Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best method to keep your home clean is to use a robot vacuum. It will nab dust, pet hair, and other debris from the surface before it becomes a bigger problem.
Certain robots can connect to smart assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a hands-free experience. Look for models that recharge and pick up where they left off.
1. iRobot s8
This smart robot vacuum and mop is an excellent choice for many homes. It features a superb navigation system with GPS and laser sensors. It also comes with a lot of features and control options that can be accessed through the app. It also has a handy feature which allows you to create Cleaning zones in areas that require more attention, and also to create Keep Out zones in areas that you don't want it to be. As with all Roomba devices, it is updated with new software updates that make it even better over time.
It's costly, but it's also one of the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It's got a huge battery that can sweep all of your home in less than two hours. It also switches between mopping and vacuuming with the press of one button. It automatically emptys the trash bin that is above its charging station, in contrast to other self-emptying robots that require you to empty it after each run.
It comes with a variety of other features that make it an excellent choice for homes with a lot of space that include intelligent obstacle avoidance, which uses both a camera and processor-powered smarts to detect obstacles. It is rarely derailed or stuck during a cleaning process. In my tests it was the most effective at avoiding objects such as power cables. However, it isn't as accurate in detecting pet waste and other hazards.
2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
Although Anker-owned Eufy has made its name in low-cost robot vacuums it's never offered an all-in-one model that could also mop. That changes with the X8 Hybrid, which has an impressive suite of advanced features that can compete against much more expensive models.
The laser navigation system is the primary selling point of this machine. The X8 uses laser mapping technology that is more precise than previous Eufy devices. It takes less time to create an extensive map of your home. It also has the ability to store multiple maps. This is ideal for multi-floored homes.
The X8 is still a good vacuum for floors that are not clean and can sling debris over its side brushes and into its 400ml dust bin with relative ease. Its tyres are adept at hugging corners and edges despite being circular. Our tests showed that it was able to remove 90% of the fur on hard floors.
There's a mopping mode which uses the same water tank as the vacuuming one. This is great for spills that are not serious, but you can't regulate the amount of water it uses. It's effective at picking up pet hair. It has a higher rate of pick-up than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is renowned for its quiet, effective appliances. It is a stunning design, excellent navigation, and excellent cleaning power. However, it has some operational issues that keep it from ranking as the top overall smart robot vacuum.
Like the latest models from iRobot and models, the RX2 has dual-sensor mapping technology that uses the LIDAR sensor to map a room and two 3D scanning cameras to identify 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 areas and favorite sections to the robot. You can also initiate a manual clean or manually change the cleaning mode, watch a live feed from the cameras onboard and more from the main screen.
The RX2 has superior sensors that detect furniture and other obstructions instantly. The suction and sweeping capabilities are outstanding, effectively getting rid of surface litter from medium pile carpeting as well as embedded dust on floors. It's not the most powerful robot on the market. It's not the most efficient climber, and it has problems with metal threshold transition strips.
Many people purchase a robot vacuum to enjoy the convenience of setting a schedule on an app and forgetting about it for weeks at one time. It's crucial that a robot is able to get the job done and that's why our ZDNet staff examined and reviewed a few of the most popular models to help you select the perfect one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This round, budget robovac looks just like your standard robot, however it's upgraded in terms of performance and features. Its smart mapping system creates 3D and 2D maps of your home, and uses them to navigate around obstacles and avoid them. It can even detect common obstacles like power cords and furniture legs in real-time. This combination of sensors along with a bump detector and an infrared sensor to keep the vacuum off steps makes it one our most agile vacuums.
In our tests, it effortlessly climbed over thick shag rug and didn't end up stuck on them (like the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690). Its navigation abilities were also impressive as its score for composite tests on carpet and bare floors topped the competition and it took in 98.5 percent of surface pet hair and litter from our laboratory test samples.
The controls are less basic than those of the competition's. There is a cleaning button at the top and you can start it with the app or via voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule weekly or daily cleanings, create no-go zones and view its read more history of cleaning. In a smart dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and looks attractive 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 reasonable price, the Eufy 11S is a great option. It's not equipped with some advanced features such as Alexa integration and digital mapping that are found in higher-end models. If you don't need these functions, you can save money.
This robot is very easy to setup and use. It doesn't require a smartphone app or Wi-Fi pairing, however it does come with an remote control that allows you to select between various modes and adjust the suction level. You can also manually set the robotvac to an cleaning schedule.
In our tests, we discovered that the 11S was extremely efficient in cleaning dirt and pet fur from hard floors and low-pile carpets. Its slim profile allowed it to pass under furniture that is low-hanging and other objects that larger robots are unable to reach. It was also able to easily pass over doorway thresholds and transition between floors and another.
The 11S, just like other robots will also suckup certain objects, like cords and cat toys. The manufacturer states that you can stop this by keeping such objects off the floor and using the possibility of a cord organizer. It also recommends cleaning the dustbin periodically by replacing the filters and washing or changing 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 purchase. Its self navigation and environmental mapping are a wonder to behold. It has more advanced automation than the majority of its competitors, including the capability to set up virtual boundary markers through its mobile app. Although the application is a bit slow and the 980 may spin out a bit while moving over cables, it's a very capable robot vacuum.
We really like the 980, because it makes use of its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors and visual simultaneity localisation and mapping (or vSLAM) to store the floor plan of your home. It will use this information to create a consistent and efficient cleaning path for each cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a more efficient robot vacuum than most high-end robots.
Other features include two multi-surface rubber brushes which pick up dirt from carpets and hard floors and the spinning brush that sweeps debris into the bin of the robotic vacuum. The floor tracking sensor assists in navigating around furniture as well as along edges and stairs. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It will also return to the base station for easy recharges between sessions. The bin capacity and the battery life of the 980 aren't as impressive as those of other robot vacuums. However, it is a reliable and solid machine that will keep floors clean for many hours.