable for light and normally soiled floors. The magnetic tape in the vacuum cleaners "Corner" mode allows the robot to move more closely around the edges of the room, while "Spot" limits the cleaning area to approximately 4 m².
Robot vacuum cleaner as a surveillance camera
The Scout RX2 represents the next generation of Miele robot vacuums, and its features are remarkably similar to its predecessor. However, the Scout RX2 Home Vision model boasts one innovative feature: it can transmit its camera feed live to a tablet or smartphone, if desired. This means the Miele robot vacuum can function like a rolling surveillance camera when needed.
Use an alternative "Miele magnetic tape" – for robot vacuum cleaners
Miele is known for high-priced household appliances – but at least with the magnetic tape for your robot vacuum, you can use alternatives as boundary tapes, for example, to protect your baseboards. Use a wide, flexibly cut tape and attach it to the floor at the ends and at regular intervals with double-sided adhesive tapes. If you are worried about leaving marks on parquet or laminate, simple masking tape works just as well. This less elegant option is particularly suitable for use under carpets.
"Gearbest magnetic tape" – Alternative for the Gearbest vacuum robots ILIVE, MinSu and SEEBEST
At Gearbest, you can find robot vacuum cleaners from many manufacturers, primarily in the low to mid-price range of €150 to €350. In addition to the robots themselves, the shop also offers replacement brushes, filters, and charging stations for these mostly Chinese brands. Multifunctional devices like the ILIVE V5S Pro and the ILIVE V7S Plus, priced between €150 and €170, are not limited to vacuuming but also feature a wet cleaning function. Their water tank holds three hundred milliliters, which corresponds to a cleaning time of 120 to 150 minutes. An intelligent pump in the robot vacuum cleaner ensures that moisture is continuously released during cleaning, preventing water damage on sensitive floors.
The microfiber mop cloth is removable and can be washed between cleaning cycles.
The alternative to the "Gearbest magnetic tape" for robot vacuum cleaners – how to use it
Especially when moisture is involved, the radius of the cleaning robot must be limited to floors that need to be wet cleaned. You can achieve this with all Gearbest vacuum and mop robots using a magnetic tape (boundary tape).
Branded products such as the "invisible wall" are not necessary—an alternative magnetic tape for robot vacuums serves the purpose just as well. Cut the magnetic tapes to the desired length with scissors before placing them on the floor. This way, you can either block off entire rooms or demarcate areas with different flooring from the rest of the room. This is useful for mopping robots, for example, in a fireplace situation where the floorboard or surrounding tiles can tolerate wet cleaning, while the adjacent wooden floor should only be vacuumed.
Alternative magnetic tapes for robot vacuum cleaners: frequently asked questions
In the following FAQ section we have answered the most important questions about magnetic tape for robot vacuum cleaners.
Which robot vacuum cleaner is suitable for parquet floors?
From the ILIFE V5 and the MamiBot PreVac 650 for 150 - 200 euros to the iRobot Roomba 980 for 950 euros – in principle, robot vacuum cleaners of all price ranges are suitable for use on parquet.
What should I consider when using a robot vacuum cleaner on parquet?
Hard floors like parquet typically pose the least problems for the rotating brushes of robot vacuums from Prevac and other brands. Primarily, you should remove small, loose objects like toys or cables from the robot's working range. Wooden floors sealed with varnish also prove to be more resistant to wear and tear from the rollers.
Which robot vacuum cleaner is suitable for carpets?
To clean long carpet fibers without getting tangled in them, the Xiaomi Roborock s50 features special brushes consisting of a combination of bristles and rubber slats. Carpet edges up to 1.8 centimeters high also pose no problem. Even in mopping mode, the device isn't slowed down by carpets.
What should I consider when using a robot vacuum cleaner on carpet?
Crucial for carpets are the brushes, which must clean the fibers without tangling. A robot vacuum also needs to be able to "climb" if it is managing rooms with multiple rugs on hard floors. In this case, a robot vacuum like the Vorwerk Kobold VR200 with its climbing aid will be an immense help. Valuable carpets that you don't want the robot to handle can be invisibly sealed off with magnetic tapes.
Which robot vacuum cleaner is suitable for allergy sufferers?
According to the manufacturer, the iRobot Roomba 871 removes up to 99 percent of allergens, pollen, and dust particles. The Neato Botvac D85 also features a high-quality special filter.
What to do if the magnetic tape on the robot vacuum cleaner doesn't work?
If the magnetic tape on your robot vacuum is not working, there can be several reasons. First, you should check whether the robot vacuum model in question even has magnetic sensors. The tape must also be correctly positioned: it should lie flat on the floor, not slip, and be sufficiently wide and strongly magnetized. Magnetic tapes for robot vacuums in light colors such as white or beige, as well as narrow formats, will not work, as some sensors have difficulty detecting them. In such cases, a thicker or darker tape can help.
A dirty or blocked sensor can also prevent the robot from detecting the magnetic tape.
What should I consider when choosing a robot vacuum cleaner for allergy sufferers?
For allergy-friendly robots, the filter is crucial: HEPA filters (HEPA = High Efficiency Particulate Air) are capable of filtering tiny airborne particles down to 0.3 micrometers in size from the air – the allergens then remain in the dust container and do not re-enter the room air. The Vorwerk Kobold VR200 also features an extraction opening for the dust container, so allergy sufferers do not come into contact with the contents when emptying it.
Important: advice on robot vacuum cleaners can only be given based on the respective living situation.
Conclusion on magnetic tape as an alternative limitation for robot vacuum cleaners
Despite the ability to remotely control robot vacuums via an app, using magnetic tape as a boundary tape is a simple and safe way to limit the robot's range of action. Since magnetic sensors respond to magnetic fields, you can use alternative, high-quality magnetic tapes instead of expensive manufacturer's products. Order the magnetic tape in the desired size and create a virtual wall for your robot vacuum. The money saved on accessories is best invested in a more efficient robot vacuum. Regardless of the brand—whether Prevac, Miele, Xiaomi, Ilife, or others—setting boundaries for robot vacuums using a magnetic tape always makes sense, for example, to protect your baseboards.