Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
A robot vacuum is the best tool to maintain a clean home. It can 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 or Google Assistant to provide a environment that is hands-free. Find models that recharge and resume cleaning where they left off.
1. iRobot s8
This smart robot vacuum and mop is a great option for a wide range of homes. It has a great navigation system that incorporates GPS and laser sensors. It also has many features and control options that can be accessed through the app. It also has a handy feature that lets you add Cleaning zones for certain areas that require more attention and Keep Out zones that you don't want it to move. It also gets software updates, like all Roomba products, that make it better over time.
It's costly however, it's also one of the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has evaluated. It's got a huge battery that can sweep all of your home in less than two hours. It can also switch between mopping and vacuuming at the touch of the button. It automatically empties the dust bin above its charging station, in contrast to other self-emptying robots that require you to empty it after each run.
It has a wide range 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 smarts to see obstacles. It's not often damaged or trapped during a cleaning process and is also the most effective in avoiding power cables and other objects I've tested. However, it's not as accurate in detecting pet waste and other hazards.
2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
Eufy, owned by Anker, has become an established brand in the world of low-cost robot vacuums. However, it didn't provide a model that could also mop. That's changed with the X8 Hybrid, which has an impressive suite of advanced features and can compete well against more expensive models.
Eufy's main selling point with this device is its laser navigation. Previous Eufy devices have constructed an outline of your home by using infrared sensors and bumping into objects, but the X8's laser mapping technology is far more precise. It also takes significantly less time to construct an accurate picture of your space and stores multiple maps, which is great for homes with multiple floors.
The X8 is a decent vacuum cleaner on bare floors. It is able to easily throw debris under the side brushes and into its 400ml dust bin. Its tyres are also very adept at hugging edges and corners, even though they're circular. It's not a great kitty litter picker, though, with our tests showing it can only remove about 90% of the fur from hard floors.
There's a mopping mode that utilizes the same water tank as the vacuuming one. While this is great for spills that aren't too big but you cannot limit the amount of water it uses which can limit its effectiveness when dealing with more serious staining. However, it does an admirable job of removing pet hair, with a better speed of pickup than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is known for its quiet, powerful appliances. It is a stunning design, superb navigation and an impressive cleaning power. However, it does have a few operational oddities that keep it from ranking as the best overall smart robot vacuum.
Like iRobot's latest models like the RX2 features a dual-sensor mapping system that uses the LIDAR sensor to map an area and three 3D scanning cameras that can detect and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real time. Once mapped the app allows you to assign virtual no-go areas and areas that you want to clean. will clean automatically. You can also initiate a manual clean or manually change the cleaning mode, see a live feed 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. And its sweeping and suction power are top of the line, picking up surface litter from carpets with medium piles and dust on floors with no floor. It's not the fastest robot available. It's not the most efficient climber and has issues with transition strips made of steel.
Some people buy robot vacuums due to the ease of setting up a schedule using an app, only to forget about them for weeks. It's important for a robot to be able to do the job and that's why our ZDNet team has tested and examined some of the most popular models in order to help you pick the right one for your house.
4. Shark ION
This budget robot is just like your standard robot, however it's an upgrade in performance and features. Its smart mapping system creates 2D and 3D maps of your home, and uses them to navigate around obstacles and avoid them. It can even identify common obstacles like furniture legs and power cords in real-time. This combination of sensors along with a bump sensor and an infrared drop sensor that keeps it off steps is what makes it one of the fastest vacs we've tested.
It was able to climb over carpets with thick shags and did not get stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s, or Roomba 690-). Its navigational skills were impressive as well and its overall score on carpet and bare floors topped the competition. It picked up 98.5 percent of the surface pet hair and litter from our laboratory test samples.
The controls are more basic than the competitors. There's a round cleaning button on the top. You can access it via the app or via voice command with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule weekly or daily cleanings, designate no-go zones and view its history of cleaning. Clad in smart dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and looks attractive in your home. The rear dust bin is easy to access for emptying and removing the filter the same.
5. Eufy 11S
Eufy 11S is an excellent option for those looking for an automated vacuum cleaner that is simple and doesn't have any frills at a low cost. The model isn't equipped with smart features such as Alexa integration and digital mapping found in more expensive models. However, if you don't require these features, you could save money.
This robot is simple to use and set up. It doesn't require a smartphone app or Wi-Fi pairing, however it does come with a remote control that allows you to select between different modes and alter the suction level. It also lets you manually send the robovac off during scheduled cleaning.
During our tests, we discovered that the 11S was extremely efficient in getting dirt and pet fur from carpets with low pile and hard floors. Its slim profile allowed it to reach under furniture and other items that more bulkier robots were unable to reach. It was able to pass effortlessly over door thresholds and transition from one floor type to another.
Like other robots, the 11S is able to suck up some objects like cords, drawstrings on hoodies and cat toys. The manufacturer states that you can avoid this by keeping these objects off the floor and by using an organizer for cords if you can. It also suggests that you periodically clean the dustbin, change the filters, and clean or change the brushes when required.
6. iRobot Roomba 980
The Roomba is the flagship model of iRobot's robot vacuum. It's expensive but it's the most powerful robot vacuum you can buy. 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 create virtual boundary markers through its mobile application. It's a powerful robot vacuum, even though its application is a bit slow and the 980's wheels spin out when it comes across cables.
We love the 980, because it makes use of its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors and its visual simultaneity localisation and mapping (or vSLAM) to store the floor plan of your home. It will use this data to create a consistent and efficient cleaning path through each cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a more efficient robot vacuum cleaner than the majority of high-end robots.
Other features of the 980 include dual multi-surface rubber brushes, that pick up dirt from hard floors and carpet and an ejector brush that moves debris into the bin of the robotic vacuum. Its floor tracking sensors aid it navigate between furniture and around edges, while Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling down stairs. It can also return automatically to the base station to allow for recharging in between sessions. Although the 980's battery lifespan and bin size aren't quite as good as those of some other more info robot vacuums, it's a solid and reliable machine that will keep your floors clean for hours and hours.