Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
A robot vacuum is the ideal tool for maintaining a clean home. It can remove dust, pet hair and other surface debris 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. Look for models that are rechargeable and continue cleaning the area they left.
1. iRobot s8
This smart robot mop and vacuum combo is a fantastic option for a wide range of households. It vacuums and mops well and is extremely navigable using both GPS and laser sensors, and has a wide range of features and controls that are accessible via the app. It also comes with a helpful feature that lets you add Cleaning zones for certain areas that require extra attention and Keep Out zones where you do not want it to be. It also gets software updates, similar to all Roomba products, which improve the quality of the product over time.
It's costly, but it's is also one of the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It has a high-powered battery that can vacuum an entire home in less than two hours. Additionally, it can switch between vacuuming and mopping at the touch of one 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's got a range of other features that make it a great choice for homes with a lot of space with its intelligent obstacle avoidance that uses both a camera and processor-powered smarts to detect obstacles. It is rarely derailed or stuck during a cleaning process. In my tests it was the best at avoiding objects like power cables. However, it's not as effective in detecting pet waste and other hazards.
2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
Eufy owned by Anker is now an iconic name in the world of robots that are budget-friendly vacuums. But it didn't provide an option to mop. That changes with the X8 Hybrid, which has an impressive set of modern features that can compete against much more expensive models.
Laser navigation is the most important feature of this machine. Previous Eufy devices have created an outline of your home by using infrared sensors and bumping into objects however the X8's laser mapping system is far more precise. It takes less time to create a comprehensive map of your home and can store multiple maps. This is perfect for multi-floored homes.
The X8 is still a good vacuum on bare floors, slinging debris under its side brushes and into its 400ml dust bin with relative ease. The X8's tyres, despite their circular shape, are very efficient at grabbing edges and corners. It's not the best cat litter eater, however our tests have shown it only removes about 90 percent of the fur from hard floors.
There's a mopping mode that uses the same water tank as the vacuuming. This is great for spills that aren't too dangerous, but you are unable to limit the amount of water it uses. However, it does an excellent job of removing pet hair, with a higher speed of pickup than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Awarded for its quiet and efficient home appliances Miele's RX2 robot vacuum has excellent cleaning power, beautiful design and great navigation. However, it does have a few operational oddities that keep it from ranking as the top overall smart robot vacuum.
Like iRobot's latest models like the RX2 features dual-sensor mapping that utilizes a LIDAR sensor to map an area and three 3D scanning cameras to 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 preferred areas that the robot will automatically clean. You can also change the cleaning options, begin a manual clean, or view live feeds of the cameras onboard from the main screen.
The RX2 has superior sensors that detect furniture and other obstructions immediately. And its sweeping and suction power are top of the line and cleans up surface debris from carpets with medium piles and dust in bare floors. It's not the fastest robot on the market. Like many others it's not a very good climber and has issues with things like thresholds made of metal transition strips.
Many people purchase a robot vacuum to enjoy the convenience of setting a schedule in an app and not thinking about it for weeks at an time. It's crucial for a robot to be capable of the task, so our ZDNet team has tested and looked over some of the most popular models in order to help you select the right one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This budget robovac that looks like any other, but it has a few 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 can even identify common obstacles such as furniture legs and power cords in real-time. This combination of sensors together with a bump sensor, and an infrared drop sensor that keeps it from falling down the stairs make it one of the most agile vacs we've tested.
It was able to walk over carpets with thick shags and didn't get stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s, or Roomba 690-). Its navigation capabilities were impressive. Its composite score for carpet and more info bare flooring beat the competition, and it picked up 98.5% of surface litter and embedded dog hair from our laboratory test samples.
The controls are less basic than the competitors. There's a cleaning button at the top and you can start it by using the app or via voice commands using Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also create a schedule for weekly or daily cleaning, set no-go zones, and see its history of cleaning. Ion is clad in a stylish dark gray plastic that is both attractive and appealing in your home. Its rear dustbin is accessible for emptying, and removing the filters is also simple.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking for a basic, no-frills robot vacuum for a reasonable cost, the Eufy11S could be a good choice. It isn't equipped with some of the more advanced features, such as digital mapping and Alexa integration, found in higher-end models, but if you don't need those functions you can save some money by purchasing this model.
This robot is easy to use and set up. It does not require a smartphone application or Wi-Fi connection, however it does have an remote control that lets you select different modes and adjust the suction level. It also lets you manually take the robovac off on a scheduled cleaning.
In our tests, the 11S was very effective at cleaning pet hair and dirt from hard floors and in carpets with a low pile. Its slim profile allowed it to reach under furniture and other low items that some of the more bulkier robots were unable to reach. It could also easily traverse door thresholds and move between floors and another.
The 11S, as with other robots, will also eat some objects, such as cords and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you can avoid this by keeping these items off the ground and using a cord organiser whenever possible. It also suggests cleaning the dustbin regularly replacing the filters, and changing or washing the brushes as required.
6. iRobot Roomba 980
The Roomba 980 is the flagship robot vacuum. It's costly but it's top-performing and, in some ways, the most advanced robot vacuum available. Its self-navigation and environmental mapping is a marvel to behold. It is more sophisticated in its automation than its competitors, including the capability to set up virtual boundary markers with its mobile application. Although its application is a bit slow and the 980 may spin out a bit while rolling over cables, it's still a very capable robot vacuum.
One thing we really like about the 980 is the fact that it utilizes its iAdapt 2.0 navigation sensors as well as visual simultaneous localisation and mapping technology (or vSLAM) to memorise the floor plan of your home. It uses this information to create a consistent, efficient cleaning path for each cycle. The result is cleaner floors, and a more efficient vacuum than most competing high-end robot vacuums.
Other features include dual multi-surface rubber brushes which pick up dirt from carpets and hard floors as well as the spinning brush that sweeps debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. The sensors for floor tracking help it navigate across furniture and along edges, and Cliff Detect keeps the Roomba from falling down stairs. It also automatically returns to the base station to allow for charging between sessions. The bin capacity and battery life of the 980 aren't as great as other robot vacuums. However, it is an extremely reliable and sturdy machine that can keep floors clean for a long time. hours.