Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best way to keep your home clean is with a robot vacuum. It will remove dust, pet hair, and other debris from the surface 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. Look for models that are rechargeable and continue cleaning the area they left.
1. iRobot s8
This smart robot mop and vacuum combo is a fantastic choice for many households. It vacuums and mops well, has excellent navigation with both GPS and laser sensors and comes with a variety of controls and features available via the app. It comes with a useful feature that lets you create cleaning zones in areas that require more attention, and also to create Keep Out zones in areas you don't want it to be. It also receives software updates, similar to the other Roomba products, which improve the quality of the product over time.
It's expensive but is also one of the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It's got a huge battery that can clean an entire home in less than two hours. It also switches between mopping and vacuuming at the press of one button. And unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the bin after each run, it automatically emptys into an even larger waste container on top of its charging dock.
It also has a number of other options, like intelligent obstacle avoidance, which utilizes cameras in conjunction with processor-powered smarts in order to identify obstacles. It isn't often entangled or stuck during cleaning, and it's the best at avoiding power cables as well as other objects in my tests. However, it's not as effective in detecting pet waste and other dangers.
2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
While Anker-owned Eufy has made an impact in the field of low-cost robot vacuums, it hasn't previously offered an all-in-one model which can also mop. That changes with the X8 Hybrid, which has an impressive array of modern features that can compete against much more expensive models.
The laser navigation system is the most important feature of this machine. The X8 makes use of the laser mapping system, which is more precise than the previous Eufy devices. It also takes a lot less time to build up an accurate map of your space and stores multiple maps, which is great for homes with multiple floors.
The X8 is still a decent vacuum on floors with no dust, slinging debris under its side brushes and into its 400ml dust bin with ease. Its tyres are also very adept at hugging corners and edges even though they are circular. It's not the best cat litter scooper, however as our tests show it can only remove about 90% of the fur from hard floors.
The mopping mode that is the basic one uses the same reservoir of water as the vacuuming mode. While this is great for spills that are not too large, you can't control how much water it consumes, which will limit its effectiveness for more serious staining. However, it does an excellent 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 renowned for its quiet, effective appliances. It has a beautiful design, excellent navigation and an impressive cleaning power. It has a few oddities in its operation, which prevent it from being named the best smart robot vacuum.
Similar to the latest models of iRobot, the RX2 comes with a dual-sensor mapping system which uses the LIDAR sensor to map the space and three 3D scanning cameras to detect and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real time. After the room has been defined, you can designate virtual no-go areas and favorite sections to the robot. You can also alter the cleaning options, begin a manual clean or see live feeds from the onboard cameras from the main screen.
The RX2's sensors are effective, registering furniture and other obstructions in real-time. 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 efficient robot available. As with many others it's not a great climber and has trouble with things like metal threshold transition strips.
Many people purchase a robot vacuum for the ease of setting up a schedule using an app and then forgetting about it for weeks at a time. It is essential for a robot to be capable of the task and that's why our ZDNet staff has compared and examined some of the most popular models to help you select the best one for your house.
4. Shark ION
This budget robovac that is similar to other, but comes with some extra features and a better performance. Its smart mapping system generates 2D and 3-D maps of your home and makes use of them to navigate and stay clear of obstructions. It can even detect common obstacles like furniture legs and power cords in real-time. This combination of sensors along with a bump detector, and an infrared sensor to keep the vacuum from stepping on the stairs makes it one of our most agile vacuums.
In our tests, it was able to climbed over thick shag rug and didn't get stuck on them (like the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690). Its navigation abilities were also impressive. Its composite score for flooring and carpet beats the competition and it picked up 98.5% of pet hair from our laboratory test samples.
The controls are more basic than those of the competition; there's an oblong cleaning button at the top and you can launch it via the app or by voice command with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also set up a schedule for weekly or daily cleans, create no-go zones, and view the history of its cleaning. Ion is clad in a smart dark gray plastic that looks and feels beautiful in your home. The dust bin on the rear is easy to empty and removing the filter just as simple.
5. Eufy 11S
Eufy 11S is a great option if you're looking for a robot vacuum that's simple and simple at a cost that is low. It lacks some of the more advanced features, such as digital mapping and Alexa integration, which are available in higher-end models but if you're not looking for these functions, you can save a little cost with this model.
This robot is very easy to setup and use. It does not require a smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing. However it does include an remote control that allows you to choose between various modes and adjust the suction levels. You can also set up a manual schedule to set the robotvac to a cleaning schedule.
In our tests, we discovered that the 11S was extremely efficient at cleaning pet fur and dirt from carpets with low pile and hard floors. Its slim profile helped it get under furniture and other items that some of the larger robots could not reach. It could also easily pass over doorway thresholds and move from one floor type to another.
Like other robots, the 11S can be able to suck up objects such as cords, www.robotvacuummops.com drawstrings for hoodies and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests you avoid this by keeping these objects off the ground and using a cord organizer if possible. It also suggests that you clean the dustbin, change the filters, and change or wash the brushes when needed.
Roomba 990 from iRobot
The Roomba 980 is iRobot's most popular robot vacuum. It's expensive but it's the most powerful robot vacuum you can buy. Its self-navigation feature and environmental mapping is something to behold. It also has more advanced automation features than many competitors, including the ability to set virtual boundary markers using its mobile app. It's a capable robot vacuum, even if its app is a bit sluggish and the 980 spins when it is pushed over cables.
We love the 980 due to its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors as well as visual simultaneity localisation and mapping (or vSLAM) to store the floor plan of your home. It then uses the information to create 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 which grab dirt on hard floors and carpets, as well as an ejector brush that spins to sweep debris into the robotic vacuum’s bin. Its floor tracking sensors aid it navigate across furniture and along edges, and Cliff Detect helps to prevent the Roomba from slipping down stairs. It will automatically return to its base station to ensure hassle-free recharges between sessions. The bin capacity and the battery life of the 980 aren't as impressive as those of other robot vacuums. However, it's a reliable and solid machine that will keep floors clean for many hours.