Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best method to keep your home tidy is with a robot vacuum. It will remove dust, pet hair and other surface debris before it becomes a larger problem.
Some robots are able to sync with smart assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant for a hands-free experience. Look for models that can be recharged and continue cleaning the area they left.
1. iRobot S8
This smart robot vacuum and mop combo is a great choice for many homes. It vacuums and mops well and is extremely navigable using both GPS and laser sensors and comes with a variety of features and controls accessible through the app. It also comes with a helpful feature that lets you add Cleaning zones for certain areas that need extra attention, and also to keep Out zones that you don't want it to be. Like all Roomba devices, it is updated with new software updates that make it more efficient over time.
It's expensive, but it's is also among the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It's got a huge battery that can vacuum all of your home in less than two hours. It can also switch between vacuuming and mopping at the push of one button. It automatically emptys the bin of dust above its charging station, unlike other self emptying robots which require you to empty the bin after every run.
It also comes with a variety of other options, like intelligent obstacle avoidance which uses cameras in conjunction with processor-powered smarts in order to identify obstacles. It is rarely derailed or stuck during a cleaning cycle. In my tests it was the most effective at avoiding objects such as power cables. It's not as precise at detecting pet waste or other hazards.
2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
Eufy owned by Anker, has become a household name in the world of robots that are budget-friendly vacuums. But it didn't provide a model that could also mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that has a wide range of features that are advanced and can compete with much more expensive models.
The main selling point of Eufy's this device is its laser navigation. Previous Eufy devices have constructed an approximate map of your home by using infrared sensors and bumping into objects, but the X8's laser mapping system is far more precise. It takes less time to build an accurate map of your home and can store multiple maps. This is perfect for homes with multiple floors.
The X8 is still a good vacuum on bare floors that can carry debris under its side brushes and into its 400ml dust bin with relative ease. Its tyres are adept at securing edges and corners even though they're circular. It's not a great kitty litter scooper, however as our tests show it only removes about 90 percent of the fur from hard floors.
The mopping mode that is the basic one uses the same reservoir of water as the vacuuming mode. This is ideal for spills that aren't dangerous, but you are unable to control the amount of water it uses. It's effective at picking up hair from pets. It has a higher rate of pick-up than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is renowned for its quiet, efficient appliances. It has a beautiful design, superb navigation and an impressive cleaning power. However, it does have a few operational oddities that keep it from ranking as the best overall smart robot vacuum.
The RX2 is equipped with a dual-sensor mapping technology that makes use of LIDAR to map an area and a pair of 3D scanning cameras for detecting and staying clear of obstacles (such as furniture legs or pet waste). Once the room has been identified it is possible to assign virtual no-go zones and preferred sections to the robot. You can also start a manual clean or manually change the cleaning best robot vacuum for hardwood floors mode, view a live feed from the onboard cameras, and more on the main screen.
The RX2's sensors work well by registering furniture and obstructions in real-time. The suction and sweeping power are top of the line and cleans up surface debris from medium-pile carpeting and embedded dust on floors that are unfinished. It's not the most powerful robot on the market. It's not the most efficient climber, and it has problems with metal threshold transition strips.
Many people purchase robot vacuums because of the ease of setting up a schedule in an app, and then forgetting about them for weeks. It's crucial that a machine can get the job done that's the reason our ZDNet staff examined and reviewed a few of the most popular ones to help you choose the best one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This round, budget robovac looks just like your standard robot, however it's a step up in terms of performance and features. Its smart mapping system creates 3D and 2D maps of your home and makes use of them to navigate and avoid obstructions. It can even detect common obstacles like furniture legs and power cords in real time. The combination of sensors with a bump detector, and an infrared sensor to keep the vacuum away from stairs makes it one of our most agile vacuums.
In our tests, it was able to moved over large shag rugs and didn't get stuck on them (like the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690). Its navigation abilities were impressive as well as its score for composite tests on carpet and bare floors was better than the competition and it was able to pick up 98.5 percent of the 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 via voice commands using Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule weekly or daily cleanings, set up no-go zones and view its cleaning history. Ion is clad in a sophisticated dark gray plastic that looks and feels attractive in your home. Its rear dust bin is accessible for emptying and removing the filter equally easy.
5. Eufy 11S
Eufy 11S is an excellent option for those looking for a vacuum cleaner that is easy to use and simple at a reasonable price. It doesn't have many of the advanced features, like digital mapping and Alexa integration, found in higher-end models, however, if you don't require these functions, you can save a little money with this model.
This robot is very easy to install and use. It doesn't require smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing. However it does include the remote control that lets you select between different modes and alter the suction levels. You can also manually set the robotvac to an cleaning schedule.
During our tests, the 11S was extremely effective in getting rid of pet hair and dirt from hard floors and carpets with a low pile. 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 change from one floor type to another.
Like other robots, the 11S can take in some objects like cords, hoodie drawstrings and cat toys. The manufacturer states that you can prevent this by keeping such objects off the floor and using the possibility of a cord organizer. It also recommends cleaning the dustbin regularly by replacing the filters and changing or washing the brushes as required.
6. IRobot Roomba 980
The Roomba 980 is iRobot's most popular robot vacuum. It's expensive however it's an excellent performer and arguably the most advanced robot vacuum you can purchase. Its self-navigating features and environmental mapping are a wonder to behold. It also comes with more advanced automation features than many competitors, such as the ability to create virtual boundary markers with its mobile app. While its app is a little sluggish, and the 980 does spin out a bit when moving over cables, it's still a very capable robot vacuum.
One thing we love 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 remember the floor plan of your home. It uses this information to create a consistent and efficient cleaning path in every cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a cleaner vacuum than the majority of high-end robot vacuums.
Other features include dual multi-surface rubber brushes, that pick up dirt from carpet and hard floors and the spinning brush that sweeps debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. Its floor tracking sensors help it navigate across furniture and along edges, and Cliff Detect helps to prevent the Roomba from falling down stairs. It also automatically returns to the base station to allow for charging between sessions. The battery life and bin capacity of the 980 aren't as great as other robot vacuums. However, it's an extremely reliable and sturdy machine that will keep floors clean for many hours.