Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos

The best way to keep your home clean is with a robot vacuum. It will nab dust, pet hair and other surface debris before it becomes a bigger problem.

Certain robots can connect to smart assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a environment that is hands-free. Find models that can be recharged and continue cleaning where they left off.

1. iRobot s8

This smart robot vacuum and mop combination is a fantastic choice for many homes. It comes with a fantastic navigation system that incorporates GPS and laser sensors. It also has many features and controls accessible via the app. It has a handy feature which allows you to create cleaning zones in areas that require additional attention, as well as Keep Out zones in areas you don't want it to be. As with all Roomba devices, it gets new software updates that make it even better over time.

It's expensive but is also one of the most sophisticated robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It's got a huge battery that can sweep the entire house in less than two hours. It also switches between mopping and vacuuming with the push of the button. It will automatically empty the trash bin that is above its charging station, unlike other self emptying robots which require you to empty the bin after every run.

It's got a range of other features that make it an excellent option for most homes, including intelligent obstacle avoidance that utilizes the camera as well as processor-powered smarts to detect obstacles. It isn't often entangled or trapped during cleaning and is the best at avoiding power cables as well as other objects I've tested. It's not as reliable at detecting pet waste or other dangers.

2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid

While the Anker-owned Eufy has made its name in budget robot vacuums, it's not yet an all-in-one model that could also mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that has a wide range of advanced features, and can compete with much more expensive models.

The most significant selling point for Eufy with the X8 is its laser navigation. The previous Eufy devices have created a rough map of your home using infrared sensors and bumping into objects however the X8's laser mapping technology is much more accurate. It takes less time to build an accurate map of your home. It can also store multiple maps. This is perfect for homes with multiple floors.

The X8 is still a decent vacuum on floors with no dust and can sling debris over its side brushes and into the 400ml dust bin with relative ease. The X8's tyres, despite their circular shape, are good at grabbing corners and edges. Our tests showed that it was able to remove 90 percent of the fur from hard floors.

There's a mopping mode which uses the same water tank as the vacuuming. While this is good for loose spills however, you aren't able to regulate the amount of water it is using which can limit its effectiveness when dealing with more severe staining. However, it does an admirable job of removing pet hair, with a higher percentage of hair removal than the Roborock S7.

3. Miele RX2

Known for quietly effective home appliances, Miele's RX2 robot vacuum comes with outstanding cleaning power, gorgeous design and excellent navigation. There are a few niggles in its operation, which prevent it from being considered the best smart robot vacuum.

The RX2 is equipped with a dual-sensor mapping technology that makes use of LIDAR to map an area as well as a pair of 3D scanning cameras for detecting and staying clear of obstacles (such as furniture legs or pet waste). Once the room is 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 initiate an automatic clean or manually change the cleaning mode, view 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. Its sweeping and suction powers are excellent, taking away surface debris from carpets with medium pile and also removing dust that has been deposited on floors. However, it's not exactly the most flexible robot available. It's not the most efficient climber and has issues with transition strips made of steel.

Some people buy a robot vacuum to enjoy the convenience of setting a schedule on an app and then forgetting about it for weeks at a time. However, it's essential that a robot is able to do the job that's why our ZDNet staff tested and reviewed several of the most popular ones to help you choose the right one for your home.

4. Shark ION

This budget-friendly robovac looks just like a typical robot, but it's a step up in performance and features. Its intelligent mapping system creates 2D and 3-D maps of your house and uses them to navigate around and avoid obstructions. It can even detect common obstructions such as power cords and furniture legs in real-time. This combination of sensors, along with a bump sensor, and an infrared drop sensor which keeps it from falling down the stairs make it one of the fastest vacs we've tested.

In our tests, it effortlessly could climb over the thick shag rug and didn't end up stuck on them (like the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690). Its navigation abilities were also impressive. Its composite score for carpet and bare flooring beat the competition, and it picked up 98.5 percent of surface litter and embedded dog hair that we tested in our lab samples.

The controls are less basic than those of the competition's. There's a clean button on the top robot vacuum and you can either start it with the app or via voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also set up a schedule for weekly or daily cleaning, set no-go zones, and see its cleaning history. Ion is covered in a smart dark gray plastic that is both attractive and appealing in your home. The dust bin on the rear is easily accessible for emptying, and taking out the filters is also simple.

5. Eufy 11S

If you're looking to buy a basic robotic vacuum that is simple and has no frills for a reasonable cost, the Eufy11S might be your best bet. It lacks some of the smart features, like digital mapping and Alexa integration, which are found in more expensive models, but if you don't need those functions you can save a little money with this model.

This robot is simple to setup and use. It doesn't require a smartphone app or Wi-Fi pairing, but it does come with an remote control that allows you to select between different modes and adjust the suction level. You can also manually set the robotvac to the schedule of cleaning.

In our tests, we discovered that the 11S was extremely effective at getting dirt and fur from carpets and floors with low pile. Its slim profile allowed it to get under low-hanging furniture and other items that heavier robots were unable to get at. It was able to pass easily over thresholds of doorways and move from one type of floor to another.

Like other robots, the 11S will suck up some objects like 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 that you clean the dustbin, change the filters and clean or change the brushes as needed.

Roomba 990 by iRobot

The Roomba 980 is iRobot's flagship robot vacuum. It's costly, but it's the most powerful robot vacuum you can purchase. Its self-navigating capabilities and environmental mapping are something to behold. It also comes with more advanced automation features than many competitors, including the ability to set virtual boundary markers using its mobile app. While its application is a bit slow and the 980 can spin a bit when rolling over cables, it's still a very capable robot vacuum.

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

The 980's other features include two multi-surface rubber brushes that pick up dirt from hard floors and carpet, along with an ejector brush that moves debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. The floor tracking sensor assists it in maneuvering around furniture as well as along edges and steps. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It can also return automatically to the base station for simple charging between sessions. Although the 980's battery lifespan and bin size isn't as impressive as other robot vacuums, it's a sturdy and automatic reliable machine that will keep your floors clean for automatic hours on end.