Best Robot Vacuums: 10 Things I Wish I'd Known Sooner Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos

The best way to keep your home tidy is to use a robotic vacuum. It can remove pet hair, dust and other particles from the floor before it becomes a bigger problem.

Some robots are able to sync with smart assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant for a hands-free experience. Look for models that can recharge and then resume cleaning the area they left.

1. iRobot S8

This smart robot mop and vacuum is a great choice for many households. It can be used to vacuum and mop and is extremely navigable using both GPS and laser sensors, and offers a broad range of features and controls that are accessible via the app. It also has a handy feature which allows you to create cleaning zones in areas that require more attention, and also to create Keep Out zones in areas where you don't wish it to go. It also receives software updates, like the other Roomba products, that make it better over time.

It's expensive but also one of the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It comes with a powerful battery that can clean a large home in under two hours, and it can switch between vacuuming and mopping by pressing one button. And unlike other self-emptying robotics that require you to empty the trash bin after each run, this one automatically empties into the larger waste container that is above 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 the camera as well as processor-powered smarts to detect obstacles. It is rarely derailed or stuck during a cleaning process. In my tests it was the most effective at avoiding objects such as power cables. It is not as accurate at detecting pet waste or other hazards.

2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid

While the Anker-owned Eufy has earned an impact in budget robot vacuums, it's never offered an all-in-one model that could also mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that offers a range of advanced features, and can compete with much more expensive models.

The laser navigation system is the primary selling point of this machine. The X8 uses a laser mapping system that is more accurate than previous Eufy devices. It also takes a lot less time to construct an accurate map of your home and can store multiple maps, which is ideal for homes with multiple floors.

The X8 is a decent vacuum cleaner on bare floors. It is able to effortlessly sling debris through the side brushes and into its 400ml dust bin. The X8's tyres, despite their circular shape, are very adept at grabbing corners and edges. It's not a great kitty litter scooper, however as our tests show it can only remove about 90 percent of the fur from hard floors.

There's a basic mopping option that utilizes the same water tank as the vacuuming. While this is a good option for loose spills, you can't control how much water it consumes and this will reduce its effectiveness on more serious staining. It does, however, do an admirable job of picking up pet hair, and has a higher speed of pickup than the Roborock S7.

3. Miele RX2

Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is renowned for its quiet, effective appliances. It has a beautiful design, a great navigation system, and excellent cleaning power. However, it does have a few operational oddities that keep it from ranking as the best overall smart robot vacuum.

Similar to the latest models of iRobot, the RX2 comes with dual-sensor mapping which uses an LIDAR sensor to map a room and three 3D scanning cameras to identify and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real time. Once the room is mapped the app allows you to assign virtual no-go areas and preferred areas that the robot will automatically clean. You can also change the cleaning modes, initiate a manual clean, or view a live feed of the cameras onboard from the main screen.

The RX2's sensors are effective by registering furniture and obstructions in real-time. Its sweeping and suction power are top of the line cleaning up surface debris from carpets of medium pile and dust on floors with no floor. It's not the most powerful robot on the market. Like many other robots it's not a great climber and is prone to problems with things like metal threshold transition strips.

A lot of people purchase a robotic vacuum for the ease of setting a schedule on an app and then forgetting about it for weeks at a time. It's crucial for a robot able to do the job, so our ZDNet team has tested and examined some of the most popular models in order to help you select the right one for your home.

4. Shark ION

This budget robovac that is similar to other, but has some extra features and is more efficient. Its intelligent mapping system creates 2D and 3D maps of your home and uses them to navigate and avoid obstacles. It can even detect common obstacles such as furniture legs and power cords in real-time. This combination of sensors along with a bump sensor, and an infrared drop sensor which keeps it away from steps make it one of the most flexible vacs we've tried.

It was able to climb over carpets with thick shags and didn't get stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s, or Roomba 690-). mop robot vacuum were impressive as well; its composite score in carpet and bare floors beat out the competition and it picked up 98.5 percent of surface litter and embedded pet hair from our lab test samples.

The controls are less basic than the competitors. There's a clean button on 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 weekly or daily 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. Its rear dust bin is easy to access for emptying and cleaning the filter is the same.

5. Eufy 11S

Eufy 11S is a good option for those looking for an automated vacuum cleaner that is simple and simple at a low cost. It doesn't have many 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 features, you can save money by purchasing 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 a remote control that allows you to select between different modes and alter the suction level. You can also set the robotvac to the schedule of cleaning.

During our tests, the 11S was extremely efficient in getting rid of dirt and pet hair from hard floors as well as in low-pile carpets. Its slim profile allowed it to fit under furniture with low hanging and other items that bulkier robots could not reach. It could also easily get over thresholds for doors and change between floors and another.

The 11S, just like other robots, can also eat some objects, such as cords and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you can avoid this by keeping these objects off the floor and using an organizer for cords if you can. It also recommends that you clean the dustbin, replace the filters, and change or wash the brushes as necessary.


6. IRobot Roomba 980

The Roomba 980 is the flagship robot vacuum. It's pricey, but it's also the most powerful robot vacuum you can buy. Its self-navigation feature and environmental mapping is a marvel to behold. It has more advanced automation than its rivals, for instance the ability to set up virtual boundary markers using its mobile application. While its application is a bit slow, and the 980 does spin out a bit while moving over cables, it's an extremely efficient robot vacuum.

One thing we love about the 980 is that it makes use of its iAdapt 2.0 navigation sensors and visual simultaneous localisation and mapping technology (or vSLAM) to memorise the floor plan of your home. It will use this data to create a consistent and efficient cleaning path for each cycle. The result is cleaner floors, and a cleaner vacuum than the majority of high-end robot vacuums.

The 980's other features include dual multi-surface rubber brushes which pick up dirt from hard floors and carpet and a spinning brush that sweeps debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. The floor tracking sensor assists it in maneuvering between furniture, along edges and on the stairs. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It also automatically returns to the base station to allow for charging between sessions. The bin capacity and the battery life of the 980 aren't as great as other robot vacuums. However, it's a solid and reliable machine that will keep floors clean for many hours.