Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best way to keep your home tidy is with a robot vacuum. It can remove dust, pet hair and other surface debris before it becomes a bigger problem.
Certain robots can connect to smart assistants such as Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a hands-free environment. Find models that can be recharged and continue cleaning the area they left.
1. iRobot S8
This smart robot vacuum and mop is a fantastic option for a wide range of homes. It can be used to vacuum and mop and has a great navigation system that includes both GPS and laser sensors, and offers a broad range of controls and features accessible via the app. It also comes with a helpful feature that allows you to create Cleaning zones for specific areas that require more attention, and also to keep Out zones where you don't want it to move. As with all Roomba devices, it gets new software updates that make it better over time.
It's expensive, but it's is also one of the most sophisticated robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It's equipped with a powerful battery that can vacuum an entire home in less than two hours. Additionally, 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 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, including intelligent obstacle avoidance, which utilizes cameras in conjunction with processor-powered smarts in order to recognize obstacles. It is rarely derailed or stuck during a cleaning process. In my tests, it was the best at avoiding objects like power cables. It's not as reliable in detecting pet waste or other hazards.
2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
Eufy is owned by Anker It has become an iconic name in the world of budget robot vacuums. But it didn't offer the option of a model that could mop. That changes with the X8 Hybrid, which has an impressive suite of advanced features and is able to compete against much more expensive models.
The laser navigation system is the most important feature of this machine. Previous Eufy devices have constructed an approximate map of your home by using infrared sensors and bumping into things however the X8's laser mapping system is more precise. It takes less time to build an accurate map of your home. It can also store multiple maps. This is perfect for multi-floored homes.
The X8 is still a decent vacuum for floors that are not clean, slinging debris under its side brushes and into the 400ml dust bin with relative ease. The X8's tyres, despite their circular shape, are very adept in grabbing corners and edges. It's not a great kitty litter picker, though, with our tests showing it only removes about 90 percent of the fur from hard floors.
There's a mopping mode which uses the same water tank as the vacuuming one. This is ideal for spills that are not too dangerous, but you are unable to regulate the amount of water that it uses. It is effective in removing pet hair. It has a higher pick-up rate than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is known for its quiet, effective appliances. It has a beautiful design, a great navigation system and a powerful cleaning power. However, it does have a few operational oddities that prevent it from being ranked as the best overall smart robot vacuum.
The RX2 is equipped with a dual-sensor mapping technique that uses a LIDAR to map the space, and a pair 3D scanning cameras to detect and eliminating obstacles (such as furniture legs or pet waste). Once the room has been defined, you can assign virtual no-go zones and sections that you would like to be the robot. You can also manually change cleaning options, begin cleaning manually, or view a live feed of the cameras onboard from the main screen.
The RX2 is equipped with excellent sensors that can identify furniture and other obstructions instantly. And its sweeping and suction power are top-of-the-line and cleans up surface debris from carpets of medium pile and dust on floors that are unfinished. 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 robot vacuums due to the ease of setting up a schedule using an app, and then forgetting about them for weeks. It is essential for a robot capable of the task and that's why our ZDNet team has tested and examined some of the most popular models in order to help you select the best one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This budget robovac that is similar to other, but comes with several more features and better performance. Its intelligent mapping system creates 3D and 2D maps of your home and uses those to avoid obstacles and navigate. It can even identify common obstacles like furniture legs and power cords in real-time. The combination of sensors 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 easily could climb over the thick shag rug and didn't end up stuck on them (like the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690). Its navigation abilities were also impressive; its composite score in carpet and bare floors topped the competition, and it picked up 98.5 percent of surface litter and embedded pet hair from our laboratory test samples.
The controls are simpler than the competitors. There's a round cleaning button on the top and you can start it from the app or by voice commands using Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also set a schedule for weekly or daily cleans, set no-go zones, and see its history of cleaning. Clad in smart dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and looks stylish in your home. The dust bin on the rear is easy to access for emptying and cleaning the filter is the same.
5. Eufy 11S
Eufy 11S is an excellent option for those looking for a vacuum cleaner that is easy to use here and doesn't have any frills at a low cost. It lacks some of the advanced features, such as digital mapping and Alexa integration, which are available in higher-end models but if you're not looking for those functions you can save some cost with this model.
The robot is easy to install and use. It does not require a smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing. However, it does come with an remote control that lets you choose between different modes and adjust suction level. You can also send the robotvac on a cleaning schedule.
In our tests during our tests, the 11S was very effective at getting rid of pet hair and dirt from hard floors as well as in carpets with a low pile. Its slim profile allowed it to pass under furniture that is low-hanging and other items that bulkier robots could not reach. It was also able to easily pass over doorway thresholds and change from one floor type to another.
Like other robots, the 11S can be able to suck up objects such as cords, hoodie drawstrings, and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you keep these objects off the ground and using a cord organiser when you can. It also suggests cleaning the dustbin periodically, replacing the filters and changing or washing the brushes as required.
Roomba 990 by iRobot
The Roomba 980 is iRobot's flagship robot vacuum. It's expensive but it's the best robot vacuum you can purchase. Its self-navigation 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 using its mobile app. It's a dependable robot vacuum, even if the app isn't the most responsive and the 980 spins out when rolling over cables.
One thing we love about the 980 is that it makes use of its iAdapt 2.0 navigation sensors and visual simultaneous mapping and localisation technology (or vSLAM) to remember the floor plan of your home. It then uses the information to create a consistent and efficient 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 the spinning brush that sweeps debris into the robotic vacuum’s bin. The sensors for floor tracking help it navigate between furniture and around edges, and Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling down the stairs. It can also return automatically to the base station to allow for recharges between sessions. Although the 980's battery lifespan and bin size aren't as impressive as other robot vacuums it's a reliable and solid machine that can keep your floors clean for hours at a time.