Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best way to keep your home tidy is to use a robotic vacuum. It can remove dust, pet hair, and other particles on the surface.
Some robots can sync with smart assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a hands-free experience. Find models that recharge and resume cleaning where they left off.
1. iRobot S8
This smart robot mop and vacuum is a great choice for many households. It can be used to vacuum and mop, has excellent navigation with both GPS and laser sensors and offers a broad range of features and controls accessible via the app. It comes with a useful feature which allows you to create Cleaning zones in areas that require additional attention, and Keep Out zones in areas you don't wish it to go. And, like all Roomba devices, it receives new software updates that make it even more efficient over time.
It's costly, but it's is also one of the most sophisticated robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It's got a huge battery that can clean the entire house in less than two hours. It can also switch between mopping and vacuuming at the press of one button. And, unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the bin after each run, this one automatically empties into a larger waste container above its charging dock.
It also comes with a variety of other features, including intelligent obstacle avoidance which uses cameras and processor-powered smarts to detect obstacles. It rarely gets derailed or entrapped during a cleaning cycle and is the best in avoiding power cables and other objects I've tested. However, it isn't as effective in detecting pet waste or other hazards.
2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
Although Anker-owned Eufy has made its name in the field of low-cost robot vacuums, it's not yet an all-in-one model that can also mop. That's changed with the X8 Hybrid, which has an impressive array of modern features and is able to compete against much more expensive models.
The laser navigation is the most important feature of this machine. The X8 utilizes a laser mapping system that is more precise than previous Eufy devices. It takes less time to create an accurate map of your home and can store multiple maps. This is perfect for multi-floored homes.
The X8 is still a good vacuum on floors with no dust and can sling debris over its side brushes and into the 400ml dust bin with ease. Its tyres are adept at hugging corners and edges, even though they're circular. Our tests showed that it was able to remove 90 percent of the fur on hard floors.
The mopping mode that is the basic one uses the same water reservoir as the vacuuming mode. This is great for spills that aren't dangerous, but you are unable to limit the amount of water it uses. It does a good job in removing hair from pets. It has a higher percentage of hair removal than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Known for quietly effective home appliances, Miele's RX2 robot vacuum is a great choice because of its cleaning power, stunning design and excellent navigation. However, it has some operational issues that prevent it from being ranked as the best overall smart robot vacuum.
Like iRobot's latest models, the RX2 has a dual-sensor mapping system that uses an LIDAR sensor to map a room and three 3D scanning cameras to identify and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real-time. 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 manually change cleaning modes, start an automatic clean, or view 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 power are top of the line, picking up surface litter from carpets of medium pile and dust in bare floors. But it's not the most flexible robot available. It's not the most efficient climber and has issues with transition strips made of metal.
Some people buy robot vacuums because of the ease of setting up a schedule in an app, and then forgetting about them for weeks. It is essential that a robot is capable of the task so our ZDNet staff has tested and looked over some of the most popular models in order to help you select the right one for your house.
4. Shark ION
This round, budget robovac looks just like a typical robot, but it's upgraded in performance and features. Its intelligent mapping system creates 2D and 3D maps of your home and uses those to navigate around obstacles and avoid them. 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 to keep the vacuum away from stairs makes it one of our most flexible vacuums.
It was able to climb over the thick shag carpets and didn't get stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690-). Its navigation capabilities were impressive. Its composite score for flooring and carpet beat the competition, and it was able to pick up 98.5 percent of the dirt and embedded dog hair from our lab test samples.
The controls are less basic than those of the competition's. There is a cleaning button at the top, and you can choose to start it by using the app or by voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule weekly or daily cleanings, create no-go zones and check the history of cleaning. Clad in smart dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and looks attractive in your home. The rear dust bin is easy to access for emptying and removing the filter equally easy.
5. Eufy 11S
Eufy 11S is an excellent choice if you want an automated vacuum cleaner that is simple and has no frills at a low cost. The model isn't equipped with smart features like Alexa integration and digital mapping that are found in higher-end models. If you don't need these features, you could save money.
The robot is easy to setup and use. It does not require a smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing. However it does include the remote control that lets you select between different modes and adjust suction levels. It also lets you manually turn off the robovac during scheduled cleaning.
In our tests during our tests, the 11S was extremely effective in getting rid of pet hair and dirt on hard floors and carpets with a low pile. Its slim profile made it possible to pass under furniture that is low-hanging and other items that some bulkier robots could not reach. It was able to pass easily over thresholds of doorways and move from one type of floor to another.
The 11S, as with other robots, will also eat certain objects, like cords and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you prevent this from happening by keeping these objects off the ground and using a cord organiser if possible. It also recommends cleaning the dustbin periodically by replacing the filters and changing or washing the brushes when needed.
6. iRobot Roomba 980
The Roomba 980 is the flagship robot vacuum. It's expensive however it's a top performer and arguably the most advanced robot vacuum you can purchase. Its self-navigation feature and environmental mapping are a joy to behold. It also has more advanced automation features than many competitors, including the ability to set virtual boundary lines using its mobile app. While its app isn't the most responsive and the 980 can spin a bit when moving over cables, it's a highly efficient robot vacuum.
One thing we love about the 980 is the fact that it utilizes its iAdapt 2.0 navigation sensors and visual simultaneous localisation and mapping technology (or vSLAM) to memorise the floor plan of your home. Look At This will use this information to create a consistent, efficient cleaning path in every 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, that pick up dirt from hard floors and carpet as well as an ejector brush that moves debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. The sensor for floor tracking helps it navigate around furniture, along edges and on stairs. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It can also return automatically to the base station for easy recharges between sessions. Although the 980's battery lifespan and bin size isn't as efficient as some other robot vacuums, it's a reliable and solid machine that can keep your floors clean for hours on end.