Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
The best method to keep your home clean is with a robot vacuum. It can remove pet hair, dust and other surface debris before it becomes a bigger problem.
Some robots can sync with smart assistants such as Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a environment that is hands-free. Look for models that recharge and pick up where they left off.
- iRobot s8
This smart robot vacuum and mop combo is a great option for a wide range of homes. It can be used to vacuum and mop, has excellent navigation with both GPS and laser sensors, and has a wide range of controls and features accessible through the app. It has a handy feature which allows you to create Cleaning zones in areas that require extra attention, and also to create Keep Out zones in areas where you don't want it to be. It also receives software updates, similar to the other Roomba products, which improve the quality of the product over time.
It's expensive, but it's is also among the most sophisticated robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It's equipped with a powerful battery that can sweep a large home in under two hours. It can switch between mopping and vacuuming with the press of a button. And unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the dust bin after each run, it automatically emptys into an even larger waste container on top of its charging dock.
It also comes with a variety of other options, like intelligent obstacle avoidance, which utilizes cameras in conjunction with processor-powered smarts to recognize obstacles. It's not often tripped or stuck during a cleaning cycle. In my tests, it was the best in avoiding objects such as power cables. However, it's not as effective in detecting pet waste or other dangers.
- Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
Eufy owned by Anker, has become an established brand in the world of low-cost robot vacuums. However, it did not offer an option to mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that offers a range of modern features and can compete with more expensive models.
Laser navigation is the most important feature of this machine. The previous Eufy devices have built up a rough map of your home by using infrared sensors and bumping into objects but the X8's laser mapping system is far more precise. It also takes significantly less time to build up an accurate map of your home and can store multiple maps, which is great for homes with multiple floors.
The X8 is a good vacuum cleaner for floors that are clean. It can easily sling debris through the side brushes and into the 400ml dustbin. Its tyres are adept at securing corners and edges, even though they're circular. It's not a fantastic cat litter picker, though, with our tests showing it can only remove about 90% of the fur from hard floors.
There's a mopping mode that uses the same water tank as the vacuuming. This is ideal for spills that are not dangerous, but you are unable to control the amount of water it uses. It's effective of removing hair from pets. It has a higher percentage of hair removal than the Roborock S7.
- Miele RX2
Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is known for its quiet, effective appliances. It has a beautiful design, excellent navigation and an impressive cleaning power. There are a few niggles in its operation that prevent it from being ranked as the best smart robot vacuum.
Similar to the latest models of iRobot, the RX2 features dual-sensor mapping technology that utilizes the LIDAR sensor to map a room and a pair of 3D scanning cameras that can detect and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real time. After the room has been mapped it is possible to assign virtual no go areas and preferred sections to the robot. You can also manually change cleaning modes, start an automatic clean or watch live feeds of the onboard cameras from the main screen.
The sensors of the RX2 work well by registering furniture and obstructions in real-time. Its sweeping and suction power are top of the line and cleans up surface debris from carpets with medium piles and dust in bare floors. However, it's not exactly the most efficient robot available. Like many other robots it's not a very good climber and has trouble with things like thresholds made of steel transition strips.
Many people purchase a robot vacuum for the ease of setting a schedule in an app and forgetting about it for weeks at one time. It is essential for a robot to be capable of doing the job so our ZDNet staff has tested and looked over some of the most popular models to help you pick the best robot vacuum mop combo one for your home.
- Shark ION
This budget robovac that is similar to other, but it has a few more features and better performance. Its intelligent mapping system creates 3D and 2-D maps of your home and makes use of to navigate and stay clear of obstructions. 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 drop sensor which keeps it off stairs is what makes it one of the most flexible vacs we've tried.
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 skills were impressive. Its composite score for flooring and carpet beat the competition, and it was able to pick up 98.5 percent of the pet hair from our lab test samples.
The controls are more basic than the competitors. There's a cleaning button at the top and you can start it with the app or by voice commands using Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule daily or weekly cleanings, designate no-go zones and check its history of cleaning. In a smart dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and is attractive in your home. The rear dust bin is easy to empty and removing the filter equally easy.
- Eufy 11S
Eufy 11S is an excellent option for those looking for a vacuum cleaner that is easy to use and doesn't have any frills at a low cost. It's not equipped with some advanced features like Alexa integration and digital mapping that are found in higher-end models. However, if you don't require these features, you could save money.
The robot is simple to use and set up. It does not require a smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing. However it does include an remote control that lets you select between different modes and alter the suction levels. You can also send the robotvac on a cleaning schedule.
During 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 allowed it to fit under furniture with low hanging and other objects that heavier robots were unable to get at. It was able to pass easily over thresholds of doorways and switch 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 such objects off the floor and using an organizer for cords if you can. It also suggests cleaning the dustbin periodically, replacing the filters and changing or washing the brushes as needed.
- IRobot Roomba 990
The Roomba is the flagship model of iRobot's robot vacuum. It's expensive, but it's top-performing and arguably the most advanced robot vacuum available. Its self-navigation and environmental mapping is something to behold. It also has more advanced automation features than its competitors, including the ability to set virtual boundary lines through its mobile application. It's a powerful robot vacuum, even if the app is a bit sluggish and the 980's wheels spin out when it comes across cables.
One thing we love about the 980 is the fact that it utilizes its iAdapt 2.0 navigation sensors and its visual simultaneous localisation and mapping technology (or vSLAM) to remember 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 more efficient vacuum cleaner than the majority of high-end robots.
Other features of the 980 include dual multi-surface rubber brushes, which pick up dirt from hard floors and carpet, along with the spinning brush that sweeps debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. The sensors for floor tracking help it navigate across furniture and along edges, and Cliff Detect keeps the Roomba from falling down the stairs. It also automatically returns to its base station to ensure hassle-free recharges between sessions. The bin capacity and the battery life of the 980 aren't as impressive as some other robot vacuums. However, it is a solid and reliable machine that can keep floors clean for many hours.