Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
A robot vacuum is the best tool for maintaining a clean home. It can remove dust, pet hair, and other particles on the surface.
Some robots can sync with smart assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a hands-free experience. Look for models that can be recharged and continue cleaning where they left off.
1. iRobot s8
This smart robot vacuum and mop combo is a great option for a wide range of homes. It is able to vacuum and mop well and has a great navigation system that includes both GPS and laser sensors, and has a wide range of features and controls that are accessible through the app. It has a handy feature that lets you create Cleaning zones in areas that require more attention, as well as Keep Out zones in areas where you do not want it to go. And, like all Roomba devices, it is updated with new software updates that make it even more efficient over time.
It's costly, but it's also one of the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It's got a huge battery that can vacuum the entire house in less than two hours. It can also switch between mopping and vacuuming at the push of one button. It automatically empties the dust bin above its charging station, in contrast to other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the bin after every run.
It also has many other features, such as intelligent obstacle avoidance, which utilizes cameras in conjunction with processor-powered smarts in order to detect obstacles. It's not often tripped or stuck during a cleaning process. In my tests it was the best at avoiding objects such as power cables. However, it's not as effective in detecting pet waste or other hazards.
2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
Eufy owned by Anker is now an established brand in the world of low-cost robot vacuums. But it didn't provide an option to mop. That changes with the X8 Hybrid, which has an impressive suite of advanced features that can compete against much more expensive models.
Eufy's main selling point with this machine is its laser navigation. The X8 uses a laser mapping system that is more accurate 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 decent vacuum cleaner for floors that are clean. It can easily sling debris under the side brushes and into its 400ml dustbin. Its tyres are also very adept at securing corners and edges, even though they're circular. Our tests revealed that it could only remove 90% of the fur on hard floors.
There's a basic mopping option that utilizes the same water tank as the vacuuming. While this is good for spills that are not too large however, you aren't able to control how much water it is using and this will reduce its effectiveness on more severe stains. However, it does an admirable job of removing pet hair, with a higher speed of pickup than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Known for quietly effective home appliances Miele's RX2 robot vacuum has excellent cleaning power, stunning design and great navigation. It has some oddities in its operation, which prevent it from being named the top smart robot vacuum.
Similar to the latest models of iRobot, the RX2 comes with a dual-sensor mapping system that uses a LIDAR sensor to map an area and a pair of 3D scanning cameras to detect and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real time. After the room has been identified and assigned, you can designate virtual no-go areas and preferred sections to the robot. You can also begin an automatic clean or manually change the cleaning mode, view live feeds from the onboard cameras and more on the main screen.
The RX2 is equipped with excellent sensors that can detect furniture and other obstructions in a flash. The suction and sweeping capabilities are excellent, getting rid of surface litter from medium pile carpeting and also removing embedded dust on floors. But it's not the most agile robot on the market. It's not the best climber, and it has problems with transition strips made of metal.
Many people purchase robot vacuums because of the ease of setting up a schedule on an app, only to forget about them for weeks. It's important for a robot capable of doing the job so our ZDNet team has tested and examined some of the most popular models in order to help you choose the best one for your house.
4. Shark ION
This budget robovac that looks just like the other, but has several more features and is more efficient. Its smart mapping system generates 2D and 3-D maps of your home and uses them to navigate and avoid obstructions. It's even able to spot common obstructions such as power cords and furniture legs in real-time. This combination of sensors along with a bump sensor and an infrared sensor for dropping that keeps it away from stairs, makes it one of the fastest vacs we've tried.
It was able to walk over carpets with thick shags and was not stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690-). Its navigation skills were impressive as well as its score for composite tests on carpet and bare floors beat out the competition, and it picked up 98.5 percent of surface litter and embedded pet hair from our lab test samples.
The controls are simpler than the competition's. There is a cleaning button at the top, and you can either start it by using the app or by voice commands using Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule weekly or daily cleanings, designate no-go zones and check its cleaning history. In a smart dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and is attractive in your home. Its rear dust bin is easy to empty and removing the filter is the same.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking to buy a basic robotic vacuum that is simple and has no frills for a reasonable cost, the Eufy 11S might be your best bet. This model lacks some smart features such as Alexa integration and digital mapping found in higher-end models. However, if you do not need these features, you can save money.
The robot is easy to setup and use. It doesn't require smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing. However, it does come with an remote control that lets you select between different modes and adjust suction levels. It also lets you manually send the robovac off during scheduled cleaning.
In our tests, we discovered that the 11S was extremely efficient in removing website dirt and fur from carpets with low pile and hard floors. Its slim profile helped it reach under furniture and other low items that more bulkier robots were unable to reach. It was able to get effortlessly over door thresholds and transition from one type of floor to another.
Like other robots, the 11S can take in some objects like cords, hoodie drawstrings, and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you prevent this from happening by keeping these items off the ground and using a cord organiser if possible. It also recommends cleaning the dustbin on a regular basis, replacing the filters and changing or washing the brushes when needed.
Roomba 990 from iRobot
The Roomba 980 is iRobot's flagship robot vacuum. It's expensive but it's the most powerful robot vacuum you can buy. Its self navigation and environmental mapping are truly a marvel to behold. It has more advanced automation than most of its competitors, such as the ability to set up virtual boundary markers through its mobile app. It's a dependable robot vacuum, even though its app is a bit sluggish and the 980 spins out when it comes across cables.
We really like the 980 due to its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors and its visual simultaneity localisation and mapping (or vSLAM) to remember your home's floor plan. It then uses the information to create an efficient and consistent cleaning path for every cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a more efficient vacuum than most competing high-end robot vacuums.
Other features of the 980 include two multi-surface rubber brushes which pick up dirt from hard floors and carpet and a spinning brush that sweeps debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. Its floor tracking sensor assists in navigating through furniture, along edges and on stairs. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It can also return automatically to the base station for simple charging between sessions. While the 980's battery life and bin size aren't as good as those of other robot vacuums, it's a solid and reliable machine that can keep your floors clean for hours on end.