Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best way to keep your home tidy is with a robot vacuum. It will remove pet hair, dust and other surface debris before it causes a bigger problem.
Some robots connect to smart assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant for a hands-free experience. Look for models that can recharge and resume cleaning the area they left.
1. iRobot S8
This smart robot vacuum and mop combo is an excellent choice for many homes. It is able to vacuum and mop well, has excellent navigation with both GPS and laser sensors, and offers a broad range of features and controls that are available via the app. It also comes with a helpful feature that allows you to create Cleaning zones for specific areas that require extra attention and Keep Out zones where you do not want it to be. It also gets software updates, just like all Roomba products, which improve the quality of the product over time.
It's expensive, but it's is also one of the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It's equipped with a powerful battery that can clean an entire home in less than two hours, and it can switch between mopping and vacuuming at the touch of one button. And unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the dust bin after each run, it automatically empties into the larger waste container that is above its charging dock.
It comes with a variety of other features that make it a good choice for homes with a lot of space with its intelligent obstacle avoidance that uses both a camera and processor-powered smarts to detect obstacles. It's not often tripped or stuck during a cleaning cycle. In my tests it was the most effective at avoiding objects like power cables. It's not as reliable in detecting pet waste or other hazards.
2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
Although Anker-owned Eufy has earned its name in the field of low-cost robot vacuums, it hasn't previously offered an all-in-one model that could also mop. That's changed with the X8 Hybrid, which has an impressive set of modern features that can compete with more expensive models.
The laser navigation is the main selling point of this machine. The previous Eufy devices have built up an outline of your home utilizing infrared sensors and bumping into objects, but the X8's laser mapping system is more precise. It also takes significantly less time to create a comprehensive picture of your living space and also stores multiple maps, which is ideal for homes with multiple floors.
The X8 is a decent vacuum cleaner on bare floors. It is able to effortlessly sling debris through the side brushes and into the 400ml dustbin. The X8's tyres, despite having a circular shape, are very adept at grabbing edges and corners. It's not a great kitty litter picker, though, with our tests showing it can only remove about 90 percent of the fur off hard floors.
The mopping mode that is the basic one uses the same reservoir of water as the vacuuming mode. While this is a good option for loose spills, you can't limit the amount of water it uses which can limit its effectiveness when dealing with more serious staining. It is 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 known for its quiet, efficient appliances. It is a stunning design, superb navigation and a powerful cleaning power. There are a few niggles in its operation that prevent it from being ranked as the top smart robot vacuum.
Similar to the latest models of iRobot like the RX2 comes with dual-sensor mapping technology that uses the LIDAR sensor to map the space and three 3D scanning cameras to detect and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real time. Once mapped, the app lets you designate virtual no-go zones and preferred areas that the robot will automatically clean. You can also initiate an automatic clean or manually change the cleaning mode, see live feeds from the onboard cameras and more from the main screen.
The RX2's sensors work well in registering furniture and other obstructions in real-time. Its sweeping and suction power are top-of-the-line, picking up surface litter from carpets of medium pile and dust in bare floors. However, it's not the most flexible robot available. Like many others, it's not a good climber and is prone to problems with things like thresholds made of metal transition strips.
Some people buy robot vacuums due to the ease of setting up a schedule using an app, only to forget about them for weeks. It's important for a robot capable of doing the job 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 round, budget robot looks like your standard robot, however it's a step up in performance and features. Its smart mapping system creates 3D and 2D maps of your home, and uses them to navigate and avoid here obstacles. It can even detect common obstacles such as furniture legs and power cords in real-time. This combination of sensors along with a bump sensor and an infrared sensor for dropping that keeps it from falling down the stairs make it one of the fastest vacuums we've tested.
It was able to climb over the thick shag carpets and was not stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s, or Roomba 690-). Its navigation skills were impressive as well and its overall score on carpet and bare floors topped the competition. It took in 98.5 percent of surface pet hair and litter from our lab test samples.
Its controls are a bit more basic than the competitors. There's an uniform cleaning button on the top, and you can start it from the app or by voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also set up a schedule for daily or weekly cleans, create no-go zones, and view its history of cleaning. Ion is covered in a stylish dark gray plastic that feels and looks beautiful in your home. The dust bin on the rear is accessible for emptying and removing the filter equally easy.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking for a simple low-cost robot vacuum for a reasonable price, the Eufy 11S is a great option. This model lacks some smart features like Alexa integration and digital mapping found in higher-end models. However, if you don't require these features, you can save money.
This robot is very easy to install and use. It does not require a smartphone app or Wi-Fi pairing, but it does have a remote control that lets you select different modes and alter the suction level. It also lets you manually take the robovac off during scheduled cleaning.
In our tests, we found that the 11S was extremely efficient at removing pet fur and dirt from carpets and floors with low pile. Its slim profile made it possible to fit under furniture with low hanging and other items that heavier robots were unable to get at. It was able to pass easily over thresholds of doors and move from one floor type to another.
The 11S, like other robots will also suckup some objects, such as cords and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you can stop this by keeping these items off the floor and by using the possibility of a cord organizer. It also suggests that you regularly clean the dustbin, change the filters, and clean or change the brushes as required.
6. iRobot Roomba 980
The Roomba is iRobot's flagship robot vacuum. It's expensive, but it's an excellent performer and is arguably the most sophisticated robot vacuum you can buy. Its self-navigating features and environmental mapping are a wonder to behold. It has more advanced automation than most of its rivals, for instance the capability to set up virtual boundary markers using its mobile application. It's a powerful robot vacuum, even if its app is a bit sluggish and the 980 spins out when rolling over cables.
We love the 980, because it makes use of its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors and its visual simultaneity localisation and mapping (or vSLAM), to memorise the floor plan of your home. It will use this information to create a consistent and efficient cleaning path in every cycle. The result is cleaner floors, and a cleaner vacuum than most competing high-end robot vacuums.
The 980's other features include dual multi-surface rubber brushes that pick up dirt from hard floors and carpet as well as the spinning brush that sweeps debris into the bin of the robotic vacuum. Its floor tracking sensors help it navigate between furniture and around edges, and Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from slipping down stairs. It will automatically return to its base station to ensure hassle-free recharges between sessions. Although the 980's battery lifespan and bin size aren't as impressive as other robot vacuums, it's a reliable and solid machine that will keep your floors spotless for hours at a time.