Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best method to keep your home clean is to use a robot vacuum. It will remove dust, pet hair and other particles from the floor 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 recharge and then resume cleaning the area they left.
1. iRobot S8
This smart robot mop and vacuum is a fantastic option for households with a variety of. It can be used to vacuum and mop and has a great navigation system that includes both GPS and laser sensors, and has a wide range of controls and features available via the app. It has a handy feature which allows you to create cleaning zones in areas that require extra attention, and Keep Out zones in areas that you don't want it to be. It also receives software updates, like all Roomba products, which improve the quality of the product over time.
It's expensive, but it's also one of the most advanced robot vacuums that ZDNet has tested. It has a powerful battery that can sweep the entire house in less than two hours. It can also switch between vacuuming and mopping at the push of the button. And unlike other self-emptying robotics that require you to empty the dust bin after each run, this one automatically empties into a larger waste container above its charging dock.
It also has a number of other features, including intelligent obstacle avoidance that uses cameras and processor-powered smarts to identify obstacles. It's not often damaged or stuck during cleaning, and it's the best at avoiding power cables as well as other objects in my tests. It's not as precise in detecting pet waste or other dangers.
2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
While the Anker-owned Eufy has earned an impact in the field of low-cost robot vacuums, it's never 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 more expensive models.
The main selling point of Eufy's this device is its laser navigation. The X8 utilizes a laser mapping system that is more precise than previous Eufy devices. It also takes a lot less time to create an accurate map of your space and stores multiple maps, which is great for multi-floor homes.
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. The tyres are adept at hugging corners and edges despite being circular. Our tests showed that it could only remove 90 percent of the fur on hard floors.
There's a basic mopping option that utilizes the same water tank as the vacuuming one. This is ideal for spills that aren't serious, but you cannot limit the amount of water it consumes. It does, however, do an excellent 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, effective appliances. It features a stunning design, a great navigation system, and excellent cleaning power. It has some oddities in its operation that keep it from being considered the top smart robot vacuum.
The RX2 is equipped with a dual-sensor mapping technique that uses a LIDAR to map a room and a pair of 3D scanning cameras for detecting and staying clear of obstacles (such as furniture legs or pet waste). Once the room is defined and assigned, you can assign virtual no go areas and preferred sections to the robot. You can also manually change cleaning options, begin a manual clean or see a live feed of the onboard cameras from the main screen.
The RX2's sensors are effective by registering furniture and obstructions in real-time. Its sweeping and suction powers are exceptional, removing surface litter from carpets of medium pile and also removing embedded dust on bare floors. However, it's not the most agile robot on the market. It's not the greatest climber, and it has problems with transition strips made of metal.
Many people purchase robot vacuums because of the ease of setting up a schedule in an app, and then forgetting about them for weeks. However, it's essential that a machine can do the job that's the reason why our ZDNet staff examined and reviewed a few of the most popular ones to help you find the right one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This budget robovac is a robot that looks just like the other, but it has some extra features and is more efficient. Its smart mapping system creates 3D and 2-D maps of your home and makes use of them to navigate around and avoid obstructions. It can even detect common obstacles such as furniture legs and power cords in real-time. This combination of sensors, together with a bump sensor, and an infrared drop sensor which keeps it off steps, makes it one of the most flexible vacs we've tried.
It was able to climb over thick shag carpets and didn't get stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690-). Its navigation abilities were also impressive and its overall score on carpet and bare floors topped the competition, and it was able to pick up 98.5 percent of the surface litter and embedded pet hair from our lab test samples.
The controls are more basic than the competition's. There's a cleaning button at the top and you can either start it with the app or via voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule weekly or daily cleanings, create no-go zones and check the history of cleaning. Ion is covered in a stylish dark gray plastic that feels and looks attractive in your home. Its rear dustbin is easily accessible for emptying, and taking out the filters is also simple.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking to buy a basic robotic vacuum that is simple and has no frills for a reasonable price, the Eufy 11S might be your best bet. It doesn't have many of the more advanced features, such as digital mapping and Alexa integration, read more found in more expensive models, but if you don't need these features, you can save some cost with this model.
This robot is simple to set up and use. It does not require a smartphone app or Wi-Fi pairing, however it does come with an remote control that lets you select various modes and adjust the suction level. It also lets you manually take the robovac off during scheduled cleaning.
During our tests, the 11S was very effective at cleaning pet hair and dirt on hard floors and low-pile carpets. Its slim profile allowed it to get under furniture and other low objects that larger robots could not reach. It was able to get easily over thresholds of doorways and transition from one floor type to another.
The 11S, just like other robots will also suckup some items, including cords and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests you prevent this from happening by keeping these items off the ground and by using a cord organizer when you can. It also suggests that you regularly clean the dustbin, replace the filters, and change or wash the brushes as necessary.
6. IRobot Roomba 990
The Roomba 980 is iRobot's most popular robot vacuum. It's costly, but it's a top performer and arguably the most advanced 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 many competitors, including the ability to set virtual boundary markers with its mobile app. Although its application is a bit slow and the 980 can spin out a bit when rolling over cables, it's still a very capable robot vacuum.
We love the 980 due to its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors and its visual simultaneity localisation and mapping (or vSLAM) to remember your home's floor plan. It then uses that information to create an efficient and consistent cleaning path for each cycle. The result is cleaner floors, and a cleaner vacuum than most competing high-end robot vacuums.
Other features include dual multi-surface rubber brushes that pick up dirt from hard floors and carpet as well as an ejector brush that moves debris into the bin of the robotic vacuum. The sensor for floor tracking assists in navigating through furniture as well as along edges and steps. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It can also return automatically to the base station to allow for recharges between sessions. Although the 980's battery life and bin size aren't as impressive as other robot vacuums it's a sturdy and reliable machine that can keep your floors spotless for hours on end.