Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
A robot vacuum is a great tool to maintain the cleanliness of your home. It will nab pet hair, dust and other debris from the surface before it becomes a bigger 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 combo is an excellent choice for many homes. It can be used to vacuum and mop and is extremely navigable using both GPS and laser sensors, and comes with a variety of features and controls that are accessible through the app. It also has a handy feature which allows you to create cleaning zones in areas that require additional attention, as well as Keep Out zones in areas that you do not want it to go. It also gets software updates, like all Roomba products, that make it better over time.
It's costly, but it's is also one of the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It comes with a powerful battery that can vacuum an entire home in less than two hours, and it can switch between mopping and vacuuming at the touch of one button. It will automatically empty the dust bin above its charging station, in contrast to other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the bin after each run.
It also comes with a variety of other features, such as intelligent obstacle avoidance which uses a camera along with processor-powered smarts in order to recognize obstacles. It's rarely tripped up or stuck during a cleaning cycle. In top rated robot vacuum was the most effective at avoiding objects like power cables. However, it isn't as accurate in detecting pet waste or other hazards.
2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
Eufy, owned by Anker, has become an iconic name in the world of low-cost robot vacuums. But it didn't provide the option of a model that could mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that comes with a variety of advanced features, and is able to compete with more expensive models.
The main selling point of Eufy's this device is its laser navigation. The previous Eufy devices have built up an approximate map of your home by using infrared sensors and bumping into objects however the X8's laser mapping technology is more precise. It also takes a lot less time to build up an accurate picture of your space and stores multiple maps, which is great for multi-floor homes.
The X8 is still a decent vacuum for floors that are not clean, slinging debris under its side brushes and into the 400ml dust bin with relative ease. The X8's tyres, despite having a circular shape, are very efficient at grabbing edges and corners. It's not a great kitty litter scooper, however our tests have shown it can only remove about 90 percent of the fur from hard floors.
There's a basic mopping mode that uses the same water tank as the vacuuming. While this is great for loose spills, you can't control how much water it is using and this will reduce its effectiveness for more severe stains. That said, it does an excellent job of removing pet hair, with a higher percentage of hair removal than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is renowned for its quiet, efficient appliances. It has a beautiful design, superb navigation and a powerful cleaning power. There are a few niggles in its operation that keep it from being considered the top smart robot vacuum.
Similar to the latest models of iRobot, the RX2 comes with a dual-sensor mapping system which uses the LIDAR sensor to map out a room and three 3D scanning cameras to identify and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real time. Once the room has been mapped and assigned, you can designate virtual no-go areas and favorite sections to the robot. You can also initiate a manual clean or manually change the cleaning mode, see a live feed from the onboard cameras and more from the main screen.
The sensors of the RX2 work well, registering furniture and other obstructions in real-time. And its sweeping and suction power are top of the line cleaning up surface debris from medium-pile carpeting and embedded dust on floors that are unfinished. However, it's not the most efficient robot available. As with many others it's not a great climber and is prone to problems with things like thresholds made of metal transition strips.
A lot of people purchase a robotic vacuum for the ease of setting a schedule on an app and forgetting about it for weeks at one time. It's crucial for a robot capable of doing the job and that's why our ZDNet team has tested and reviewed some of the most popular models to help you choose the best one for your house.
4. Shark ION
This budget robovac that is similar to other, but it has a few more features and better performance. Its smart mapping system generates 3D and 2D maps of your home and uses those to navigate around obstacles and avoid them. It's also able to detect common obstacles such as furniture legs and power cords in real-time. This combination of sensors, together with a bump sensor, and an infrared sensor for dropping that keeps it off the stairs is what makes it one of the most flexible vacuums we've tried.
In our tests, it effortlessly moved over large shag rugs and didn't get stuck on them (like the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690). Its navigational skills were impressive as well and its overall score 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 more basic than competitors. There's an oblong cleaning button at the top, and you can access it via the app or by voice command with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule daily or weekly cleanings, set up no-go zones, and look up its history of cleaning. Ion is clad in a stylish dark gray plastic that is both attractive and beautiful in your home. Its rear dustbin is easily accessible for emptying, and removing the filters is also a breeze.
5. Eufy 11S
Eufy 11S is a great option for those looking for a vacuum cleaner that is easy to use and simple at a reasonable price. It isn't equipped with some of the advanced features, like digital mapping and Alexa integration, found in higher-end models, but if you're not looking for those functions you can save some money with this model.
The robot is easy to install and use. It does not require a smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing, however it does come with a remote control that lets you choose between different modes and adjust the suction level. It also lets you manually send the robovac off during scheduled cleaning.
During our tests, we discovered that the 11S was extremely effective at removing dirt and pet fur from carpets and floors with low pile. Its slim profile allowed it to reach under furniture and other low items that more bulkier robots couldn't reach. It was also able to easily traverse door thresholds and change between floors and another.
The 11S, just like other robots, will also eat certain objects, like cords and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you can keep these items off the ground and by using a cord organizer whenever possible. It also recommends that you regularly clean the dustbin, replace the filters, and clean or change the brushes when necessary.
iRobot Roomba 990
The Roomba 980 is the flagship robot vacuum. It's expensive but it's the best robot vacuum you can buy. Its self-navigation feature and environmental mapping are a joy to behold. It also has more advanced automation features than most competitors, including the ability to set virtual boundary markers with its mobile app. It's a dependable robot vacuum, even though its application is a bit slow and the 980 spins when it comes across cables.
We really like the 980 because it uses its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors and visual simultaneity mapping and localisation (or vSLAM) to remember your home's floor plan. It will use this data to create a consistent, efficient cleaning path in every cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a more efficient robot vacuum than many high-end robotics.
Other features include dual multi-surface rubber brushes, that pick up dirt from hard floors and carpet and a spinning brush that sweeps debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. Its floor tracking sensors help it navigate around furniture and along edges, while Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling down the stairs. It also automatically returns to its base station to ensure hassle-free recharges between sessions. Although the 980's battery life and bin size aren't as efficient as some other robot vacuums, it's a solid and reliable machine that will keep your floors spotless for hours on end.