Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best method to keep your home clean is with a robot vacuum. It will remove pet hair, dust and other debris from the surface before it causes a bigger problem.
Some robots are able to sync with smart assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant for a hands-free experience. Find models that are rechargeable and continue cleaning the area they left.
1. iRobot s8
This smart robot mop and vacuum is an excellent choice for many households. It has a great navigation system that includes GPS and laser sensors. It also has a lot of features and control options that can be accessed through the app. It also has a handy feature which allows you to create cleaning zones in areas that require additional attention, as well as Keep Out zones in areas where you don't wish it to go. As with all Roomba devices, it is updated with new software updates that make it more efficient over time.
It's expensive but also one of the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It comes with a powerful battery that can sweep a large area in less than two hours, and it can switch between vacuuming and mopping by pressing a button. It automatically empties the bin of dust above its charging station, unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty it after every run.
It has a wide range of other features that make it an excellent choice for homes with a lot of space that include intelligent obstacle avoidance that utilizes the camera as well as processor-powered smarts to detect obstacles. It is rarely derailed or stuck during a cleaning process. In my tests it was the best in avoiding objects such as power cables. It's not as reliable at detecting pet waste or other hazards.
2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
Although Anker-owned Eufy has made 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 offers a range of features that are advanced and can compete with more expensive models.
The laser navigation system is the most important feature of this machine. Previous Eufy devices have constructed a rough map of your home using infrared sensors and bumping into things, but the X8's laser mapping system is far more precise. It takes less time to build an extensive map of your home. It can also store multiple maps. This is perfect for multi-floored homes.
The X8 is still a decent vacuum on floors with no dust, slinging debris under its side brushes and into its 400ml dust bin with relative ease. The tyres are adept at securing edges and corners, even though they're circular. Our tests revealed that it was able to remove 90 percent of the fur from hard floors.
The basic mopping mode utilizes the same water reservoir as the vacuuming mode. While this is a good option for loose spills however, you aren't able to control how much water it is using, which will limit its effectiveness when dealing with more serious staining. It is effective 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 renowned for its quiet, powerful appliances. It has a beautiful design, a great navigation system and a powerful cleaning power. But it has some operational issues which prevent it from being considered as the top overall smart robot vacuum.
Like the latest models from iRobot and models, the RX2 comes with a dual-sensor mapping system which uses an LIDAR sensor to map out the space and two 3D scanning cameras that can detect and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real time. Once the room has been mapped, you can assign virtual no go areas and sections that you would like to be the robot. You can also alter the cleaning modes, initiate cleaning manually or see a live feed 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, removing surface litter from medium pile carpeting and also removing dust that has been deposited on floors. However, it's not exactly the most agile robot on the market. Like many others it's not a great climber and has issues with things like thresholds made of steel transition strips.
Many people purchase robot vacuums because of the ease of setting up a schedule using an app, only to forget about them for weeks. It's crucial for a robot able to do the job and that's why our ZDNet staff has tested and looked over some of the most popular models in order to help you pick the right one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This budget robovac that looks just like the other, but comes with some extra features and better performance. Its intelligent mapping system creates 2D and 3-D maps of your house and makes use of them to navigate and stay clear of obstructions. It's even able to spot common obstacles like power cords and furniture legs in real-time. This combination of sensors, together with a bump sensor, and an infrared sensor for dropping that keeps it away from stairs make it one of the most flexible vacuums we've tried.
It was able to walk over thick shag carpets and didn't get stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690-). Its navigation abilities were impressive as well and its overall score on carpet and bare floors was better than the competition. It was able to pick up 98.5 percent of surface pet hair and litter from our laboratory test samples.
The controls are simpler than the competition's. There is a cleaning button at the top and you can start it with the app or voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule daily or weekly cleanings, set up no-go zones and view its cleaning history. Clad in smart dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and is attractive in your home. Its rear dustbin is accessible for emptying, and taking out the filters is also simple.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking for a basic, no-frills robot vacuum at a reasonable cost, the Eufy11S is a great option. It doesn't have many of the more advanced features, like digital mapping and Alexa integration, found in higher-end models however, if you don't require those functions you can save some money with this model.
This robot is easy to use and set up. It does not require a smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing, but it does have the ability to control the remote with a remote that lets you choose between different modes and adjust the suction level. It also lets you manually take the robovac off for scheduled cleaning.
In our tests, the 11S was very effective at getting rid of pet hair and dirt from hard floors and carpets with low pile. Its slim profile helped it get under furniture and other objects that more bulkier robots were unable to reach. It was able to go easily over thresholds of doors and switch from one floor type to another.
Like other robots, the 11S is able to take in some objects like cords, drawstrings for hoodies, and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you prevent this from happening by keeping these best robot floor cleaner items off the ground and by using a cord organizer whenever possible. It also recommends that you regularly clean the dustbin, change the filters, and change or wash the brushes as required.
6. iRobot Roomba 980
The Roomba 980 is iRobot's most popular robot vacuum. It's expensive but it's the best robot vacuum that you can buy. Its self navigation and environmental mapping are a wonder to behold. It has more advanced automation than its competitors, including the ability to create virtual boundary markers using its mobile application. Although its app isn't the most responsive and the 980 may spin out a bit while crossing cables, it's still a highly efficient robot vacuum.
We really like the 980 because it uses its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors and its visual simultaneity mapping and localisation (or vSLAM) to store the floor plan of your home. It will use this information to create a consistent, efficient cleaning path for each cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a better robot vacuum than most high-end robots.
Other features of the 980 include dual multi-surface brushes which grab dirt from carpets and hard floors, as well as an ejector brush that spins to sweep debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. The floor tracking sensor assists it in maneuvering between furniture as well as along edges and stairs. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It will automatically return to its base station for hassle-free recharges between sessions. The bin capacity and the battery life of the 980 aren't as good as some other robot vacuums. However, it is an extremely reliable and sturdy machine that will keep floors clean for many hours.