Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
A robot vacuum is the ideal tool to maintain an orderly home. It can remove pet hair, dust and other surface debris before it becomes a larger problem.
Some robots are able to sync with smart assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a hands-free experience. Look for models that recharge and pick up the area they left.
1. iRobot s8
This smart robot mop and vacuum combo is a fantastic option for households with a variety of. It has a great navigation system that incorporates GPS and laser sensors. It also comes with numerous features and control options that can be accessed through the app. It comes with a useful 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. As with all Roomba devices, it receives new software updates that make it more efficient over time.
It's expensive but it's also among the most advanced robot vacuums that ZDNet has evaluated. It's got a huge battery that can vacuum all of your home in less than two hours. It also switches between vacuuming and mopping at the push of a button. And, unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the dust bin after each run, it automatically emptys itself into the larger waste container that is above its charging dock.
It also comes with a variety of other features, such as intelligent obstacle avoidance that uses cameras and processor-powered smarts to identify obstacles. It's rarely tripped up or stuck during a cleaning process. In my tests it was the most effective in avoiding objects such as power cables. It's not as precise in detecting pet waste or other hazards.
2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
Eufy is owned by Anker is now an iconic name in the world of low-cost robot vacuums. But it didn't provide an option to mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that comes with a variety of modern features and can compete with more expensive models.
The laser navigation is the main selling point of this machine. Previous Eufy devices have constructed a rough map of your home using infrared sensors and bumping into objects but the X8's laser mapping technology is much more accurate. It also takes significantly 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 for floors that are clean. It is able to effortlessly sling debris through the side brushes and into the 400ml dustbin. The Tyres of the X8, despite their circular shape, are good in grabbing corners and edges. It's not a fantastic cat litter eater, however our tests have shown it can only remove about 90 percent of the fur off hard floors.
There's a basic mopping mode which uses the same water tank as the vacuuming one. This is ideal for spills that are not too serious, but you cannot control the amount of water that it uses. It is effective at picking up pet hair. It has a higher percentage of hair removal than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is renowned for its quiet, efficient appliances. It features a stunning design, a great navigation system, and excellent cleaning power. However, it does have some operational issues which prevent it from being considered as the best overall smart robot vacuum.
Like the latest models from iRobot like the RX2 features dual-sensor mapping technology which uses a LIDAR sensor to map an area and three 3D scanning cameras to detect and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real-time. Once the room is mapped the app allows you to assign virtual no-go areas and favorite sections that the robot will automatically clean. You can also manually change cleaning options, begin a manual clean, or view live feeds of the onboard cameras 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 removing surface litter from carpets with medium pile as well as embedded dust on floors. top robot vacuum 's not the fastest robotics on the market. As with many others it's not a great climber and has issues with things like metal threshold transition strips.
Many people purchase a robot vacuum to enjoy the convenience of setting a schedule in an app and forgetting about it for weeks at a time. It's important for a robot to be able to do the job and that's why our ZDNet staff has tested and reviewed some of the most popular models to help you pick the right one for your house.
4. Shark ION
This budget robovac that is similar to other, but comes with several more features and better performance. Its intelligent mapping system creates 3D and 2D maps of your home and uses those to navigate and avoid obstacles. It is able to detect common obstacles such as furniture legs and power cords in real-time. This combination of sensors with a bump detector, and an infrared sensor to keep the vacuum off steps makes it one our most agile vacuums.
It was able to walk over carpets with thick shags and did not get stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690-). Its navigation abilities were also impressive; its composite score in carpet and bare floors beat out the competition and it took in 98.5 percent of surface litter and embedded pet hair from our laboratory test samples.
The controls are simpler than the competitors. There's an uniform cleaning button on the top. You can launch it via the app, or by voice commands using Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also create a schedule for daily or weekly cleans, create no-go zones, and view the history of its cleaning. Covered in stylish dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and is attractive in your home. Its rear dustbin is accessible to empty, and the removal of the filters is also easy.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking to buy a basic, no-frills robot vacuum for a reasonable cost, the Eufy11S might be your best bet. The model isn't equipped with smart features like Alexa integration and digital mapping, which are available in higher-end models. If you don't need these features, you can save money.
This robot is simple to use and set up. It doesn't require a smartphone app or Wi-Fi pairing, but it does come with a remote control that lets you choose between different modes and alter the suction level. It also allows you to manually take the robovac off on a scheduled cleaning.
In our tests, the 11S was very effective at getting rid of dirt and pet hair from hard floors and in carpets with low pile. Its slim profile made it easier to get under furniture and other items that larger robots could not reach. It was able to get effortlessly over door thresholds and switch from one floor type to another.
Like other robots, the 11S can suck up some objects, such as cords hoodie drawstrings, and cat toys. The manufacturer states that you can stop this by keeping such objects off the floor and using the possibility of a cord organizer. It also recommends cleaning the dustbin on a regular basis, replacing the filters and washing or changing the brushes as required.
Roomba 990 by iRobot
The Roomba is iRobot’s flagship robot vacuum. It's pricey, but it's top-performing and is arguably the most sophisticated robot vacuum you can purchase. Its self-navigation as well as environmental mapping are a joy to behold. It also has more advanced automation features than most competitors, including the ability to create virtual boundary markers using its mobile app. While its application is a bit slow and the 980 can spin a bit when crossing cables, it's an extremely efficient robot vacuum.
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 this information to design an efficient and consistent cleaning path for every 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 carpets and hard floors and a spinning brush to sweep debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. Its floor tracking sensors help it navigate between furniture and around edges, while Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from slipping down stairs. It can also return automatically to the base station to allow for charging between sessions. The battery life and bin capacity of the 980 aren't as impressive as other robot vacuums. However, it is a solid and reliable machine that will keep floors clean for many hours.