Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best method to keep your home tidy is to use a robot vacuum. It can remove pet hair, dust, and other surface debris.
Some robots connect to smart assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant for a hands-free experience. Find models that are rechargeable and continue cleaning the area they left.
1. iRobot s8
This smart robot mop and vacuum is a great choice for many households. It has a great navigation system that incorporates GPS and laser sensors. It also comes with many features and controls accessible via the app. It also comes with a useful feature that allows you to create Cleaning zones for specific areas that require extra attention, as well as Keep Out zones that you don't want it to move. And, like all Roomba devices, it is updated with new software updates that make it better over time.
It's expensive but is also one of the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It comes with a powerful battery that can vacuum all of your home in less than two hours. It can also switch between mopping and vacuuming with the push of one button. And unlike other self-emptying robotics that require you to empty the bin after each run, it automatically empties into the larger waste container that is above its charging dock.
It also has many other features, including intelligent obstacle avoidance which uses a camera along with processor-powered smarts to recognize obstacles. It isn't often entangled or stuck during a cleaning cycle and is the best at avoiding power cables as well as other objects in my tests. However, it's not as reliable at detecting pet waste or other hazards.
2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
Eufy, owned by Anker It has become an iconic name in the world of budget robot vacuums. However, it didn't provide the option of a model that could mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that comes with a variety of advanced features, and can compete with more expensive models.
The laser navigation system is the main selling point of this machine. The X8 uses a laser mapping system that is more precise than the previous Eufy devices. It also takes significantly less time to construct an accurate picture of your living space and also stores multiple maps, which is ideal for multi-floor homes.
The X8 is a good vacuum cleaner on bare floors. It is able to easily throw debris through the side brushes and into its 400ml dustbin. Its tyres are also very adept at securing edges and corners, even though they're circular. It's not the best cat litter eater, however our tests have shown it is able to remove around 90% of the fur from hard floors.
The basic mopping mode utilizes the same reservoir of water as the vacuuming mode. This is great for spills that are not too serious, but you can't limit the amount of water it uses. However, it does an admirable job of removing pet hair, with a higher speed of pickup than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is renowned for its quiet, powerful appliances. It is a stunning design, excellent navigation and an impressive cleaning power. However, it has some operational hiccups which prevent it from being considered as the top overall smart robot vacuum.
The RX2 is equipped with a dual-sensor mapping system which uses LIDAR to map an area and a pair of 3D scanning cameras for detecting and avoiding obstacles (such as furniture legs or pet waste). Once mapped the app allows you to create virtual no-go zones as well as preferred areas that the robot will clean automatically. You can also change the cleaning options, begin an automatic clean, or view live feeds of the cameras onboard from the main screen.
The sensors of the RX2 work well by registering furniture and obstructions in real-time. Its sweeping and suction powers are excellent, removing surface litter from medium pile carpeting as well as embedded dust on floors. But it's not the most flexible robot available. Like many other robots, it's not a good climber and is prone to problems with things like thresholds made of metal transition strips.
Many people purchase robot vacuums due to the ease of setting up a schedule using an app, and then forgetting about them for weeks. It's crucial for a robot to be capable of the task, so our ZDNet team has tested and looked over some of the most popular models in order to help you select the best one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This budget robovac that looks just like the other, but it has several more features and is more efficient. Its smart mapping system generates 3D and 2D maps of your house and uses to navigate and avoid obstacles. It is able to detect common obstacles such as furniture legs and power cords in real-time. This combination of sensors along with a bump sensor and an infrared sensor for dropping that keeps it off stairs make it one of the fastest vacs we've tested.
In our tests, it easily could climb over the thick shag rug and didn't get stuck on them (like the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690). Its navigational skills were impressive as well as its score for composite tests on carpet and bare floors topped the competition. It picked up 98.5 percent of surface pet hair and litter from our laboratory test samples.
The controls are more basic than those of the competition; there's an oblong cleaning button at the top and you can launch it via the app or via voice commands using Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule weekly or daily cleanings, designate no-go zones, and look up its cleaning history. Clad in smart dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and looks attractive in your home. Its rear dustbin is accessible to empty, and the removal of the filters is also a breeze.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking for a simple, no-frills robot vacuum at a reasonable price, the Eufy 11S could be a good choice. It lacks some of the advanced features, such as digital mapping and Alexa integration, found in more expensive models, however, if you don't require these features, you can save money by purchasing this model.
The robot is easy to install and use. It does not require smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing. However, website it does come with an remote control that lets you select between different modes and alter the suction level. It also lets you manually send the robovac off for scheduled cleaning.
During our tests during our tests, the 11S was extremely effective in removing pet hair and dirt from hard floors and in low-pile carpets. Its slim profile allowed it to pass under furniture that is low-hanging and other items that larger robots are unable to reach. It was also able to pass over doorway thresholds and move between floors and another.
Like other robots, the 11S can be able to suck up objects, such as cords drawstrings on hoodies and cat toys. The manufacturer says that you can avoid this by keeping these objects off the floor and by using a cord organizer if possible. It also suggests cleaning the dustbin regularly by replacing the filters and changing or washing the brushes as needed.
Roomba 990 from iRobot
The Roomba is iRobot’s flagship robot vacuum. It's expensive but it's an excellent performer and arguably the most advanced robot vacuum you can purchase. Its self-navigation and environmental mapping are a joy to behold. It is more sophisticated in its automation than its competitors, such as the ability to create virtual boundary markers using its mobile application. It's a dependable robot vacuum, even though its application is a bit slow and the 980's wheels spin out when it is pushed over cables.
We love the 980, because it makes use of its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors and visual simultaneity mapping and localisation (or vSLAM), to memorise the floor plan of your home. It will then use the information to create an efficient and consistent cleaning path for every cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a more efficient vacuum than other high-end robot vacuums.
Other features of the 980 include dual multi-surface brushes that grab dirt from floors and carpets and the spinning brush that sweeps debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. Its floor tracking sensors help it navigate across furniture and along edges, and Cliff Detect keeps the Roomba from slipping down stairs. It can also return automatically to the base station for easy recharging in between sessions. Although the 980's battery lifespan and bin size aren't as efficient as other robot vacuums, it's a sturdy and reliable machine that will keep your floors clean for hours on end.