Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best method to keep your home clean is to use a robotic vacuum. It can remove dust, pet hair, and other debris on surfaces.
Some robots can sync with smart assistants such as Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a hands-free environment. Look for models that recharge and resume cleaning the area they left.
1. iRobot s8
This smart robot vacuum and mop combo is an excellent choice for many homes. It comes with a fantastic navigation system that incorporates GPS and laser sensors. It also comes with many features and control options that can be accessed through the app. It also comes with a useful feature that lets you add cleaning zones to certain areas that require more attention and Keep Out zones where you don't want it to be. It also gets software updates, like the other Roomba products, which enhance it over time.
It's expensive, but it's also one of the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It comes with a powerful battery that can clean all of your home in less than two hours. It also switches between vacuuming and mopping at the touch of a button. And unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the trash bin after each run, this one automatically emptys itself into a larger waste container above its charging dock.
It comes with a variety of other features that make it a great choice for homes with a lot of space, including intelligent obstacle avoidance that utilizes the camera as well as processor-powered smarts to detect obstacles. It isn't often entangled or trapped during cleaning, and it's the best at avoiding power cables and other objects I've tested. However, it's not as reliable at detecting pet waste and other dangers.
2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
Eufy, owned by Anker is now an established brand in the world of budget robot vacuums. However, it didn't provide the option of a model that could mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that comes with a variety of features that are advanced and can compete with more expensive models.
The laser navigation is the main selling point of this machine. The X8 utilizes the laser mapping system, which is more precise than the previous Eufy devices. It also takes a lot less time to construct an accurate map of your living space and also 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 under the side brushes and into its 400ml dustbin. The Tyres of the X8, despite their circular shape, are good at grabbing edges and corners. Our tests showed that it was able to remove 90 percent of the fur from hard floors.
The mopping mode that is the basic one uses the same water reservoir as the vacuuming mode. This is ideal for spills that are not too dangerous, but you are unable to regulate the amount of water it uses. It does, however, do an admirable job of picking up pet hair, and has a higher percentage of hair removal than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Known for quietly effective home appliances Miele's RX2 robot vacuum is a great choice because of its cleaning power, stunning design and excellent navigation. But it has some operational hiccups that prevent it from being ranked as the top overall smart robot vacuum.
Like the latest models from iRobot, the RX2 features dual-sensor mapping technology that uses the LIDAR sensor to map an area and two 3D scanning cameras that can detect and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real time. After the room has been defined it is possible to assign virtual no-go zones and favorite sections to the robot. You can also initiate an automatic clean or manually change the cleaning mode, watch a live feed from the cameras onboard and more on the main screen.
The sensors of the RX2 work well by registering furniture and obstructions in real-time. Its sweeping and suction powers are exceptional, removing surface litter from carpets with medium pile and also removing embedded dust on bare floors. It's not the fastest robotics available. Like many other robots, it's not a good climber and has trouble with things like metal threshold transition strips.
Many people purchase robot vacuums because of the ease of setting up a schedule on an app, only to forget about them for weeks. But it's important that a machine can get the job done and that's why our ZDNet staff examined and reviewed a few of the most well-known models to help you choose the best one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This budget robovac that looks just like the other, but comes with a few more features and better performance. Its intelligent mapping system creates 3D and 2-D maps of your house and makes use of to navigate and avoid obstructions. It can even identify common obstacles such as furniture legs and power cords in real-time. The combination of sensors with a bump detector, and an infrared sensor that keeps the vacuum off the stairs makes it one of our most flexible vacuums.
It was able to climb over thick shag carpets and was not stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s, or Roomba 690-). Its navigation skills were impressive. Its composite score for carpet and bare flooring was higher than the competition, and it picked up 98.5 percent of the surface litter and embedded dog hair that we tested in our lab samples.
The controls are more basic than those of the competition; there's a round cleaning button on the top. You can launch it via the app or via voice commands using Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule daily or weekly cleanings, set up no-go zones and view its cleaning history. Ion is covered in a smart dark gray plastic that feels and looks attractive in your home. Its rear dustbin is accessible for emptying, and removing the filters is also a breeze.
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 cost that is low. It doesn't have many of the smart features, like digital mapping and Alexa integration, which are available in higher-end models, however, if you don't require those functions you can save some money by purchasing this model.
The robot is easy to setup and use. It does not require a smartphone application or Wi-Fi connection, however 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 for scheduled cleaning.
During our tests during our tests, the 11S was very effective at getting rid of dirt and pet hair from hard floors and carpets with a low pile. Its slim profile allowed it to get under low-hanging furniture and other items that some heavier robots were unable to get at. It was also able to easily pass over doorway thresholds and transition from one floor type to another.
The 11S, like other robots, can also eat certain objects, like cords and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you avoid this by keeping these objects off the ground and using a cord organizer if possible. It also suggests that you regularly clean the dustbin, replace the filters and wash or change the brushes as necessary.
6. IRobot Roomba 990
The Roomba 980 is the flagship robot vacuum. It's costly but it's a top performer and, in some ways, the most advanced robot vacuum you can buy. Its self-navigation as well as environmental mapping is a marvel to behold. It also comes with more advanced automation features than many competitors, such as the ability to set virtual boundary lines through its mobile application. Although the app is a little sluggish and the 980 may spin out a bit while rolling over cables, it's still an extremely efficient robot vacuum.
We really like the 980, because it makes use of its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors as well as visual simultaneity localisation and mapping (or vSLAM), to memorise your robot vacuum that vacuums and mops home's floor plan. It then uses that information to create a consistent and efficient cleaning path for each cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a more efficient vacuum than the majority of high-end robot vacuums.
The 980's other features include dual multi-surface rubber brushes, which grab dirt from hard floors and carpet, along with an ejector brush that moves debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. The sensor for floor tracking assists in navigating between furniture as well as along edges and steps. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It will automatically return to its base station to ensure hassle-free charging between sessions. While the 980's battery life and bin size aren't quite as good as those of some other robot vacuums, it's a solid and reliable machine that will keep your floors clean for hours and hours.