Marathon Smart Sweeping Robot Vacuum: USB charging

Jeanne M. Nice

June 13, 2025

Decision:

As an impulsive buyer, I grabbed this during a sale, thinking it would simplify my cleaning routine. My husband and I live in a small metric-sized apartment, and with my busy schedule from work and concerts, I wanted something low-maintenance. The courier called ahead for delivery, which was nice. Setting it up was easy—just unbox, charge, and go. It zips around and does a decent job on hard floors, picking up daily dust and pet hair from our cat. But it struggles on carpets and misses spots, so I still need to do touch-ups. The smart navigation is hit or miss; it seems to map the room well sometimes, but other times it just bumps into things. Charging is straightforward with USB, but the battery drains fast, meaning I have to plan cleanings around its juice. Overall, it's a helpful gadget for light maintenance, but not a replacement for deep cleaning. I'd recommend it with reservations for small spaces, but if you have a bigger home or lots of rugs, look for something more robust. It does the job, but not incredibly well—just okay.

• Pros: I found it incredibly intuitive to set up and start using right out of the box. The way it moves around my home feels thoughtful, not just random, which is a big plus. I love that it charges with a standard USB cable—so convenient, like plugging in my phone. The sleek black design is stylish and blends in well with my decor, making it less of an eyesore than I expected.
• Cons: It doesn't seem to pick up everything, especially in corners or on thicker rugs, leaving some dirt behind. The battery life isn't great; it often needs recharging before finishing a full clean of my small apartment. Sometimes it gets stuck under furniture or on thresholds, requiring me to rescue it, which defeats the hands-off appeal. For the price, I hoped it would handle more without issues.