Four categories on this site have a subscription attached, and it is never on the box.
Robots
Side brushes, roller brushes, filters, mop pads, dock dust bags — all model-specific, all consumed on a schedule. Over three years they are a real fraction of the purchase price. Check they are still sold for your exact model.
Steam cleaners
Descaling cartridges, where fitted. Look up the cartridge price and its stated life before choosing between two machines: on cheap steam cleaners the annual cost can outrun the sense of the machine. A machine without a cartridge needs descaling powder and your diary instead.
Floor washers
Rollers and filters, plus the maker’s cleaning solution if the machine doses automatically. Price the solution per liter — automation is convenient and rarely cheaper.
Wet and dry vacuums
The cheapest of the four. Fleece bags cost more than paper and hold several times as much, which usually makes them cheaper per liter of debris.
The questions we hear
Which categories have the highest running costs?
Robots, by a distance — side brushes, roller brushes, filters, mop pads and dock dust bags, all proprietary. Then steam cleaners with descaling cartridges, then floor washers with rollers and filters. Pressure washers are the cheapest to keep.
How do I check before buying?
Search the exact model number plus 'filter', 'bag' or 'pad' on the same store. Two things matter: the price, and whether the parts exist for that model at all rather than for the brand. A discontinued platform is an expensive ornament.
Last reviewed 2026-08-15
