Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best way to keep your home clean is to use a robotic vacuum. It will remove dust, pet hair, and other particles from the floor before it causes 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. Find models that are rechargeable and continue cleaning where they left off.
1. iRobot s8
This smart robot mop and vacuum combo 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 comes with a variety of features and controls that are available via the app. It also comes with a helpful feature that allows you to create Cleaning zones for specific areas that require extra attention, as well as Keep Out zones where you do not want it to go. It also receives software updates, just like all Roomba products, that enhance it over time.
It's costly, but it's also one of the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has evaluated. It's got a huge battery that can sweep all of your home in less than two hours. It also switches between mopping and vacuuming at the push of one button. And, unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the dust bin after each run, this one automatically empties into an even larger waste container on top of its charging dock.
It also has a number of other features, such as intelligent obstacle avoidance that uses cameras in conjunction with processor-powered smarts to identify obstacles. It isn't often entangled or trapped during cleaning and is also the most effective at avoiding power cables and other objects in my tests. It's not as reliable at detecting pet waste or other dangers.
2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
While the Anker-owned Eufy has made a name for itself in budget robot vacuums, it's not yet an all-in-one model which can also mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that offers a range of modern features and can compete with more expensive models.
The most significant selling point for Eufy with this machine is its laser navigation. The X8 utilizes the laser mapping system, which is more precise than previous Eufy devices. It takes less time to build an extensive map of your home and can store multiple maps. This is great for multi-floored homes.
The X8 is a decent vacuum cleaner on bare floors. It can easily sling debris under the side brushes and into its 400ml dustbin. The X8's tyres, despite their circular shape, are very efficient at grabbing corners and edges. Our tests revealed that it was able to remove 90 percent of the fur from hard floors.
The basic mopping mode utilizes the same water reservoir as the vacuuming mode. This is great for spills that are not serious, but you can't limit the amount of water it uses. It's effective of removing pet hair. It has a higher pick-up rate than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
The company is known for its quiet home appliances, Miele's RX2 robot vacuum comes with outstanding cleaning power, gorgeous design and great navigation. It has a few oddities in its operation that keep it from being considered the best smart robot vacuum.
Like iRobot's latest models and models, the RX2 has dual-sensor mapping that utilizes the LIDAR sensor to map out 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 allows you to designate virtual no-go zones and preferred areas that the robot will clean automatically. You can also begin cleaning manually or change the cleaning mode, view live feeds from the onboard cameras and more from the main screen.
The sensors of the RX2 work well by registering furniture and obstructions in real-time. Its sweeping and suction powers are exceptional, removing surface litter from carpets with medium pile and also removing embedded dust on floors. However, it's not the most flexible robot available. Like many other robots it's not a very good climber and is prone to problems with things like metal threshold transition strips.
Many people purchase robot vacuums for the convenience of setting up a schedule in an app, only to forget about them for weeks. But it's important that a robot can do the job and that's why our ZDNet staff looked over and tested a number of the most popular models to help you find the right one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This budget robovac is a robot that looks like any other, but comes with several more features and better performance. Its intelligent mapping system creates 2D and 3D maps of your home and uses those to navigate and avoid obstacles. It can even detect common obstacles like furniture legs and power cords in real-time. This combination of sensors with a bump detector, and an infrared sensor to keep the vacuum off stairs makes it one of our most flexible vacuums.
It was able to walk over thick shag carpets and didn't get stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s, or Roomba 690-). Its navigation abilities were impressive as well; its composite score in carpet and bare floors was better than the competition, and it picked up 98.5 percent of surface litter and embedded pet hair from our laboratory test samples.
The controls are simpler than those cleaning robot mop and vacuum of the competition's. There's a cleaning button at the top, and you can start it using the app or by voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also set a schedule for daily or weekly cleaning, set no-go zones, and see the history of its cleaning. Clad in smart dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and looks attractive in your home. Its rear dustbin is accessible for emptying, and removing the filters is also simple.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking to buy a basic low-cost robot vacuum at a low cost, the Eufy11S could be a good choice. This model lacks some smart features like Alexa integration and digital mapping that are found in higher-end models. If you do not need these features, you can save money.
The robot is simple to use and set up. It does not require a smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing, but it does have the ability to control the remote with a remote that lets you select different modes and alter the suction level. You can also send the robotvac on an cleaning schedule.
During our tests during our tests, the 11S was extremely efficient in removing dirt and pet hair from hard floors and low-pile carpets. Its slim profile allowed it to get under low-hanging furniture and other items that some heavier robots were unable to get at. It was also able to get over thresholds for doors and transition between floors and another.
The 11S, as with other robots, can also eat some items, including cords and cat toys. The manufacturer says that you can stop this by keeping these items off the floor and by using the possibility of a cord organizer. It also recommends cleaning the dustbin regularly replacing the filters, and washing or changing the brushes as needed.
Roomba 990 from iRobot
The Roomba is iRobot's flagship robot vacuum. It's expensive however it's a top performer and is arguably the most sophisticated robot vacuum you can purchase. Its self-navigation feature and environmental mapping are a joy to behold. It also comes with more advanced automation features than most competitors, such as the ability to create virtual boundary markers using its mobile app. Although its app is a little sluggish, and the 980 does spin a bit when rolling over cables, it's a highly efficient robot vacuum.
We really like the 980, because it makes use of its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors and its visual simultaneity localisation and mapping (or vSLAM) to remember your home's floor plan. It will use this data to create a consistent and efficient cleaning path for each cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a cleaner vacuum than other high-end robot vacuums.
Other features include dual multi-surface rubber brushes which pick up dirt from hard floors and carpet as well as a spinning brush that sweeps debris into the bin of the robotic vacuum. The sensors for floor tracking help it navigate around furniture and along edges, and Cliff Detect helps to prevent the Roomba from falling down the stairs. It also automatically returns to the base station for easy recharging in between sessions. Although the 980's battery life and bin size aren't quite as efficient as some other robot vacuums, it's a reliable and solid machine that can keep your floors clean for hours and hours.