Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best way to keep your home tidy is to use a robotic vacuum. It will nab dust, pet hair, and other debris from the surface before it becomes a bigger problem.
Some robots are able to sync with smart assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant for a hands-free experience. Look for models that recharge and then resume cleaning the area they left.
1. iRobot S8
This smart robot vacuum and mop is a fantastic option for homes with a variety of. It vacuums and mops well and has a great navigation system that includes both GPS and laser sensors, and offers a broad range of controls and features available via the app. It comes with a useful feature that lets you create cleaning zones in areas that require additional attention, as well as Keep Out zones in areas where you don't wish it to go. It also gets software updates, similar to all Roomba products, that make it better over time.
It's expensive, but it's also one of the most sophisticated robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It's equipped with a powerful battery that can sweep an entire home in less than two hours. Additionally, it can switch between vacuuming and mopping at the touch of a button. It will automatically empty the bin of dust above its charging station, unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty it after every run.
It also has a number of other features, including intelligent obstacle avoidance that uses a camera along with processor-powered smarts to detect obstacles. It isn't often entangled or stuck during cleaning, and it's the best in avoiding power cables and other objects in my tests. However, it isn't as effective in detecting pet waste and other dangers.
2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
While the Anker-owned Eufy has made an impact in the field of low-cost robot vacuums, it's not yet an all-in-one model that 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 laser navigation is the most important feature of this machine. The X8 uses a laser mapping system that is more accurate than the previous Eufy devices. It also takes significantly less time to construct an accurate picture of your living space and also stores multiple maps, which is ideal for multi-floor homes.
The X8 is a great vacuum cleaner on bare floors. It is able to easily throw debris under the side brushes and into its 400ml dustbin. The tyres are adept at hugging edges and corners even though they're circular. Our tests revealed that it was able to remove 90% of the fur on hard floors.
The basic mopping mode uses the same reservoir of water as the vacuuming mode. This is ideal for spills that are not too dangerous, but you are unable to limit the amount of water that it uses. It does, however, do an admirable job of picking up pet hair, with a better speed of pickup than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Known for quietly effective home appliances Miele's RX2 robot vacuum comes with outstanding cleaning power, gorgeous design and excellent navigation. However, vacuum mop combo robot does have some operational issues that keep it from ranking as the top overall smart robot vacuum.
Like iRobot's latest models like the RX2 comes with dual-sensor mapping technology that uses a LIDAR sensor to map out a room 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 and assigned, you can assign virtual no-go zones and preferred sections to the robot. You can also initiate a manual clean or manually change the cleaning mode, see live feeds from the cameras onboard and more on the main screen.
The RX2's sensors work well in registering furniture and other obstructions in real-time. And its sweeping and suction power are top-notch and cleans up surface debris from carpets with medium piles and dust on floors with no floor. However, it's not the most flexible robot available. It's not the greatest climber, and it has problems with metal threshold transition strips.
Many people purchase robot vacuums because of the ease of setting up a schedule using an app, and then forgetting about them for weeks. But it's important that a machine can do the job, which is the reason why our ZDNet staff examined and reviewed a few of the most well-known models to help you select the best one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This budget-friendly robot looks like a typical robot, but it's upgraded in performance and features. Its smart mapping system generates 3D and 2D maps of your home and uses those to avoid obstacles and navigate. It is able to detect common obstacles such as furniture legs and power cords in real-time. The combination of sensors with a bump detector and an infrared sensor to keep the vacuum off steps makes it one our most flexible vacuums.
It was able to walk 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 beats the competition and it picked up 98.5 percent of pet hair that we tested in our lab samples.
The controls are less basic than the competitors. There's a cleaning button on the top and you can either start it using the app or by voice commands using Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule daily or weekly cleanings, set up no-go zones and check the history of cleaning. Ion is covered in a stylish dark gray plastic that looks and feels beautiful in your home. The dust bin on the rear is easily accessible for emptying, and removing the filters is also simple.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking for a simple low-cost robot vacuum at a reasonable price, the Eufy 11S is a great option. The model isn't equipped with smart features such as Alexa integration and digital mapping found in higher-end models. However, if you don't need these features, you can save money.
This robot is very easy to set up and use. It does not require a smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing. However, it does come with an remote control that allows you to choose between different modes and alter the suction level. It also lets you manually take the robovac off during scheduled cleaning.
In our tests, we discovered that the 11S was extremely efficient at cleaning pet fur and dirt from carpets and floors with low pile. Its slim profile allowed it to reach under furniture and other low items that some of the more bulkier robots couldn't reach. It was able to get easily over thresholds of doorways and switch between floors of different types to another.
Like other robots, the 11S will be able to suck up objects like cords, drawstrings for hoodies, and cat toys. The manufacturer says that you can stop this by keeping these objects off the floor and using an organizer for cords if you can. It also suggests that you periodically clean the dustbin, replace the filters and clean or change the brushes as required.
6. IRobot Roomba 990
The Roomba 980 is iRobot's flagship robot vacuum. It's costly but it's top-performing and, in some ways, the most advanced robot vacuum you can buy. Its self-navigation and environmental mapping is something to behold. It is more sophisticated in its automation than its competitors, such as the ability to set up virtual boundary markers through its mobile application. Although the application is a bit slow and the 980 may spin a bit when crossing cables, it's a highly efficient robot vacuum.
We love the 980, because it makes use of its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors as well as visual simultaneity mapping and localisation (or vSLAM), to memorise the floor plan of your home. It will then use the information to create 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 carpets and hard floors, as well as the spinning brush that sweeps 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 falling down stairs. It will automatically return to its base station for easy charging between sessions. The bin capacity and battery life of the 980 aren't as impressive as some other robot vacuums. However, it's a reliable and solid machine that can keep floors clean for many hours.