Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
A robot vacuum is the best device to keep a clean home. It can remove dust, pet hair and other debris from the surface before it becomes a larger problem.
Certain robots can connect to 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.
1. iRobot s8
This smart robot mop and vacuum is an excellent option for a wide range of households. It comes with a fantastic navigation system that incorporates GPS and laser sensors. It also has a lot of features and control options that can be accessed through the app. It also comes with a helpful feature that allows you to add cleaning zones to certain areas that need extra attention, as well as Keep Out zones where you do not want it to be. It also receives software updates, like all Roomba products, that improve the quality of the product over time.
It's costly but it's also one of the most advanced robot vacuums that ZDNet has evaluated. It comes with a powerful battery that can clean a large area in less than two hours. 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 emptys into a larger waste container above its charging dock.
It comes with a variety of other features that make it a great choice for homes of all sizes with its intelligent obstacle avoidance that uses the camera as well as processor-powered smarts to see obstacles. It's rarely tripped up or stuck during a cleaning process. In my tests, it was the best at avoiding objects such as power cables. However, it's not as accurate in detecting pet waste and other dangers.
2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
Eufy is owned by Anker is now an established brand in the world of budget robot vacuums. However, it didn't provide an option to mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that has a wide range of advanced features, and can compete with much more expensive models.
Laser navigation is the main selling point of this machine. The previous Eufy devices have constructed an outline of your home utilizing infrared sensors and bumping into objects but the X8's laser mapping system is far more precise. It also takes significantly less time to construct an accurate map of your space and stores multiple maps, which is great for multi-floor homes.
The X8 is a decent vacuum cleaner on bare floors. It is able to effortlessly sling debris under the side brushes and into the 400ml dustbin. The Tyres of the X8, despite their circular shape, are very efficient in grabbing corners and edges. It's not a fantastic cat litter eater, however as our tests show it only removes about 90 percent of the fur from hard floors.
The basic mopping mode uses the same reservoir of water as the vacuuming mode. This is ideal for spills that aren't too dangerous, but you are unable to limit the amount of water that it uses. It is effective in removing hair from pets. It has a higher pick-up rate than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Known for quietly effective home appliances, Miele's RX2 robot vacuum comes with outstanding cleaning power, stunning design and excellent navigation. However, it has some operational issues that prevent it from being ranked as the top overall smart robot vacuum.
The RX2 comes with a dual-sensor mapping system that uses a 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 the room has been identified, you can assign virtual no go areas and favorite sections to the robot. You can also alter the cleaning modes, initiate a manual clean, or view a live feed of the cameras onboard from the main screen.
The RX2 has excellent sensors that detect furniture and other obstructions instantly. And its sweeping and suction power are top of the line cleaning up surface debris from carpets with medium piles and dust on floors with no floor. It's not the fastest robot on the market. Like many other robots it's not a great climber and has issues with things like thresholds made of metal transition strips.
Some people buy robot vacuums because of the ease of setting up a schedule on an app, only to forget about them for weeks. However, it's essential that a robot is able to do the job, which is the reason our ZDNet staff tested and reviewed several of the most popular models to help you select the best one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This budget robovac that looks just like the other, but it has several more features and a better performance. Its smart mapping system creates 3D and 2-D maps of your house and uses them to navigate and avoid obstacles. It can even detect common obstructions such as furniture legs and power cords in real-time. The combination of sensors with a bump detector, and an infrared sensor to keep the vacuum from stepping on the stairs makes it one of 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 skills were impressive. Its composite score for carpet and bare flooring was higher than the competition, and it was able to pick up 98.5 percent of the surface litter and embedded dog hair from our laboratory test samples.
The controls are simpler than the competition's. There is a cleaning button at the top, and you can choose to start it using the app or via voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule daily or weekly cleanings, designate no-go zones, and look up its history of cleaning. Ion is clad in a stylish dark gray plastic that feels and looks appealing in your home. Its rear dust bin is accessible for emptying and cleaning the filter is just as simple.
5. Eufy 11S
Eufy 11S is an excellent option if you're looking for a vacuum cleaner that is easy to use and doesn't have any frills at a cost that is low. It isn't equipped with some of the more advanced features, such as digital mapping and Alexa integration, which are available in higher-end models but if you don't need these functions, you can save 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 allows you to select between different modes and alter the suction level. It also allows you to manually turn off the robovac for scheduled cleaning.
In our tests, we found that the 11S was extremely efficient at getting pet fur and dirt from hard floors and low-pile carpets. Its slim profile helped it get under furniture and other objects that more bulkier robots were unable to reach. It could also easily get over thresholds for doors and transition from one type of floor to another.
The 11S, like other robots will also suckup some items, including cords and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you can prevent this by keeping such objects off the floor and by using the possibility of a cord organizer. It also recommends that you clean the dustbin, replace the filters, and wash or change the brushes as required.
Roomba 990 by iRobot
The Roomba 980 is iRobot's flagship robot vacuum. best budget robot vacuum It's pricey, but it's an excellent performer and, in some ways, the most advanced robot vacuum you can buy. Its self navigation and environmental mapping are a wonder to behold. It has more advanced automation than its competitors, such as the ability to create virtual boundary markers through its mobile application. It's a dependable robot vacuum, even if the application is a bit slow and the 980's wheels spin out when it is pushed over cables.
We love the 980 because it uses its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors as well as visual simultaneity mapping and localisation (or vSLAM) to store your home's floor plan. It uses this information to create a consistent, efficient cleaning path in every cycle. The result is cleaner floors, and a more efficient vacuum than most competing high-end robot vacuums.
The 980's other features include dual multi-surface rubber brushes which grab dirt from hard floors and carpet as well as an ejector brush that moves debris into the bin of the robotic vacuum. Its floor tracking sensors aid 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 for hassle-free recharging between sessions. The bin capacity and battery life of the 980 aren't as good as some other robot vacuums. However, it's a solid and reliable machine that can keep floors clean for many hours.