Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best method to keep your home clean is to use a robot vacuum. It can pick up dust, pet hair and other debris on surfaces.
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 where they left off.
1. iRobot S8
This smart robot mop and vacuum is a great option for a wide range of households. It can be used to vacuum and mop and is extremely navigable using both GPS and laser sensors and offers a broad range of controls and features accessible through the app. It comes with a useful feature which allows you to create Cleaning zones in areas that require additional attention, and also to create Keep Out zones in areas where you don't want it to be. As with all Roomba devices, it is updated with new software updates that make it even better over time.
It's expensive but it's also one of the most advanced robot vacuums that ZDNet has tested. It has a high-powered battery that can vacuum a large area in less than two hours. It can switch between mopping and vacuuming with the press of a button. It will automatically empty the trash bin that is above its charging station, unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the bin after every run.
It has a wide range of other features that make it an excellent option for most homes that include intelligent obstacle avoidance that uses both a camera and processor-powered intelligents to identify obstacles. It's not often tripped or stuck during a cleaning cycle. In my tests it was the best at avoiding objects like power cables. It's not as precise in detecting pet waste, or other dangers.
2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
Eufy owned by Anker is now a household name in the world of budget robot vacuums. However, it did not provide an option to mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that has a wide range of modern features and can compete with much more expensive models.
Eufy's main selling point with this device is its laser navigation. The previous Eufy devices have created an outline of your home using infrared sensors and bumping into things, but the X8's laser mapping technology is more precise. onson robot vacuum takes less time to create a comprehensive map of your home. It also has the ability to store multiple maps. This is perfect for homes with multiple floors.
The X8 is still a good vacuum on bare floors, slinging debris under its side brushes and into its 400ml dust bin with relative ease. The tyres are adept at hugging edges and corners despite being circular. It's not a fantastic cat litter eater, however our tests have shown it only removes about 90 percent of the fur off hard floors.
There's a mopping mode which uses the same water tank as the vacuuming. While this is good for spills that aren't too big however, you aren't able to limit the amount of water it is using which can limit its effectiveness for more serious stains. It does, however, do an excellent job of picking up pet hair, with a better percentage of hair removal than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Known for quietly effective home appliances, Miele's RX2 robot vacuum comes with outstanding cleaning power, beautiful design and great navigation. However, it has some operational issues that prevent it from being ranked as the best overall smart robot vacuum.
Similar to the latest models of iRobot like the RX2 features a dual-sensor mapping system that uses a LIDAR sensor to map the space and a pair of 3D scanning cameras to identify and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real-time. Once the room has been defined it is possible to assign virtual no go areas and favorite sections to the robot. You can also change the cleaning modes, start a manual clean or watch live feeds of the cameras onboard from the main screen.
The RX2's sensors work well, registering furniture and other obstructions in real-time. The suction and sweeping abilities are excellent, taking away surface debris from medium pile carpeting and also removing embedded dust on bare floors. It's not the fastest robotics available. It's not the greatest climber and has issues with transition strips made of steel.
Some people buy robot vacuums due to the ease of setting up a schedule using an app, and then forgetting about them for weeks. It is essential for a robot capable of doing the job and that's why our ZDNet staff has compared and looked over some of the most popular models to help you choose the best one for your house.
4. Shark ION
This round, budget robovac looks just like a typical robot, but it's an upgrade in terms of performance and features. Its smart mapping system creates 2D and 3D maps of your home and uses those to avoid obstacles and navigate. It can even identify common obstacles like furniture legs and power cords in real-time. This combination of sensors along with a bump sensor, and an infrared sensor for dropping that keeps it off the stairs, makes it one of the most flexible vacuums we've tested.
In our tests, it easily moved over large shag rugs and didn't get stuck on them (like the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690). Its navigational skills were impressive as well; its composite score in carpet and bare floors topped the competition. It was able to pick up 98.5 percent of the surface pet hair and litter from our lab test samples.
Its controls are a bit more basic than the competition; there's an uniform cleaning button on the top. You can start it from the app or via voice commands using Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also create a schedule for your daily or weekly cleans, create no-go zones, and see its history of cleaning. Covered in stylish dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and looks stylish in your home. Its rear dust bin is accessible for emptying and removing the filter is equally easy.
5. Eufy 11S
Eufy 11S is a good option if you're looking for an automated vacuum cleaner that is simple and has no frills at a reasonable price. It lacks some of the more advanced features, such as digital mapping and Alexa integration, found in more expensive models, but if you're not looking for those functions you can save money with this model.
This robot is easy to set up and use. It doesn't require a smartphone app or Wi-Fi connection, however it does come with the ability to control the remote with a remote that lets you choose between different modes and adjust the suction level. You can also set the robotvac to the schedule of cleaning.
During our tests, we found that the 11S was extremely efficient at getting dirt and pet fur 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 more bulkier robots were unable to reach. It was able to get easily over thresholds of doors and transition from one type of floor to another.
Like other robots, the 11S is able to take in some objects, such as cords drawstrings on hoodies and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you keep these objects off the ground and using a cord organiser when you can. It also recommends that you clean the dustbin, replace the filters, and clean or change the brushes when necessary.
6. IRobot Roomba 990
The Roomba 980 is the flagship robot vacuum. It's expensive, but 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 has more advanced automation than the majority of its competitors, such as the ability to create virtual boundary markers using its mobile application. While its app isn't the most responsive and the 980 can spin out a bit while moving over cables, it's still a highly efficient robot vacuum.
We love the 980, because it makes use of its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors and its visual simultaneity localisation and mapping (or vSLAM) to remember the floor plan of your home. It will use this information to create a consistent and efficient cleaning path in every cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a more efficient vacuum than other high-end robot vacuums.
Other features of the 980 include dual multi-surface brushes which grab dirt from carpets and hard floors and a spinning brush to sweep debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. Its floor tracking sensors help it navigate across furniture and along edges, and Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling down stairs. It will automatically return to its base station for easy charging between sessions. The bin capacity and the battery life of the 980 aren't as impressive as some other robot vacuums. However, it's a solid and reliable machine that will keep floors clean for a long time. hours.