Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
A robot vacuum is the ideal tool to maintain a clean home. It can remove dust, pet hair, and other surface debris before it becomes a bigger problem.
Some robots are able to sync with smart assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant for a hands-free experience. Find models that can be recharged and continue cleaning the area they left.
1. iRobot S8
This smart robot mop and vacuum combo is a fantastic option for a wide range of households. It features a superb navigation system with GPS and laser sensors. It also comes with many features and controls accessible 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. It also receives software updates, just like the other Roomba products, that improve the quality of the product over time.
It's expensive but also one of the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It has a high-powered battery that can vacuum an entire home in less than two hours, and 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, it automatically emptys into an even larger waste container on top of its charging dock.
It also has a number of other features, including intelligent obstacle avoidance that uses a camera along with processor-powered smarts to detect obstacles. It's rarely tripped up or stuck during a cleaning cycle. In my tests, it was the best in avoiding objects such as power cables. It's not as precise at detecting pet waste or other dangers.
2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
While the Anker-owned Eufy has earned a name for itself in budget robot vacuums, it's never offered an all-in-one model that could also mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that offers a range of modern features and can compete with much more expensive models.
The main selling point of Eufy's this machine is its laser navigation. The X8 makes use of laser mapping technology that is more precise than the previous Eufy devices. It also takes a lot less time to construct a comprehensive picture of your home and can store multiple maps, which is ideal for homes with multiple floors.
The X8 is a great vacuum cleaner on bare floors. It can easily sling debris under the side brushes and into its 400ml dustbin. The tyres are adept at hugging edges and corners even though they're circular. It's not a fantastic cat litter picker, though, with our tests showing it is able to remove around 90% of the fur from hard floors.
The basic mopping mode uses the same water reservoir as the vacuuming mode. While this is good for loose spills however, you aren't able to regulate the amount of water it uses which can limit its effectiveness for more severe stains. However, it does an admirable job of removing pet hair, and has a higher pickup rate than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
The company is known for its quiet home appliances, Miele's RX2 robot vacuum is a great choice because of its cleaning power, stunning design, and a great navigation. However, it has some operational hiccups that prevent it from being ranked as the best overall smart robot vacuum.
Like the latest models from iRobot and models, the RX2 features dual-sensor mapping technology that utilizes an LIDAR sensor to map out the space and a pair of 3D scanning cameras that can detect and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real time. Once the room is identified it is possible to assign virtual no go areas and preferred sections to the robot. You can also alter the cleaning options, begin an automatic clean or watch a live feed of the cameras onboard from the main screen.
The RX2 is equipped with excellent sensors that detect furniture and other obstructions instantly. The suction and sweeping power are top of the line, picking up surface litter from medium-pile carpeting and embedded dust on floors with no floor. It's not the fastest robot on the market. It's not the best climber and has issues with transition strips made of metal.
Many people purchase robot vacuums for the convenience of setting up a schedule using an app, only to forget about them for weeks. It is essential for a robot capable of doing the job, so our ZDNet team has tested and reviewed some of the most popular models in order to help you choose the right one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This budget robovac that looks just like the other, but comes with a few more features and a better performance. Its smart mapping system creates 3D and 2D maps of your home and uses those to navigate and avoid obstacles. It's even able to spot common obstacles such as power cords and furniture legs in real-time. This combination of sensors along with a bump sensor, and an infrared drop sensor which keeps it from falling down steps is what makes it one of the fastest vacuums we've tested.
It was able to climb over the thick shag carpets and was not stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690-). Its navigational skills were also impressive as its score for composite tests on carpet and bare floors beat out the competition. It was able to pick up 98.5 percent of the surface pet hair and litter from our laboratory test samples.
Its controls are a bit simpler than the competition; there's a round cleaning button on the top and you can start it from the app or via voice commands using Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule weekly or daily cleanings, designate no-go zones and view the history of cleaning. Clad in smart dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and looks attractive in your home. The dust bin on the rear is easily accessible to empty, and the removal of the filters is also easy.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking for a simple, no-frills robot vacuum for a reasonable price, the Eufy 11S could be a good choice. It lacks some of the more advanced features, such as digital mapping and Alexa integration, which are available in higher-end models, however, if you don't require these functions, you can save money by purchasing this model.
The robot is simple to set up and use. It does not require a smartphone app or Wi-Fi pairing, but it does have a remote control that lets you choose between various modes and adjust the suction level. It also lets you manually take the robovac off during scheduled cleaning.
During our tests, we discovered that the 11S was extremely efficient at removing dirt and pet fur from carpets and floors with low pile. Its slim profile made it possible to get under low-hanging furniture and other items that some heavier robots were unable to get at. It was able to get easily over thresholds of doorways and move from one type of floor to another.
Like other robots, the 11S will be able to suck up objects such as cords, drawstrings on hoodies, and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you can stop this by keeping such objects off the floor and by using an organizer for cords if you can. It also suggests cleaning the dustbin regularly, replacing the filters and washing or changing the brushes as needed.
Roomba 990 by iRobot
The Roomba 980 is iRobot's flagship robot vacuum. It's pricey, but it's also the most powerful robot vacuum you can purchase. Its self-navigation feature and environmental mapping is a marvel to behold. It also has more advanced automation features than many competitors, such as the ability to set virtual boundary lines through its mobile application. It's a capable robot vacuum, even if the app is a bit sluggish and the 980 spins out when it is pushed over cables.
One thing we really like about the 980 is that it uses its iAdapt 2.0 navigation sensors and visual simultaneous mapping and localisation technology (or vSLAM) to store the floor plan of your home. It will then use the information more info to create 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 which grab dirt from floors and carpets, as well as a spinning brush to sweep debris into the robotic vacuum’s bin. The floor tracking sensor assists in navigating through furniture, along edges and on steps. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. And it automatically returns to its base station for hassle-free recharging between sessions. Although the 980's battery lifespan 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 clean for hours and hours.