The Best Robot Hoover
The most effective robot hoover will clean and mop without requiring your attention, and will leave your floors clean. Its low cost and high-end features (such as dirt detection) are pluses.
Be sure to inspect your robot's brushes for tangled hair and large debris and clean them as required. Some models can also self-empty the dust bin on board and then deposit it in an additional bin at the base. This can reduce 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 test. They feature motors that are top-of-the class and can handle up to 5,500 Pascals. Like other iRobots with premium features (including the top model) they employ intelligent mapping to design precise floor plans and eliminate household obstacles like furniture leg. The robots also have a feature called Carpet Boost that increases its power when it senses dirt on the carpet.
The Q5 and Q7 Max Series both scored excellently in our tests on bare floors and are especially adept in cleaning hair from dogs. However, they have a few flaws that keep them from being our top choice. For one, the Q5's navigation system does not have AI-powered obstacle avoidance, so it's prone to get caught up in socks and shoes and couldn't navigate tightly packed rooms very efficiently in our tests. It doesn't also have a camera that can see around corners.
It's still a great deal particularly if your home or office has lots of unfinished floors and you're looking to save money. Plus, it's very quiet and can work when you're at work or school. The only thing it lacks that you won't find in the pricier iRobot Roomba X30 is edge-to-edge vacuuming of floors with no floor. It's also less effective at mopping, as it relies on disposable wet wipes that don't hold on very well and can't handle dried-on debris. The Q5 does come with self-emptying docks, however. And, if you have to change the mopping pad for dry ones in just a few seconds.
2. IRobot Roomba
The iRobot Roomba X30 is a compact, sleek vacuum cleaner that can mop floors. Its quick navigation and smart cleaning maps make it simple to clean and effective at tackling larger particles like pet hair. It also comes with an impressive suction system and an automatic bin for emptying. It's the best robotic hoover for carpets, however it falls behind some competitors in terms of deep cleaning.
This high-performing mop and vacuum combo makes use of advanced sensors to stay clear of obstacles and pet waste, and it will learn your home's layout over time for more efficient cleaning. The app allows you to set up zones and modify the cleaning schedule. Its battery life is average in comparison to similar models.
You can tell the X30 Ultra to remove its mops and extend them when in a carpeted room, which helps prevent cross-contamination. The flex arm can be used to reach beneath furniture with low levels and along baseboards. However, it's not equipped with the same level of washboard performance as our other Editors' Choice picks, the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo N8 Pro+ as well as the iRobot Combo j9+.
During tests, the X30 Ultra was the fastest robot vacuum/mop that could complete an entire house, finishing with 66 percent of its battery left. It also did a good job cleaning a range of floors and rooms that had mixed flooring types, including some area rug. Its obstacle detection was great and it stayed clear of fake dog turds and socks, shoes and bundles cables.
It's a little more expensive than the iRobot Combo v9+ and iRobot Roomba j9+, however, it comes with superior suction, an onboard dustbin that automatically empties into its base, and it supports voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It is able to clean floors even after it vacuums. This is a feature we haven't seen in other robotic vacuum/mop combos.
3. iRobot Roomba X40
With an elegant, circular design that looks more like a regular Roomba than the competition's boxy units this robot vacuum and mop combo is one of the most attractive designs in our evaluations. iRobot’s latest flagship model is also among its most advanced. It has advanced features, like Enhanced Dirt Detection as well as future compatibility (another company’s robot that can wash mop pads autonomously).
It's the only robotic mop or vacuum that scored a perfect 10 in our tests due to a mix of high-tech sensors that include cameras, a structured light system and multiple lasers. The X40 Ultra is also the only robot we tested that is fully self-refill and empty its base station and it has an its own self-cleaning mop pads.
The X40, like other iRobot products, is easy to use. It has a simple mobile application interface, and it is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit. The only real drawback is that it's still quite an eerily noisy device that could be a problem if you run it in the morning before work, or at night when you attempt to sleep.
It's also a bit expensive, but it's not as pricey as the Ecovacs X2 Omni or Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra Both of which are equally capable and better-looking. If you're willing to put up with a bit more noise and a little more cost, this is a very efficient two-in-one device that should delight most.
iRobot L20 Ultra
The L20 Ultra is the top-of-the high-end robot mop and vacuum. It has a range of features that are advanced and will make you forget about your chores. Similar to Ecovacs the range-topping X2 Omni and Roborock's S8 Pro Ultra, the L20 is designed to be a hands-free cleaning machine that takes care of both mopping and vacuuming, with a multi-function dock that automatically empties the vacuum's dust bin, fills its water tank and washes and dry the mop pads.
The smart robot uses LIDAR and structured lighting to create floor plans and spot obstacles. It is more efficient in its navigation than its premium competitors. It also has a front mounted camera for real-time detection of hazards but this wasn't 100% reliable in our tests and could be confused with power cords or obstructions.
The vacuum cleaner has an maximum suction of 7,000 Pascals which is more than enough to accomplish the task. It also has "Intelligent Dirt Detection", that regulates the amount of time the vac works and adjusts the frequency of cleaning for different areas of your home depending on the amount of dirt they are.
If you have a larger home, it is worth selecting a robot that comes with spot or zone cleaning mode. This allows you to tell the robot which area of your house needs to be cleaned by using the app or voice control. If you have furniture, a stair-mode is also useful. Additionally the recharge and resume function that allows your robot vacuum to continue where it left off is ideal for busy families.
iRobot RX3
The RX3 is a smarter cleaner than you would expect from its price tag. It's a pro at vacuuming, removing 55% of the debris that was found in our tests (it was second only to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mops with one pad, which uses an oscillating motion that cleans better than most of the other mop cleaners for robots we've tested. And it's highly self-sufficient with a full-featured application and an auto-emptying, washable base.
The well-designed iRobot app guides you through a mapping run that gathers information about your floorplan as well as any "no-go" areas you set on the map. It can be used to design cleaning schedules or to organize a spot-clean. It can also be used to it to prioritize the most soiled areas for better performance. The app also provides access to many features, such as seasonal suggestions, custom maps and advanced settings for your cleaning.
Its shape is more rectangular than most other robot vacuums, which means it can get to corners and under furniture more easily. It also has a powerful 8000 Pascal suction and combs with intelligent technology for pet hair. It also has the ability to create a spot-clean that scours a specific area.
The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a more sleek and less expensive alternative to the iRobot Roomba. It's more appealing, Dolce & Gabbana-esque design and its twin cameras look like cute eyes. It does a great job vacuuming, but it's more likely to be caught on low thresholds. budget robot vacuum has a higher noise than other top robot vacuums that we've test. It also has an app that is less intuitive and has a tiny base station that doesn't double as a bin to empty.