Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best way to keep your home tidy is to use a robot vacuum. It will remove dust, pet hair and other particles from the floor before it becomes a bigger problem.
Some robots are able to sync with smart assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant for a hands-free experience. Look for models that are rechargeable and continue cleaning where they left off.
1. iRobot s8
This smart robot mop and vacuum combo is an excellent choice for many households. It vacuums and mops well, has excellent navigation with both GPS and laser sensors and has a wide range of features and controls accessible via the app. It also has a handy 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. And, like all Roomba devices, it gets new software updates that make it better over time.
It's expensive, 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 area in less than two hours. Additionally, it can switch between mopping and vacuuming by pressing a button. And, unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the trash bin after each run, this one automatically emptys itself into a larger waste container above its charging dock.
It also has a number of other features, such as intelligent obstacle avoidance which uses a camera along with processor-powered smarts in order to identify obstacles. It's rarely tripped up or stuck during a cleaning cycle. In my tests it was the most effective at avoiding objects such as power cables. However, it isn't as effective in detecting pet waste or other dangers.
2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
Eufy is owned by Anker, has become an iconic name in the world of low-cost robot vacuums. However, it did not offer the option of a model that could mop. That changes with the X8 Hybrid, which has an impressive set of modern features and can compete well against much more expensive models.
The main selling point of Eufy's this device is its laser navigation. The previous Eufy devices have created an outline of your home using infrared sensors and bumping into objects but the X8's laser mapping system is much more accurate. It also takes significantly less time to construct a comprehensive picture of your home and can store multiple maps, which is great for homes with multiple floors.
The X8 is still a good vacuum for floors that are not clean that can carry debris under its side brushes and into the 400ml dust bin with relative ease. Its tyres are adept at securing corners and edges despite being circular. Our tests revealed that it was able to remove 90 percent of the fur from hard floors.
There's a mopping mode which uses the same water tank as the vacuuming. This is great for spills that aren't too serious, but you cannot control the amount of water it consumes. It's effective at picking up hair from pets. It has a higher percentage of hair removal than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Known for quietly effective home appliances Miele's RX2 robot vacuum comes with outstanding cleaning power, beautiful design and great navigation. However, it does have a few operational oddities that prevent it from being ranked as the top overall smart robot vacuum.
Like the latest models from iRobot like the RX2 comes with dual-sensor mapping that uses an LIDAR sensor to map out an area and two 3D scanning cameras that can detect and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real time. Once the room has been defined it is possible to designate virtual no-go areas and favorite sections to the robot. You can also manually change cleaning modes, start cleaning manually or see a live feed of the onboard cameras from the main screen.
The RX2's sensors work well by registering furniture and obstructions in real-time. Its sweeping and suction powers are outstanding, effectively taking away surface debris from carpets of medium pile and also removing dust that has been deposited on floors. It's not the most powerful robot available. Like many other robots it's not a very good climber and has issues with things like metal threshold transition strips.
Some people buy robot vacuums because of the ease of setting up a schedule in an app, only to forget about them for weeks. It's crucial that a robot is capable of the task, so our ZDNet staff has tested and looked over some of the most popular models to help you choose the right one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This budget robot is just like a 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 those to navigate and avoid obstacles. It is able to detect common obstacles such as 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 the stairs makes it one of our most flexible vacuums.
It was able to climb over carpets with thick shags and did not get stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s, or Roomba 690-). Its navigation capabilities were impressive. Its composite score for flooring and carpet was higher than the competition, and it picked up 98.5 percent of the dirt and embedded dog hair from our lab test samples.
The controls are more basic than the competitors. There is a cleaning button at the top, and you can start it with the app or voice commands using Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule weekly or daily cleanings, create no-go zones and check the history of cleaning. Ion is clad in a smart dark gray plastic that is both attractive and beautiful in your home. The rear dust bin is accessible for emptying and removing the filter equally easy.
5. Eufy 11S
Eufy 11S is an excellent choice if you want an automated vacuum cleaner that is simple and has no frills at a low cost. It top rated robot vacuum lacks some of the smart features, such as digital mapping and Alexa integration, which are found in higher-end models but if you're not looking for these features, you can save cost with this model.
This robot is simple to setup and use. It doesn't require smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing. However it does include an remote control that lets you select between different modes and alter the suction levels. It also allows you to manually send the robovac off on a scheduled cleaning.
During our tests, we found that the 11S was extremely efficient at getting dirt and fur from hard floors and low-pile carpets. Its slim profile helped it reach under furniture and other objects that more bulkier robots couldn't reach. It was also able to easily get over thresholds for doors and transition from one floor type to another.
Like other robots, the 11S can suck up some objects, such as cords drawstrings on hoodies and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you can prevent this from happening by keeping these items off the ground and using a cord organiser when you can. It also recommends cleaning the dustbin on a regular basis by replacing the filters and changing or washing the brushes as needed.
Roomba 990 from iRobot
The Roomba 980 is iRobot's flagship robot vacuum. It's costly, but it's a top performer and arguably the most advanced robot vacuum available. Its self-navigation feature and environmental mapping is something to behold. It also has more advanced automation features than its competitors, including the ability to create virtual boundary markers through its mobile application. It's a powerful robot vacuum, even if its app is a bit sluggish and the 980's wheels spin out when it comes across cables.
One thing we really like about the 980 is the fact that it utilizes 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 then use that information to create a consistent and efficient cleaning path for every cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a cleaner vacuum than most competing high-end robot vacuums.
Other features include dual multi-surface rubber brushes which grab dirt from carpet and hard floors, along with the spinning brush that sweeps debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. Its floor tracking sensor helps it navigate through furniture as well as along edges and the stairs. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It also automatically returns to its base station to ensure hassle-free recharges between sessions. Although the 980's battery life and bin size aren't quite as efficient as other robot vacuums it's a sturdy and reliable machine that can keep your floors clean for hours on end.