The Ultimate Cheat Sheet On Best Robot Vacuums
best robot floor vacuum and mop Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
A robot vacuum is the best device to keep the cleanliness of your home. It will pick up dust, pet hair and other particles on the surface.
Some robots are able to sync with smart assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a hands-free experience. Find models that can be recharged and continue cleaning where they left off.
- iRobot s8
This smart robot vacuum and mop combination is a great choice for many homes. It features a superb navigation system that incorporates GPS and laser sensors. It also comes with a lot of features and control options that can be accessed through the app. It also has a handy feature that lets you create Cleaning zones for specific areas that require more attention, as well as Keep Out zones where you don't want it to move. 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 is also one of the most sophisticated robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It comes with a powerful battery that can clean all of your home in less than two hours. It also switches between vacuuming and mopping at the press of the button. And unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the trash bin after each run, it automatically emptys into the larger waste container that is above its charging dock.
It comes with a variety of other features that make it a good option for most homes with its intelligent obstacle avoidance that utilizes both a camera and processor-powered intelligents to identify obstacles. It is rarely derailed or stuck during a cleaning cycle. In my tests it was the most effective at avoiding objects such as power cables. However, it's not as effective in detecting pet waste or other hazards.
- Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
Although Anker-owned Eufy has made its name in low-cost robot vacuums it's not yet an all-in-one model which can also mop. That's changed with the X8 Hybrid, which has an impressive array of modern features that can compete against much more expensive models.
The laser navigation system is the main selling point of this machine. Previous Eufy devices have built up a rough map of your home by using infrared sensors and bumping into things however the X8's laser mapping system is more precise. It also takes a lot less time to construct an accurate picture of your living space and also stores multiple maps, which is ideal for multi-floor homes.
The X8 is a decent vacuum cleaner on bare floors. It can easily sling debris under the side brushes and into its 400ml dust bin. Its tyres are adept at securing corners and edges even though they're circular. Our tests showed 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. While this is good for spills that aren't too big however, you aren't able to limit the amount of water it consumes, which will limit its effectiveness on more serious staining. It does a good job in removing hair from pets. It has a higher percentage of hair removal than the Roborock S7.
- Miele RX2
Known for quietly effective home appliances, Miele's RX2 robot vacuum comes with outstanding cleaning power, beautiful design and great navigation. But it has a few operational oddities that prevent it from being ranked as the top overall smart robot vacuum.
Similar to the latest models of iRobot and models, the RX2 has a dual-sensor mapping system that uses the LIDAR sensor to map out a room and three 3D scanning cameras that can detect and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real time. Once mapped the app allows you to assign virtual no-go areas and favorite sections that the robot will clean automatically. You can also initiate a manual clean or manually change the cleaning mode, view live feeds from the cameras onboard and more from the main screen.
The RX2 is equipped with excellent sensors that can identify furniture and other obstructions instantly. The suction and sweeping power are top of the line cleaning up surface debris from carpets of medium pile and dust in bare floors. But it's not the most flexible robot available. It's not the best climber, and it has problems with metal threshold transition strips.
Many people purchase a robot vacuum for the ease of setting a schedule in an app and not thinking about it for weeks at a time. It is essential that a robot is capable of the task, so our ZDNet staff has tested and examined some of the most popular models in order to help you pick the best one for your home.
- Shark ION
This budget robot is just like your standard robot, however it's upgraded in performance and features. Its smart mapping system generates 3D and 2D maps of your house and makes use of to navigate and avoid obstacles. It can even detect common obstacles like power cords and furniture legs in real-time. This combination of sensors together with a bump sensor and an infrared sensor for dropping that keeps it off steps make it one of the most agile vacs we've tried.
In our tests, it easily climbed over 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 picked up 98.5 percent of pet hair that we tested in our lab samples.
The controls are simpler than the competitors. There's an oblong cleaning button at the top and you can access it via the app or via voice command with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule daily or weekly cleanings, create no-go zones, and look up its history of cleaning. Covered in stylish dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and looks attractive in your home. The dust bin on the rear is accessible for emptying and removing the filter equally easy.
- Eufy 11S
Eufy 11S is a great option for those looking for a vacuum cleaner that is easy to use and has no frills at a cost that is low. It doesn't have many of the advanced features, like digital mapping and Alexa integration, which are available in more expensive models, but if you don't need these features, you can save a little cost with this model.
This robot is easy to use and set up. It doesn't require a smartphone app or Wi-Fi pairing, but it does come with an remote control that lets you choose between different modes and adjust the suction level. You can also set up a manual schedule to assign the robotvac to a cleaning schedule.
In our tests, we discovered that the 11S was extremely effective at removing pet fur and dirt from hard floors and low-pile carpets. Its slim profile made it possible to get under low-hanging furniture and other items that some larger robots are unable to reach. It was able to get easily over thresholds of doorways and switch from one floor type to another.
Like other robots, the 11S will suck up some objects like cords, hoodie drawstrings, and cat toys. The manufacturer states that you can prevent this by keeping these objects off the floor and using a cord organizer if possible. It also suggests that you periodically clean the dustbin, change the filters and clean or change the brushes as necessary.
- IRobot Roomba 990
The Roomba is iRobot's flagship robot vacuum. It's pricey however it's a top performer and arguably the most advanced robot vacuum available. Its self-navigating features and environmental mapping are truly a marvel to behold. It also comes with more advanced automation features than most competitors, including the ability to set virtual boundary lines through its mobile application. While its app is a little sluggish and the 980 can spin a bit when rolling over cables, it's still a very capable 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 each cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a better robot vacuum cleaner than the majority of high-end robots.
Other features include dual multi-surface rubber brushes, that pick up dirt from carpet and hard floors, along with the spinning brush that sweeps debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. The sensor for floor tracking assists it in maneuvering through furniture, along edges and up stairs. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. And it automatically returns to its base station for hassle-free charging between sessions. Although the 980's battery lifespan and bin size isn't as good as those of other robot vacuums it's a reliable and solid machine that will keep your floors spotless for hours at a time.