Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
A robot vacuum is a great device to keep a clean home. It can remove dust, pet hair and other debris from the surface before it becomes a bigger problem.
Some robots are able to sync with smart assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a environment that is hands-free. Look for models that can recharge and resume cleaning where they left off.
1. iRobot s8
This smart robot mop and vacuum is a great option for a wide range of households. It vacuums and mops well, has excellent navigation with both GPS and laser sensors and has a wide range of features and controls that are available via the app. It comes with a useful feature that lets you create cleaning zones in areas that require extra attention, and Keep Out zones in areas you don't wish it to go. As with all Roomba devices, it receives new software updates that make it even more efficient over time.
It's costly, but it's also among the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has tested. It comes with a powerful battery that can sweep all of your home in less than two hours. It also switches between vacuuming and mopping at the push of the button. And, unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the bin after each run, this one automatically empties into a larger waste container above its charging dock.
It comes with a variety of other features that make it a great choice for homes with a lot of space that include intelligent obstacle avoidance, which 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 at avoiding objects such as power cables. However, it's not as accurate in detecting pet waste or other hazards.
2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
Although Anker-owned Eufy has earned an impact in budget robot vacuums, it hasn't previously offered an all-in-one model that can also mop. That's changed with the X8 Hybrid, which has an impressive array of modern features that can compete with more expensive models.
The main selling point of Eufy's this device is its laser navigation. The previous Eufy devices have constructed an approximate map of your home utilizing infrared sensors and bumping into things, but the X8's laser mapping system is far more precise. It also takes a lot less time to build up a comprehensive picture of your living space and also stores multiple maps, which is great for multi-floor homes.
The X8 is a good vacuum cleaner for floors with no dust. It can easily sling debris under the side brushes and into the 400ml dustbin. Its tyres are also very adept at securing edges and corners, despite being circular. It's not the best cat litter scooper, however as our tests show it can only remove about 90 percent of the fur from hard floors.
There's a basic mopping option that uses the same water tank as the vacuuming one. While this is great for spills that are not too large however, you aren't able to limit the amount of water it consumes and this will reduce its effectiveness on more severe stains. It does, however, do an admirable job of picking up pet hair, with a higher speed of pickup than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Awarded for its quiet and efficient home appliances Miele's RX2 robot vacuum is a great choice because of its cleaning power, stunning design and excellent navigation. But it has some operational issues that prevent it from being ranked as the top overall smart robot vacuum.
The RX2 is equipped with a dual-sensor mapping system that makes use of LIDAR to map an area as well as a pair of 3D scanning cameras for detecting and avoiding obstacles (such as furniture legs or pet waste). Once the room has been mapped, you can assign virtual no-go zones and preferred sections to the robot. You can also start cleaning manually or change the cleaning mode, view live feeds from the cameras onboard and more on the main screen.
The sensors of the RX2 work well, registering furniture and other obstructions in real-time. Its sweeping and suction powers are exceptional, removing surface litter from medium pile carpeting and also removing embedded dust on floors. However, it's not exactly the most flexible robot available. 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 using an app, only to forget about them for weeks. However, it's essential that a robot can do the job, which is the reason why our ZDNet staff tested and reviewed several of the most well-known models to help you find the right one for here your home.
4. Shark ION
This budget robovac is a robot that is similar to other, but it has a few more features and a better performance. Its smart mapping system generates 2D and 3D maps of your home, and uses them to navigate around obstacles and avoid them. It can even detect common obstacles such as furniture legs and power cords in real-time. This combination of sensors along with a bump detector, and an infrared sensor to keep the vacuum off stairs makes it one of our most flexible vacuums.
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 as its score for composite tests on carpet and bare floors was better than the competition. It picked up 98.5 percent of surface pet hair and litter from our lab test samples.
The controls are more basic than the competitors. There's a cleaning button at the top, and you can start it with the app or voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also create a schedule for weekly or daily cleans, set no-go zones, and see its cleaning history. Ion is clad in a sophisticated dark gray plastic that feels and looks beautiful in your home. The dust bin on the rear is easily accessible for emptying, and taking out the filters is also easy.
5. Eufy 11S
Eufy 11S is a good option if you're looking for a vacuum cleaner that is easy to use and has no frills at a reasonable price. It isn't equipped with some of the advanced features, like digital mapping and Alexa integration, found in higher-end models, however, if you don't require these features, you can save some money by purchasing this model.
The robot is simple to use and set up. It does not require smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing. However it does come with the remote control that lets you choose between various modes and adjust the suction levels. You can also set up a manual schedule to set the robotvac to an cleaning schedule.
During our tests, we found that the 11S was extremely efficient at cleaning pet fur and dirt from carpets with low pile and hard floors. Its slim profile allowed it to get under low-hanging furniture and other objects that bulkier robots could not reach. It was able to get easily over thresholds of doorways and move between floors of different types to another.
Like other robots, the 11S is able to suck up some objects, such as cords drawstrings for hoodies, and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you can stop this by keeping such objects off the floor and by using the possibility of a cord organizer. It also recommends that you regularly clean the dustbin, replace the filters and clean or change the brushes as needed.
6. IRobot Roomba 990
The Roomba 980 is iRobot's flagship robot vacuum. It's expensive however it's a top performer and is arguably the most sophisticated robot vacuum available. Its self-navigation as well as environmental mapping is a marvel to behold. It also has more advanced automation features than most competitors, such as the ability to set virtual boundary markers through its mobile application. Although the app is a little sluggish and the 980 may spin a bit when moving over cables, it's still a very capable robot vacuum.
One thing we really like about the 980 is that it uses 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 will use this data to create a consistent and efficient cleaning path in every cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a more efficient vacuum than most high-end robots.
Other features of the 980 include dual multi-surface brushes that capture dirt from hard floors and carpets, as well as an ejector brush that spins to sweep debris into the robotic vacuum’s bin. The sensor for floor tracking assists in navigating around furniture, along edges and up steps. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It will also return to the base station for easy recharges between sessions. Although the 980's battery life and bin size aren't as good as those of other robot vacuums, it's a solid and reliable machine that can keep your floors spotless for hours on end.