A robot vacuum is a great device to keep the cleanliness of your home. It will nab dust, pet hair and other surface debris 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. Find models that can be recharged and continue cleaning where they left off.
1. iRobot S8
This smart robot mop and vacuum combo is a fantastic choice for many households. It vacuums and mops well and is extremely navigable using both GPS and laser sensors and has a wide range of features and controls accessible through the app. It also comes with a useful feature that allows you to create Cleaning zones for specific areas that require extra attention, as well as Keep Out zones that you don't want it to go. It also receives software updates, similar to 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 ZDNet has evaluated. It comes with a powerful battery that can clean a large home in under two hours. It can switch between mopping and vacuuming by pressing one button. And unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the dust bin after each run, it automatically emptys into an even larger waste container on top of its charging dock.
mop robot vacuum has a number of other options, like intelligent obstacle avoidance which uses cameras in conjunction with processor-powered smarts in order to identify obstacles. It is rarely derailed or stuck during a cleaning process. In my tests it was the best in avoiding objects such as power cables. However, it isn't as reliable at detecting pet waste and other dangers.
2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
Eufy is owned by Anker It has become a household name in the world of low-cost robot vacuums. But it didn't provide a model that could also mop. That's changed with the X8 Hybrid, which has an impressive array of modern features and is able to compete against much more expensive models.
The most significant selling point for Eufy with this device is its laser navigation. The previous Eufy devices have created an outline of your home by using infrared sensors and bumping into objects but the X8's laser mapping technology is much more accurate. It also takes significantly less time to build up a comprehensive picture of your living space and also stores multiple maps, which is great for multi-floor homes.
The X8 is still a decent vacuum on bare floors, slinging debris under its side brushes and into the 400ml dust bin with ease. The X8's tyres, despite having a circular shape, are very good at grabbing corners and edges. Our tests revealed that it could only remove 90% of the fur on hard floors.
There's a basic mopping mode which uses the same water tank as the vacuuming one. While this is a good option for loose spills, you can't control how much water it uses, which will limit its effectiveness for more severe stains. It's effective in removing hair from pets. It has a higher pick-up rate than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Awarded for its quiet and efficient home appliances Miele's RX2 robot vacuum has excellent cleaning power, stunning design, and a great navigation. It has some oddities in its operation that keep it from being considered the top smart robot vacuum.
The RX2 is equipped with a dual-sensor mapping technology that makes use of LIDAR to map an area, and a pair 3D scanning cameras for detecting and avoiding obstacles (such as furniture legs or pet waste). Once the room is identified and assigned, you can designate virtual no-go areas and sections that you would like to be the robot. You can also begin cleaning manually or change the cleaning mode, see a live feed from the onboard cameras and more from the main screen.
The sensors of the RX2 work well in registering furniture and other obstructions in real-time. And its sweeping and suction power are top-notch cleaning up surface debris from carpets of medium pile and dust on floors that are unfinished. It's not the most powerful robot available. As with many others it's not a very good climber and is prone to problems with things like thresholds made of steel transition strips.
Many people purchase robot vacuums due to the ease of setting up a schedule in an app, and then forgetting about them for weeks. However, it's essential that a robot is able to accomplish the task and that's why our ZDNet staff tested and reviewed several of the most popular ones to help you select the best one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This budget-friendly robovac looks just like a typical robot, but it's an upgrade in terms of performance and features. Its smart mapping system generates 2D and 3-D maps of your house and uses them to navigate and avoid obstacles. It can even detect common obstructions such as power cords and furniture legs in real time. This combination of sensors, along with a bump sensor and an infrared sensor for dropping that keeps it off the stairs make it one of the most agile vacs we've tested.
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 for flooring and carpet beat the competition, and it was able to pick up 98.5 percent of pet hair from our laboratory test samples.
Its controls are a bit more basic than those of competitors. There's a round cleaning button on the top, and you can start it from the app or by voice command with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also create a schedule for daily or weekly cleans, create no-go zones, and view its cleaning history. In a smart dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and looks attractive in your home. The rear dust bin is easy to empty and removing the filter just as simple.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking to buy a basic low-cost robot vacuum at a low cost, the Eufy 11S might be your best bet. It doesn't have many of the more advanced features, such as digital mapping and Alexa integration, found in more expensive models, but if you're not looking for these features, you can save some money with this model.
This robot is simple to install and use. It doesn't require smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing. However it does include the remote control that allows you to choose between various modes and adjust the suction levels. You can also set the robotvac to the schedule of cleaning.
During our tests, we found that the 11S was extremely efficient at removing dirt and fur from carpets and floors with low pile. Its slim profile allowed it to get under low-hanging furniture and other items that heavier robots were unable to get at. It was also able to traverse door thresholds and change from one floor type to another.
The 11S, like other robots, will also eat certain objects, like cords and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you avoid this by keeping these items off the ground and using a cord organiser if possible. It also recommends that you clean the dustbin, replace the filters, and clean or change the brushes when necessary.
Roomba 990 by iRobot
The Roomba 980 is iRobot's flagship robot vacuum. It's costly but it's a top performer and, in some ways, the most advanced robot vacuum available. Its self-navigation as well as environmental mapping is a marvel to behold. It is more sophisticated in its automation than the majority of its rivals, for instance the ability to create virtual boundary markers using its mobile application. It's a dependable robot vacuum, even though its app is a bit sluggish and the 980 spins when it is pushed 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 memorise the floor plan of your home. It will use this information to create a consistent and efficient cleaning path in every cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a better robot vacuum cleaner than the majority of high-end robots.
The 980's other features include two multi-surface rubber brushes which pick up dirt from hard floors and carpet and the spinning brush that sweeps debris into the bin of the robotic vacuum. The floor tracking sensor assists in navigating through furniture, along edges and on stairs. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. And it automatically returns to its base station for easy recharging between sessions. Although the 980's battery life and bin size isn't as impressive as some other robot vacuums, it's a reliable and solid machine that will keep your floors spotless for hours and hours.
