Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
A robot vacuum is the best device to keep a clean home. It will remove dust, pet hair, and other surface debris before it becomes a larger problem.
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 the area they left.
1. iRobot S8
This smart robot mop and vacuum combo is an excellent choice for many households. It is able to vacuum and mop well and is extremely navigable using both GPS and laser sensors and comes with a variety of features and controls that are accessible through the app. It has a handy feature which allows you to create cleaning zones in areas that require more attention, and also to create Keep Out zones in areas where you don't wish it to go. And, like all Roomba devices, it is updated with new software updates that make it better over time.
It's expensive but it's also among the most advanced robot vacuums that ZDNet has tested. It comes with a powerful battery that can clean a large area in less than two hours, and it can switch between vacuuming and mopping at the touch 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 each run.
It also comes with a variety of other features, including intelligent obstacle avoidance, which utilizes cameras and processor-powered smarts to recognize obstacles. It's not often tripped or stuck during a cleaning cycle. In my tests it was the most effective at avoiding objects such as power cables. It is not as accurate at detecting pet waste or other dangers.
2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
Eufy is owned by Anker is now an iconic name in the world of robots that are budget-friendly vacuums. But it didn't offer a model that could also mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that offers a range of advanced features, and can compete with more expensive models.
The laser navigation system is the primary selling point of this machine. The X8 makes use of the laser mapping system, which is more accurate than the previous Eufy devices. It also takes significantly less time to build up a comprehensive picture of your space and stores multiple maps, which is great for multi-floor homes.
The X8 is a great vacuum cleaner on bare floors. It can easily sling debris under the side brushes and into its 400ml dust bin. The tyres are adept at hugging corners and edges despite being circular. It's not a fantastic cat litter scooper, however, with our tests showing it is able to remove around 90 percent of the fur off hard floors.
There's a mopping mode that utilizes the same water tank as the vacuuming. This is ideal for spills that aren't serious, but you can't regulate the amount of water that it uses. It's effective in removing pet hair. It has a higher rate of pick-up than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is known for its quiet, powerful appliances. It is a stunning design, excellent navigation and an impressive cleaning power. There are a few niggles in its operation that keep it from being ranked as the top smart robot vacuum.
Similar to the latest models of iRobot, the RX2 comes with dual-sensor mapping which uses an LIDAR sensor to map the space and two 3D scanning cameras to detect and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real time. Once the room is mapped, the app lets you designate virtual no-go zones and preferred areas that the robot will automatically clean. You can also change the cleaning modes, start an automatic clean, or view a live feed of the onboard cameras from the main screen.
The RX2 has superior sensors that detect furniture and other obstructions immediately. The suction and sweeping power are top of the line cleaning up surface debris from carpets with medium piles and dust on floors with no floor. It's not the fastest robot available. Like many others it's not a very good climber and is prone to problems with things like thresholds made of steel transition strips.
A lot of people purchase a robotic vacuum to enjoy the convenience of setting a schedule on an app and forgetting about it for weeks at a time. It's crucial for a robot capable of the task so our ZDNet team has tested and examined some of the most popular models in order to help you choose the right one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This budget robovac looks just like a typical robot, but it's an upgrade in terms of performance and features. Its smart mapping system generates 3D and 2D maps of your home and makes use of them to navigate around and stay clear of obstructions. It's even able to spot common obstructions such as 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 off steps, makes it one of the most agile vacs we've tested.
It was able to climb over thick shag carpets and did not get stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690-). cheap robot vacuum were also impressive; its composite score in carpet and bare floors was better than the competition and it took in 98.5 percent of the surface litter and embedded pet hair from our lab test samples.
The controls are simpler than the competition's. There's a cleaning button on the top and you can start it using the app or by voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also set up a schedule for weekly or daily cleaning, set no-go zones, and see its cleaning history. Ion is clad in a sophisticated dark gray plastic that feels and looks attractive in your home. The dust bin on the rear is easily accessible for emptying, and taking out the filters is also a breeze.
5. Eufy 11S
Eufy 11S is a great option if you're looking for a vacuum cleaner that is easy to use and has no frills at a cost that is low. The model isn't equipped with 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 simple to use and set up. It does not require a smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing. However it does come with the remote control that allows you to choose between various modes and adjust the suction level. You can also assign the robotvac to the schedule of cleaning.
During our tests, the 11S was extremely efficient in cleaning dirt and pet hair from hard floors and in carpets with a low pile. Its slim profile allowed it to reach under furniture and other low items that some of the larger robots could not reach. It was able to pass effortlessly over door thresholds and move from one floor type to another.
The 11S, as with other robots, will also eat some items, including cords and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests you avoid this by keeping these items off the ground and using a cord organizer when you can. It also suggests that you regularly clean the dustbin, replace the filters and clean or change the brushes as required.
6. IRobot Roomba 990
The Roomba is iRobot's flagship robot vacuum. It's pricey, but it's also the best robot vacuum that you can purchase. Its self-navigation feature and environmental mapping is a marvel to behold. It also comes with more advanced automation features than many competitors, including the ability to set virtual boundary lines with its mobile app. It's a powerful robot vacuum, even though its application is a bit slow and the 980 spins out when it comes across cables.
One thing we love about the 980 is that it makes use of its iAdapt 2.0 navigation sensors as well as visual simultaneous localisation and mapping technology (or vSLAM) to memorise the floor plan of your home. It then uses that information to create an efficient and consistent cleaning path for every cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a better robot vacuum than most high-end robots.
The 980's other features include dual multi-surface rubber brushes, that pick up dirt from hard floors and carpet as well as the spinning brush that sweeps debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. The sensor for floor tracking assists it in maneuvering between furniture as well as along edges and the stairs. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It also automatically returns to the base station for simple recharges between sessions. While the 980's battery life and bin size aren't as good as those of other robot vacuums, it's a reliable and solid machine that will keep your floors clean for hours and hours.