10 Quick Tips About Best Robot Vacuums
Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
A robot vacuum is the ideal tool to maintain an orderly home. It can remove dust, pet hair and other particles from the floor before it causes a bigger problem.
Some robots are able to sync with smart assistants such as Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a environment that is hands-free. Look for models that are rechargeable and continue cleaning where they left off.
1. iRobot S8
This smart robot mop and vacuum is an excellent option for households with a variety of. It has a great navigation system with GPS and laser sensors. It also has numerous features and controls that are accessible through the app. It has a handy feature which allows you to create Cleaning zones in areas that require extra attention, as well as Keep Out zones in areas that you don't wish it to go. It also gets software updates, similar to all Roomba products, that 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 got a huge battery that can clean an entire home in less than two hours. It can also switch between mopping and vacuuming at the push of a button. And unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the bin after each run, it automatically emptys into an even larger waste container on top of its charging dock.
It also has many other features, including intelligent obstacle avoidance that uses cameras in conjunction with processor-powered smarts in order to detect obstacles. It is rarely derailed or stuck during a cleaning process. In my tests it was the best at avoiding objects such as power cables. It's not as precise in detecting pet waste or other dangers.
2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
While Anker-owned Eufy has earned its name in budget robot vacuums, it hasn't previously offered an all-in-one model which can also mop. That changes with the X8 Hybrid, which has an impressive suite of advanced features that can compete against more expensive models.
The laser navigation system is the main selling point of this machine. The X8 makes use of the laser mapping system, which is more accurate than the previous Eufy devices. It also takes a lot less time to create an accurate picture of your space and stores multiple maps, which is great for multi-floor homes.
The X8 is a good vacuum cleaner for floors with no dust. It is able to effortlessly sling debris through the side brushes and into its 400ml dustbin. Its tyres are adept at securing edges and corners despite being circular. It's not the best cat litter scooper, however our tests have shown it only removes about 90% 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 are not serious, but you cannot control the amount of water it uses. However, it does an excellent job of removing pet hair, with a better pickup rate than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2

The company is known for its quiet home appliances Miele's RX2 robot vacuum comes with outstanding cleaning power, beautiful design and excellent navigation. It has some oddities in its operation that prevent it from being ranked as the top smart robot vacuum.
Similar to the latest models of iRobot, the RX2 features dual-sensor mapping that utilizes the LIDAR sensor to map out the space and two 3D scanning cameras that can detect and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real-time. Once the room is mapped, the app lets you create virtual no-go zones as well as preferred areas that the robot will automatically clean. You can also begin cleaning manually or change the cleaning mode, see live feeds from the cameras onboard and more from the main screen.
The RX2 has excellent sensors that can identify furniture and other obstructions immediately. Its sweeping and suction power are top-notch, picking up surface litter from carpets of medium pile and dust on floors with no floor. However, it's not the most agile robot on the market. As with many others it's not a great climber and is prone to problems with things like metal threshold transition strips.
Some people buy a robot vacuum for the ease of setting up a schedule using an app and forgetting about it for weeks at a time. It is essential that a robot is capable of the task so our ZDNet staff has compared and looked over some of the most popular models in order to help you select the right one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This budget robovac looks just like your typical robot but it's an upgrade in performance and features. Its intelligent mapping system creates 2D and 3-D maps of your home and makes use of to navigate and avoid obstacles. It can even identify common obstacles such as furniture legs and power cords in real-time. The combination of sensors with a bump detector and an infrared sensor that keeps the vacuum away from steps makes it one our most agile vacuums.
It was able to climb over the thick shag carpets and was not stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s, or Roomba 690-). Its navigation abilities were also impressive; its composite score in carpet and bare floors beat out the competition, and it was able to pick up 98.5 percent of surface litter and embedded pet hair from our lab test samples.
The controls are simpler than the competitors. There is a cleaning button at the top, and you can start it by using the app or by voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule daily or weekly cleanings, set up no-go zones and view its cleaning history. In a smart dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and is attractive in your home. Its rear dustbin is accessible for emptying, and taking out the filters is also a breeze.
5. Eufy 11S
Eufy 11S is an excellent option for those looking for a vacuum cleaner that is easy to use and simple at a reasonable price. It isn't equipped with some of the more advanced features, like digital mapping and Alexa integration, which are found in higher-end models, however, if you don't require these features, you can save a little money by purchasing this model.
This robot is simple to set up and use. It doesn't require a smartphone app or Wi-Fi pairing, however it does come with a remote control that lets you select different modes and alter the suction level. You can also set up a manual schedule to set the robotvac to a cleaning schedule.
During our tests, the 11S was extremely efficient in getting rid of pet hair and dirt on hard floors and in carpets with low pile. Its slim profile allowed it to fit under furniture with low hanging and other items that some bulkier robots could not reach. It was able to pass easily over thresholds of doors and transition from one floor type to another.
Like other robots, the 11S is able to take in some objects such as cords, hoodie drawstrings and cat toys. The manufacturer states that you can stop this by keeping these items off the floor and by using an organizer for cords if you can. It also suggests that you periodically clean the dustbin, change the filters and change or wash the brushes when necessary.
6. IRobot Roomba 990
The Roomba is iRobot’s flagship robot vacuum. It's expensive but it's the best robot vacuum that you can buy. Its self-navigation feature and environmental mapping is something to behold.
robot vacuum for pet hair has more advanced automation than the majority of its rivals, for instance the ability to set up virtual boundary markers through its mobile application. Although its application is a bit slow and the 980 can spin out a bit while moving over cables, it's an extremely efficient robot vacuum.
One thing we really like about the 980 is that it makes use of its iAdapt 2.0 navigation sensors and its visual simultaneous mapping and localisation technology (or vSLAM) to memorise the floor plan of your home. It then uses this information to design a consistent and efficient cleaning path for each cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a more efficient vacuum than most high-end robots.
Other features of the 980 include dual multi-surface brushes that capture dirt on floors and carpets, as well as the spinning brush that sweeps debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. The floor tracking sensor assists in navigating around furniture, along edges and up stairs. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It also automatically returns to its base station for hassle-free charging between sessions. The bin capacity and the battery life of the 980 aren't as great as those of other robot vacuums. However, it is an extremely reliable and sturdy machine that can keep floors clean for many hours.