Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best way to keep your home clean is to use a robot vacuum. It can remove dust, pet hair and other surface debris before it causes a bigger problem.
Some robots connect to smart assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant for a hands-free experience. Find models that recharge and pick up where they left off.
1. iRobot s8
This smart robot vacuum and mop is an excellent option for a wide range of homes. It has a great navigation system that incorporates GPS and laser sensors. It also has a lot of features and control options that can be accessed through the app. It also has a handy feature which allows you to create cleaning zones in areas that require extra attention, and Keep Out zones in areas you don't want it to be. It also gets software updates, similar to all Roomba products, which enhance it over time.
It's expensive, but it's is also one of the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It has a powerful battery that can sweep an entire home in less than two hours. It can also switch between mopping and vacuuming with the push of a button. And, unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the dust bin after each run, this one automatically emptys itself into the larger waste container that is above its charging dock.
It's got a range of other features that make it a great choice for homes of all sizes, including intelligent obstacle avoidance that utilizes the camera as well as processor-powered intelligents to identify obstacles. It rarely gets derailed or entrapped during a cleaning cycle, and it's the best at avoiding power cables and other objects I've tested. It's not as precise in detecting pet waste or other dangers.
2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
While the Anker-owned Eufy has earned its name in the field of low-cost robot vacuums, it's not yet an all-in-one model that could also mop. That's changed with the X8 Hybrid, which has an impressive set of modern features and is able to compete against much more expensive models.
Laser navigation is the primary selling point of this machine. The X8 utilizes the laser mapping system, which is more accurate than the previous Eufy devices. It takes less time to build a comprehensive map of your home. It can also store multiple maps. This is ideal for homes with multiple floors.
The X8 is still a good vacuum on floors with no dust and can sling debris over its side brushes and into the 400ml dust bin with ease. Its tyres are also very adept at hugging corners and edges despite being circular. It's not the best cat litter picker, though as our tests show it can only remove about 90 percent of the fur from hard floors.
There's a basic mopping mode that utilizes the same water tank as the vacuuming. While this is good for spills that aren't too big, you can't regulate the amount of water it uses, which will limit its effectiveness when dealing with more serious staining. It does, however, do an admirable job of picking up pet hair, with a higher pickup rate than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is renowned for its quiet, efficient appliances. It is a stunning design, a great navigation system, and excellent cleaning power. It has a few oddities in its operation that keep it from being ranked as the top smart robot vacuum.
Like iRobot's latest models like the RX2 has dual-sensor mapping technology which uses the LIDAR sensor to map out an area and two 3D scanning cameras that can detect and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real-time. Once mapped the app allows you to create virtual no-go zones as well as areas that you want to clean. will automatically clean. You can also initiate cleaning manually or change the cleaning mode, watch live feeds from the onboard cameras, and more from the main screen.
The sensors of the RX2 work well by registering furniture and obstructions in real-time. And its sweeping and suction power are top of the line and cleans up surface debris from carpets of medium pile and dust in bare floors. It's not the fastest robotics available. Like many others it's not a great climber and has issues with things like thresholds made of metal transition strips.
A lot of people purchase a robotic vacuum for the hands-off convenience of setting up a schedule using an app and not thinking about it for weeks at a time. It is essential that a robot is capable of doing the job, so our ZDNet staff has compared and looked over some of the most popular models in order to help you select the best one for your house.
4. Shark ION
This budget robovac is a robot that is similar to other, but comes with a few more features and a better performance. Its intelligent mapping system creates 3D and 2-D maps of your home and uses them to navigate and stay clear of obstructions. It can even detect common obstacles like power cords and furniture legs in real-time. This combination of sensors, along with a bump sensor, and an infrared drop sensor which keeps it away from steps is what makes it one of the most flexible vacuums we've tried.
In our tests, it effortlessly moved over large shag rug and didn't get stuck on them (like the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690). Its navigation abilities were also impressive as its score for composite tests on carpet and bare floors topped the competition. It took in 98.5 percent of surface pet hair and litter from our lab test samples.
The controls are simpler than the competitors. There's a clean button at the top and you can choose to start it with the app or by voice commands using Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule daily or weekly cleanings, create no-go zones, and look up the history of cleaning. In a smart dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and looks attractive in your home. The dust bin on the rear is easy to access for emptying and removing the filter equally easy.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking for a simple low-cost robot vacuum for a reasonable cost, the Eufy 11S could be a good choice. This model lacks some smart features like Alexa integration and digital mapping that are found in higher-end models. However, if you don't need these features, you could save money.
This robot is simple to setup and use. It does not require smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing. However it does come with an remote control that allows you to choose between various modes and adjust the suction levels. It also allows you to manually turn off the robovac on a scheduled cleaning.
In our tests during our tests, the 11S was extremely efficient in getting rid of dirt and pet hair from hard floors and carpets with a low pile. Its slim profile made it possible to fit under furniture with low hanging and other objects that larger robots are unable to reach. It could also easily get over thresholds for doors and change between floors and another.
Like other robots, the 11S will be able to suck up objects, such as cords drawstrings on hoodies and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you can stop this by keeping these objects off the floor and by using the possibility of a cord organizer. It also recommends cleaning the dustbin periodically by replacing the filters and changing or washing the brushes as needed.
Roomba 990 by iRobot
The Roomba is iRobot's flagship robot vacuum. It's expensive but it's the most powerful robot vacuum you can buy. Its self-navigating capabilities and environmental mapping are something to behold. It also comes with more advanced automation features than most competitors, including the ability to set virtual boundary markers using its mobile app. While its app isn't the most responsive and the 980 can spin out a bit when rolling over cables, it's an extremely efficient robot vacuum.
One thing we really like about the 980 is the fact that it utilizes its iAdapt 2.0 navigation sensors and visual simultaneous localisation and mapping technology (or vSLAM) to store the floor plan of your home. It will then use that information to create an efficient and consistent cleaning path for every cycle. The result is cleaner floors, and a cleaner vacuum than the majority of high-end robot vacuums.
The 980's other features include two multi-surface rubber brushes which grab dirt from carpets and hard floors as well as an ejector brush that moves debris into the bin of the robotic vacuum. The sensor for floor tracking helps it navigate around furniture as well as along edges and the stairs. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It also automatically returns to the base station for simple recharging in between sessions. While the 980's battery life and bin robot vacuum that vacuums and mops size aren't as efficient as other robot vacuums it's a reliable and solid machine that can keep your floors clean for hours on end.