Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best way to keep your home clean is to use a robotic vacuum. It will nab dust, pet hair, and other surface debris before it becomes a bigger problem.
Some robots connect to smart assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant for a hands-free experience. Find models that can be recharged and continue cleaning where they left off.
1. iRobot S8
This smart robot vacuum and mop combo is a great option for a wide range of homes. It can be used to vacuum and mop and is extremely navigable using both GPS and laser sensors and offers a broad range of features and controls accessible via the app. It also has a handy feature that lets you create cleaning zones in areas that require extra attention, and also to create Keep Out zones in areas you don't want it to be. Like all Roomba devices, it receives new software updates that make it better over time.
It's expensive, but it's also one of the most sophisticated robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It's equipped with a powerful battery that can clean a large area in less than two hours. Additionally, it can switch between mopping and vacuuming with the press of a button. And unlike other self-emptying robotics that require you to empty the dust bin after each run, this one automatically emptys itself into the larger waste container that is above its charging dock.
It comes with a variety of other features that make it a great option for most homes that include intelligent obstacle avoidance, which uses both a camera and processor-powered intelligents to identify obstacles. It's not often tripped or stuck during a cleaning process. In my tests it was the most effective at avoiding objects like power cables. It is not as accurate at detecting pet waste or other dangers.
2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
Eufy is owned by Anker, has become an established brand in the world of low-cost robot vacuums. However, it did not offer a model that could also mop. This is changing with the X8 Hybrid, which has an impressive suite of advanced features and can compete well with more expensive models.
Laser navigation is the main selling point of this machine. The X8 utilizes laser mapping technology that is more precise than the previous Eufy devices. It also takes significantly less time to create an accurate picture of your living space and also stores multiple maps, which is great for multi-floor homes.
The X8 is a good vacuum cleaner for floors with no dust. It is able to effortlessly sling debris under the side brushes and into the 400ml dustbin. Its tyres are adept at securing edges and corners, even though they're circular. It's not a fantastic cat litter picker, though, with our tests showing it is able to remove around 90 percent of the fur off hard floors.
The basic mopping mode uses the same reservoir of water as the vacuuming mode. This is great for spills that are not too dangerous, but you are unable to control the amount of water it uses. It does, however, do an admirable job of picking up pet hair, and has a higher pickup rate than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is renowned for its quiet, powerful appliances. It features a stunning design, a great navigation system, and excellent cleaning power. There are a few niggles in its operation that keep it from being ranked as the best smart robot vacuum.
Like the latest models from iRobot, the RX2 has a dual-sensor mapping system which uses a LIDAR sensor to map out the space and a pair of 3D scanning cameras to identify and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real time. After the room has been defined, you can assign virtual no go areas and preferred sections to the robot. You can also alter the cleaning modes, initiate a manual clean, or view a live feed of the cameras onboard from the main screen.
The RX2's sensors work well by registering furniture and obstructions in real-time. The suction and sweeping capabilities are outstanding, effectively getting rid of surface litter from carpets with medium pile as well as embedded dust on bare floors. But it's not the most flexible robot available. Like many other robots, it's not a good climber and has issues with things like metal threshold transition strips.
Some people buy robot vacuums for the convenience of setting up a schedule using an app, only to forget about them for weeks. It's important for a robot capable of doing the job and that's why our ZDNet staff has compared and examined some of the most popular models in order to help you select the best one for your house.
4. Shark ION
This budget robovac that looks just like the other, but comes with several more features and is more efficient. Its smart mapping system generates 2D and 3-D maps of your home and uses them to navigate around and avoid obstructions. It can even detect common obstacles such as furniture legs and power cords in real-time. This combination of sensors along with a bump sensor, and an infrared sensor for dropping that keeps it away from stairs is what makes it one of the most flexible vacs we've tried.
It was able to walk over carpets with thick shags and was not stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690-). Its navigation capabilities were impressive. Its composite score for carpet and bare flooring beats the competition and it picked up 98.5 percent of the surface litter and embedded dog hair that we tested in our lab samples.
The controls are simpler than the competition's. There's a cleaning button on the top and you can either start it by using the app or by voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule weekly or daily cleanings, set up no-go zones and check its history of cleaning. In a 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 simple.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking to buy a basic low-cost robot vacuum at a reasonable price, the Eufy 11S might be your best bet. The model isn't equipped with smart features such as Alexa integration and digital mapping, which are available in higher-end models. However, if you don't need these functions, you can save money.
This robot is simple to setup and use. It does not require smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing. However it does come with a remote control which lets you choose between various modes and adjust the suction level. You can also set up a manual schedule to set the robotvac to the schedule of cleaning.
In our tests, we discovered that the 11S was extremely efficient in cleaning pet fur and dirt from carpets with low pile and hard floors. Its slim profile made it easier to reach under furniture and other items that larger robots could not reach. It was able to go easily over thresholds of doorways and transition from one type of floor to another.
Like other robots, the 11S is able to suck up some objects like cords, drawstrings for hoodies and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that top robot vacuum you can avoid this by keeping these items off the floor and by using the possibility of a cord organizer. It also recommends that you periodically clean the dustbin, replace the filters, and clean or change the brushes when needed.
Roomba 990 by iRobot
The Roomba is iRobot’s flagship robot vacuum. It's costly, but it's the most powerful robot vacuum you can purchase. Its self-navigation as well as environmental mapping is a marvel to behold. It is more sophisticated in its automation than the majority of its rivals, for instance the capability to set up virtual boundary markers using its mobile application. Although its app is a little sluggish, and the 980 does spin a bit when rolling over cables, it's still a highly efficient robot vacuum.
We love the 980 due to its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors and its visual simultaneity mapping and localisation (or vSLAM), to memorise your home's floor plan. It uses this information to create a consistent, efficient cleaning path in every cycle. The result is cleaner floors, and a cleaner vacuum than the majority of high-end robot vacuums.
Other features of the 980 include dual multi-surface brushes that capture dirt from carpets and hard floors, as well as a spinning brush to sweep debris into the robotic vacuum’s bin. The sensors for floor tracking help it navigate between furniture and around edges, and Cliff Detect keeps the Roomba from falling down the stairs. It can also return automatically to the base station for simple recharging in between sessions. The battery life and bin capacity of the 980 aren't as impressive as other robot vacuums. However, it is a solid and reliable machine that will keep floors clean for many hours.