Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best way to keep your home tidy is to use a robotic vacuum. It can remove pet hair, dust and other particles from the floor 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 be recharged and continue cleaning where they left off.
1. iRobot s8
This smart robot vacuum and mop combination is a fantastic choice for many homes. It comes with a fantastic navigation system with GPS and laser sensors. It also comes with many features and controls accessible via the app. It also has a handy feature that lets you create Cleaning zones in areas that require more attention, and Keep Out zones in areas you do not want it to go. As with all Roomba devices, it is updated with new software updates that make it even better over time.
It's expensive however, it's also one of the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has evaluated. It comes with a powerful battery that can vacuum the entire house in less than two hours. It also switches between vacuuming and mopping at the touch of one button. And unlike other self-emptying robotics that require you to empty the bin after each run, this one automatically emptys itself into the larger waste container that is above its charging dock.
It also comes with a variety of other options, like intelligent obstacle avoidance that uses cameras and processor-powered smarts in order to recognize obstacles. It's not often damaged or stuck during a cleaning cycle and is also the most effective in avoiding power cables and other objects in my tests. However, it's not as accurate in detecting pet waste and other hazards.
2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
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. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that has a wide range of advanced features, and can compete with more expensive models.
The laser navigation system is the primary selling point of this machine. The X8 utilizes laser mapping technology that is more precise than previous Eufy devices. It also takes a lot less time to build up a comprehensive picture of your living space and also stores multiple maps, which is ideal for multi-floor homes.
The X8 is still a good vacuum for floors that are not clean that can carry debris under its side brushes and into its 400ml dust bin with relative ease. The Tyres of the X8, despite their circular shape, are efficient in grabbing corners and edges. Our tests revealed that it was able to remove 90 percent of the fur on hard floors.
There's a basic mopping option which uses the same water tank as the vacuuming. This is great for spills that aren't dangerous, but you are unable to limit the amount of water it uses. That said, it does an admirable job of picking up pet hair, with a higher speed of pickup than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is known for its quiet, powerful appliances. It is a stunning design, a great navigation system and a powerful cleaning power. However, it does have some operational issues which prevent it from being considered as the best overall smart robot vacuum.
Like the latest models from iRobot like the RX2 has dual-sensor mapping that utilizes a LIDAR sensor to map out an area and three 3D scanning cameras that can detect and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real-time. Once the room is mapped the app allows you to designate virtual no-go zones and preferred areas that the robot will clean automatically. You can also alter the cleaning options, begin cleaning manually, or view live feeds of the onboard cameras from the main screen.
The RX2's sensors are effective by registering furniture and obstructions in real-time. The suction and sweeping power are top-notch cleaning up surface debris from carpets with medium piles and dust on floors with no floor. It's not the most powerful robot available. As with many others it's not a very good climber and has trouble with things like metal threshold transition strips.
A lot of people purchase a robotic vacuum for the hands-off convenience of setting a schedule in an app and then forgetting about it for weeks at one time. But it's important that a robot can get the job done that's the reason our ZDNet staff looked over and tested a number of the most popular models to help you find the right one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This round, budget robot looks like your typical robot but it's a step up in terms of performance and features. Its smart mapping system generates 2D and 3D maps of your home and uses those to navigate around obstacles and avoid them. It's even able robot vacuum and mop to spot common obstacles like furniture legs and power cords in real-time. This combination of sensors along with a bump detector, and an infrared sensor that keeps the vacuum off steps makes it one our most flexible vacuums.
In our tests, it was able to could climb over the thick shag rugs 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 was higher than the competition, and it picked up 98.5 percent of the pet hair from our laboratory test samples.
The controls are more basic than the competition; there's a round cleaning button on the top, and you can launch it via the app, or by voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also set a schedule for your daily or weekly cleaning, set no-go zones, and see the history of its cleaning. Ion is clad in a sophisticated dark gray plastic that is both attractive and beautiful in your home. The rear dust bin is easy to empty and removing the filter just as simple.
5. Eufy 11S
Eufy 11S is a great option if you're looking for a robot vacuum that's simple and doesn't have any frills at a low cost. It isn't equipped with some of the advanced features, like digital mapping and Alexa integration, which are available in higher-end models however, if you don't require those functions you can save some cost with this model.
This robot is easy to set up and use. It doesn't require a smartphone app or Wi-Fi pairing, but it does have an remote control that lets you select different modes and adjust the suction level. You can also assign the robotvac to a cleaning schedule.
In our tests, the 11S was extremely efficient in cleaning dirt and pet hair from hard floors as well as in carpets with a low pile. Its slim profile made it easier to reach under furniture and other items that some of the more bulkier robots couldn't reach. It was able to go easily over thresholds of doorways and transition from one type of floor to another.
Like other robots, the 11S is able to be able to suck up objects such as cords, hoodie drawstrings and cat toys. The manufacturer says that you can prevent this by keeping these objects off the floor and by using an organizer for cords if you can. It also suggests that you clean the dustbin, replace the filters, and change or wash the brushes as needed.
Roomba 990 by iRobot
The Roomba 980 is the flagship robot vacuum. It's pricey but it's top-performing and, in some ways, the most advanced robot vacuum you can buy. Its self navigation and environmental mapping are truly a marvel to behold. It also has more advanced automation features than many competitors, including the ability to set virtual boundary lines using its mobile app. It's a capable robot vacuum, even if the application is a bit slow and the 980 spins when rolling over cables.
We love the 980 due to its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors and visual simultaneity localisation and mapping (or vSLAM) to store your home's floor plan. It then uses this information to design a consistent and efficient cleaning path for each cycle. The result is cleaner floors, and a cleaner vacuum than other high-end robot vacuums.
Other features of the 980 include dual multi-surface brushes that capture dirt on carpets and hard floors, as well as an ejector brush that spins to sweep debris into the robotic vacuum’s bin. Its floor tracking sensors help it navigate between furniture and around edges, and Cliff Detect keeps the Roomba from slipping down stairs. It will also return to the base station to allow for charging between sessions. Although the 980's battery life and bin size aren't as impressive as other robot vacuums it's a sturdy and reliable machine that will keep your floors spotless for hours at a time.