Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best method to keep your home clean is with a robot vacuum. It can remove dust, pet hair, and other particles from the floor before it causes a bigger problem.
Some robots sync with smart assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant for a hands-free experience. Look for models that are rechargeable and continue cleaning where they left off.
1. iRobot s8
This smart robot mop and vacuum combo is a fantastic choice for many households. It can be used to vacuum and mop, has excellent navigation with both GPS and laser sensors and comes with a variety of controls and features accessible through the app. It also has a handy feature that lets you add Cleaning zones for certain areas that need extra attention, as well as Keep Out zones that you don't want it to go. And, like all Roomba devices, it receives new software updates that make it even better over time.
It's costly, but it's also among the most advanced robot vacuums that ZDNet has tested. It has a powerful battery that can vacuum all of your home in less than two hours. It can also switch between vacuuming and mopping at the press of one button. It will automatically empty the trash bin that is above its charging station, in contrast to other self emptying robots which require you to empty it after every run.
It has a wide range of other features that make it a great option for most homes, including intelligent obstacle avoidance that uses the camera as well as processor-powered intelligents to identify obstacles. It's rarely tripped up or stuck during a cleaning cycle. In my tests, it was the best at avoiding objects like power cables. It is not as accurate at detecting pet waste or other hazards.
2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
Although Anker-owned Eufy has earned its name in the field of 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 has a wide range of features that are advanced and can compete with more expensive models.
Laser navigation is the primary selling point of this machine. Previous Eufy devices have constructed a rough map of your home utilizing infrared sensors and bumping into things but the X8's laser mapping system is much more accurate. It also takes a lot less time to build up an accurate map of your living space and also stores multiple maps, which is ideal for homes with multiple floors.
The X8 is a good vacuum cleaner for floors that are clean. It is able to easily throw debris under the side brushes and into the 400ml dustbin. The tyres are adept at hugging edges and corners even though they are circular. Our tests revealed that it could only remove 90% of the fur on hard floors.
There's a mopping mode that utilizes the same water tank as the vacuuming. This is great for spills that are not too dangerous, but you are unable to regulate the amount of water it consumes. That said, it does an admirable job of picking up pet hair, with a better percentage of hair removal than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Awarded for its quiet and efficient home appliances, Miele's RX2 robot vacuum has excellent cleaning power, stunning design and great navigation. However, it does have some operational hiccups that keep it from ranking as the best overall smart robot vacuum.
Similar to the latest models of iRobot, the RX2 features a dual-sensor mapping system that utilizes an LIDAR sensor to map an area 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 assign virtual no-go areas and areas that you want to clean. will clean automatically. You can also manually change cleaning modes, initiate an automatic clean or see live feeds from the onboard cameras from the main screen.
mop robot vacuum RX2's sensors are effective by registering furniture and obstructions in real-time. And its sweeping and suction power are top-notch, picking up surface litter from medium-pile carpeting and embedded dust on floors with no floor. However, it's not the most flexible robot available. It's not the best climber and has issues with transition strips made of steel.
A lot of people purchase a robotic vacuum for the hands-off convenience of setting a schedule on an app and then forgetting about it for weeks at a time. It's crucial for a robot capable of doing the job, so our ZDNet staff has compared and reviewed some of the most popular models in order to help you choose the right one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This budget-friendly robot looks like your standard robot, however it's upgraded in terms of performance and features. Its smart 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, along with a bump sensor and an infrared drop sensor that keeps it away from steps make it one of the most flexible vacuums we've tried.
It was able to climb over carpets with thick shags and did not get stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690-). Its navigational skills were also impressive; its composite score in carpet and bare floors beat out the competition. It was able to pick up 98.5 percent of surface pet hair and litter from our lab test samples.
Its controls are a bit simpler than the competition; there's an uniform cleaning button on the top, and you can launch it via the app or by voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also create a schedule for your daily or weekly cleans, create areas that are not allowed to be cleaned, and check the history of its cleaning. Ion is clad in a smart dark gray plastic that looks and feels appealing in your home. Its rear dustbin is accessible for emptying, and taking out the filters is also easy.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking to buy a basic low-cost robot vacuum for a reasonable cost, the Eufy 11S might be your best bet. It lacks some of the advanced features, such as digital mapping and Alexa integration, found in more expensive models, but if you're not looking for those functions you can save a little money by purchasing this model.
This robot is very easy to install and use. It does not require a smartphone app or Wi-Fi connection, however it does have an remote control that allows you to select between different modes and alter the suction level. It also allows you to manually turn off the robovac for scheduled cleaning.
In our tests, we discovered that the 11S was extremely efficient in cleaning pet fur and dirt from hard floors and low-pile carpets. Its slim profile made it easier to reach under furniture and other items that more bulkier robots couldn't reach. It could also easily traverse door thresholds and move from one floor type to another.
Like other robots, the 11S will take in some objects such as cords, drawstrings on hoodies and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you keep these 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 clean or change the brushes as necessary.
Roomba 990 from iRobot
The Roomba 980 is iRobot's most popular robot vacuum. It's expensive but it's the most powerful robot vacuum you can buy. Its self-navigating capabilities and environmental mapping are something to behold. It also has more advanced automation features than most competitors, such as the ability to set virtual boundary lines with its mobile app. It's a capable robot vacuum, even if the app isn't the most responsive and the 980 spins when it comes across cables.
One thing we love about the 980 is that it makes use of its iAdapt 2.0 navigation sensors and visual simultaneous localisation and mapping technology (or vSLAM) to remember the floor plan of your home. It will then use this information to design a consistent and efficient cleaning path for each cycle. The result is cleaner floors, and a more efficient vacuum than the majority of high-end robot vacuums.
Other features of the 980 include dual multi-surface brushes that capture dirt on floors and carpets, 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, while Cliff Detect keeps the Roomba from falling down the stairs. It will automatically return to its base station for hassle-free recharges between sessions. The bin capacity and battery life of the 980 aren't as impressive as those of other robot vacuums. However, it's a solid and reliable machine that will keep floors clean for many hours.