Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best method to keep your home tidy is to use a robotic vacuum. It will pick up dust, pet hair, and other surface debris.
Some robots are able to sync with smart assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant for a hands-free experience. Find vacuum robot that recharge and then resume cleaning where they left off.
1. iRobot s8
This smart robot vacuum and mop is a great option for a wide range of homes. It vacuums and mops well and is extremely navigable using both GPS and laser sensors, and has a wide range of features and controls that are available via the app. It also comes with a helpful feature that lets you add Cleaning zones for certain areas that require extra attention and Keep Out zones where you do not want it to move. And, like all Roomba devices, it receives new software updates that make it better over time.
It's costly but it's also one of the most advanced robot vacuums that ZDNet has evaluated. It's got a huge battery that can sweep an entire home in less than two hours. It can also switch between mopping and vacuuming with the press of a 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 cameras and processor-powered smarts in order to identify obstacles. It is rarely derailed or stuck during a cleaning process. In my tests, it was the best in avoiding objects such as power cables. It's not as reliable at detecting pet waste or other hazards.
2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
Although Anker-owned Eufy has earned an impact in the field of low-cost robot vacuums, it hasn't previously offered an all-in-one model that can also mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that has a wide range of features that are advanced and can compete with more expensive models.
The main selling point of Eufy's this machine is its laser navigation. Previous Eufy devices have constructed an approximate map of your home by using infrared sensors and bumping into objects but the X8's laser mapping technology is much more accurate. It takes less time to create a comprehensive map of your home and can store multiple maps. This is ideal for homes with multiple floors.
The X8 is a great vacuum cleaner for floors with no dust. It can easily sling debris through the side brushes and into its 400ml dustbin. Its tyres are adept at securing corners and edges, despite being circular. It's not a fantastic cat litter eater, however, with our tests showing it is able to remove around 90 percent of the fur from hard floors.
The basic mopping mode utilizes the same water reservoir as the vacuuming mode. While this is a good option for loose spills however, you aren't able to regulate the amount of water it consumes and this will reduce its effectiveness on more severe staining. However, it does an excellent job of picking up pet hair, with a better speed of pickup than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is renowned for its quiet, efficient appliances. It has a beautiful design, excellent navigation and a powerful cleaning power. However, it does have some operational hiccups that prevent it from being ranked as the best overall smart robot vacuum.
The RX2 is equipped with a dual-sensor mapping technique that makes use of LIDAR to map an area and a pair of 3D scanning cameras for detecting and eliminating obstacles (such as furniture legs or pet waste). Once mapped the app allows you to designate virtual no-go zones and preferred areas that the robot will clean automatically. You can also initiate an automatic clean or manually change the cleaning mode, see a live feed from the cameras onboard and more on the main screen.
The RX2 is equipped with excellent sensors that detect furniture and other obstructions immediately. The suction and sweeping power are top-of-the-line, picking up surface litter from carpets of medium pile and dust on floors that are unfinished. It's not the fastest robotics available. It's not the most efficient climber and has issues with transition strips made of steel.
Many people purchase robot vacuums because of the ease of setting up a schedule using an app, only to forget about them for weeks. It's important that a robot is capable of doing the job and that's why our ZDNet staff has tested and reviewed some of the most popular models to help you select the right one for your house.
4. Shark ION
This round, budget robot is just like a typical robot, but it's a step up in terms of performance and features. Its smart mapping system generates 3D and 2D maps of your home, and uses them to navigate around obstacles and avoid them. It can even identify 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 agile vacuums.
In our tests, it effortlessly could climb over the thick shag rug and didn't get stuck on them (like the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690). Its navigation abilities were impressive as well and its overall score on carpet and bare floors topped the competition and it was able to pick up 98.5 percent of surface litter and embedded pet hair from our lab test samples.
The controls are more basic than those of the competition's. There's a cleaning button on the top and you can start it with the app or via voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also create a schedule for daily or weekly cleans, set no-go zones, and view its history of cleaning. Ion is clad in a sophisticated dark gray plastic that is both attractive and attractive in your home. Its rear dustbin is accessible for emptying, and removing the filters is also simple.
5. Eufy 11S
Eufy 11S is a great option if you're looking for a robot vacuum that's simple and simple at a low cost. It doesn't have many of the advanced features, such as digital mapping and Alexa integration, which are available in more expensive models, however, if you don't require these features, you can save some money by purchasing this model.
The robot is simple to set up and use. It doesn't require a smartphone app or Wi-Fi pairing, however it does have an remote control that lets you select various modes and adjust the suction level. It also allows you to manually take the robovac off during scheduled cleaning.
During our tests, we discovered that the 11S was extremely efficient at removing pet fur and dirt from carpets with low pile and hard floors. Its slim profile allowed it to reach under furniture and other objects that more bulkier robots couldn't reach. It was able to go effortlessly over door thresholds and switch from one type of floor to another.
Like other robots, the 11S will take in some objects like cords, drawstrings for hoodies, and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests you keep these items off the ground and by using a cord organizer if possible. It also suggests cleaning the dustbin periodically replacing the filters, and changing or washing the brushes as needed.
iRobot Roomba 990
The Roomba 980 is iRobot's flagship robot vacuum. It's pricey, but it's also the most powerful robot vacuum you can buy. Its self navigation and environmental mapping are something to behold. It also has more advanced automation features than most competitors, including the ability to create virtual boundary markers through its mobile application. It's a capable robot vacuum, even if its app is a bit sluggish and the 980's wheels spin out when it is pushed over cables.
One thing we love about the 980 is that it makes use of its iAdapt 2.0 navigation sensors as well as visual simultaneous localisation and mapping technology (or vSLAM) to memorise the floor plan of your home. It then uses the information to create an efficient and consistent cleaning path for every cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a cleaner vacuum than most competing high-end robot vacuums.
Other features of the 980 include dual multi-surface rubber brushes which grab dirt from hard floors and carpet as well as the spinning brush that sweeps debris into the bin of the robotic vacuum. The sensors for floor tracking help it navigate around furniture and along edges, while Cliff Detect helps to prevent the Roomba from falling down stairs. And it automatically returns to its base station to ensure hassle-free recharges between sessions. While the 980's battery life and bin size aren't as efficient as other robot vacuums, it's a solid and reliable machine that will keep your floors clean for hours at a time.