The Best Robot Hoover
The best robot hoover can clean and mop without requiring your attention, and it will leave your floors spotless. Its affordable price and high-end functions (such as dirt detector) are both positives.
Be sure to regularly check your robot's brushes for tangled hair and large debris and clean them as needed. Certain models also automatically empty the onboard dust bin and place it in an additional bin at the base. This helps reduce the amount of fine dust that gets released into the air.
1. Roomba Q5 Pro
The Q5 Pro, and its more expensive cousin the Q7 Max Series are among the most powerful robotic vacuums we've tested. They feature motors that are top of the class and can handle up to 5,500 Pascals. Like other premium iRobot models (including the top-rated model), they use smart mapping technology to design detailed floor plans and avoid common obstacles like cords and furniture legs. They also feature a feature called carpet boost which boosts the robot's power when it spots a lot of dirt on the carpet to get it cleaned up quickly.
Both the Q5 and Q7 Max Series get very excellent scores in our bare floor tests, and they're particularly adept in removing pet hair. However, they do have some flaws that prevent them from being our top pick. One of the Q5's shortcomings is its navigation system doesn't include AI-powered obstacle avoidance. It's also prone to become stuck on shoes and socks, and it couldn't navigate rooms with lots of people efficiently during our tests. Also, it doesn't have cameras that let it see the corners of a room.
It's still a great option to consider, particularly if you're looking to save money on an Roomba from iRobot, and you have a bare-floored home or office. It's also quiet and operates while you are at work or in school. The only thing it doesn't have that you don't get in the pricier iRobot Roomba X30 is edge-to-edge vacuuming of floors with no floor. And it's less effective at mopping, as it relies on disposable wet wipes, which don't stick on for long and don't handle dried-on debris. The Q5 is self-emptying cradle however. If you're in need of it clean the mopping pad, it can be swapped for an awe-inspiring one in a matter of just a few seconds.
2. iRobot Roomba
The iRobot Roomba X30 is a compact elegant vacuum cleaner that can sweep floors. Its intelligent cleaning maps as well as fluid navigation make it simple to clean, and effective in dealing with larger particles such as pet hair. It also comes with self-emptying dustbins with powerful suction and support for virtual boundaries. It's the best robot hoover for carpets, but it isn't as efficient as some of its competitors in deep cleaning.
This high-performing mop and vacuum combo utilizes advanced sensors to stay clear of obstacles and pet waste and it will learn the layout of your home over time to ensure more efficient cleaning. The app lets you set up zones and modify the cleaning schedule. It has a battery life that is comparable to other models.
When the X30 Ultra is in a carpeted space, you can tell it to take off and extend its mops. This helps prevent cross contamination. Its flex arm can also be used to reach under 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, X30 Ultra was the most efficient robot vacuum/mop which could complete the task of cleaning a whole home, with 66 per cent of its battery remaining. It also did a great job cleaning a variety of floors and rooms that had mixed flooring types, including certain area rug. Its obstacle detection was excellent and it stayed clear of fake dog turds, socks, shoes and bundles 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. It also supports voice commands via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It can clean the floor even after it vacuums. This is a feature we haven't seen in other robotic vacuum/mop combos.
3. Roomba X40 from iRobot
With a sleek circular design that appears like a regular Roomba rather than the compact models This robot vacuum and mop combo is among the most appealing looking in our evaluations. iRobot’s latest flagship model is also its smartest. It has advanced features, like Enhanced Dirt Detection and future compatibility (another company’s robot that can wash mop pads in a self-cleaning manner).
It's the only robotic vacuum/mop that scored a perfect 10 in our evaluations, thanks to a combination of high-tech sensors, including cameras, a structured lighting system, and multiple lasers. The X40 Ultra is also the only robot we tested that can fully autonomously refill and empty its base station and it has an industry-leading 12,000Pa suction and self-cleaning mop pads.
The X40, like other iRobot products, is simple to use. It comes with an easy mobile application interface, and it is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit. The only drawback is that the X40 still a loud unit. This can be a concern in the mornings before work, or in the evening when you are trying to sleep.
It's also quite expensive, but not as much as the Ecovacs MaxV Ultra or the Roborock S8 Omni, which are both equally capable and better looking. This is a dual-purpose vacuum that is very efficient, but it's more expensive and create more noise.
4. iRobot Roomba L20 Ultra
The L20 Ultra is the top-of-the best robot mop and vacuum. It has a number of advanced features that will make you forget about your chores. The L20 Ultra is a hands-free cleaning machine, similar to Ecovacs the top of the line X2 Omni or Roborock's S8 Pro Ultra. It comes with a multi-function dock that will automatically emptys the bin of the vacuum, refills the water tank, as well as washes and drys mop pads.
The smart robot makes use of LIDAR and structured lighting to map out floorplans and identify obstacles. It can navigate more efficiently than its top competitors. It also has a front mounted camera for real-time hazards detection however this was not completely foolproof in our tests, and could be confused with power cords or obstructions.
The vacuum has a suction capacity of 7,000 Pascals which is more than enough to finish the job. It also comes with "Intelligent Dirt Detection", which regulates how hard the vacuum works and also alters the frequency of cleaning for different areas of your home depending on how dirty they are.
If you own a larger home, it's worth selecting a model with a the option of cleaning zones or spots. This lets you tell the robot which area of your house needs to be cleaned using the app or voice command. If you have furniture, a stair-mode is also a good option. For families with busy schedules recharge functions and resume feature that allows your robot vacuum to continue from where it left off could be extremely useful.
iRobot RX3
The RX3 is a cleaner with more intelligence than you'd imagine from its price. It vacuums well and picked up 55% debris in our tests. (It was second to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mopses with a single pad that uses a reciprocating motion that does a better job cleaning than the other robot mop cleaners we've tested. And it's highly self-sufficient with a full-featured app and an auto-emptying washable base.
The well-designed iRobot app will guide you through an initial mapping exercise that collects information about your floorplan and any "no-go" areas you mark on the map. It can be used to create cleaning schedules, plan the perfect spot for cleaning or prioritize your most filthy rooms to ensure better performance. The app has a range of features, such as seasonal suggestions, custom mapping and advanced cleaning settings.
It is also able to reach corners and under furniture better because its shape is more rectangular. It also has a powerful suction of 8,000 Pascal suction and combs that are intelligent for hair of pets. You can also create a spot-cleaner that thoroughly cleans the area.
The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a more sleek more affordable alternative to iRobot Roomba. It's got a more attractive design, similar to Dolce & Gabbana. The twin cameras are designed like adorable eyes. It does a good job vacuuming but is more prone to get caught on low thresholds and is more noisy than the other top robotic vacuums we've tested. It also has a less intuitive app and a small base station that isn't able to double as a bin for emptying.