Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
A robot vacuum is the best device to keep an orderly home. It can remove pet hair, dust, and other surface debris.
Some robots can sync with smart assistants such as Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a environment that is hands-free. Look for models that are rechargeable and continue cleaning the area they left.
1. iRobot S8
This smart robot vacuum and mop combination is a fantastic choice for many homes. It can be used to vacuum and mop, has excellent navigation with both GPS and laser sensors and comes with a variety of features and controls available via the app. It also comes with a helpful feature that allows you to add Cleaning zones for certain areas that require more attention, as well as Keep Out zones where you do not want it to go. It also gets software updates, like the other Roomba products, that improve the quality of the product over time.
It's expensive, but it's is also one of the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It comes with a powerful battery that can vacuum an entire home in less than two hours. It also switches between mopping and vacuuming with the push of one button. And, unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the dust bin after each run, this one automatically emptys itself into an even larger waste container on top of its charging dock.
It has a wide range of other features that make it a great option for most homes, including intelligent obstacle avoidance that uses the camera as well as processor-powered intelligents to identify obstacles. It's not often tripped or stuck during a cleaning cycle. In my tests it was the most effective in avoiding objects such as power cables. It is not as accurate at detecting pet waste or other dangers.
2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
Although 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 could also mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that comes with a variety of modern features and can compete with much more expensive models.
Laser navigation is the most important feature of this machine. The previous Eufy devices have constructed a rough map of your home utilizing infrared sensors and bumping into objects but the X8's laser mapping system is much more accurate. It also takes significantly less time to build up an accurate picture of your home and can store multiple maps, which is ideal for multi-floor homes.
The X8 is a decent vacuum cleaner for floors that are clean. It is able to effortlessly sling debris under the side brushes and into its 400ml dustbin. The tyres are adept at hugging edges and corners, despite being circular. It's not a great kitty litter scooper, however our tests have shown it can only remove about 90% of the fur from hard floors.
The basic mopping mode uses the same reservoir of water as the vacuuming mode. This is ideal for spills that are not dangerous, but you are unable to regulate the amount of water that it uses. It does a good job at picking up 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. It has some oddities in its operation that prevent it from being considered the top smart robot vacuum.
Like iRobot's latest models like the RX2 features dual-sensor mapping technology that utilizes the LIDAR sensor to map a room and two 3D scanning cameras to detect and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real-time. Once mapped, the app lets you assign virtual no-go areas and favorite sections that the robot will clean automatically. You can also alter the cleaning modes, start cleaning manually or see a live feed of the onboard cameras from the main screen.
The RX2 is equipped with excellent sensors that detect furniture and other obstructions immediately. Its sweeping and suction power are top-notch cleaning up surface debris from medium-pile carpeting and embedded dust on floors that are unfinished. However, it's not the most agile robot on the market. As with many others it's not a great climber and has trouble with things like thresholds made of metal transition strips.
Many people purchase robot vacuums because of the ease of setting up a schedule in an app, and then forgetting about them for weeks. It is essential for a robot to be capable of the task, so our ZDNet staff has tested and reviewed some of the most popular models to help you select the right one for your house.
4. Shark ION
This budget robot looks like a typical robot, but it's upgraded in terms of performance and features. Its intelligent mapping system creates 2D and 3-D maps of your home and uses to navigate and stay clear of obstructions. It's even able to spot 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 steps makes it one our most agile vacuums.
It was able to climb over the thick shag carpets and did not get stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s, or Roomba 690-). Its navigation abilities were also impressive. Its composite score for carpet and bare flooring was higher than the competition, and it was able to pick up 98.5 percent of pet hair that we tested in our lab samples.
The controls are more basic than those of the competition's. There is a cleaning button at the top and you can either start it using the app or by voice commands using Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also set up a schedule for your daily or weekly cleaning, set no-go zones, and view its history of cleaning. Clad in smart dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and looks attractive in your home. Its rear dustbin is easily accessible for emptying, and removing the filters is also easy.
5. Eufy 11S
Eufy 11S is a good option if you're looking for an automated vacuum cleaner that is simple and simple at a reasonable price. It doesn't have many of the more advanced features, such as digital mapping and Alexa integration, which are found in more expensive models, but if you don't need these functions, you can save cost with this model.
This robot is simple to use and set up. It doesn't require a smartphone app or Wi-Fi pairing, but it does have a remote control that lets you choose between different modes and adjust the suction level. It also allows you to manually take the robovac off on a scheduled cleaning.
In our tests, the 11S was extremely effective in cleaning dirt and pet hair from hard floors and in carpets with low pile. Its slim profile made it possible to pass under furniture that is low-hanging and other objects that heavier robots were unable to get at. It was also able to traverse door thresholds and change between floors and another.
The 11S, like other robots, can also eat some items, including cords and cat toys. The cleaning robots manufacturer says that you can stop this by keeping such objects off the floor and using the possibility of a cord organizer. It also suggests that you periodically clean the dustbin, change the filters and change or wash the brushes when required.
Roomba 990 from iRobot
The Roomba 980 is iRobot's most popular robot vacuum. It's expensive, but it's a top performer and arguably the most advanced robot vacuum available. Its self-navigation as well as environmental mapping are a joy to behold. It has more advanced automation than most of its competitors, including the capability to set up virtual boundary markers through its mobile app. It's a capable robot vacuum, even if the app is a bit sluggish and the 980's wheels spin out when it comes across cables.
We love the 980 due to its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors and visual simultaneity mapping and localisation (or vSLAM) to remember the floor plan of your home. It will use this information to create a consistent, efficient cleaning path for each cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a better robot vacuum than most high-end robots.
Other features of the 980 include dual multi-surface brushes that capture dirt from carpets and hard floors and an ejector brush that spins to sweep debris into the robotic vacuum’s bin. The floor tracking sensor assists in navigating around furniture, along edges and on steps. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It will also return to the base station for simple 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 at a time.