Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
A robot vacuum is a great tool to maintain an orderly home. It will remove dust, pet hair and other surface debris before it becomes a larger problem.
Some robots connect to smart assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant for a hands-free experience. Look for models that can be recharged and continue cleaning the area they left.
1. iRobot S8
This smart robot mop and vacuum combo is a fantastic choice for many households. It is able to vacuum and mop well and is extremely navigable using both GPS and laser sensors, and offers a broad range of features and controls available via the app. It comes with a useful feature which allows you to create Cleaning zones in areas that require additional attention, and Keep Out zones in areas you don't want it to be. It also gets software updates, like the other Roomba products, that make it better over time.
It's expensive but is also among the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It's got a huge battery that can sweep the entire house in less than two hours. It can also switch between vacuuming and mopping at the touch of the button. It will automatically empty the trash bin that is above its charging station, unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty it after every run.
It's got a range of other features that make it a great option for most homes, including intelligent obstacle avoidance that utilizes the camera as well as processor-powered smarts to detect obstacles. It is rarely derailed or stuck during a cleaning process. In my tests it was the most effective at avoiding objects like power cables. It is not as accurate at detecting pet waste or other hazards.
2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
While Anker-owned Eufy has earned a name for itself in the field of low-cost robot vacuums, it's not yet an all-in-one model that can also mop. That changes with the X8 Hybrid, which has an impressive array of modern features that can compete against much more expensive models.
The most significant selling point for Eufy with this device is its laser navigation. The previous Eufy devices have constructed a rough map of your home using infrared sensors and bumping into things but the X8's laser mapping technology is much more accurate. It also takes a lot less time to construct an accurate map of your home and can store multiple maps, which is ideal for multi-floor homes.
The X8 is a good vacuum cleaner for floors that are clean. It can easily sling debris under the side brushes and into its 400ml dust bin. Its tyres are also very adept at hugging edges and corners even though they are circular. Our tests showed that it was able to remove 90 percent of the fur from hard floors.
The basic mopping mode uses the same reservoir of water as the vacuuming mode. While this is a good option for spills that are not too large however, you aren't able to regulate the amount of water it uses and this will reduce its effectiveness for more serious stains. That said, it does an admirable job of removing pet hair, with a better pickup rate than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
The company is known for its quiet home appliances Miele's RX2 robot vacuum is a great choice because of its cleaning power, stunning design and excellent navigation. It has some oddities in its operation, which prevent it from being named the best smart robot vacuum.
Similar to the latest models of iRobot, the RX2 features a dual-sensor mapping system that utilizes a LIDAR sensor to map an area and two 3D scanning cameras to detect and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real-time. Once the room has been defined and assigned, you can designate virtual no-go areas and preferred sections to the robot. You can also start cleaning manually or change the cleaning mode, see a live feed from the cameras onboard and more on the main screen.
The RX2 is equipped with excellent sensors that can detect furniture and other obstructions instantly. Its sweeping and suction powers are outstanding, effectively taking away surface debris from carpets of medium pile as well as embedded dust on bare floors. However, it's not the most agile robot on the market. It's not the most efficient climber and has issues with metal threshold transition strips.
A lot of people purchase a robotic vacuum to enjoy the convenience of setting up a schedule using an app and not thinking about it for weeks at one time. It's crucial for a robot to be capable of the task, so our ZDNet team has tested and examined some of the most popular models in order to help you select the right one for your house.
4. Shark ION
This budget robot is just like a typical robot, but it's an upgrade in terms of performance and features. Its intelligent mapping system creates 2D and 3D maps of your home and uses them to avoid obstacles and navigate. It can even identify common obstacles like furniture legs and power cords in real-time. The combination of sensors with a bump detector and an infrared sensor that keeps the vacuum away from the stairs makes it one of our most agile vacuums.
In our tests, it easily moved over large shag rug and didn't get stuck on them (like the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690). Its navigational skills were also impressive and its overall score on carpet and bare floors was better than the competition and it picked up 98.5 percent of the surface litter and embedded pet hair from our laboratory test samples.
The controls are more basic than competitors. There's an oblong cleaning button at the top and you can launch it via the app or via voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule weekly or daily cleanings, create no-go zones and check the history of cleaning. Ion is covered in a smart dark gray plastic that best robot hoover feels and looks beautiful in your home. The dust bin on the rear is easy to empty and removing the filter is equally easy.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking to buy a basic robotic vacuum that is simple and has no frills at a low price, the Eufy 11S might be your best bet. It's not equipped with some advanced features such as Alexa integration and digital mapping that are found in more expensive models. If you don't require these features, you could save money.
The robot is simple to use and set up. It doesn't require a smartphone app or Wi-Fi pairing, but it does have the ability to control the remote with a remote that lets you choose between various modes and adjust the suction level. It also lets you manually turn off the robovac during scheduled cleaning.
In our tests, we found that the 11S was extremely efficient at getting pet fur and dirt from carpets with low pile and hard floors. Its slim profile allowed it to get under furniture and other objects that more bulkier robots couldn't reach. It was able to pass easily over thresholds of doorways and switch from one floor type to another.
Like other robots, the 11S can suck up some objects such as cords, hoodie drawstrings and cat toys. The manufacturer states that you can avoid this by keeping these objects off the floor and using an organizer for cords if you can. It also recommends that you clean the dustbin, replace the filters, and clean or change the brushes when needed.
Roomba 990 by iRobot
The Roomba is iRobot's flagship robot vacuum. It's expensive but it's a top performer and arguably the most advanced robot vacuum available. Its self-navigating capabilities and environmental mapping are a wonder to behold. It also has more advanced automation features than its competitors, including the ability to create virtual boundary markers with its mobile app. It's a capable robot vacuum, even though its app is a bit sluggish and the 980's wheels spin out when it is pushed over cables.
We love the 980 because it uses its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors as well as visual simultaneity mapping and localisation (or vSLAM), to memorise your home's floor plan. It will use this information to create a consistent, efficient cleaning path in every cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a more efficient robot vacuum than many high-end robotics.
The 980's other features include two multi-surface rubber brushes that pick up dirt from carpets and hard floors, along with an ejector brush that moves debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. Its floor tracking sensors aid it navigate between furniture and around edges, and Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from slipping down stairs. It will also return to the base station for simple recharges between sessions. Although the 980's battery life and bin size isn't as efficient as other robot vacuums it's a solid and reliable machine that can keep your floors spotless for hours at a time.