Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best method to keep your home tidy is to use a robot vacuum. It can remove dust, pet hair and other debris from the surface before it becomes a larger problem.
Certain robots can connect to smart assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a hands-free environment. 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 great choice for many households. It comes with a fantastic navigation system that includes GPS and laser sensors. It also has numerous features and controls accessible via the app. It also comes with a useful feature that lets you create Cleaning zones for specific areas that require extra attention, as well as Keep Out zones where you do not want it to be. As with all Roomba devices, it is updated with new software updates that make it even better over time.
It's costly, but it's is also among the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It has a high-powered battery that can vacuum a large area in less than two hours. It can switch between vacuuming and mopping by pressing a button. And unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the bin after each run, it automatically emptys into a larger waste container above its charging dock.
It has a wide range of other features that make it a good option for most homes, including intelligent obstacle avoidance that uses both a camera and processor-powered intelligents to identify obstacles. It is rarely derailed or stuck during a cleaning process. In my tests it was the best at avoiding objects such as power cables. However, it's not as effective in detecting pet waste or other dangers.
2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
While Anker-owned Eufy has made an impact in the field of low-cost robot vacuums, it's never offered an all-in-one model that could also mop. This is changing with the X8 Hybrid, which has an impressive set of modern features and can compete well against much more expensive models.
The laser navigation is the most important feature of this machine. The X8 uses laser mapping technology that is more precise than the previous Eufy devices. It also takes a lot less time to construct an accurate picture of your living space and also stores multiple maps, which is great for multi-floor homes.
The X8 is a decent vacuum cleaner on bare floors. It is able to effortlessly sling debris under the side brushes and into its 400ml dust bin. The tyres are adept at securing edges and corners, even though they're circular. Our tests showed that it was able to remove 90 percent of the fur from hard floors.
The basic mopping mode uses the same water reservoir as the vacuuming mode. While this is good for loose spills, you can't regulate the amount of water it uses, which will limit its effectiveness when dealing with more severe stains. 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
Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is known for its quiet, efficient appliances. It has a beautiful design, excellent navigation and an impressive cleaning power. However, it has some operational issues that keep it from ranking as the best overall smart robot vacuum.
The RX2 is equipped with a dual-sensor mapping system which uses LIDAR to map a room and a pair of 3D scanning cameras for detecting and eliminating obstacles (such website as furniture legs or pet waste). Once the room is defined it is possible to assign virtual no-go zones and preferred sections to the robot. You can also alter the cleaning options, begin a manual clean or watch live feeds from the cameras onboard from the main screen.
The RX2's sensors work well by registering furniture and obstructions in real-time. Its sweeping and suction powers are outstanding, effectively taking away surface debris from carpets of medium pile and also removing embedded dust on bare floors. However, it's not exactly the most flexible robot available. Like many others it's not a great climber and has trouble with things like metal threshold transition strips.
Some people buy a robot vacuum to enjoy the convenience of setting up a schedule using an app and forgetting about it for weeks at one time. It is essential for a robot to be capable of the task and that's why our ZDNet team has tested and examined some of the most popular models to help you select the best one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This budget robovac is a robot that looks like any other, but comes with some extra features and a better performance. Its intelligent mapping system creates 3D and 2D maps of your house and makes use of them to navigate around and stay clear of obstructions. It can even detect common obstacles such as power cords and furniture legs in real-time. This combination of sensors with a bump detector, and an infrared sensor that keeps the vacuum from stepping on steps makes it one our most flexible vacuums.
It was able to climb over carpets with thick shags and did not get stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690-). Its navigation skills were also impressive and its overall score on carpet and bare floors topped the competition, and it picked up 98.5 percent of surface pet hair and litter from our lab test samples.
The controls are more basic than those of the competition's. There's a clean button at the top and you can choose to start it by using the app or voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also create a schedule for your daily or weekly cleaning, set no-go zones, and see its history of cleaning. In a smart dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and looks attractive in your home. Its rear dust bin is easy to access for emptying and cleaning the filter is the same.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking for a basic robotic vacuum that is simple and has no frills for a reasonable cost, the Eufy 11S could be a good choice. It isn't equipped with some of the advanced features, like digital mapping and Alexa integration, found in higher-end models, however, if you don't require these functions, you can save money with this model.
This robot is very easy to install and use. It doesn't require smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing. However it does come with an remote control that allows you to choose between various modes and adjust the suction levels. It also lets you manually take the robovac off on a scheduled cleaning.
During our tests, we found that the 11S was extremely efficient in cleaning pet fur and dirt from carpets with low pile and hard floors. Its slim profile allowed it to get under furniture and other items that larger robots could not reach. It was able to pass effortlessly over door thresholds and switch from one type of floor to another.
The 11S, as with other robots, can also eat some items, including cords and cat toys. The manufacturer states that you can avoid this by keeping these objects off the floor and using the possibility of a cord organizer. It also recommends that you regularly clean the dustbin, change the filters and change or wash the brushes as necessary.
6. IRobot Roomba 990
The Roomba is iRobot’s flagship robot vacuum. It's costly, but it's the best robot vacuum that you can buy. Its self navigation and environmental mapping are something to behold. It has more advanced automation than its rivals, for instance the ability to create virtual boundary markers with its mobile app. While its app is a little sluggish, and the 980 does spin out a bit while rolling over cables, it's still an extremely efficient robot vacuum.
We love the 980 because it uses its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors and its visual simultaneity mapping and localisation (or vSLAM), to memorise the floor plan of your home. It will use this data to create a consistent, efficient cleaning path for each cycle. The result is cleaner floors, and a cleaner vacuum than other high-end robot vacuums.
Other features of the 980 include dual multi-surface brushes which grab dirt on hard floors and carpets and the spinning brush that sweeps debris into the robotic vacuum’s bin. The sensor for floor tracking assists it in maneuvering around furniture as well as along edges and stairs. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It can also return automatically to the base station for easy recharging in between sessions. The bin capacity and the battery life of the 980 aren't as great as some other robot vacuums. However, it's a reliable and solid machine that will keep floors clean for a long time. hours.