Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best method to keep your home clean is to use a robotic vacuum. It will remove dust, pet hair, and other surface debris before it becomes a bigger problem.
Some robots sync with smart assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant for a hands-free experience. Find models that recharge and then resume cleaning where they left off.
1. iRobot S8
This smart robot mop and vacuum combo is a fantastic option for households with a variety of. It vacuums and mops well, has excellent navigation with both GPS and laser sensors and has a wide range of controls and features accessible via the app. It has a handy feature which allows you to create Cleaning zones in areas that require extra attention, as well as Keep Out zones in areas where you don't wish it to go. It also receives software updates, similar to the other Roomba products, that enhance it over time.
It's costly however, it's also among the most advanced robot vacuums that ZDNet has tested. It's equipped with a powerful battery that can sweep 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, this one automatically empties into an even larger waste container on top of its charging dock.
It's got a range of other features that make it a good choice for homes of all sizes, including intelligent obstacle avoidance, which uses the camera as well as processor-powered smarts to detect 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. It's not as reliable at detecting pet waste or other hazards.
2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
While Anker-owned Eufy has earned its name 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 offers a range of modern features and is able to compete with more expensive models.
The laser navigation is the primary selling point of this machine. The X8 makes use of the laser mapping system, which is more accurate than previous Eufy devices. It also takes a lot less time to construct an accurate picture of your space and stores multiple maps, which is ideal for homes with multiple floors.
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. Its tyres are adept at hugging edges and corners despite being circular. Our tests showed that it was able to remove 90 percent of the fur on hard floors.
The mopping mode that is the basic one uses the same reservoir of water as the vacuuming mode. This is great for spills that aren't dangerous, but you are unable to control the amount of water that it uses. It does, however, do an admirable job of picking up pet hair, with a better percentage of hair removal than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Awarded for its quiet and efficient home appliances Miele's RX2 robot vacuum comes with outstanding cleaning power, beautiful design and excellent navigation. It has a few oddities in its operation, which prevent it from being ranked as the top smart robot vacuum.
The RX2 is equipped with a dual-sensor mapping technology which uses LIDAR to map an area and a pair of 3D scanning cameras for detecting and avoiding obstacles (such as furniture legs or pet waste). After the room has been mapped it is possible to designate virtual no-go areas and favorite sections to the robot. You can also start cleaning manually or change the cleaning mode, watch a live feed from the onboard cameras, and more from the main screen.
The RX2's sensors are effective by registering furniture and obstructions in real-time. The suction and sweeping power are top-of-the-line and cleans up surface debris from carpets with medium piles and dust on floors with no floor. It's not the fastest robotics available. Like many others it's not a great climber and is prone to problems with things like thresholds made of metal transition strips.
Many people purchase a robot vacuum for the hands-off convenience of setting up a schedule using an app and forgetting about it for weeks at a time. It is essential that a robot is able to do the job so our ZDNet staff has tested and reviewed some of the most popular models to help you select the best one for your house.
4. Shark ION
This round, budget robot looks like a typical robot, but it's upgraded in performance and features. Its smart mapping system creates 2D and 3D maps of your home and uses those to navigate around obstacles and avoid them. It can even detect common obstacles such as furniture legs and power cords in real-time. This combination more info of sensors with a bump detector and an infrared sensor that keeps the vacuum away from steps makes it one our most agile vacuums.
It was able to walk over thick shag carpets and was not stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s, or Roomba 690-). Its navigation abilities were also impressive as its score for composite tests on carpet and bare floors beat out the competition and it picked up 98.5 percent of surface pet hair and litter from our lab test samples.
The controls are simpler than the competition's. There's a cleaning button on the top and you can start it with the app or via voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule daily or weekly cleanings, set up no-go zones and view the history of cleaning. Ion is covered in a stylish dark gray plastic that feels and looks beautiful in your home. The rear dust bin is easy to empty and cleaning the filter is just as simple.
5. Eufy 11S
Eufy 11S is a good option for those looking for a robot vacuum that's simple and doesn't have any frills at a reasonable price. This model lacks some smart features such as Alexa integration and digital mapping, which are available 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 smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing. However it does come with a remote control which lets you choose between different modes and alter the suction level. It also lets you manually take the robovac off for scheduled cleaning.
In our tests, the 11S was extremely efficient in getting rid of pet hair and dirt on hard floors as well as in carpets with a low pile. Its slim profile allowed it to fit under furniture with low hanging and other items that heavier robots were unable to get at. It was able to go easily over thresholds of doorways and move from one floor type to another.
Like other robots, the 11S is able to be able to suck up objects like cords, drawstrings for hoodies, and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you can keep these items off the ground and using a cord organizer when you can. It also suggests that you clean the dustbin, replace the filters and change or wash the brushes as required.
iRobot Roomba 990
The Roomba is the flagship model of iRobot's robot vacuum. It's expensive but it's the best robot vacuum that you can buy. Its self-navigating features and environmental mapping are a wonder to behold. It also comes with more advanced automation features than many competitors, including the ability to create virtual boundary markers through its mobile application. It's a powerful robot vacuum, even if its app isn't the most responsive and the 980 spins when rolling over cables.
One thing we love about the 980 is the fact that it utilizes its iAdapt 2.0 navigation sensors and its visual simultaneous mapping and localisation technology (or vSLAM) to store the floor plan of your home. It will then use this information to design an efficient and consistent cleaning path for each cycle. The result is cleaner floors, and a cleaner 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 and an ejector brush that spins to sweep debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. The floor tracking sensor assists it in maneuvering between furniture, along edges and on steps. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It also automatically returns to the base station for easy charging between sessions. Although the 980's battery life and bin size isn't as efficient as some other robot vacuums, it's a reliable and solid machine that will keep your floors clean for hours at a time.