Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
A robot vacuum is a great device to keep a clean home. It can remove dust, pet hair and other particles on the surface.
Some robots sync with smart assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant for a hands-free experience. Look for models that can be recharged and continue cleaning where they left off.
1. iRobot S8
This smart robot mop and vacuum is a fantastic choice for many households. It features a superb navigation system that includes GPS and laser sensors. It also comes with numerous features and control options that can be accessed through the app. It comes with a useful feature which allows you to create cleaning zones in areas that require more attention, and Keep Out zones in areas where you do not want it to go. Like all Roomba devices, it gets new software updates that make it even better over time.
It's expensive but it's also among the most advanced robot vacuums that ZDNet has tested. It has a powerful battery that can clean an entire home in less than two hours. It also switches between mopping and vacuuming with the touch of one button. It will automatically empty the bin of dust above its charging station, unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the bin after every run.
It's got a range of other features that make it an excellent choice for homes of all sizes that include intelligent obstacle avoidance that uses both a camera and processor-powered intelligents to identify obstacles. It's rarely tripped up or stuck during a cleaning cycle. In my tests it was the best in avoiding objects such as power cables. It's not as reliable in detecting pet waste or other hazards.
2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
While Anker-owned Eufy has made its name in the field of low-cost robot vacuums, it's never offered an all-in-one model that can also mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that offers a range of modern features and can compete with more expensive models.
The most significant selling point for Eufy with this machine is its laser navigation. The previous Eufy devices have constructed an outline of your home using infrared sensors and bumping into things however the X8's laser mapping technology is far more precise. It takes less time to create an extensive map of your home. It can also store multiple maps. This is perfect for multi-floored homes.
The X8 is still a good vacuum for floors that are not clean, slinging debris under its side brushes and into the 400ml dust bin with relative ease. Its tyres are adept at securing edges and corners despite being circular. It's not a great kitty litter eater, however our tests have shown it is able to remove around 90 percent of the fur off hard floors.
The basic mopping mode utilizes the same reservoir of water as the vacuuming mode. This is great for spills that are not serious, but you cannot limit the amount of water it consumes. That said, it does an excellent job of removing pet hair, and has a higher pickup rate than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is known for its quiet, efficient appliances. It features a stunning design, a great navigation system, and excellent cleaning power. There are a few niggles in its operation that keep it from being named the top smart robot vacuum.
The RX2 is equipped with a dual-sensor mapping technique that makes use of LIDAR to map the space and a pair of 3D scanning cameras for detecting and staying clear of obstacles (such as furniture legs or pet waste). Once the room is identified it is possible to assign virtual no-go zones and preferred sections to the robot. You can also alter the cleaning modes, start an automatic clean, or view live feeds of the onboard cameras from the main screen.
The RX2's sensors are effective in registering furniture and other obstructions in real-time. The suction and sweeping power are top-of-the-line cleaning up surface debris from medium-pile carpeting and embedded dust on floors with no floor. It's not the most powerful robot available. Like many others it's not a great climber and is prone to problems with things like thresholds made of steel transition strips.
A lot of people purchase a robotic vacuum for the ease of setting a schedule on an app and then forgetting about it for weeks at one time. It is essential for a robot to be capable of doing the job so our ZDNet team has tested and looked over some of the most popular models in order to help you choose the right one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This budget-friendly robot looks like your typical robot but it's a step up in terms of performance and features. Its smart mapping system generates 2D and 3D maps of your home and uses them to navigate around obstacles and avoid them. It is able to detect common obstacles like furniture legs and power cords in real-time. This combination of sensors along with a bump sensor, and an infrared drop sensor which keeps it away from the stairs, makes it one of the most agile vacs we've tested.
It was able to walk over the thick shag carpets and did not get stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s, or Roomba 690-). Its navigation capabilities were impressive. Its composite score for carpet and bare flooring beat the competition, and it picked up 98.5% of surface litter and embedded dog hair from our laboratory test samples.
The controls are more basic than those of competitors. There's an uniform cleaning button on the top, and you can launch it via the app or via voice command with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also set a schedule for daily or weekly cleaning, set no-go zones, and view the history of its cleaning. Covered in stylish dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and looks attractive in your home. The dust bin on the rear is easily accessible for emptying, and removing the filters is also simple.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking for a basic robotic vacuum that is simple and has no frills at a low price, the Eufy 11S could be a good choice. The model isn't equipped with smart features such as Alexa integration and digital mapping that are found in more expensive models. However, if you don't require these features, you can save money.
The robot is simple to use and set up. It does not require a smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing, but it does come with the ability to control the remote with a remote that lets you select various modes and adjust the suction level. It also allows you to manually take the robovac off during scheduled cleaning.
During our tests, we discovered that the 11S was extremely efficient at getting dirt and pet fur from carpets with low pile and hard floors. Its slim profile allowed it to reach under furniture and other items that some of the larger robots could not reach. It was able to go easily over thresholds of doorways and move between floors of different types to another.
The 11S, just like other robots will also suckup some items, including cords and cat toys. The manufacturer says that you can avoid this by keeping these items off the floor and by using an organizer for cords if you can. It also recommends cleaning the dustbin on a regular basis by replacing the filters best robot mop and washing or changing the brushes as needed.
6. IRobot Roomba 980
The Roomba is the flagship model of iRobot's robot vacuum. It's pricey, but it's an excellent performer and, in some ways, the most advanced robot vacuum available. Its self-navigating capabilities and environmental mapping are a wonder to behold. It is more sophisticated in its automation than the majority of its rivals, for instance the ability to set up virtual boundary markers with its mobile app. It's a capable robot vacuum, even though its app isn't the most responsive and the 980 spins out when it is pushed over cables.
One thing we love about the 980 is that it uses its iAdapt 2.0 navigation sensors and its visual simultaneous localisation and mapping technology (or vSLAM) to memorise the floor plan of your home. It will then use the information to create a consistent and efficient cleaning path for every cycle. The result is cleaner floors, and a more efficient vacuum than the majority of high-end robot vacuums.
The 980's other features include dual multi-surface rubber brushes, which grab dirt from carpet and hard floors as well as the spinning brush that sweeps debris into the bin of the robotic vacuum. The sensor for floor tracking assists in navigating through furniture, along edges and up stairs. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. And it automatically returns to its base station for hassle-free recharging between sessions. Although the 980's battery life and bin size aren't quite as good as those of some other robot vacuums, it's a solid and reliable machine that can keep your floors clean for hours and hours.