Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best way to keep your home tidy is with a robot vacuum. It will remove dust, pet hair, and other particles from the floor before it becomes a larger 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 are rechargeable and continue cleaning the area they left.
1. iRobot s8
This smart robot mop and vacuum is a great option for households with a variety of. It is able to vacuum and mop well and is extremely navigable using both GPS and laser sensors, and comes with a variety of features and controls that are accessible via the app. It has a handy feature which allows you to create Cleaning zones in areas that require more attention, and Keep Out zones in areas that you don't want it to be. It also receives software updates, just like all Roomba products, which make it better over time.
It's expensive but it's also among the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has tested. It has a high-powered battery that can clean a large home in under two hours, and it can switch between mopping and vacuuming by pressing a button. And unlike other self-emptying robotics that require you to empty the trash bin after each run, it automatically emptys into an even larger waste container on top of its charging dock.
It comes with a variety of other features that make it a good option for most homes, including intelligent obstacle avoidance that utilizes both a camera and processor-powered smarts to detect obstacles. It is rarely derailed 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 accurate in detecting pet waste and other dangers.
2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
While Anker-owned Eufy has earned a name for itself in low-cost robot vacuums it's never offered an all-in-one model which can also mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that comes with a variety of features that are advanced and can compete with much more expensive models.
Laser navigation is the primary selling point of this machine. Previous Eufy devices have built up an outline of your home utilizing infrared sensors and bumping into objects however the X8's laser mapping technology is more precise. It also takes a lot less time to build up an accurate picture of your living space and also stores multiple maps, which is ideal for homes with multiple floors.
The X8 is still a good vacuum on bare floors that can carry debris under its side brushes and into the 400ml dust bin with relative ease. The X8's tyres, despite having a circular shape, are very efficient at grabbing corners and edges. It's not a great kitty litter scooper, however our tests have shown 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. While this is a good option for loose spills however, you aren't able to control how much water it consumes, which will limit its effectiveness for more serious stains. That said, it does an excellent job of removing pet hair, with a higher pickup rate than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is known for its quiet, effective appliances. It is a stunning design, a great navigation system and an impressive cleaning power. It has some oddities in its operation that keep it from being considered the best smart robot vacuum.
Like iRobot's latest models and models, the RX2 has a dual-sensor mapping system 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 mapped, the app lets you create virtual no-go zones as well as favorite sections that the robot will automatically clean. You can also manually change cleaning modes, start cleaning manually, or view live feeds of the onboard cameras from the main screen.
The RX2 has excellent sensors that detect furniture and other obstructions immediately. The suction and sweeping abilities are exceptional, getting rid of surface litter from carpets with medium pile as well as embedded dust on floors. It's not the fastest robot on the market. Like many other robots it's not a very good climber and has trouble with things like metal threshold transition strips.
Some people buy a robot vacuum for the hands-off convenience of setting a schedule in an app and forgetting about it for weeks at one time. But it's important that a robot can do the job and that's the reason our ZDNet staff examined and reviewed a few of the most well-known models to help you select the best one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This round, budget robot is just like a typical robot, but it's an upgrade in performance and features. Its intelligent mapping system creates 3D and 2D maps of your home, and uses them to navigate and avoid obstacles. It can even detect 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 the stairs makes it one of our most agile vacuums.
In our tests, it easily could climb over the thick shag rugs and didn't get 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. It was able to pick up 98.5 percent of the surface litter and embedded pet hair from our lab test samples.
The controls are simpler than competitors. There's a round cleaning button on the top, and you can launch it via the app or by voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule daily or weekly cleanings, set up no-go zones and check its cleaning history. Ion is covered in a sophisticated dark gray plastic that feels and looks attractive in your home. The dust bin on the rear is easily accessible for emptying, and taking out the filters is also a breeze.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking to buy a basic low-cost robot vacuum at a low price, the Eufy 11S could be a good choice. This model lacks some smart features like Alexa integration and digital mapping found in higher-end models. If you don't require these features, you can save money.
This robot is very easy to install and use. It does not require a smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing, however it does come with the ability to control the remote with a remote that lets you select various modes and adjust the suction level. It also lets you manually send the robovac off during scheduled cleaning.
In our tests, the 11S was extremely efficient in removing dirt and pet hair from hard floors as well as in carpets with low pile. Its slim profile allowed it to get under low-hanging furniture and other items that some larger robots are unable to reach. It was also able to easily traverse door thresholds and move from one floor type to another.
Like other robots, the 11S will be able to suck up objects such as cords, hoodie drawstrings, and cat toys. The manufacturer says that you can prevent this by keeping these objects off the floor and using an organizer for cords if you can. It also suggests cleaning the dustbin periodically by replacing the filters and washing or changing the brushes as required.
Roomba 990 by iRobot
The Roomba 980 is the flagship robot vacuum. It's pricey, but it's an excellent performer and is arguably the most sophisticated robot vacuum you can buy. Its self navigation and environmental mapping are truly 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. Although its app is a little sluggish, and the 980 does spin a bit when rolling over 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 store the floor plan of your home. It will use this data to create a consistent, efficient cleaning path through each cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a more efficient vacuum than most competing high-end robot vacuums.
Other features of the 980 include dual multi-surface brushes which grab dirt on floors and carpets, as well robotic cleaner and mop as the spinning brush that sweeps debris into the robotic vacuum’s bin. Its floor tracking sensor assists in navigating around furniture, along edges and on the stairs. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It also automatically returns to the base station to allow for recharges between sessions. While the 980's battery life and bin size aren't as good as those of some other robot vacuums, it's a sturdy and reliable machine that can keep your floors spotless for hours at a time.