Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best way to keep your home tidy is to use a robotic vacuum. It can remove dust, pet hair, and other debris on surfaces.
Some robots connect to smart assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant for a hands-free experience. Find models that are rechargeable and continue cleaning the area they left.
1. iRobot S8
This smart robot vacuum and mop combination is an excellent choice for many homes. It vacuums and mops well and is extremely navigable using both GPS and laser sensors and comes with a variety of features and controls accessible through the app. It also has a handy feature which allows you to create Cleaning zones in areas that require additional attention, and also to create Keep Out zones in areas that you don't wish it to go. It also gets software updates, like the other Roomba products, which enhance it over time.
It's expensive, but it's also among the most advanced robot vacuums that ZDNet has tested. It comes with a powerful battery that can sweep an entire home in less than two hours. It can also switch between mopping and vacuuming with the push of the button. And unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the bin after each run, this one automatically emptys itself into an even larger waste container on top of its charging dock.
It comes with a variety of other features that make it an excellent choice for homes with a lot of space with its intelligent obstacle avoidance that uses both a camera and processor-powered intelligents to identify obstacles. It's not often damaged or trapped during cleaning, and it's the best at avoiding power cables and other objects I've tested. However, it isn't as accurate in detecting pet waste and other dangers.
2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
Eufy owned by Anker is now an established brand in the world of low-cost robot vacuums. However, it did not provide the option of a model that could mop. That changes with the X8 Hybrid, which has an impressive array of modern features and is able to compete with more expensive models.
The laser navigation is the main selling point of this machine. Previous Eufy devices have created an approximate map of your home utilizing infrared sensors and bumping into objects, but the X8's laser mapping system is much more accurate. It also takes a lot less time to construct an accurate picture of your space and stores multiple maps, which is ideal for homes with multiple floors.
The X8 is still a decent vacuum for floors that are not clean and can sling debris over its side brushes and into its 400ml dust bin with relative ease. The Tyres of the X8, despite their circular shape, are very efficient at grabbing edges and corners. Our tests revealed that it was able to remove 90% of the fur on hard floors.
The basic mopping mode uses the same water reservoir as the vacuuming mode. This is great for spills that aren't dangerous, but you are unable to regulate the amount of water it uses. It's effective in removing pet hair. It has a higher percentage of hair removal than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is known for its quiet, efficient appliances. It has a beautiful design, superb navigation and a powerful cleaning power. However, it does have a few operational oddities that prevent it from being ranked as the best overall smart robot vacuum.
The RX2 comes with a dual-sensor mapping technology which uses LIDAR to map an area, and a pair 3D scanning cameras to detect and eliminating obstacles (such as furniture legs or pet waste). Once the room is mapped the app allows you to designate virtual no-go zones and areas that you want to clean. will clean automatically. You can also begin an automatic clean or manually change the cleaning mode, watch live feeds from the cameras onboard and more on the main screen.
The RX2 has excellent sensors that can identify furniture and other obstructions immediately. Its sweeping and suction power are top-notch cleaning up surface debris from carpets of medium pile and dust on floors that are unfinished. It's not the fastest robotics on the market. It's not the best climber and has issues with transition strips made of metal.
Some people buy a robot vacuum for the ease of setting a schedule in an app and then forgetting about it for weeks at one time. It is essential that a robot is capable of the task so our ZDNet staff has tested and reviewed some of the most popular models in order to help you pick the best one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This budget robot looks like your typical robot but it's a step up in terms of performance and features. Its intelligent mapping system creates 3D and 2D maps of your home, and uses them to navigate and avoid obstacles. It's also able to detect common obstacles such as power cords and furniture legs in real-time. This combination of sensors together with a bump sensor, and an infrared drop sensor which keeps it away from the stairs is what makes it one of the fastest vacs we've tried.
In our tests, it was able to climbed over thick shag rug and didn't get stuck on them (like the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690). Its navigation abilities were also impressive. Its composite score for carpet and bare flooring beat 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 the competitors. There's a round cleaning button on the top. You can start it from the app or by voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also set a schedule for your daily or weekly cleans, set areas that are not allowed to be cleaned, and check its cleaning history. In a smart dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and looks attractive in your home. Its rear dustbin is accessible for emptying, and removing the filters is also easy.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking for a basic low-cost robot vacuum at a low price, the Eufy 11S might be your best bet. This model lacks some smart features like Alexa integration and digital mapping, which are available in more expensive models. If you don't need these functions, you can save money.
This robot is very easy to install and use. It does not require a smartphone app or Wi-Fi connection, however it does come with the ability to control the remote with a remote that allows you to select between various modes and adjust the suction level. You can also set up a manual schedule to send the robotvac on a cleaning schedule.
In our tests, we found that the 11S best affordable robot vacuum was extremely efficient at removing dirt and fur from carpets and floors with 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 able to go easily over thresholds of doorways and switch from one type of floor to another.
The 11S, like other robots, will also eat certain objects, like cords and cat toys. The manufacturer says that you can prevent this by keeping such objects off the floor and by using the possibility of a cord organizer. It also suggests cleaning the dustbin on a regular basis by replacing the filters and changing or washing the brushes when needed.
6. IRobot Roomba 990
The Roomba is iRobot's flagship robot vacuum. It's costly however it's a top performer and, in some ways, the most advanced robot vacuum you can purchase. Its self-navigation as well as environmental mapping are a joy to behold. It also has more advanced automation features than its competitors, including the ability to create virtual boundary markers using its mobile app. While its app is a little sluggish and the 980 may spin out a bit while moving over cables, it's still a highly efficient robot vacuum.
We really like the 980 due to its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors and visual simultaneity mapping and localisation (or vSLAM) to store your home's floor plan. It will use this information to create a consistent and efficient cleaning path through each cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a cleaner vacuum than the majority of high-end robot vacuums.
Other features of the 980 include dual multi-surface brushes that capture dirt on carpets and hard floors and a spinning brush to sweep debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. Its floor tracking sensor assists in navigating through furniture, along edges and on the stairs. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It also automatically returns to the base station for easy recharges between sessions. The battery life and bin capacity of the 980 aren't as great as those of other robot vacuums. However, it's a solid and reliable machine that can keep floors clean for many hours.