Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
A robot vacuum is the best tool for maintaining an orderly home. It will remove dust, pet hair and other particles from the floor before it becomes a larger problem.
Some robots can sync with smart assistants such as Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a hands-free experience. Look for models that are rechargeable and continue cleaning where they left off.
1. iRobot S8
This smart robot vacuum and mop is an excellent option for a wide range of homes. It comes with a fantastic navigation system with GPS and laser sensors. It also comes with many features and control options that can be accessed through the app. It also has a handy feature that lets you create cleaning zones in areas that require additional attention, and also to create Keep Out zones in areas that you don't want it to be. As with all Roomba devices, it receives new software updates that make it better over time.
It's costly but it's also one of the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has evaluated. It's equipped with a powerful battery that can sweep a large home in under two hours. Additionally, it can switch between vacuuming and mopping by pressing a button. And, unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the trash bin after each run, this one automatically emptys into a larger waste container above its charging dock.
It also has many other features, including intelligent obstacle avoidance, which utilizes cameras and processor-powered smarts in order to detect obstacles. It's not often tripped or stuck during a cleaning process. In my tests it was the best at avoiding objects such as power cables. It's not as precise in detecting pet waste, or other dangers.
2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
While Anker-owned Eufy has earned a name for itself in budget robot vacuums, it hasn't previously offered an all-in-one model which can also mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that comes with a variety of features that are advanced and is able to compete with more expensive models.
The most significant selling point for Eufy with the X8 is its laser navigation. The X8 makes use of a laser mapping system that is more precise than previous Eufy devices. It takes less time to build a comprehensive map of your home. It also has the ability to store multiple maps. This is ideal for multi-floored homes.
The X8 is a good vacuum cleaner for floors with no dust. It can easily sling debris under the side brushes and into its 400ml dust bin. Its tyres are adept at securing edges and corners even though they are circular. It's not a fantastic cat litter scooper, however our tests have shown it is able to remove around 90 percent of the fur off hard floors.
The mopping mode that is the basic one uses the same reservoir of water as the vacuuming mode. This is great for spills that aren't too serious, but you can't limit the amount of water it consumes. It is effective in removing hair from pets. It has a higher rate of pick-up than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Awarded for its quiet and efficient home appliances Miele's RX2 robot vacuum has excellent cleaning power, stunning design and excellent navigation. It has a few oddities in its operation, which prevent it from being considered the top smart robot vacuum.
The RX2 is equipped with a dual-sensor mapping system that uses a LIDAR to map the space as well as a pair of 3D scanning cameras to detect and eliminating obstacles (such as furniture legs or pet waste). Once mapped, the app lets you designate virtual no-go zones and preferred areas that the robot will clean automatically. You can also alter the cleaning modes, start a manual clean, or view a live feed of the cameras onboard from the main screen.
The RX2's sensors are effective by registering furniture and obstructions in real-time. Its sweeping and suction powers are excellent, removing surface litter from carpets of medium pile and also removing dust that has been deposited on floors. However, it's not the most flexible robot available. Like many others it's not a very good climber and has trouble with things like thresholds made of steel transition strips.
Many people purchase robot vacuums for the convenience of setting up a schedule in an app, and then forgetting about them for weeks. However, it's essential that a robot can get the job done that's the reason our ZDNet staff tested and reviewed several of the most popular models 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 has a few more features and a better performance. Its smart mapping system creates 2D and 3D maps of your home and uses them to navigate and avoid obstacles. It can even detect common obstacles such as furniture legs and power cords in real-time. This combination of sensors with a bump detector and an infrared sensor that keeps the vacuum away from steps makes it one our most agile vacuums.
It was able to climb over the thick shag carpets and did not get stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s, or Roomba 690-). Its navigation abilities were also impressive as its score for composite tests on carpet and bare floors was better than the competition, and it took in 98.5 percent of the surface pet hair and litter from our laboratory test samples.
Its controls are a bit simpler than competitors. There's a round cleaning button on the top. You can launch it via the app, or by voice commands using Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule weekly or daily cleanings, create no-go zones and view its history of cleaning. Covered in stylish dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and looks stylish in your home. Its rear dustbin is accessible for emptying, and taking out the filters is also simple.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking to buy a basic, no-frills robot vacuum at a low cost, the Eufy 11S is a great option. This model lacks some smart features like Alexa integration and digital mapping, which are available in higher-end models. If you do not need these features, you could save money.
This robot is very easy to setup and use. It does not require smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing. However it does include the remote control that lets you choose between various modes and adjust the suction level. It also allows you to manually take the robovac off on a scheduled cleaning.
In our tests, the 11S was extremely effective in cleaning pet hair and dirt from hard floors as well as in carpets with a low pile. Its slim profile made it possible to pass under furniture that is low-hanging and other items that some larger robots are unable to reach. It was able to get effortlessly over door thresholds and switch from one floor type to another.
Like other robots, the 11S will suck up some objects like cords, drawstrings for hoodies, and cat toys. The manufacturer states that you can avoid this by keeping these items off the floor and by using the possibility of a cord organizer. It also suggests cleaning the dustbin regularly by replacing the filters and washing or changing the brushes as needed.
6. iRobot Roomba 980
The Roomba is iRobot’s flagship robot vacuum. robot mop but it's the best robot vacuum you can buy. Its self-navigating features and environmental mapping are truly a marvel to behold. It has more advanced automation than its rivals, for instance the ability to set up virtual boundary markers using its mobile application. While its app is a little sluggish and the 980 may spin a bit when rolling over cables, it's still an extremely efficient robot vacuum.
One thing we really like about the 980 is that it uses its iAdapt 2.0 navigation sensors and its visual simultaneous localisation and mapping technology (or vSLAM) to memorise the floor plan of your home. It will then use this information to design an efficient and consistent cleaning path for every cycle. The result is cleaner floors, and a more efficient vacuum than most competing high-end robot vacuums.
Other features of the 980 include dual multi-surface brushes that grab dirt on floors and carpets and an ejector brush that spins to sweep debris into the robotic vacuum’s bin. The sensors for floor tracking help it navigate around furniture and along edges, and Cliff Detect keeps the Roomba from slipping down stairs. It can also return automatically to the base station to allow for charging between sessions. The bin capacity and battery life of the 980 aren't as great as those of other robot vacuums. However, it's a reliable and solid machine that will keep floors clean for many hours.
