Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
A robot vacuum is the ideal device to keep a clean home. It will nab pet hair, dust and other debris from the surface before it becomes a bigger problem.
Some robots sync with smart assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant for a hands-free experience. Look for models that can recharge and then resume cleaning the area they left.
1. iRobot s8
This smart robot mop and vacuum combo is a great choice for many households. It features a superb navigation system that includes GPS and laser sensors. It also has a lot of features and control options that can be accessed through the app. It also has a handy feature that allows you to create Cleaning zones for specific areas that require more attention, and also to keep Out zones where you do not want it to be. It also gets software updates, like the other Roomba products, which enhance it over time.
It's expensive but it's also one of the most advanced robot vacuums that ZDNet has tested. It's equipped with a powerful battery that can sweep an entire home in less than two hours. Additionally, it can switch between vacuuming and mopping with the press of one button. And unlike other self-emptying robotics that require you to empty the dust bin after each run, this one automatically emptys into the larger waste container that is above its charging dock.
It also comes with a variety of other options, like intelligent obstacle avoidance that uses a camera along with processor-powered smarts in order to identify obstacles. It is rarely derailed or stuck during a cleaning process. In my tests it was the most effective at avoiding objects like power cables. It is not as accurate in detecting pet waste or other dangers.
2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
Although Anker-owned Eufy has made its name in low-cost robot vacuums it's never offered an all-in-one model that could also mop. That changes with the X8 Hybrid, which has an impressive set of modern features and is able to compete with more expensive models.
The most significant selling point for Eufy with this device is its laser navigation. The X8 utilizes the laser mapping system, which is more accurate than the previous Eufy devices. It takes less time to build an extensive map of your home. It can also store multiple maps. This is perfect for homes with multiple floors.
The X8 is still a decent vacuum on bare floors, slinging debris under its side brushes and into the 400ml dust bin with ease. Its tyres are adept at hugging corners and edges, even though they're circular. Our tests revealed that it was able to remove 90 percent of the fur on hard floors.
There's a basic mopping mode that uses the same water tank as the vacuuming one. This is ideal for spills that are not too serious, but you cannot limit the amount of water that it uses. It does a good job of removing hair from pets. It has a higher percentage of hair removal than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is renowned for its quiet, effective appliances. It is a stunning design, superb navigation, and excellent cleaning power. 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 like the RX2 has dual-sensor mapping technology which uses an 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. Once the room has been defined, you can assign virtual no-go zones and favorite sections to the robot. You can also manually change cleaning modes, initiate cleaning website manually, or view live feeds of the onboard cameras from the main screen.
The RX2's sensors work well in registering furniture and other obstructions in real-time. Its sweeping and suction powers are outstanding, effectively taking away surface debris from carpets of medium pile as well as dust that has been deposited on floors. It's not the fastest robot on the market. Like many others it's not a very good climber and has trouble with things like thresholds made of steel transition strips.
Some people buy robot vacuums due to the ease of setting up a schedule on an app, only to forget about them for weeks. It's important for a robot to be capable of the task, so our ZDNet staff has tested and examined some of the most popular models to help you select the best one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This round, budget robot is just like your standard robot, however it's an upgrade in performance and features. Its smart mapping system creates 2D and 3D maps of your home and uses them to navigate and avoid obstacles. It can even identify common obstacles like furniture legs and power cords in real-time. This combination of sensors with a bump detector, and an infrared sensor that keeps the vacuum off steps makes it one our most agile vacuums.
In our tests, it effortlessly could climb over the thick shag rug and didn't get stuck on them (like the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690). Its navigation abilities were also impressive. Its composite score for carpet and bare flooring beat the competition, and it picked up 98.5 percent of the dirt and embedded dog hair that we tested in our lab samples.
The controls are more basic than the competitors. There is a cleaning button at the top and you can start it by using the app or via voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also set a schedule for daily or weekly cleans, set no-go zones, and view its cleaning history. Covered in stylish dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and looks attractive in your home. The rear dust bin is easy to empty and cleaning the filter is just as simple.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking for a simple low-cost robot vacuum for a reasonable price, the Eufy 11S is a great option. It's not equipped with some advanced features like Alexa integration and digital mapping found in higher-end models. However, if you don't need these features, you could save money.
This robot is easy to use and set up. It doesn't require smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing. However, it does come with a remote control which lets you select between different modes and adjust suction level. It also allows you to manually take the robovac off during scheduled cleaning.
In our tests, the 11S was extremely efficient in cleaning pet hair and dirt from hard floors and in carpets with low pile. Its slim profile helped it reach under furniture and other low items that some of the more bulkier robots couldn't reach. It could also easily get over thresholds for doors and change between floors and another.
The 11S, as with other robots will also suckup some objects, such as cords and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests you prevent this from happening by keeping these objects off the ground and by using a cord organizer if possible. It also suggests cleaning the dustbin regularly, replacing the filters and changing or washing the brushes as needed.
Roomba 990 from iRobot
The Roomba is iRobot’s flagship robot vacuum. It's costly, but it's the best robot vacuum that you can buy. Its self-navigating capabilities and environmental mapping are truly a marvel to behold. It also has more advanced automation features than many competitors, such as the ability to create virtual boundary markers through its mobile application. It's a dependable robot vacuum, even if the application is a bit slow and the 980 spins when it comes across cables.
We love the 980, because it makes use of its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors and its visual simultaneity mapping and localisation (or vSLAM) to remember your home's floor plan. It then uses this information to design an efficient and consistent cleaning path for each cycle. The result is cleaner floors, and a cleaner vacuum than most competing high-end robot vacuums.
Other features of the 980 include dual multi-surface brushes that grab dirt on hard floors and carpets and an ejector brush that spins to sweep debris into the robotic vacuum’s bin. The floor tracking sensor assists in navigating between furniture, along edges and up the stairs. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It can also return automatically to the base station for simple charging between sessions. Although the 980's battery life and bin size aren't as efficient as some other robot vacuums, it's a reliable and solid machine that can keep your floors spotless for hours on end.