Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
A robot vacuum is the best device to keep an orderly home. It will remove dust, pet hair, and other surface debris before it causes a bigger problem.
Some robots connect to smart assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant for a hands-free experience. Find models that recharge and resume cleaning where they left off.
1. iRobot s8
This smart robot vacuum and mop combination is an excellent option for a wide range of homes. It vacuums and mops well and has a great navigation system that includes both GPS and laser sensors and has a wide range of controls and features accessible via the app. It has a handy feature that lets you create Cleaning zones in areas that require extra attention, as well as Keep Out zones in areas that you don't wish it to go. It also gets software updates, like all Roomba products, which 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 got a huge battery that can sweep an entire home in less than two hours. It can also switch between mopping and vacuuming with the touch of the button. It will automatically empty the trash bin that is above its charging station, unlike other self emptying robots which require you to empty the bin after each run.
It also comes with a variety of other features, such as intelligent obstacle avoidance, which utilizes cameras in conjunction with processor-powered smarts to detect obstacles. It's not often tripped or stuck during a cleaning cycle. In my tests it was the best at avoiding objects such as power cables. However, it's not as effective in detecting pet waste and other hazards.
2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
Although Anker-owned Eufy has made a name for itself in budget robot vacuums, it's never offered an all-in-one model which can also mop. This is changing with the X8 Hybrid, which has an impressive suite of advanced features and is able to compete with more expensive models.
The laser navigation is the primary selling point of this machine. The X8 uses the laser mapping system, which is more accurate than previous Eufy devices. It also takes significantly less time to create an accurate map of your space and stores multiple maps, which is ideal for multi-floor homes.
The X8 is a decent vacuum cleaner for floors with no dust. It can easily sling debris through the side brushes and into the 400ml dustbin. The X8's tyres, despite their circular shape, are adept in grabbing corners and edges. Our tests revealed that it was able to remove 90 percent of the fur from hard floors.
The basic mopping mode uses the same reservoir of water as the vacuuming mode. While this is a good option for loose spills but you cannot limit the amount of water it is using, which will limit its effectiveness for more serious staining. It does a good job at picking up 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, powerful appliances. It has a beautiful design, superb navigation, and excellent cleaning power. But it has a few operational oddities which prevent it from being considered as the top overall smart robot vacuum.
The RX2 is equipped with a dual-sensor mapping technology that makes use of LIDAR to map a room and a pair of 3D scanning cameras for detecting and avoiding obstacles (such as furniture legs or pet waste). Once the room is mapped, the app lets you create virtual no-go zones as well as preferred areas that the robot will clean automatically. You can also change the cleaning options, begin cleaning manually or watch a live feed of the cameras onboard from the main screen.
The RX2's sensors are effective in registering furniture and other obstructions in real-time. Its sweeping and suction powers are exceptional, taking away surface debris from carpets with medium pile and also removing embedded dust on bare floors. It's not the fastest robotics on the market. As with many others it's not a very good climber and is prone to problems with things like thresholds made of metal transition strips.
A lot of people purchase a robotic vacuum for the ease of setting a schedule in an app and then forgetting about it for weeks at an time. It's crucial that a robot is able to do the job so our ZDNet team has tested and looked over some of the most popular models to help you choose the best one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This budget robovac that looks like any other, but comes with several more features and is more efficient. Its intelligent mapping system creates 3D and 2D maps of your house and uses them to navigate and avoid obstacles. It is able to 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.
It was able to walk over the thick shag carpets and did not get stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690-). Its navigation skills were impressive. Its composite score for flooring and carpet beat the competition, and it was able to pick up 98.5 percent of surface litter and embedded dog hair that we tested in our lab samples.
The controls are less basic than the competitors. There is a cleaning button on the top and you can either start it with the app or via voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule daily or weekly cleanings, set up no-go zones and check its history of cleaning. Clad in smart dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and is attractive in your home. Its rear dustbin is accessible to empty, and the removal of the filters is also easy.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking to buy a basic low-cost robot vacuum at a reasonable cost, the Eufy11S might be your best bet. The model isn't equipped with smart features like Alexa integration and digital mapping, which are available in higher-end models. However, if you do not need these features, you can save money.
The robot is simple to set up and use. It does not require a smartphone app or Wi-Fi connection, however it does come with the ability to control the remote with a remote that allows you to select between different modes and alter the suction level. You can also set up a manual schedule to set the robotvac to the schedule of cleaning.
In our tests, the 11S was extremely effective in cleaning dirt and pet hair from hard floors and in carpets with a low pile. Its slim profile made it possible to pass under furniture that is low-hanging and other items that heavier robots were unable to get at. It could also easily traverse door thresholds and change from one type of floor to another.
Like other robots, the 11S can suck up some 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 using the possibility of a cord organizer. It also suggests cleaning the dustbin periodically, replacing the filters and changing or washing the brushes when needed.
6. IRobot Roomba 990
The Roomba is the flagship model of iRobot's robot vacuum. It's costly, but it's the most powerful robot vacuum you can buy. Its self-navigation feature and environmental mapping is something to behold. It has more advanced automation than its competitors, including the ability to create virtual boundary markers using 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 really like the 980 because it uses its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors and visual simultaneity localisation and mapping (or vSLAM) to remember the floor plan of your home. It will then use the information to create a consistent and efficient cleaning path for each cycle. The result mop vacuum robot is cleaner floors and a more efficient vacuum than many high-end robotics.
The 980's other features include two multi-surface rubber brushes that pick up dirt from hard floors and carpet, along with a spinning brush that sweeps debris into the bin of the robotic vacuum. The floor tracking sensor helps it navigate between furniture, along edges and up stairs. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It will also return to the base station to allow for recharging in between sessions. The bin capacity and battery life of the 980 aren't as impressive as some other robot vacuums. However, it's an extremely reliable and sturdy machine that can keep floors clean for a long time. hours.