Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best method to keep your home clean is to use a robotic vacuum. It can remove pet hair, dust and other debris from the surface before it becomes a bigger problem.
Some robots sync with smart assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant for a hands-free experience. Find models that recharge and resume cleaning where they left off.
- iRobot s8
This smart robot vacuum and mop combination is a fantastic option for homes with a variety of. It is able to vacuum and mop well and has a great navigation system that includes both GPS and laser sensors, and offers a broad range of features and controls that are accessible via the app. It also has a handy feature that allows you to create Cleaning zones for specific areas that need extra attention and Keep Out zones where you don't want it to be. It also gets software updates, just like the other Roomba products, which enhance it over time.
It's expensive however, it's also one of the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has tested. It comes with a powerful battery that can clean an entire home in less than 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 bin after each run, this one automatically empties into the larger waste container that is above its charging dock.
It's got a range of other features that make it an excellent option for most homes with its intelligent obstacle avoidance that utilizes both a camera and processor-powered smarts to detect obstacles. It rarely gets derailed or trapped during cleaning and is also the most effective in avoiding power cables and other objects in my tests. It's not as reliable at detecting pet waste or other hazards.
- Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
While the Anker-owned Eufy has made an impact in low-cost robot vacuums it's never offered an all-in-one model that can also mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that offers a range of advanced features, and can compete with more expensive models.
Laser navigation is the main selling point of this machine. Previous Eufy devices have created a rough map of your home using infrared sensors and bumping into things however the X8's laser mapping system is far more precise. It also takes a lot less time to create an accurate picture of your space and stores multiple maps, which is great for homes with multiple floors.
The X8 is still a good vacuum on floors with no dust and can sling debris over its side brushes and into the 400ml dust bin with ease. The X8's tyres, despite having a circular shape, are good at grabbing corners and edges. Our tests showed that it could only remove 90 percent of the fur from hard floors.
There's a basic mopping mode which uses the same water tank as the vacuuming one. While this is a good option for spills that aren't too big however, you aren't able to regulate the amount of water it consumes, which will limit its effectiveness when dealing with more serious stains. It does, however, do an excellent job of picking up pet hair, with a higher speed of pickup than the Roborock S7.
- Miele RX2
Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is renowned for its quiet, efficient appliances. It features a stunning design, superb navigation and a powerful cleaning power. However, it has a few operational oddities that keep it from ranking as the top overall smart robot vacuum.
Similar to the latest models of iRobot like the RX2 features dual-sensor mapping technology which uses the LIDAR sensor to map a room and a pair of 3D scanning cameras to identify and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real-time. Once mapped the app allows you to create virtual no-go zones as well as preferred areas that the robot will clean automatically. You can also change the cleaning modes, initiate a manual clean or watch live feeds from the cameras onboard from the main screen.
The RX2 is equipped with excellent sensors that detect furniture and other obstructions instantly. Its sweeping and suction powers are outstanding, effectively taking away surface debris from medium pile carpeting as well as embedded dust on floors. It's not the fastest robotics on the market. Like many others, it's not a good climber and has trouble with things like thresholds made of steel transition strips.
Some people buy robot vacuums due to the ease of setting up a schedule in an app, and then forgetting about them for weeks. It is essential for a robot capable of the task so our ZDNet staff has tested and looked over some of the most popular models in order to help you choose the best one for your home.
- Shark ION
This budget robovac that is similar to other, but it has some extra features and is more efficient. Its smart mapping system creates 3D and 2D maps of your house and makes use of them to navigate around and avoid obstructions. It's even able to spot common obstacles such as power cords and furniture legs 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.
In our tests, it was able to climbed over thick shag rug and didn't end up stuck on them (like the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690). Its navigation capabilities were impressive. Its composite score for carpet and bare flooring beat the competition, and it was able to pick up 98.5 percent of surface litter and embedded dog hair from our lab test samples.
The controls are less basic than the competitors. There's a clean button at the top, and you can either start it with the app or by voice commands using Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also set up a schedule for weekly or daily cleans, set no-go zones, and view its history of cleaning. In a smart dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and looks stylish in your home. The dust bin on the rear is easy to access for emptying and cleaning the filter is equally easy.
- Eufy 11S
If you're looking for a simple low-cost robot vacuum at a reasonable cost, the Eufy11S could be a good choice. It isn't equipped with some of the more advanced features, like digital mapping and Alexa integration, which are available in higher-end models, however, if you don't require these features, you can save some cost with this model.
This robot is very easy to set up and use. It doesn't require smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing. However it does include a remote control which lets you choose between different modes and alter the suction level. You can also set up a manual schedule to assign the robotvac to an cleaning schedule.
During our tests, we found that the 11S was extremely effective at cleaning dirt and pet fur from hard floors and low-pile carpets. Its slim profile allowed it to get under low-hanging furniture and other items that some bulkier robots could not reach. It could also easily pass over doorway thresholds and change from one floor type to another.
Like other robots, the 11S can suck up some objects such as cords, hoodie drawstrings, and cat toys. The manufacturer states that you can avoid this by keeping these items off the floor and by using a cord organizer if possible. It also suggests cleaning the dustbin regularly replacing the filters, and changing or washing the brushes as required.
- IRobot Roomba 980
The Roomba 980 is the flagship robot vacuum. It's pricey, but it's also the best robot vacuum that you can buy. Its self-navigating features and environmental mapping are a wonder to behold. It is more sophisticated in its automation than its competitors, including the capability to set up virtual boundary markers with its mobile application. Although its app isn't the most responsive and the 980 may spin out a bit when crossing cables, it's still a very capable robot vacuum.
We really like the 980 because it uses its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors as well as visual simultaneity mapping and localisation (or vSLAM) to remember the floor plan of your home. It then uses that information to create a consistent and efficient cleaning path for every cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a more efficient vacuum than most high-end robots.
Other features of the 980 include dual multi-surface brushes that grab dirt on hard floors and carpets, as well as the spinning brush that sweeps debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. The sensor for floor tracking assists it in maneuvering around furniture, along edges and on stairs. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It will automatically return to its base station for easy recharges between sessions. Although the 980's battery lifespan and bin size aren't quite as efficient as other robot vacuums, it's a sturdy and reliable machine that can keep your floors spotless for hours on end.