Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best way to keep your home clean is with a robot vacuum. It can remove dust, pet hair, and other surface debris.
Some robots sync with smart assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant for a hands-free experience. Look for models that are rechargeable and continue cleaning the area they left.
1. iRobot S8
This smart robot vacuum and mop is an excellent option for homes with a variety of. It comes with a fantastic navigation system that includes GPS and laser sensors. It also comes with a lot of features and control options that can be accessed through the app. It comes with a useful feature which allows you to create Cleaning zones in areas that require more attention, and also to create Keep Out zones in areas you don't want it to be. Like all Roomba devices, it gets new software updates that make it even more efficient over time.
It's expensive, but it's also one of the most sophisticated robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It has a powerful battery that can vacuum an entire home in less than two hours. It can also switch between vacuuming and mopping at the press of one button. And, unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the trash bin after each run, it automatically emptys itself into a larger waste container above its charging dock.
It has a wide range of other features that make it a good choice for homes of all sizes with its intelligent obstacle avoidance, which uses both a camera and processor-powered smarts to detect obstacles. It rarely gets derailed or trapped during a cleaning cycle, and it's the best at avoiding power cables and other objects I've tested. It's not as reliable in detecting pet waste or other dangers.
2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
While Anker-owned Eufy has earned its name in low-cost robot vacuums it hasn't previously offered an all-in-one model that could also mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that has a wide range of advanced features, and can compete with more expensive models.
The most significant selling point for Eufy with the X8 is its laser navigation. The X8 uses a laser mapping system that is more precise than previous Eufy devices. It also takes significantly less time to build up an accurate picture of your living space and also stores multiple maps, which is ideal for multi-floor homes.
The X8 is a good vacuum cleaner for floors that are clean. It can easily sling debris under the side brushes and into its 400ml dustbin. The X8's tyres, despite having a circular shape, are very efficient in grabbing corners and edges. Our tests showed that it was able to remove 90 percent of the fur on hard floors.
There's a basic mopping mode that uses the same water tank as the vacuuming one. While this is great for loose spills, you can't control how much water it uses which can limit its effectiveness on more severe staining. It does a good job in removing pet hair. It has a higher pick-up rate than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is renowned for its quiet, powerful appliances. It features a stunning design, excellent navigation and an impressive cleaning power. There are a few niggles in its operation that prevent it from being ranked as the top smart robot vacuum.
Like iRobot's latest models, the RX2 comes with a dual-sensor mapping system which uses a LIDAR sensor to map an area and two 3D scanning cameras to detect 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 zones and favorite sections to the robot. You can also manually change cleaning modes, initiate cleaning manually or watch live feeds from the robot vacuum that vacuums and mops cameras onboard from the main screen.
The RX2 has superior sensors that detect furniture and other obstructions instantly. Its sweeping and suction power are top-of-the-line and cleans up surface debris from carpets of medium pile and dust on floors that are unfinished. However, it's not the most agile robot on the market. As with many others, it's not a good climber and is prone to problems with things like thresholds made of steel transition strips.
Many people purchase robot vacuums due to the ease of setting up a schedule in an app, and then forgetting about them for weeks. It's crucial that a robot can get the job done and that's why our ZDNet staff looked over and tested a number of the most popular models to help you select the best one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This budget-friendly robovac looks just like your standard robot, however it's upgraded in performance and features. Its smart mapping system creates 2D and 3D maps of your home, and uses them to navigate around obstacles and avoid them. It can even detect common obstacles such as furniture legs and power cords in real-time. This combination of sensors along with a bump sensor and an infrared drop sensor that keeps it from falling down stairs is what makes it one of the most agile vacuums we've tried.
It was able to walk over carpets with thick shags and did not get stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s, or Roomba 690-). Its navigation skills were also impressive; its composite score in carpet and bare floors beat out the competition and it picked up 98.5 percent of the surface litter and embedded pet hair from our lab test samples.
Its controls are a bit more basic than the competitors. There's an uniform cleaning button on the top and you can start it from the app or via voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also set a schedule for daily or weekly cleaning, set areas that are not allowed to be cleaned, and check its cleaning history. Ion is covered in a smart dark gray plastic that looks and feels attractive in your home. Its rear dustbin is accessible for emptying, and removing the filters is also easy.
5. Eufy 11S
Eufy 11S is an excellent option if you're looking for an automated vacuum cleaner that is simple and has no frills at a reasonable price. The model isn't equipped with smart features such as Alexa integration and digital mapping that are found in higher-end models. If you don't require these functions, you can save money.
The robot is simple to use and set up. It doesn't 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. You can also set up a manual schedule to set the robotvac to an cleaning schedule.
During our tests, we found that the 11S was extremely efficient at removing dirt and fur from hard floors and low-pile carpets. Its slim profile allowed it to pass under furniture that is low-hanging and other items that heavier robots were unable to get at. It was able to get effortlessly over door thresholds and switch from one type of floor to another.
Like other robots, the 11S can be able to suck up objects, such as cords hoodie drawstrings and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you can stop this by keeping these items off the floor and using a cord organizer if possible. It also suggests that you regularly clean the dustbin, change the filters, and change or wash the brushes when needed.
6. iRobot Roomba 980
The Roomba 980 is iRobot's flagship robot vacuum. It's expensive but it's the most powerful robot vacuum you can buy. Its self navigation and environmental mapping are truly a marvel to behold. It also comes with more advanced automation features than its competitors, including the ability to create virtual boundary markers using its mobile app. It's a capable robot vacuum, even if the app isn't the most responsive and the 980 spins when it is pushed over cables.
We love the 980 because it uses its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors as well as visual simultaneity localisation and mapping (or vSLAM) to store your home's floor plan. It will then use this information to design a consistent and efficient cleaning path for each cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a better robot vacuum cleaner than the majority of high-end robots.
Other features of the 980 include dual multi-surface brushes which grab dirt on floors and carpets 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 keeps the Roomba from falling down stairs. It will automatically return to its base station for hassle-free recharges between sessions. The battery life and bin capacity of the 980 aren't as great as some other robot vacuums. However, it's an extremely reliable and sturdy machine that can keep floors clean for a long time. hours.