Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos

A robot vacuum is a great device to keep a clean home. It will remove dust, pet hair and other debris from the surface before it becomes a bigger problem.

Certain robots can connect to smart assistants such as Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a hands-free experience. Find models that recharge and then resume cleaning where they left off.

1. iRobot S8

This smart robot vacuum and mop combo is a fantastic option for a wide range of homes. It can be used to vacuum and mop, has excellent navigation with both GPS and laser sensors, and has a wide range of controls and features accessible through the app. It also has a handy feature that lets you 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 receives software updates, similar to all Roomba products, that make it better over time.

It's costly however, it's also one of the most advanced robot vacuums that ZDNet has evaluated. It comes with a powerful battery that can clean the entire house in less than two hours. It can also switch between vacuuming and mopping at the press of the button. It automatically empties the dust bin above its charging station, in contrast to other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the bin after each run.

It also has a number of other features, such as intelligent obstacle avoidance, which utilizes a camera along with processor-powered smarts in order to detect obstacles. It's rarely tripped up or stuck during a cleaning cycle. In my tests it was the best at avoiding objects like power cables. It is not as accurate at detecting pet waste or other dangers.

2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8

Eufy is owned by Anker, has become an established brand in the world of budget commercial robot vacuum vacuums. However, it didn't offer the option of a model that could mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that has a wide range of advanced features, and is able to compete with more expensive models.

The most significant selling point for Eufy with this device is its laser navigation. The previous Eufy devices have created an approximate map of your home using infrared sensors and most powerful robot vacuum bumping into things however the X8's laser mapping technology is much more accurate. It also takes a lot less time to create an accurate map of your space and stores multiple maps, which is ideal for multi-floor homes.

The X8 is still a good vacuum on bare floors that can carry debris under its side brushes and into the 400ml dust bin with ease. The tyres are adept at securing corners and edges even though they're circular. It's not a fantastic cat litter scooper, however our tests have shown it only removes about 90% of the fur from hard floors.

The mopping mode that is the basic one uses the same water reservoir as the vacuuming mode. While this is a good option for spills that are not too large however, you aren't able to limit the amount of water it uses, which will limit its effectiveness for more serious stains. It does a good job at picking up hair from pets. It has a higher rate of pick-up than the Roborock S7.

3. Miele RX2

Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is known for its quiet, efficient appliances. It has a beautiful design, superb navigation and an impressive cleaning power. However, it has 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 that uses a LIDAR to map the space as well as a pair of 3D scanning cameras for detecting and most powerful robot Vacuum avoiding obstacles (such as furniture legs or pet waste). Once mapped the app allows you to create virtual no-go zones as well as preferred areas that the robot will clean automatically. You can also begin an automatic clean or manually change the cleaning mode, view a live feed from the onboard cameras, and more on the main screen.

The RX2 has superior sensors that can detect furniture and other obstructions in a flash. The suction and sweeping abilities are exceptional, taking away surface debris from carpets with medium pile and also removing dust that has been deposited on floors. However, it's not the most efficient robot available. It's not the greatest climber, and it has problems with transition strips made of steel.

Many people purchase a robot vacuum for the hands-off convenience of setting a schedule in an app and not thinking about it for weeks at one time. But it's important that a robot can do the job and that's the reason why our ZDNet staff looked over and tested a number of the most well-known models to help you select the right one for your home.

4. Shark ION

This budget robovac is a robot that looks just like the other, but comes with a few more features and better performance. Its smart mapping system creates 3D and 2D maps of your house and uses to navigate and stay clear of obstructions. It can even identify common obstacles such as furniture legs and power cords in real-time. This combination of sensors, together with a bump sensor, and an infrared drop sensor that keeps it away from the stairs is what makes it one of the fastest vacs we've tested.

It was able to walk over thick shag carpets and didn't get stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s, or Roomba 690-). Its navigation abilities were also impressive. Its composite score for flooring and carpet beats the competition and it was able to pick up 98.5% of dirt and embedded dog hair from our lab test samples.

Its controls are a bit simpler than the 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 schedule daily or weekly cleanings, designate no-go zones, and look up its history of cleaning. Covered in stylish dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and looks attractive in your home. Its rear dustbin is easily accessible to empty, and the removal of the filters is also simple.

5. Eufy 11S

If you're looking for a basic, no-frills robot vacuum at a low cost, the Eufy 11S is a great option. This model lacks some smart features like Alexa integration and digital mapping that are found in more expensive models. If you don't require these functions, you can save money.

The robot is simple to use and set up. It does not require a smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing. However it does include the remote control that allows you to choose between different modes and adjust suction level. It also allows you to manually turn off the robovac on a scheduled cleaning.

During our tests, the 11S was extremely effective in getting rid of pet hair and dirt from hard floors and carpets with low pile. Its slim profile made it easier to reach under furniture and other items that larger robots could not reach. It was also able to pass over doorway thresholds and move from one type of floor to another.

Like other robots, the 11S is able to suck up some objects like cords, drawstrings on hoodies, and cat toys. The manufacturer says that you can avoid this by keeping such objects 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 as necessary.

6. IRobot Roomba 980

The Roomba is the flagship model of iRobot's robot vacuum. It's pricey, but it's also the most powerful 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, including the ability to create virtual boundary markers through its mobile application. It's a capable robot vacuum, even though its application is a bit slow and the 980's wheels spin out when it comes across cables.

One thing we love about the 980 is the fact that it utilizes its iAdapt 2.0 navigation sensors and its visual simultaneous localisation and mapping technology (or vSLAM) to store the floor plan of your home. It will then use that information to create a consistent and efficient cleaning path for every cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a cleaner vacuum than most competing high-end robot vacuums.

The 980's other features include two multi-surface rubber brushes which grab dirt from carpets and hard floors as well as a spinning brush that sweeps debris into the bin of the robotic vacuum. Its floor tracking sensors aid it navigate across furniture and along edges, and Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from slipping down stairs. It also automatically returns to its base station to ensure hassle-free recharges between sessions. Although the 980's battery lifespan and bin size aren't quite as good as those of some other robot vacuums, it's a sturdy and reliable machine that can keep your floors spotless for hours and hours.