Sweeping, swabbing, dusting, the dishes -- and the day ends in exhaustion even before it begins.
So, it is no wonder that gadgets that can help ease the pressure are in hot demand, notes Pavan Lall.
Work from home is not half as easy as it is made out to be.
Throw in the household chores -- sweeping, swabbing, dusting, the dishes -- and the day ends in exhaustion even before it begins.
So, it is no wonder that gadgets that can help ease the pressure are in hot demand.
Pavan Lall offers a quick look at best-sellers among vacuum cleaners and dishwashers.
iRobot Roomba 976
At the top of the list of futuristic gizmos sits the iRobot Roomba 976 vacuuming robot.
It also has a chart-topping price with a sticker that reads Rs 50,000.
It comes with app-driven controls and can be manoeuvered through your phone, and is also equipped with wireless operation dirt-detection sensors and visual navigation.
Just make sure the dog doesn't nibble at the flying saucer-shaped device made by PureSight.
Dyson V7 Animal
If slow-whirring, frisbee-shaped devices aren't your thing, Dyson has an alternative to robotic vacuum cleaners in the form of a cordless vacuum cleaner that runs on rechargeable batteries and boasts of 'powerful cleaning action'.
The Dyson V7 Animal cord-free vacuum is not cheap at Rs 30,000 but is easier on the pocket than the iRobot.
Eureka Forbes Vogue
Eureka Forbes Vogue, a home-grown product, is priced at Rs 6,600 and is hooked up with a combination of different detachable attachments to allow users to get under the couch, and into hard-to-access nooks and crannies.
IFB Free-Standing 12 Place Settings Dishwasher (Neptune WX)
If Bosch's machines are in demand, so is the IFB Free-Standing 12 Place Settings Dishwasher (Neptune WX).
The IFB dishwasher is built to accommodate utensils of all shapes and sizes, and features steam-drying that ensures spotless, stainless dishes.
Priced at Rs 32,000.
Good luck getting one online.
Bosch 12 Place Setting Dishwasher (SMS66GW01I)
Beyond dusting and cleaning, it's doing the dishes that is the most time-consuming, even if you are a small family with kids.
Bosch's 12 Place Setting Dishwasher (SMS66GW01I) comes with tried and tested engineering that promises sparkling clean cutlery, reduced energy consumption and tech that cleans even kadhais used for oily Indian cooking.
All that at a cost of Rs 36,000, which is why it won't be a surprise if it's out of stock on Amazon.
Eureka Forbes Trendy Zip
The other compact cleaner, the Eureka Forbes Trendy Zip vacuum cleaner, isn't just stylish, it is also a portable vacuum cleaner kitted out with a 1000-watt motor and an automatic thermal load cutout that prevents overheating.
This makes it safe for usage even when on long conference calls.
Available at a budget-lover's price of Rs 3,200.
A word of advice: Keep the phone on mute when using this.
Philips PowerPro Compact
Some vacuum cleaners are without wires.
The one made by Philips is without a bag and, therefore, more compact.
The Philips PowerPro Compact bagless vacuum cleaner is also equipped with an Allergy H13 filter, which captures fine dust particles, and comes with a special brush nozzle for deep cleaning of carpets, and for easily removing hair and fluff.
It costs Rs 8,300 but there are even cheaper options.
LG DFB424FW
Priced at a princely Rs 53,000, the Korean consumer electronics giant LG's DFB424FW is the Mercedes-Benz of dishwashers.
It drives its cutting-edge tech home at every step.
Its direct inverter ensures quieter wash cycles than other machines, and quad wash, or a four-jet wash, feature claims to clean dishes from every angle, making those hard-to-get-rid-of food stains disappear.
If all that isn't convincing enough, it also comes with a child-safety lock.
LG's huge distribution and service backup network in the country are the other positives.
Whirlpool 14 Place Settings Dishwasher (PowerClean-WFC3C24)
Whirlpool 14 Place Settings Dishwasher (PowerClean-WFC3C24 is priced around Rs 40,000 and comes with a two-year warranty.
Those who have bought this dishwasher from the American manufacturer say they love its powerful clean function, which washes really dirty, oily dishes and crusted pans using its extra spray points at the rear of the machine.
It's a decent product but its service capability backup should be researched before making a purchase.
Siemens 12 Place Settings Dishwasher (SN256I01GI)
Siemens 12 Place Settings Dishwasher (SN256I01GI) is the more expensive of its peers, at Rs 38,000.
The company says it's user-friendly, and has anti-bacterial dishwashing as well as an extra top for deeper cleaning.
*Kindly note the images are been posted only for representational purposes.
Feature Production: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
