Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best method to keep your home tidy is to use a robotic vacuum. It can pick up pet hair, dust, and other particles on the surface.
Some robots can sync with smart assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a hands-free experience. Look for models that recharge and then resume cleaning the area they left.
1. iRobot S8
This smart robot mop and vacuum is an excellent choice for many households. It can be used to vacuum and mop, has excellent navigation with both GPS and laser sensors, and offers a broad range of features and controls accessible via the app. It comes with a useful feature that lets you create cleaning zones in areas that require more attention, as well as Keep Out zones in areas you don't wish it to go. And, like all Roomba devices, it is updated with new software updates that make it even more efficient over time.
It's expensive, but it's also one of the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has evaluated. It's got a huge battery that can clean the entire house in less than two hours. It also switches between mopping and vacuuming at the touch of the button. And unlike other self-emptying robotics that require you to empty the dust bin after each run, this one automatically emptys into an even larger waste container on top of its charging dock.
It has a wide range of other features that make it an excellent choice for homes of all sizes that include intelligent obstacle avoidance that utilizes both a camera and processor-powered smarts to see obstacles. It's not often tripped or stuck during a cleaning process. In my tests it was the best in avoiding objects such as power cables. However, it isn't as accurate in detecting pet waste or other dangers.
2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
Although Anker-owned Eufy has made its name in low-cost robot vacuums it's never offered an all-in-one model that can also mop. This is changing with the X8 Hybrid, which has an impressive array of modern features that can compete against more expensive models.
The most significant selling point for Eufy with the X8 is its laser navigation. Previous Eufy devices have constructed an outline of your home by using infrared sensors and bumping into things, but the X8's laser mapping system is far more precise. It takes less time to create an extensive map of your home. It also has the ability to store multiple maps. This is great for multi-floored homes.
The X8 is still a good vacuum on floors with no dust, slinging debris under its side brushes and into the 400ml dust bin with relative ease. Its tyres are adept at hugging edges and corners, even though they are circular. It's not a great kitty litter picker, though, with our tests showing it is able to remove around 90 percent of the fur from hard floors.
There's a mopping mode which uses the same water tank as the vacuuming one. This is great for spills that aren't serious, but you cannot regulate the amount of water it uses. It does, however, do an admirable job of removing pet hair, with a better pickup rate than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is known for its quiet, effective appliances. It has a beautiful design, superb navigation and a powerful cleaning power. But it has some operational issues which prevent it from being considered as the best overall smart robot vacuum.
Similar to the latest models of iRobot and models, the RX2 comes with dual-sensor mapping that uses a LIDAR sensor to map out an area and three 3D scanning cameras to detect and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real time. After the room has been mapped and assigned, you can assign virtual no-go zones and favorite sections to the robot. You can also alter the cleaning modes, start an automatic clean, or view live feeds from the cameras onboard from the main screen.
The RX2's sensors work well in registering furniture and other obstructions in real-time. The suction and sweeping abilities are exceptional, robot vacuum that vacuums and mops removing surface litter from carpets of medium pile as well as embedded dust on floors. However, it's not exactly the most flexible robot available. As with many others, it's not a good climber and has issues with things like metal threshold transition strips.
Many people purchase robot vacuums because of the ease of setting up a schedule in an app, only to forget about them for weeks. But it's important that a robot can get the job done, which is the reason why our ZDNet staff tested and reviewed several of the most popular models to help you choose the perfect one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This budget robot looks like a typical robot, but it's a step up in terms of performance and features. Its intelligent mapping system creates 2D and 3D maps of your home and uses them to avoid obstacles and navigate. It is 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 away from the stairs, makes it one of the most flexible vacuums we've tested.
In our tests, it effortlessly could climb over the thick shag rugs and didn't get stuck on them (like the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690). Its navigation capabilities were impressive. Its composite score for flooring and carpet beats the competition and it was able to pick up 98.5% of pet hair from our lab test samples.
The controls are simpler than competitors. There's an oblong cleaning button at the top, and you can launch it via the app or via voice commands using Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also create a schedule for weekly or daily cleans, create no-go zones, and see the history of its cleaning. In a smart dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and looks stylish in your home. Its rear dustbin is accessible to empty, and the removal of the filters is also simple.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking to buy a basic, no-frills robot vacuum at a reasonable price, the Eufy 11S could be a good choice. It's not equipped with some advanced features such as Alexa integration and digital mapping found in higher-end models. If you don't require these features, you can save money.
This robot is very easy to setup and use. It doesn't require smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing. However it does come with an remote control that lets you choose between various modes and adjust the suction levels. It also lets you manually send the robovac off on a scheduled cleaning.
During our tests, the 11S was very effective at removing dirt and pet hair from hard floors and carpets with a low pile. Its slim profile made it easier to reach under furniture and other items that some of the larger 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 take in some objects like cords, drawstrings for hoodies, and cat toys. The manufacturer says that you can stop this by keeping these items off the floor and using the possibility of a cord organizer. It also recommends cleaning the dustbin regularly replacing the filters, and washing or changing the brushes when needed.
iRobot Roomba 990
The Roomba is iRobot’s flagship robot vacuum. It's pricey, but it's also the most powerful robot vacuum you can buy. Its self-navigating features and environmental mapping are a wonder to behold. It also comes with more advanced automation features than its competitors, such as the ability to create virtual boundary markers through its mobile application. Although its app is a little sluggish, and the 980 does spin a bit when moving over cables, it's a highly efficient robot vacuum.
We love the 980, because it makes use of its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors as well as visual simultaneity mapping and localisation (or vSLAM) to remember your home's floor plan. It then uses the information to create a consistent and efficient cleaning path for 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 carpet and hard floors and the spinning brush that sweeps debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. Its floor tracking sensors aid it navigate across furniture and along edges, while Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from slipping down stairs. It will automatically return to its base station for hassle-free charging between sessions. While the 980's battery life and bin size aren't quite as good as those of other robot vacuums it's a sturdy and reliable machine that will keep your floors spotless for hours and hours.