Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos

The best way to keep your home tidy is to use a robotic vacuum. It can remove dust, pet hair, and other surface debris.

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

1. iRobot S8

This smart robot vacuum and mop combination is an excellent option for a wide range of homes. It vacuums and mops well and has a great navigation system that includes both GPS and laser sensors, and comes with a variety of controls and features accessible through the app. It also has a handy feature that lets you add cleaning zones to certain areas that require extra attention, and also to keep Out zones where you do not want it to go. It also gets software updates, similar to the other Roomba products, that make it better over time.

It's costly, but it's also among the most advanced robot vacuums that ZDNet has tested. It's got a huge battery that can sweep the entire house in less than two hours. It can also switch between mopping and vacuuming at the touch of one button. And, unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the bin after each run, this one automatically empties into a larger waste container above its charging dock.

It has a wide range of other features that make it an excellent choice for homes of all sizes with its intelligent obstacle avoidance, which uses both a camera and processor-powered intelligents to identify obstacles. It's not often tripped or stuck during a cleaning cycle. In my tests, it was the best at avoiding objects such as power cables. However, it's not as accurate in detecting pet waste or other dangers.

2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid

Eufy, owned by Anker, has become an iconic name in the world of budget robot vacuums. However, it did not provide an option to mop. That's changed with the X8 Hybrid, which has an impressive suite of advanced features and is able to compete with more expensive models.

Eufy's main selling point with the X8 is its laser navigation. Previous Eufy devices have constructed a rough map of your home by using infrared sensors and bumping into objects however the X8's laser mapping technology is more precise. It takes less time to build an accurate map of your home. It can also store multiple maps. This is ideal for homes with multiple floors.

The X8 is a great vacuum cleaner on bare floors. It is able to easily throw debris under the side brushes and into its 400ml dustbin. Its tyres are adept at securing edges and corners despite being circular. Our tests revealed that it could only remove 90 percent of the fur on hard floors.

The mopping mode that is the basic one uses the same water reservoir as the vacuuming mode. While this is good for spills that are not too large, you can't regulate the amount of water it consumes and this will reduce its effectiveness for more severe stains. It does, however, do an excellent job of removing pet hair, and has a higher percentage of hair removal than the Roborock S7.

3. Miele RX2

Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is known for its quiet, efficient appliances. It has a beautiful design, excellent navigation, and excellent cleaning power. However, it does have a few operational oddities that prevent it from being ranked as the top overall smart robot vacuum.

The RX2 is equipped with a dual-sensor mapping system which uses LIDAR to map an area and a pair of 3D scanning cameras to detect and staying clear of obstacles (such as furniture legs or pet waste). Once mapped the app allows you to designate virtual no-go zones and preferred areas that the robot will clean automatically. You can also start a manual clean or manually change the cleaning mode, view a live feed from the cameras onboard and more on the main screen.

The RX2 has excellent sensors that can identify furniture and other obstructions instantly. Its sweeping and suction powers are outstanding, effectively getting rid of surface litter from medium pile carpeting and Mini robot vacuum also removing dust that has been deposited on floors. It's not the fastest robotics on the market. As with many others, it's not a good climber and has trouble with things like thresholds made of metal transition strips.

A lot of people purchase a robotic vacuum to enjoy the convenience of setting a schedule in an app and not thinking about it for weeks at one time. It's important for a robot capable of the task and that's why our ZDNet team has tested and examined some of the most popular models to help you choose the best one for your house.

4. Shark ION

This budget-friendly robovac looks just like your typical robot but it's an upgrade in performance and mini robot Vacuum features. Its smart mapping system creates 3D and 2D maps of your home and uses those to navigate and avoid obstacles. It's also able to detect common obstructions such as furniture legs and power cords in real-time. This combination of sensors along with a bump detector and an infrared sensor to keep the vacuum off the stairs makes it one of our most agile vacuums.

It was able to climb over thick shag carpets and did not get stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s, or Roomba 690-). Its navigation capabilities were impressive. Its composite score for flooring and carpet was higher than the competition, and it picked up 98.5% of dirt and embedded dog hair from our laboratory test samples.

Its controls are a bit more basic than those of competitors. There's an uniform cleaning button on the top. You can access it via the app, or by voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also set up a schedule for daily or weekly cleaning, set no-go zones, and view the history of its cleaning. Ion is covered in a sophisticated dark gray plastic that is both attractive and appealing in your home. Its rear dustbin is accessible for emptying, and taking out the filters is also easy.

5. Eufy 11S

If you're looking to buy a basic, no-frills robot vacuum at a low cost, the Eufy11S could be a good choice. The model isn't equipped with smart features such as Alexa integration and digital mapping that are found in higher-end models. However, if you don't require these features, you could save money.

This Mini Robot vacuum is simple to setup and use. It doesn't require a smartphone app or Wi-Fi pairing, but it does have a remote control that lets you choose between different modes and adjust the suction level. You can also manually send the robotvac on the schedule of cleaning.

During our tests, we discovered that the 11S was extremely effective at getting dirt and fur from hard floors and low-pile carpets. Its slim profile allowed it to get under low-hanging furniture and other objects that bulkier robots could not reach. It was able to go effortlessly over door thresholds and switch between floors of different types to another.

Like other robots, the 11S can suck up some objects like cords, drawstrings for hoodies, and cat toys. The manufacturer states that you can stop this by keeping these items off the floor and by using a cord organizer if possible. It also suggests cleaning the dustbin on a regular basis replacing the filters, and washing or changing the brushes as needed.

Roomba 990 from iRobot

The Roomba 980 is iRobot's most popular robot vacuum for carpet vacuum. It's costly but it's a top performer and is arguably the most sophisticated robot vacuum you can purchase. Its self-navigating features and environmental mapping are something to behold. It also comes with more advanced automation features than most competitors, such as the ability to set virtual boundary lines with its mobile app. It's a powerful robot vacuum, even if its application is a bit slow and the 980 spins when rolling over cables.

We really like the 980 because it uses its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors and its visual simultaneity localisation and mapping (or vSLAM) to remember the floor plan of your home. It will then use this information to design a consistent and efficient cleaning path for every cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a more efficient robot vacuum cleaner than the majority of high-end robots.

Other features of the 980 include dual multi-surface brushes which grab dirt on carpets and hard floors, as well as the spinning brush that sweeps debris into the robotic vacuum’s bin. Its floor tracking sensors help it navigate between furniture and around edges, while Cliff Detect keeps the Roomba from falling down the stairs. It can also return automatically to the base station for simple charging between sessions. Although the 980's battery lifespan and bin size aren't as efficient as some other robot vacuums, it's a solid and reliable machine that will keep your floors clean for hours at a time.