Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
A robot vacuum is the best tool for maintaining a clean home. It can remove dust, pet hair and other debris from the surface before it becomes a larger problem.
Some robots sync with smart assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant for a hands-free experience. Look for models that are rechargeable and continue cleaning where they left off.
- iRobot S8
This smart robot vacuum and mop combo is a fantastic choice for many homes. It has a great navigation system with GPS and laser sensors. It also comes with numerous features and control options that can be accessed through the app. It also has a handy feature that lets you create cleaning zones in areas that require extra attention, as well as Keep Out zones in areas you do not want it to go. And, like all Roomba devices, it is updated with new software updates that make it better over time.
It's expensive, but it's is also among the most sophisticated robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It comes with a powerful battery that can vacuum a large area in less than two hours. Additionally, it can switch between vacuuming and mopping by pressing a button. And unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the trash bin after each run, it automatically emptys into an even larger waste container on top of its charging dock.
It has a wide range of other features that make it a great option for most homes with its intelligent obstacle avoidance that utilizes both a camera and processor-powered smarts to see obstacles. It isn't often entangled or entrapped during cleaning and is the best at avoiding power cables as well as other objects I've tested. It is not as accurate at detecting pet waste or other hazards.
- Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
While Anker-owned Eufy has made a name for itself in the field of low-cost robot vacuums, it's not yet an all-in-one model which can also mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that has a wide 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 constructed an approximate map of your home using infrared sensors and bumping into objects but the X8's laser mapping system is more precise. It also takes a lot less time to create a comprehensive picture of your space and stores multiple maps, which is ideal for multi-floor homes.
The X8 is still a decent vacuum for floors that are not clean that can carry debris under its side brushes and into the 400ml dust bin with relative ease. The Tyres of the X8, despite their circular shape, are adept at grabbing edges and corners. Our tests showed that it was able to remove 90 percent of the fur on hard floors.
There's a basic mopping option that utilizes the same water tank as the vacuuming one. This is great for spills that are not dangerous, but you are unable to limit the amount of water that it uses. That said, it does an admirable job of removing pet hair, with a better percentage of hair removal than the Roborock S7.
- Miele RX2
Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is known for its quiet, efficient appliances. It features a stunning design, excellent navigation and a powerful cleaning power. It has some oddities in its operation that prevent it from being named the best smart robot vacuum.
Like the latest models from iRobot, the RX2 has a dual-sensor mapping system that uses a LIDAR sensor to map out a room and a pair of 3D scanning cameras to detect and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real-time. Once the room has been mapped, you can assign virtual no-go zones and favorite sections to the robot. You can also begin cleaning manually or change the cleaning mode, view a live feed from the onboard cameras and more from the main screen.
The RX2 has excellent sensors that detect furniture and other obstructions immediately. The suction and sweeping capabilities are exceptional, getting rid of surface litter from carpets with medium pile as well as embedded dust on bare floors. However, it's not exactly the most flexible robot available. Like many other robots it's not a great climber and is prone to problems with things like thresholds made of steel transition strips.
Many people purchase a robot vacuum for the ease of setting a schedule on an app and then forgetting about it for weeks at an time. It's crucial that a machine can get the job done that's the reason why our ZDNet staff tested and reviewed several of the most well-known models to help you select the best robot floor cleaner one for your home.
- Shark ION
This round, budget robovac looks just like your standard robot, however it's an upgrade in terms of performance and features. Its smart mapping system generates 3D and 2D maps of your home and uses them to navigate around and stay clear of obstructions. It's also able to 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 sensor for dropping that keeps it from falling down the stairs is what makes it one of the fastest vacs we've tried.
It was able to climb over carpets with thick shags and didn't get stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690-). Its navigation abilities were also impressive and its overall score on carpet and bare floors beat out the competition. It picked up 98.5 percent of surface litter and embedded pet hair from our laboratory test samples.
The controls are simpler than those of the competition's. There's a cleaning button on the top and you can either start it by using the app or via voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also set a schedule for weekly or daily cleans, create areas that are not allowed to be cleaned, and check the history of its cleaning. Ion is clad in a stylish dark gray plastic that feels and looks appealing in your home. The dust bin on the rear is easily accessible to empty, and the removal of the filters is also simple.
- Eufy 11S
Eufy 11S is an excellent choice if you want a robot vacuum that's simple and has no frills at a cost that is low. This model lacks some smart features like Alexa integration and digital mapping found in higher-end models. If you don't require these functions, you can save money.
This robot is simple to use and set up. It doesn't require a smartphone app or Wi-Fi pairing, however it does come with a remote control that allows you to select between different modes and adjust the suction level. You can also set up a manual schedule to send the robotvac on a cleaning schedule.
During our tests, we found that the 11S was extremely efficient at getting dirt and fur from hard floors and low-pile carpets. Its slim profile allowed it to get under furniture and other items that some of the more bulkier robots were unable to reach. It was able to go effortlessly over door thresholds and transition between floors of different types to another.
Like other robots, the 11S can be able to suck up objects such as cords, drawstrings for hoodies, and cat toys. The manufacturer says that you can stop this by keeping such objects off the floor and using an organizer for cords if you can. It also suggests cleaning the dustbin periodically, replacing the filters and washing or changing the brushes as needed.
- IRobot Roomba 980
The Roomba 980 is iRobot's most popular robot vacuum. It's costly however it's an excellent performer and arguably the most advanced robot vacuum you can purchase. Its self navigation and environmental mapping are truly a marvel to behold. It also comes with more advanced automation features than its competitors, such as the ability to set virtual boundary lines with its mobile app. Although its app is a little sluggish and the 980 may spin a bit when crossing cables, it's still an extremely efficient robot vacuum.
One thing we really like about the 980 is that it makes use of its iAdapt 2.0 navigation sensors as well as visual simultaneous localisation and mapping technology (or vSLAM) to memorise the floor plan of your home. It then uses this information to design a consistent and efficient cleaning path for each cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a more efficient vacuum than other high-end robot vacuums.
Other features of the 980 include dual multi-surface brushes that capture dirt from hard floors and carpets, as well as a spinning brush to sweep debris into the robotic vacuum’s bin. The sensor for floor tracking assists in navigating around furniture, along edges and on the stairs. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It will also return to the base station for simple recharging in between sessions. While the 980's battery life and bin size aren't quite as efficient as other robot vacuums it's a sturdy and reliable machine that can keep your floors clean for hours on end.