Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos

A robot vacuum is the ideal device to keep an orderly home. It will pick up dust, pet hair and other particles on the surface.

Some robots can sync with smart assistants such as Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a environment that is hands-free. Look for models that can be recharged and continue cleaning where they left off.

1. iRobot S8

This smart robot vacuum and mop combination is an excellent choice for many homes. It is able to vacuum and mop well and has a great navigation system that includes both GPS and laser sensors and offers a broad range of features and controls accessible via the app. It comes with a useful feature that lets you create cleaning zones in areas that require more attention, as well as Keep Out zones in areas that you do not want it to go. It also gets software updates, similar to the other Roomba products, which enhance it 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 vacuum an entire home in less than two hours. Additionally, it can switch between vacuuming and mopping with the press of a button. And unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the bin after each run, this one automatically emptys into a larger waste container above its charging dock.

It also has a number of other options, like intelligent obstacle avoidance, which utilizes cameras and processor-powered smarts to identify obstacles. It's not often tripped or stuck during a cleaning cycle. In my tests, it was the best at avoiding objects like power cables. It is not as accurate in detecting pet waste, or other hazards.

2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8

While the Anker-owned Eufy has made a name for itself in budget robot vacuums, it's never offered an all-in-one model that can also mop. That's changed with the X8 Hybrid, which has an impressive set of modern features and is able to compete with more expensive models.

The laser navigation system is the primary selling point of this machine. The X8 makes use of laser mapping technology that is more precise than the previous Eufy devices. It takes less time to create an accurate map of your home. It can also store multiple maps. This is great for multi-floored homes.

The X8 is still a good vacuum for floors that are not clean, slinging debris under its side brushes and into the 400ml dust bin with ease. Its tyres are also very adept at securing corners and edges even though they're circular. It's not a fantastic cat litter eater, however, with our tests showing 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. While this is great for spills that aren't too big but you cannot limit the amount of water it consumes which can limit its effectiveness on more severe staining. That said, it does an admirable job of picking up pet hair, with a higher speed of pickup than the Roborock S7.

3. Miele RX2

Known for quietly effective home appliances Miele's RX2 robot vacuum for stairs vacuum comes with outstanding cleaning power, gorgeous design, and a great navigation. There are a few niggles in its operation that keep it from being ranked as the top smart robot vacuum.

The RX2 is equipped with a dual-sensor mapping technique which uses LIDAR to map a room as well as a pair of 3D scanning cameras for detecting and eliminating obstacles (such as furniture legs or pet waste). Once mapped the app allows you to assign virtual no-go areas and favorite sections that the robot will clean automatically. You can also start cleaning manually or change the cleaning mode, see live feeds from the onboard cameras, and more on the main screen.

The RX2 is equipped with excellent sensors that detect furniture and other obstructions instantly. The suction and sweeping power are top of the line, picking up surface litter from carpets of medium pile and dust in bare floors. But it's not the most efficient robot available. Like many other robots it's not a great climber and is prone to problems with things like thresholds made of metal transition strips.

Many people purchase robot vacuums for the convenience of setting up a schedule using an app, and then forgetting about them for weeks. It's crucial that a machine can do the job, which is the reason why our ZDNet staff examined and reviewed a few of the most popular ones to help you choose the best one for your home.

4. Shark ION

This budget robovac that is similar to other, but it has several more features and is more efficient. Its smart mapping system creates 3D and 2D maps of your home, and uses them to navigate around obstacles and avoid them. It's also able to detect common obstructions such as power cords and furniture legs in real time. This combination of sensors with a bump detector and an infrared sensor to keep the vacuum away from steps makes it one our most flexible vacuums.

In our tests, it was able to moved over large shag rug and didn't get stuck on them (like the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690). Its navigation skills were impressive. Its composite score for flooring and carpet beat the competition, and it picked up 98.5% of dirt and embedded dog hair that we tested in our lab samples.

The controls are more basic than the competition; 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 schedule daily or weekly cleanings, set up no-go zones and check the history of cleaning. Ion is clad in a smart dark gray plastic that feels and smart robot vacuum looks appealing in your home. The dust bin on the rear is easily accessible to empty, and the removal of the filters is also simple.

5. Eufy 11S

Eufy 11S is a great choice if you want an automated vacuum cleaner that is simple and has no frills at a reasonable price. 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 need these features, you can save money.

This robot is simple to install and use. It does not require smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing. However it does include a remote control which allows you to choose between various modes and adjust the suction levels. It also allows you to manually take the robovac off for scheduled cleaning.

During our tests, we discovered that the 11S was extremely efficient at cleaning pet fur and dirt from hard floors and low-pile carpets. Its slim profile allowed it to pass under furniture that is low-hanging and other items that some heavier robots were unable to get at. It was also able to easily get over thresholds for doors and change from one floor type to another.

Like other robots, the 11S will take in some objects, such as cords hoodie drawstrings and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you prevent this from happening by keeping these items off the ground and using a cord organizer if possible. It also suggests cleaning the dustbin regularly by replacing the filters and smart robot vacuum changing or washing the brushes when needed.

6. IRobot Roomba 990

The Roomba is iRobot's flagship robot vacuum. It's pricey, but it's also the most powerful robot vacuum you can purchase. Its self-navigation feature and environmental mapping is a marvel to behold. It has more advanced automation than its competitors, such as the capability to set up virtual boundary markers using its mobile application. It's a capable robot vacuum, even if its app is a bit sluggish and the 980 spins out when rolling over cables.

We love the 980, because it makes use of its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors and visual simultaneity mapping and localisation (or vSLAM), to memorise your home's floor plan. It will use this data to create a consistent and efficient cleaning path in every cycle. The result is cleaner floors, and a more efficient vacuum than most competing high-end robot vacuums.

Other features include two multi-surface rubber brushes that pick up dirt from carpets and hard floors and a spinning brush that sweeps debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. The floor tracking sensor assists it in maneuvering around furniture, along edges and up stairs. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It can also return automatically to the base station to allow for recharging in between sessions. The battery life and bin capacity of the 980 aren't as impressive as those of other bissell smartclean robot vacuum vacuums. However, it is an extremely reliable and sturdy machine that can keep floors clean for many hours.