Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
A robot vacuum is the ideal tool to maintain a clean home. It will pick up 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. Find models that can be recharged and continue cleaning where they left off.
1. iRobot s8
This smart robot vacuum and mop combination is an excellent choice for many homes. It vacuums and mops well, has excellent navigation with both GPS and laser sensors, and has a wide range of features and controls available via the app. It also has a handy feature which allows you to create cleaning zones in areas that require additional attention, and also to create Keep Out zones in areas you don't wish it to go. And, like all Roomba devices, it is updated with new software updates that make it better over time.
It's expensive however, it's also among the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has tested. It comes with a powerful battery that can sweep a large area in less than two hours, and it can switch between mopping and vacuuming at the touch of one button. And unlike other self-emptying robotics that require you to empty the bin after each run, it automatically emptys itself into an even larger waste container on top of its charging dock.
It comes with a variety of other features that make it an excellent choice for homes with a lot of space, including intelligent obstacle avoidance, which uses the camera as well as processor-powered smarts to see obstacles. It's rarely tripped up or stuck during a cleaning process. In my tests it was the most effective at avoiding objects like power cables. However, it isn't as accurate in detecting pet waste or other dangers.
2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
Eufy, owned by Anker is now an iconic name in the world of budget robot vacuums. However, it didn't provide the option of a model that could mop. This is changing with the X8 Hybrid, which has an impressive suite of advanced features that can compete with more expensive models.
The main selling point of Eufy's the X8 is its laser navigation. Previous Eufy devices have built up a rough map of your home using infrared sensors and bumping into things however the X8's laser mapping technology is far more precise. It takes less time to create an accurate map of your home and can store multiple maps. This is perfect for homes with multiple floors.
The X8 is still a good vacuum on bare floors, slinging debris under its side brushes and into its 400ml dust bin with ease. The tyres are adept at securing edges and corners even though they are circular. Our tests showed that it could only remove 90 percent of the fur on hard floors.
The basic mopping mode uses the same water reservoir as the vacuuming mode. While this is good for spills that are not too large, you can't regulate the amount of water it consumes which can limit its effectiveness for more serious stains. However, it does an admirable job of removing pet hair, with 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, excellent navigation and a powerful cleaning power. 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 and models, the RX2 comes with dual-sensor mapping technology that utilizes the LIDAR sensor to map the space and three 3D scanning cameras that can detect and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) more info in real-time. Once the room is mapped, you can assign virtual no-go zones and favorite sections to the robot. You can also begin cleaning manually or change the cleaning mode, watch live feeds from the onboard cameras, and more from the main screen.
The RX2 has superior sensors that detect furniture and other obstructions instantly. The suction and sweeping capabilities are excellent, removing surface litter from carpets of medium pile as well as embedded dust on floors. It's not the fastest robot available. It's not the most efficient climber and has issues with transition strips made of metal.
Many people purchase robot vacuums for the convenience of setting up a schedule in an app, only to forget about them for weeks. It's important that a robot is able to do the job and that's why our ZDNet staff has tested and examined some of the most popular models in order to help you select the right one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This budget robovac that looks like any other, but it has a few more features and better performance. Its smart mapping system creates 3D and 2-D maps of your home and makes use of them to navigate and avoid obstacles. It's also able to detect common obstacles like furniture legs and power cords in real-time. This combination of sensors along with a bump detector, and an infrared sensor that keeps the vacuum from stepping on steps makes it one our most flexible vacuums.
In our tests, it was able to climbed over thick shag rugs and didn't get stuck on them (like the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690). Its navigation skills were impressive. Its composite score for flooring and carpet beats the competition and it was able to pick up 98.5 percent of surface litter and embedded dog hair from our lab test samples.
Its controls are a bit more basic than the competition; there's a round cleaning button on the top. You can access it via the app or by voice command with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also create a schedule for weekly or daily cleans, create areas that are not allowed to be cleaned, and check the history of its cleaning. In a smart dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and looks attractive in your home. Its rear dustbin is accessible for emptying, and removing the filters is also easy.
5. Eufy 11S
Eufy 11S is an excellent option for those looking for an automated vacuum cleaner that is simple and has no frills at a cost that is low. It doesn't have many of the more advanced features, like digital mapping and Alexa integration, which are available in more expensive models, but if you're not looking for these functions, you can save some money with this model.
This robot is very easy to set up and use. It doesn't require smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing. However it does include an remote control that lets you choose between various modes and adjust the suction level. It also allows you to manually take the robovac off on a scheduled cleaning.
In our tests, we found that the 11S was extremely effective at removing pet fur and dirt from carpets with low pile and hard floors. Its slim profile made it easier to get under furniture and other low items that some of the larger robots could not reach. It was able to go effortlessly over door thresholds and transition from one type of floor to another.
Like other robots, the 11S is able to be able to suck up objects like cords, drawstrings on hoodies, and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you prevent this from happening by keeping these items off the ground and by using a cord organizer when you can. It also recommends that you regularly clean the dustbin, change the filters and clean or change the brushes when necessary.
iRobot Roomba 990
The Roomba is iRobot’s flagship robot vacuum. It's expensive, but it's an excellent performer and, in some ways, the most advanced robot vacuum you can buy. Its self-navigation as well as environmental mapping is something to behold. It also has more advanced automation features than its competitors, such as the ability to set virtual boundary lines with its mobile app. While its application is a bit slow, and the 980 does spin out a bit while crossing cables, it's a very capable robot vacuum.
We really like the 980, because it makes use of its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors and its visual simultaneity localisation and mapping (or vSLAM), to memorise your home's floor plan. It will use this data to create a consistent, efficient cleaning path in every cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a more efficient vacuum than most high-end robots.
The 980's other features include two multi-surface rubber brushes that pick up dirt from carpets and hard floors, along with an ejector brush that moves debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. Its floor tracking sensors aid it navigate across furniture and along edges, while Cliff Detect keeps the Roomba from falling down the stairs. It will automatically return to its base station for hassle-free recharging between sessions. While the 980's battery life and bin size isn't as good as those of other robot vacuums it's a solid and reliable machine that can keep your floors clean for hours and hours.