Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best way to keep your home clean is to use a robotic vacuum. It can remove dust, pet hair and other debris on surfaces.
Some robots connect to smart assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant for a hands-free experience. Look for models that can recharge and then resume cleaning where they left off.
1. iRobot S8
This smart robot mop and vacuum combo is a fantastic option for a wide range of households. It has a great navigation system with GPS and laser sensors. It also has many features and control options that can be accessed through the app. It has a handy feature that lets you create Cleaning zones in areas that require more attention, and Keep Out zones in areas where you don't wish it to go. Like all Roomba devices, it gets new software updates that make it even better over time.
It's expensive but is also one of the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It has a high-powered battery that can vacuum a large area in less than two hours. It can switch between vacuuming and mopping with the press of a button. It automatically empties the bin of dust above its charging station, in contrast to other self emptying robots which require you to empty it after each run.
It's got a range of other features that make it a great choice for homes of all sizes, including intelligent obstacle avoidance that utilizes both a camera and processor-powered intelligents to identify obstacles. It isn't often entangled or trapped during a cleaning cycle and is also the most effective at avoiding power cables and other objects I've tested. However, it isn't as effective in detecting pet waste and other dangers.
2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
Eufy, owned by Anker, has become a household name in the world of low-cost robot vacuums. However, it did not provide the option of a model that could mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that comes with a variety of features that are advanced and can compete with more expensive models.
Laser navigation is the main selling point of this machine. The X8 uses laser mapping technology that is more precise than the previous Eufy devices. It also takes a lot less time to construct an accurate map of your living space and also stores multiple maps, which is great for multi-floor homes.
The X8 is still a good vacuum on floors with no dust that can carry debris under its side brushes and into the 400ml dust bin with ease. The tyres are adept at securing corners and edges, even though they are circular. It's not a fantastic cat litter eater, however our tests have shown it can only remove about 90 percent of the fur from hard floors.
The basic mopping mode uses the same reservoir of water as the vacuuming mode. While this is great for loose spills however, you aren't able to control how much water it is using which can limit its effectiveness for more serious staining. It does a good job at picking up pet hair. It has a higher pick-up 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, gorgeous design and excellent navigation. However, it does have some operational hiccups which prevent it from being considered as the best overall smart robot vacuum.
The RX2 comes with a dual-sensor mapping system that uses a LIDAR to map an area as well as a pair of 3D scanning cameras to detect and avoiding obstacles (such as furniture legs or pet waste). Once the room is defined it is possible to assign virtual no go areas and favorite sections to the robot. You can also start an automatic clean or manually change the cleaning mode, watch a live feed from the onboard cameras, and more on the main screen.
The RX2's sensors work well by registering furniture and obstructions in real-time. The suction and sweeping power are top-notch and cleans up surface debris from medium-pile carpeting and embedded dust in bare floors. However, it's not exactly the most agile robot on the market. It's not the most efficient climber, and it has problems with transition strips made of steel.
Some people buy a robot vacuum to enjoy the convenience of setting up a schedule using an app and forgetting about it for weeks at an time. It's crucial for a robot to be capable of doing the job so our ZDNet staff has compared and looked over some of the most popular models in order to help you choose the right one for your house.
4. Shark ION
This budget robovac is a robot that is similar to other, but has a few more features and better performance. Its intelligent mapping system creates 3D and 2D maps of your home and makes use of them to navigate around and stay clear of obstructions. It is able to detect common obstacles such as furniture legs and power cords in real-time. This combination of sensors along with a bump sensor and an infrared drop sensor that keeps it off stairs make it one of the most flexible vacuums we've tested.
It was able to climb over thick shag carpets and did not get stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690-). Its navigation skills were impressive as well and its overall score on carpet and bare floors topped the competition. It was able to pick up 98.5 percent of surface pet hair and litter from our lab best affordable robot vacuum test samples.
The controls are more basic than the competition's. There is a cleaning button at the top and you can choose to start it using the app or via voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also set a schedule for daily or weekly cleans, create no-go zones, and see the history of its cleaning. In a smart dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and looks attractive in your home. Its rear dustbin is easily accessible to empty, and the removal of the filters is also simple.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking to buy a basic, no-frills robot vacuum at a reasonable cost, the Eufy 11S could be a good choice. The model isn't equipped with smart features like Alexa integration and digital mapping that are found in higher-end models. However, if you don't require these functions, you can save money.
The robot is easy to install and use. It does not require a smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing, however it does have a remote control that allows you to select between various modes and adjust the suction level. It also allows you to manually take the robovac off for scheduled cleaning.
In our tests, we found that the 11S was extremely effective at getting pet fur and dirt from hard floors and low-pile carpets. Its slim profile helped it get under furniture and other low items that larger robots could not reach. It was also able to easily traverse door thresholds and change between floors and another.
Like other robots, the 11S will take in some objects such as cords, drawstrings on hoodies and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you can avoid this by keeping these objects off the floor and by using a cord organizer if possible. It also suggests cleaning the dustbin regularly, replacing the filters and washing or changing the brushes as required.
iRobot Roomba 990
The Roomba 980 is the flagship robot vacuum. It's costly however it's top-performing and is arguably the most sophisticated robot vacuum available. Its self-navigation feature and environmental mapping is a marvel to behold. It is more sophisticated in its automation than most of its rivals, for instance the ability to set up virtual boundary markers using its mobile application. It's a capable robot vacuum, even if the app isn't the most responsive and the 980 spins out when it is pushed over cables.
We love the 980 due to its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors as well as visual simultaneity localisation and mapping (or vSLAM) to store the floor plan of your home. It will then use the information to create a consistent and efficient cleaning path for every cycle. The result is cleaner floors, and a cleaner vacuum than other high-end robot vacuums.
Other features of the 980 include dual multi-surface brushes that capture dirt on carpets and hard floors and an ejector brush that spins to sweep debris into the robotic vacuum’s bin. Its floor tracking sensor assists it in maneuvering between furniture, along edges and on the stairs. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It will automatically return to its base station to ensure hassle-free charging between sessions. The bin capacity and battery life of the 980 aren't as impressive as other robot vacuums. However, it's a solid and reliable machine that will keep floors clean for a long time. hours.