Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best method to keep your home clean is to use a robot vacuum. It can remove dust, pet hair, and other debris from the surface before it causes a bigger problem.
Some robots sync with smart assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant for a hands-free experience. Find models that recharge and resume cleaning where they left off.
1. iRobot s8
This smart robot vacuum and mop is a fantastic choice for many homes. 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 has a handy feature which allows you to create Cleaning zones in areas that require additional attention, and Keep Out zones in areas that you don't want it to be. As with all Roomba devices, it receives new software updates that make it more efficient over time.
It's expensive but it's also among the most advanced robot vacuums that ZDNet has evaluated. It comes with a powerful battery that can clean a large home in under two hours, and it can switch between vacuuming and mopping by pressing a button. It automatically empties the dust bin above its charging station, in contrast to other self emptying robots which require you to empty the bin after each run.
It's got a range of other features that make it a good choice for homes of all sizes with its intelligent obstacle avoidance that utilizes the camera as well as processor-powered smarts to detect obstacles. It's rarely tripped up or stuck during a cleaning process. In my tests it was the most effective in avoiding objects such as power cables. However, it isn't as accurate in detecting pet waste or other dangers.
2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
While the Anker-owned Eufy has earned an impact in low-cost robot vacuums it hasn't previously offered an all-in-one model which can also mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that offers a range of advanced features, and can compete with much more expensive models.
The main selling point of Eufy's the X8 is its laser navigation. Previous Eufy devices have built up an approximate map of your home by using infrared sensors and bumping into objects however the X8's laser mapping system is much more accurate. It takes less time to create an extensive map of your home. It also has the ability to store multiple maps. This is great for homes with multiple floors.
The X8 is a good vacuum cleaner on bare floors. It can easily sling debris through the side brushes and into the 400ml dustbin. Its tyres are also very adept at hugging edges and corners, despite being circular. Our tests revealed that it could only remove 90 percent of the fur from hard floors.
The basic mopping mode utilizes the same water reservoir as the vacuuming mode. While this is a good option for loose spills, you can't regulate the amount of water it uses which can limit its effectiveness on more severe staining. That said, it does an admirable job of picking up pet hair, and has a higher percentage of hair removal than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is renowned for its quiet, efficient appliances. It features a stunning design, excellent navigation and a powerful cleaning power. It has a few oddities in its operation that prevent it from being considered the best smart robot vacuum.
Like iRobot's latest models and models, the RX2 comes with dual-sensor mapping technology that uses a LIDAR sensor to map out a room and three 3D scanning cameras to detect and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real-time. Once the room is mapped the app allows you to create virtual no-go zones as well as favorite sections that the robot will automatically clean. You can also alter the cleaning modes, start an automatic clean or watch live feeds from the onboard cameras from the main screen.
The RX2 has superior sensors that detect furniture and other obstructions in a flash. Its sweeping and suction power are top-notch and cleans up surface debris from carpets with medium piles and dust in bare floors. But it's not the most flexible robot available. Like website many others, it's not a good climber and is prone to problems with things like thresholds made of metal transition strips.
Some people buy robot vacuums for the convenience of setting up a schedule using an app, and then forgetting about them for weeks. It is essential that a robot is able to do the job so our ZDNet staff has compared and reviewed some of the most popular models in order to help you select the right one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This budget robovac is a robot that looks just like the other, but has some extra features and better performance. Its smart mapping system creates 3D and 2D maps of your home, and uses them to navigate and avoid obstacles. It can even detect common obstacles such as power cords and furniture legs in real-time. This combination of sensors, along with a bump sensor, and an infrared sensor for dropping that keeps it away from stairs make it one of the fastest vacuums we've tried.
It was able to walk over thick shag carpets and didn't get stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s, or Roomba 690-). Its navigation skills were impressive. Its composite score for flooring and carpet beat the competition, and it was able to pick up 98.5% of pet hair that we tested in our lab samples.
The controls are more basic than those of the competition's. There is a cleaning button at the top and you can either start it using the app or by voice commands using Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also create a schedule for weekly or daily cleans, create no-go zones, and view its 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 empty and cleaning the filter is the same.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking to buy a basic low-cost robot vacuum for a reasonable cost, the Eufy11S might be your best bet. It lacks some of the more advanced features, like digital mapping and Alexa integration, which are found in more expensive models, however, if you don't require these functions, you can save cost with this model.
The robot is simple to use and set up. It does not require a smartphone app or Wi-Fi pairing, however it does have the ability to control the remote with a remote that lets you choose between different modes and adjust the suction level. It also allows you to manually send the robovac off during scheduled cleaning.
During our tests during our tests, the 11S was extremely efficient in cleaning pet hair and dirt from hard floors as well as in carpets with a low pile. Its slim profile made it possible to fit under furniture with low hanging and other items that some heavier robots were unable to get at. It could also easily traverse door thresholds and move between floors and another.
The 11S, like other robots, can also eat some objects, such as cords and cat toys. The manufacturer says that you can avoid this by keeping these items off the floor and using a cord organizer if possible. It also suggests cleaning the dustbin on a regular basis replacing the filters, and changing or washing the brushes when needed.
6. IRobot Roomba 990
The Roomba 980 is iRobot's most popular robot vacuum. It's expensive but it's top-performing and, in some ways, the most advanced robot vacuum available. Its self-navigation and environmental mapping is something to behold. It has more advanced automation than most of its competitors, such as the ability to create virtual boundary markers with its mobile app. Although its application is a bit slow and the 980 can spin out a bit when crossing cables, it's still a highly efficient robot vacuum.
We really like the 980 because it uses its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors and its visual simultaneity mapping and localisation (or vSLAM), to memorise your home's floor plan. It will then use that information to create an efficient and consistent cleaning path for each cycle. The result is cleaner floors, and a more efficient vacuum than most competing high-end robot vacuums.
Other features of the 980 include dual multi-surface brushes that capture dirt on carpets and hard floors, as well as an ejector brush that spins to sweep debris into the robotic vacuum’s bin. The floor tracking sensor helps it navigate between furniture, along edges and up the 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 battery life of the 980 aren't as great as other robot vacuums. However, it is a solid and reliable machine that will keep floors clean for many hours.