Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best method to keep your home clean is to use a robot vacuum. It can remove pet hair, dust and other particles from the floor before it becomes a bigger problem.
Some robots sync with smart assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant for a hands-free experience. Find models that are rechargeable and continue cleaning where they left off.
1. iRobot s8
This smart robot vacuum and mop combination is a great option for a wide range of homes. It is able to vacuum and mop well and is extremely navigable using both GPS and laser sensors and offers a broad range of features and controls accessible through the app. It comes with a useful feature which allows you to create cleaning zones in areas that require extra attention, and Keep Out zones in areas you don't wish it to go. As with all Roomba devices, it receives new software updates that make it even better over time.
It's costly, but it's is also one of the most sophisticated robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It comes with a powerful battery that can vacuum an entire home in less than two hours. It can switch between mopping and vacuuming by pressing one button. And unlike other self-emptying robotics that require you to empty the dust bin after each run, it automatically empties into an even larger waste container on top of its charging dock.
It comes with a variety of other features that make it an excellent choice for homes with a lot of space with its intelligent obstacle avoidance that uses both a camera and 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 at avoiding objects such as power cables. It's not as reliable at detecting pet waste or other hazards.
2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
While the Anker-owned Eufy has made an impact in budget robot vacuums, it hasn't previously offered an all-in-one model that could also mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that comes with a variety of features that are advanced and can compete with more expensive models.
Laser navigation is the main selling point of this machine. The previous Eufy devices have constructed an approximate map of your home utilizing infrared sensors and bumping into objects but the X8's laser mapping technology is more precise. It also takes a lot less time to construct a comprehensive picture of your space and stores multiple maps, which is ideal for homes with multiple floors.
The X8 is a decent vacuum cleaner for floors that are clean. It is able to effortlessly sling debris under the side brushes and into its 400ml dustbin. The X8's tyres, despite their circular shape, are very good at grabbing edges and corners. It's not a great kitty litter scooper, however, with our tests showing it is able to remove around 90 percent of the fur from hard floors.
The basic mopping mode utilizes the same reservoir of water as the vacuuming mode. While this is good for spills that are not too large however, you aren't able to regulate the amount of water it consumes and this will reduce its effectiveness for more serious staining. It's effective in removing pet hair. It has a higher percentage of hair removal than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Awarded for its quiet and efficient home appliances, Miele's RX2 robot vacuum is a great choice because of its cleaning power, beautiful design and excellent navigation. However, it has some operational issues that prevent it from being ranked as the best overall smart robot vacuum.
The RX2 is equipped with a dual-sensor mapping technology which uses LIDAR to map the space and a pair of 3D scanning cameras to detect and avoiding obstacles (such as furniture legs or pet waste). Once the room is mapped, the app lets you assign virtual no-go areas and favorite sections that the robot will automatically clean. You can also alter the cleaning options, begin an automatic clean, or view a live feed of the onboard cameras from the main screen.
The RX2 is equipped with excellent sensors that can detect furniture and other obstructions instantly. The suction and sweeping abilities are excellent, taking away surface debris from medium pile carpeting and also removing dust that has been deposited on floors. But it's not the most flexible robot available. It's not the greatest climber, and it has problems with transition strips made of steel.
Many people purchase robot vacuums due to the ease of setting up a schedule using an app, and then forgetting about them for weeks. It's important that a robot is capable of the task and that's why our ZDNet team has tested and looked over some of the most popular models to help you select the right one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This round, budget robot looks like your typical robot but it's upgraded in performance and features. Its smart mapping system creates 2D and 3-D maps of your home and makes use of them to navigate and avoid obstacles. It can even identify common obstacles like furniture legs and power cords in real-time. This combination of sensors along with a bump detector, and an infrared sensor that keeps the vacuum from stepping on stairs makes it one of our most flexible vacuums.
It was able to walk over the thick shag carpets and didn't get stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s, or Roomba 690-). Its navigation abilities were impressive as well and its overall score on carpet and bare floors beat out the competition, and it took in 98.5 percent of the surface litter and embedded pet hair from our laboratory test samples.
Its controls are a bit more basic than the competition; there's an uniform cleaning button on the top and you can launch it via the app or via voice commands using Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also set a schedule for daily or weekly cleaning, set no-go zones, and see its history of cleaning. Covered in stylish dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and looks attractive in your home. The Best self empty robot vacuum dust bin on the rear is easily accessible to empty, and the removal of the filters is also a breeze.
5. Eufy 11S
Eufy 11S is an excellent option for those looking for a vacuum cleaner that is easy to use and has no frills at a low cost. It isn't equipped with some of the more advanced features, such as digital mapping and Alexa integration, found in more expensive models, however, if you don't require those functions you can save money with this model.
The robot is simple to use and set up. It does not require a smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing. However, it does come with an remote control that lets you choose between different modes and adjust suction levels. You can also set up a manual schedule to assign the robotvac to the schedule of cleaning.
During our tests, we discovered that the 11S was extremely efficient in cleaning pet fur and dirt from carpets with low pile and hard floors. Its slim profile made it easier to get under furniture and other items that some of the larger robots could not reach. It was able to go easily over thresholds of doors and transition from one type of floor to another.
The 11S, as with other robots, can also eat certain objects, like cords and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you can keep these items off the ground and by using a cord organizer if possible. It also suggests that you clean the dustbin, change the filters, and wash or change the brushes as required.
Roomba 990 by iRobot
The Roomba is the flagship model of iRobot's 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 create virtual boundary markers with its mobile app. It's a capable robot vacuum, even if the app isn't the most responsive and the 980 spins when it is pushed over cables.
We really like the 980 due to its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors and its visual simultaneity mapping and localisation (or vSLAM) to remember your home's floor plan. It uses this information to create a consistent and efficient cleaning path through each cycle. The result is cleaner floors, and a more efficient vacuum than the majority of high-end robot vacuums.
Other features of the 980 include dual multi-surface brushes that capture dirt on hard floors and carpets and a spinning brush to sweep debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. The floor tracking sensor assists it in maneuvering between furniture, along edges and on the stairs. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It will automatically return to its base station for hassle-free recharges between sessions. The bin capacity and the battery life of the 980 aren't as good as those of other robot vacuums. However, it's a solid and reliable machine that can keep floors clean for a long time. hours.