The Best Robot Hoover
The best robot vacuum can clean and vacuum your floors without having to be involved. It will also leave them spotless. Its price is surprisingly low and top-of-the-line features (such as dirt detection) are a plus.
Check your robot's brushes frequently for tangled debris and hair. Wash them when necessary. Some models can also automatically empty their dust bin on board into a larger one at the base, which reduces the amount of fine dust that is released into the air.
1. Roomba Q5 Pro
The Q5 Pro and its sibling the more expensive Q7 Max Series, are among the most powerful robot vacuums we've examined. They are equipped with motors that are top of the class and can handle up to 5,500 Pascals. Like other top iRobot models (including the top-rated model), they use smart mapping technology to create detailed floor plans that avoid home-based obstacles like cords and furniture legs. The robots also feature a feature called Carpet Boost that boosts its power when it detects dirt on the carpet.
The Q5 and Q7 Max Series both scored very well in our tests of floors with no carpet and are especially adept in removing hair from dogs. However, they do have several flaws that prevent them from being our top pick. One of the Q5's shortcomings is its navigation system doesn't have AI-powered obstacles avoidance. It's thus susceptible to getting stuck on shoes and socks, and it couldn't navigate rooms with lots of people well in our tests. It also doesn't have an image sensor that lets it see the corners of a room.
It's still a good deal, especially if your home or office has a lot of unfinished floors and you're looking to save money. It's also very quiet and operates while you're at work or at school. It lacks the edge-to-edge bare floor vacuuming that is available in the more expensive iRobot Roomba X30. It's also less effective in mopping, relying on disposable wet wipes, which don't stick on well and aren't able to take on dried-on debris. The Q5 does come with an auto-emptying dock, however. And, if you need to, you can switch the mopping pad to dry ones in just a few just a few seconds.
2. iRobot Roomba
The iRobot Roomba X30 packs impressive mopping and vacuuming into a compact, sleek package. Its quick navigation and smart cleaning maps make it quick to clean and efficient in tackling larger particles like pet hair. It also comes with an impressive suction system and a self-emptying bin. It's the best robot vacuum for carpets, but it lags behind some competitors in deep cleaning.
This top-performing combination vacuum and mop utilizes advanced sensors to dodge obstacles and pet waste, and it also learns the layout of your home over time to provide more efficient cleaning. The app lets you customize zones and change the cleaning schedule. Its battery life is average compared to other models.
You can tell the X30 Ultra to remove its mop and extend them when it's in a carpeted area which prevents cross-contamination. Its flex arm is also perfect to get under furniture with low levels and along baseboards. It's not as efficient on the washboard as our other Editors' Choice Picks, the Ecovacs Ozmo N8Pro+ and the iRobot Combo j9+.
During testing, X30 Ultra was the quickest robot vacuum/mop that could complete the task of cleaning a whole home and had 66 percent of its battery remaining. It also did an excellent job of cleaning a mix of floors and rooms with different flooring types, including certain area rug. Its obstacle detection was top-of-the-line and it swiftly eluded fake dog socks, turds, shoes and cables.
It's a little more expensive than iRobot Combo v9+ or iRobot Roomba j9+ but it has superior suction and an onboard bin that automatically empties into the base. linked internet site supports voice commands via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It can clean the floor even after it vacuums. This is a feature that we haven't seen before on other robotic vacuum/mop combos.
3. IRobot Roomba X40
With an elegant circular design that appears more like a normal Roomba rather than the boxes, this mop and robot vacuum is one of the most attractive designs in our reviews. The latest model from iRobot happens to be its smartest and has advanced features like enhanced dirt detection technology and future compatibility with Matter (another company's robot that can autonomously wash mop pads).
It's also the only robotic vacuum/mop that scored a perfect 10 out of 10 in our testing. This is thanks to the combination of high-tech sensors including a structured light system, camera and multiple lasers. The X40 Ultra is also the only robot we tested that can completely self-refill and empty its base station, and it boasts its own self-cleaning mop pads.
The X40, like other iRobot products, is simple to use. It has an easy mobile app interface that integrates with Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit. The only drawback is that it's still quite an eerily noisy device that could be an issue if you use it in the morning before work or in the evening as you try to fall asleep.
It's also a bit costly, but not as much as the Ecovacs S8 MaxV Ultra or Roborock S8 Omni, which are equally impressive and attractive. If you're willing to put up with a little more noise and some additional cost it's a efficient two-in-one device that should delight most.
iRobot L20 Ultra
The L20 Ultra is a top-of-the-range robot vacuum and mop, with a variety of sophisticated features that let you get rid of your chores. Like Ecovacs the range-topping X2 Omni and Roborock's S8 Pro Ultra, the L20 is designed to be a hands-free cleaning machine that can take charge of both mopping and vacuuming, with a multifunction dock that automatically empty the vacuum's trash bin, refills its water tank and cleans and dry its mop pads.
The smart robot utilizes LIDAR and structured lighting to map out floor plans and detect obstacles. It can navigate more efficiently than its competitors with premium features. It also comes with a front-mounted camera to detect hazards in real-time but this was not reliable in our tests and was occasionally confused by power cords or other obstructions.
The vacuum has a maximum suction of 7,000 Pascals which is more than enough to get the job done. It also has "Intelligent Dirt Detection", which regulates the intensity at which the vacuum works and alters the frequency of cleaning for different areas of the home depending on how dirty they are.
If you own a larger home, you should consider choosing a model that has zones or spot cleaning modes. This lets you tell the robot which area of your home needs to be cleaned with the help of an app or voice command. A stair mode can be useful if you own a large furniture. Additionally a recharge and resume function that allows your robot vacuum to continue where it left off is great for busy families.
iRobot RX3
The RX3 is a smarter cleaner than you might imagine from its price. It has a great vacuuming performance and picked up 55% debris in our tests. (It was only second to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mopses using one pad and a reciprocating motion that cleans better that most of the robot mop cleaners that we've tried. It's also extremely self-sufficient, with a fully-featured app, and a self emptying, washable base.
The well-designed iRobot app guides you through a mapping exercise that collects information about your floorplan as well as any "no-go" areas you have marked on the map. It can be used to design cleaning schedules or to organize an automatic spot-clean. You can also use it to rank your most filthy areas for greater efficiency. The app also gives access to a host of features, such as seasonal suggestions, custom maps and advanced settings for your cleaning.
Its shape is more rectangular than other robot vacuums, which means it can reach corners and underneath furniture more easily. It features an impressive 8,000 Pascal suction as well as clever combs for removing pet hair. You can also set up a spot clean that scours a specific area.
The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a sleeker and less expensive alternative to the iRobot Roomba. It's got a more attractive, Dolce & Gabbana-esque design and its twin cameras resemble cute eyes. It's good at vacuuming, but it is more susceptible to be caught by low thresholds and is noisier than the other top robot vacuums we've examined. It also has an app that is less intuitive and has a tiny base station that does not double as a bin to empty.