Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best way to keep your home tidy is with a robot vacuum. It can remove pet hair, dust and other surface debris before it becomes a larger problem.
Certain robots can connect to smart assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a hands-free environment. Find models that are rechargeable and continue cleaning where they left off.
1. iRobot s8
This smart robot vacuum and mop is a great choice for many homes. It can be used to vacuum and mop and is extremely navigable using both GPS and laser sensors, and comes with a variety of controls and features available via the app. It also has a handy feature that lets you create cleaning zones in areas that require additional attention, and Keep Out zones in areas you do not want it to go. It also receives software updates, similar to all Roomba products, which improve the quality of the product over time.
It's costly, but it's also one of the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It comes with a powerful battery that can vacuum a large home in under two hours. It can switch between vacuuming and mopping at the touch of one button. It automatically empties the trash bin that is above its charging station, in contrast to 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 a great option for most homes that include intelligent obstacle avoidance that uses both a camera and processor-powered intelligents to identify obstacles. It isn't often entangled or trapped during a cleaning cycle and is the best in avoiding power cables and other objects I've tested. However, it's not as reliable at detecting pet waste and other hazards.
2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
Although Anker-owned Eufy has earned an impact in 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 advanced features, and can compete with more expensive models.
The main selling point of Eufy's this device is its laser navigation. The X8 utilizes a laser mapping system that is more accurate than previous Eufy devices. It takes less time to build an accurate map of your home and can store multiple maps. This is great for homes with multiple floors.
The X8 is still a decent vacuum on floors with no dust and can sling debris over its side brushes and into the 400ml dust bin with relative ease. The Tyres of the X8, despite their circular shape, are very efficient at grabbing corners and edges. Our tests showed that it could only remove 90 percent of the fur from hard floors.
There's a basic mopping option that uses the same water tank as the vacuuming. This is great for spills that aren't too dangerous, but you are unable to regulate the amount of water that it uses. That said, it does an admirable job of removing pet hair, and has a higher pickup rate than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Awarded for its quiet and efficient home appliances, Miele's RX2 robot vacuum comes with outstanding cleaning power, beautiful design, and a great navigation. It has some oddities in its operation that keep it from being considered the best smart robot vacuum.
The RX2 comes with a dual-sensor mapping system that uses a LIDAR to map the space, and a pair 3D scanning cameras for detecting and staying clear of obstacles (such as furniture legs or pet waste). Once mapped the app allows you to create virtual no-go zones as well as favorite sections that the robot will clean automatically. You can also change the cleaning options, begin an automatic clean or see live feeds from the cameras onboard from the main screen.
The RX2 is equipped with excellent sensors that can detect furniture and other obstructions in a flash. Its sweeping and suction power are top of the line and cleans up surface debris from carpets of medium pile and dust on floors that are unfinished. It's not the most powerful robot available. As with many others it's not a very good climber and is prone to problems with things like thresholds made of metal transition strips.
Some people buy a robot vacuum for the hands-off convenience of setting a schedule on an app and then forgetting about it for weeks at a time. However, it's essential that a robot is able to do the job that's the reason our ZDNet staff examined and reviewed a few of the most popular models to help you select the right one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This budget robot looks like your typical robot but it's upgraded in terms of performance and features. Its smart mapping system generates 2D and 3D maps of your home, and uses them to navigate and avoid obstacles. It's also able to detect common obstructions such as power cords and furniture legs in real time. The combination of sensors with a bump detector, and an infrared sensor to keep the vacuum away from stairs makes it one of our most flexible vacuums.
It was able to climb over the thick shag carpets and was not stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s, or Roomba 690-). Its navigation skills were impressive. Its composite score for flooring and carpet beats the competition and it picked up 98.5% of dirt and embedded dog hair that we tested in our lab samples.
The controls are less basic than those of the competition's. There's a clean button at the top, and you can choose to start it using the app or by voice commands using Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also set up a schedule for weekly or daily cleans, create areas that are not allowed to be check here cleaned, and check its history of cleaning. Ion is covered in a stylish dark gray plastic that is both attractive and beautiful in your home. Its rear dustbin is accessible for emptying, and removing the filters is also a breeze.
5. Eufy 11S
Eufy 11S is a good option for those looking for a vacuum cleaner that is easy to use and doesn't have any frills at a reasonable price. It isn't equipped with some of the more advanced features, such as digital mapping and Alexa integration, which are found in higher-end models, but if you're not looking for those functions you can save some cost with this model.
The robot is easy to set up and use. It does not require a smartphone app or Wi-Fi connection, however it does have a remote control that lets you select different modes and adjust the suction level. You can also set up a manual schedule to assign the robotvac to an cleaning schedule.
In our tests, the 11S was very effective at removing pet hair and dirt from hard floors as well as in carpets with a low pile. Its slim profile made it easier to reach under furniture and other low objects that more bulkier robots were unable to reach. It was able to pass easily over thresholds of doors and move from one floor type to another.
Like other robots, the 11S can take in some objects such as cords, drawstrings on hoodies, and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you can keep these objects off the ground and using a cord organiser whenever possible. It also recommends that you periodically clean the dustbin, change the filters, and wash or change the brushes as needed.
6. IRobot Roomba 990
The Roomba 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 something to behold. It is more sophisticated in its automation than its rivals, for instance the ability to set up virtual boundary markers with its mobile application. Although its app is a little sluggish and the 980 can spin a bit when moving over cables, it's still a very capable robot vacuum.
We love the 980 due to its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors and its visual simultaneity mapping and localisation (or vSLAM), to memorise the floor plan of your home. It uses this information to create a consistent, efficient cleaning path for each cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a more efficient vacuum cleaner than the majority of high-end robots.
Other features of the 980 include dual multi-surface brushes that capture dirt from floors and carpets, as well as a spinning brush to sweep debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. The sensor for floor tracking assists it in maneuvering around furniture, along edges and up steps. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It also automatically returns to its base station for hassle-free charging between sessions. The bin capacity and the battery life of the 980 aren't as great as some other robot vacuums. However, it's a reliable and solid machine that will keep floors clean for many hours.