A robot vacuum is the best tool to maintain the cleanliness of your home. It can remove dust, pet hair and other debris on surfaces.
Some robots are able to sync with smart assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a environment that is hands-free. Find models that are rechargeable and continue cleaning where they left off.
1. iRobot S8
This smart robot vacuum and mop combo is a fantastic choice for many homes. It is able to vacuum and mop well, has excellent navigation with both GPS and laser sensors and offers a broad range of features and controls that are available via the app. It also comes with a useful feature that lets you add Cleaning zones for certain areas that require more attention, and also to keep Out zones where you don't want it to go. It also receives software updates, like all Roomba products, which enhance it over time.
It's expensive but it's also among the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has evaluated. It has a powerful battery that can clean all of your home in less than two hours. It can also switch between mopping and vacuuming with the press of the button. And unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the trash bin after each run, it automatically empties into the larger waste container that is above its charging dock.
It also has a number of other options, like intelligent obstacle avoidance which uses a camera along with processor-powered smarts in order to recognize obstacles. It rarely gets derailed or entrapped during a cleaning process and is also the most effective at avoiding power cables as well as other objects I've tested. However, it isn't as effective in detecting pet waste or other hazards.
2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
Although Anker-owned Eufy has made its name in low-cost robot vacuums it's never offered an all-in-one model which can also mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that offers a range of modern features and is able to compete with more expensive models.
Laser navigation is the main selling point of this machine. The previous Eufy devices have created a rough map of your home using infrared sensors and bumping into things however the X8's laser mapping system is more precise. It also takes significantly less time to build up an accurate picture of your living space and also stores multiple maps, which is ideal for homes with multiple floors.
The X8 is still a decent vacuum on bare floors, slinging debris under its side brushes and into its 400ml dust bin with relative ease. Its tyres are adept at securing corners and edges even though they are circular. It's not a fantastic cat litter scooper, however as our tests show it can only remove about 90 percent of the fur from hard floors.
There's a mopping mode that utilizes the same water tank as the vacuuming one. While this is great for spills that aren't too big, you can't regulate the amount of water it uses and this will reduce its effectiveness when dealing with more severe staining. It is effective at picking up hair from pets. It has a higher percentage of hair removal than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is renowned for its quiet, powerful appliances. It has a beautiful design, a great navigation system and an impressive cleaning power. However, it does have some operational hiccups that prevent it from being ranked as the best overall smart robot vacuum.
The RX2 comes with a dual-sensor mapping system which uses LIDAR to map a room and a pair of 3D scanning cameras for detecting and avoiding obstacles (such as furniture legs or pet waste). Once the room is defined and assigned, you can assign virtual no go areas and sections that you would like to be the robot. You can also change the cleaning options, begin an automatic clean or see live feeds of the cameras onboard from the main screen.
The RX2 has superior sensors that can identify furniture and other obstructions instantly. And its sweeping and suction power are top of the line and cleans up surface debris from carpets of medium pile and dust on floors that are unfinished. It's not the fastest robotics on the market. Like many other robots, it's not a good climber and is prone to problems with things like thresholds made of steel transition strips.
Some people buy robot vacuums because of the ease of setting up a schedule in an app, and then forgetting about them for weeks. But it's important that a robot is able to accomplish the task, which is the reason why our ZDNet staff tested and reviewed several of the most popular models to help you select the right one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This round, budget robot is just like a typical robot, but it's upgraded in terms of performance and features. Its intelligent mapping system creates 3D and 2D maps of your home and uses them to navigate and avoid obstacles. It's even able to spot common obstacles like power cords and furniture legs in real time. This combination of sensors along with a bump sensor, and an infrared drop sensor that keeps it from falling down steps is what makes it one of the most agile vacs we've tested.
It was able to walk over carpets with thick shags and didn't get stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690-). Its navigation skills were impressive. Its composite score for flooring and carpet was higher than the competition, and it was able to pick up 98.5 percent of dirt and embedded dog hair that we tested in our lab samples.
The controls are simpler than the competitors. There's a clean button at the top, and you can choose to start it using the app or via voice commands using Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule weekly or daily cleanings, designate no-go zones and view its cleaning history. Clad in smart dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and looks stylish in your home. The rear dust bin is easy to empty and removing the filter the same.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking to buy a basic, no-frills robot vacuum for a reasonable cost, the Eufy 11S could be a good choice. It lacks some of the smart features, like digital mapping and Alexa integration, which are found in higher-end models, but if you're not looking for these features, you can save money with this model.
The robot is simple to use and set up. It doesn't require smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing. However it does come with an remote control that lets you choose between different modes and alter the suction levels. You can also manually assign the robotvac to a cleaning schedule.
In our tests during our tests, the 11S was very effective at removing pet hair and dirt on hard floors and carpets with low pile. Its slim profile allowed it to reach under furniture and other low items that more bulkier robots couldn't reach. It was able to pass easily over thresholds of doors and switch from one type of floor to another.
The 11S, as with other robots, will also eat some items, including cords and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you avoid this by keeping these items off the ground and by using a cord organizer if possible. It also recommends that you clean the dustbin, change the filters, and wash or change the brushes as needed.
iRobot Roomba 990
The Roomba is iRobots flagship robot vacuum. It's costly but it's an excellent performer and is arguably the most sophisticated robot vacuum available. Its self-navigating capabilities and environmental mapping are something to behold. It is more sophisticated in its automation than most of its rivals, for instance the capability to set up virtual boundary markers through its mobile app. It's a capable robot vacuum, even if its application is a bit slow and the 980's wheels spin out when it comes across cables.
We really like the 980 due to its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors and its visual simultaneity localisation and mapping (or vSLAM) to store your home's floor plan. roomba robot vacuum uses this information to create a consistent and efficient cleaning path in every cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a more efficient vacuum than other high-end robot vacuums.
Other features include two multi-surface rubber brushes which grab dirt from carpet and hard floors and an ejector brush that moves debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. Its floor tracking sensors aid it navigate between furniture and around edges, and Cliff Detect helps to prevent the Roomba from falling down the stairs. It will automatically return to its base station for easy recharging between sessions. The bin capacity and the battery life of the 980 aren't as good as those of other robot vacuums. However, it's a reliable and solid machine that can keep floors clean for a long time. hours.
