Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best method to keep your home tidy is to use a robotic vacuum. It will nab pet hair, dust and other surface debris before it becomes a bigger problem.
Some robots are able to sync with smart assistants like 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 is an excellent option for a wide range of homes. It can be used to vacuum and mop and has a great navigation system that includes 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 more attention, and also to create Keep Out zones in areas you don't want it to be. And, like all Roomba devices, it receives new software updates that make it better over time.
It's expensive but also one of the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It has a high-powered battery that can clean a large home in under two hours. Additionally, it can switch between vacuuming and mopping by pressing one button. It automatically empties the trash bin that is above its charging station, in contrast to other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the bin after each run.
It's got a range of other features that make it an excellent choice for homes with a lot of space, including intelligent obstacle avoidance that utilizes both a camera and processor-powered smarts to see obstacles. It's not often tripped or stuck during a cleaning cycle. In my tests it was the most effective at avoiding objects like power cables. However, it isn't as effective in detecting pet waste or other hazards.
2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
Eufy, owned by Anker, has become a household name in the world of robots that are budget-friendly vacuums. But it didn't offer the option of a model that could mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that comes with a variety of advanced features, and can compete with much more expensive models.
Eufy's main selling point with the X8 is its laser navigation. The X8 utilizes a laser mapping system that is more precise than the previous Eufy devices. It also takes a lot less time to construct 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 its 400ml dust bin with relative 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.
There's a mopping mode that uses the same water tank as the vacuuming one. This is great for spills that are not serious, but you can't control the amount of water that it uses. It's effective of removing hair from pets. It has a higher percentage of hair removal than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is known for its quiet, powerful appliances. It is a stunning design, excellent navigation, and excellent cleaning power. However, it does have a few operational oddities that keep it from ranking as the best overall smart robot vacuum.
The RX2 is equipped with a dual-sensor mapping technology that makes use of LIDAR to map the space and a pair of 3D scanning cameras to detect and avoiding obstacles (such as furniture legs or pet waste). Once mapped, the app lets you designate virtual no-go zones and favorite sections that the robot will automatically clean. You can also start a manual clean or manually change the cleaning mode, view a live feed from the onboard cameras and more on the main screen.
The RX2 has excellent sensors that can detect furniture and other obstructions instantly. Its sweeping and suction power are top of the line, picking up surface litter from carpets with medium piles and dust on floors that are unfinished. However, it's not the most agile robot on the market. It's not the greatest climber and has issues with transition strips made of steel.
Many people purchase a robot vacuum for the hands-off convenience of setting a schedule on an app and then forgetting about it for weeks at an time. It's important for a robot able to do the job so our ZDNet staff has tested and examined some of the most popular models to help you pick the right one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This budget robovac that looks like any other, but has some extra features and is more efficient. Its smart mapping system creates 3D and 2-D maps of your house 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 drop sensor which keeps it away from steps, makes it one of the most agile vacuums we've tested.
In our tests, it effortlessly climbed over thick shag rug and didn't end up stuck on them (like the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690). Its navigation capabilities were impressive. Its composite score for flooring and carpet beats the competition and it was able to pick up 98.5 percent of the dirt and embedded dog hair that we tested in our lab samples.
The controls are more basic than those of the competitors. There's a round cleaning button on the top and you can access it via the app or via voice command with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule weekly or daily cleanings, set up no-go zones, and look up its cleaning history. In a smart dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and looks stylish in your home. Its rear dust bin is easy to empty and cleaning the filter is just as simple.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking for a basic low-cost robot vacuum at a reasonable cost, the Eufy 11S might be your best bet. The model isn't equipped with smart features like Alexa integration and digital mapping found in more expensive models. However, if you don't need these features, you could save money.
The robot is easy to install and use. It does not require a smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing, however it does come with the ability to control the remote with a remote that lets you choose between various modes and adjust the suction level. It also allows you to manually send the robovac off for scheduled cleaning.
In our tests, the 11S was extremely efficient in cleaning pet hair and dirt from hard floors and low-pile carpets. Its slim profile made it easier to reach under furniture and other items that some of the more bulkier robots couldn't reach. It was also able to easily get over thresholds for doors and transition between floors and another.
The 11S, just like other robots, will also eat some objects, such as cords and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you prevent this from happening by keeping these objects off the ground and using a cord organizer if possible. It also recommends that you periodically clean the dustbin, replace the filters, and clean or change the brushes when needed.
6. iRobot Roomba 980
The Roomba is iRobot's flagship robot vacuum. It's costly, but it's an excellent performer and arguably the most advanced robot vacuum you can buy. Its self-navigation as well as environmental mapping is a marvel to behold. It also has more advanced automation features than many competitors, such as the ability to create virtual boundary markers using its mobile app. It's a dependable robot vacuum, even if the app is a bit sluggish and the 980's wheels spin out when it is pushed over cables.
We love the 980 because it uses its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors as well as visual simultaneity mapping and localisation (or vSLAM), to memorise the floor plan of your home. It then uses the information to create a consistent and efficient cleaning path for each cycle. The result vacuum mop robot is cleaner floors and a cleaner vacuum than the majority of high-end robot vacuums.
Other features of the 980 include dual multi-surface rubber brushes which pick up dirt from carpet and hard floors as well as an ejector brush that moves debris into the bin of the robotic vacuum. The sensors for floor tracking help it navigate around furniture and along edges, and Cliff Detect keeps the Roomba from slipping down stairs. It can also return automatically to the base station for simple charging between sessions. Although the 980's battery life and bin size aren't as impressive as some other robot vacuums, it's a sturdy and reliable machine that can keep your floors spotless for hours on end.