Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best way to keep your home tidy is with a robot vacuum. It can remove pet hair, dust, and other debris on surfaces.
Some robots sync with smart assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant for a hands-free experience. Look for models that can be recharged and continue cleaning the area they left.
1. iRobot S8
This smart robot vacuum and mop is a fantastic choice for many homes. It can be used to vacuum and mop and is extremely navigable using both GPS and laser sensors and comes with a variety of features and controls accessible through the app. It comes with a useful feature that lets you create Cleaning zones in areas that require extra attention, and also to create Keep Out zones in areas that you do not want it to go. And, like all Roomba devices, it receives new software updates that make it even more efficient over time.
It's expensive but it's also among the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has tested. It's equipped with a powerful battery that can clean a large area in less than two hours, and it can switch between mopping and vacuuming at the touch of a button. And unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the bin after each run, this one automatically emptys into an even larger waste container on top of its charging dock.
It also has many other features, such as intelligent obstacle avoidance that uses a camera along with processor-powered smarts in order to identify obstacles. It's not often damaged or entrapped during a cleaning cycle, and it's the best at avoiding power cables and other objects in my tests. It's not as precise in detecting pet waste, or 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. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that has a wide range of advanced features, and can compete with much more expensive models.
The most significant selling point for Eufy with this device is its laser navigation. The previous Eufy devices have built up an approximate map of your home utilizing infrared sensors and bumping into objects but the X8's laser mapping technology is far more precise. It also takes a lot less time to create a comprehensive picture of your space and stores multiple maps, which is ideal for homes with multiple floors.
The X8 is still a decent vacuum on bare floors that can carry debris under its side brushes and into the 400ml dust bin with ease. The X8's tyres, despite having a circular shape, are good at grabbing corners and edges. Our tests revealed that it was able to remove 90 percent of the fur from hard floors.
There's a basic mopping option that utilizes the same water tank as the vacuuming one. While this is great for spills that aren't too big however, you aren't able to limit the amount of water it uses, which will limit its effectiveness when dealing with more serious stains. It does, however, do an admirable job of removing pet hair, and has a higher speed of pickup than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is known for its quiet, effective appliances. It features a stunning design, superb navigation and an impressive cleaning power. It has some oddities in its operation that prevent it from being named the top smart robot vacuum.
Similar to the latest models of iRobot like the RX2 comes with dual-sensor mapping that utilizes an LIDAR sensor to map an area and a pair of 3D scanning cameras to identify and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real-time. Once mapped, the app lets you assign virtual no-go areas and favorite sections that the robot will automatically clean. You can also change the cleaning modes, initiate cleaning manually or watch live feeds from the cameras onboard from the main screen.
The RX2 has excellent sensors that can identify furniture and other obstructions instantly. The suction and sweeping abilities are excellent, taking away surface debris from carpets of medium pile and also removing embedded dust on floors. It's not the fastest robot on the market. It's not the most efficient climber and has issues with transition strips made of steel.
Some people buy robot vacuums due to the ease of setting up a schedule in an app, only to forget about them for weeks. It's crucial for a robot capable of the task, so our ZDNet team has tested and examined 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 has some extra features and a better performance. Its intelligent mapping system creates 2D and 3-D maps of your house and uses to navigate and avoid obstacles. It's also able to detect common obstructions such as 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 from falling down the stairs is what makes it one of the most flexible vacuums we've tested.
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 skills were also impressive; its composite score in carpet and bare floors was better than the competition. It picked up 98.5 percent of surface litter and embedded pet hair from our lab test samples.
The controls are more basic than competitors. There's an uniform cleaning button on the top and you can start it from the app, or by voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule daily or weekly cleanings, create no-go zones and view the history of cleaning. Covered in stylish dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy 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
Eufy 11S is a great choice if you want a robot vacuum that's simple and doesn't have any frills at a reasonable price. It isn't equipped with some of the advanced features, like digital mapping and Alexa integration, which are found in higher-end models, but if you're not looking for those functions you can save a little money with this model.
This robot is simple to setup and use. It does not require smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing. However it does come with an remote control that lets you select between cleaning robots different modes and alter the suction level. It also lets you manually send the robovac off for scheduled cleaning.
During our tests, we discovered that the 11S was extremely efficient in removing pet fur and dirt from carpets and floors with low pile. Its slim profile made it easier to reach under furniture and other low items that some of the more bulkier robots were unable to reach. It was also able to easily pass over doorway thresholds and move between floors and another.
The 11S, just like other robots, can also eat certain objects, like cords and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you avoid this by keeping these items off the ground and using a cord organizer if possible. It also recommends cleaning the dustbin regularly, replacing the filters and washing or changing the brushes as required.
Roomba 990 from iRobot
The Roomba 980 is iRobot's flagship robot vacuum. It's pricey but it's an excellent performer and arguably the most advanced robot vacuum available. Its self navigation and environmental mapping are truly a marvel to behold. It also comes with more advanced automation features than most competitors, such as the ability to set virtual boundary markers with its mobile app. It's a dependable robot vacuum, even though its application is a bit slow and the 980 spins when rolling over cables.
We love the 980, because it makes use of 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 this information to design an efficient and consistent cleaning path for each cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a cleaner vacuum than most competing high-end robot vacuums.
Other features of the 980 include dual multi-surface brushes which grab dirt from hard floors and carpets, as well as an ejector brush that spins to sweep debris into the robotic vacuum’s bin. The sensor for floor tracking assists in navigating between furniture as well as along edges and stairs. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It will also return to the base station for simple recharging in between sessions. The bin capacity and the battery life of the 980 aren't as great as other robot vacuums. However, it is an extremely reliable and sturdy machine that will keep floors clean for a long time. hours.