Watch Out: How Robot Hoover Is Taking Over And What You Can Do About It
The Best Robot Hoover
The best robot hoover can vacuum and mop without needing your attention, and it leaves your floors spotless. Its affordable price and high-end features (such as a dirt detectors) are a plus.
Examine your robot's brush regularly for tangled debris as well as hair. Wash them when necessary. Some models can also automatically empty their dust bin on board into a larger one at the base, which decreases the amount of fine dust that is released into the air.
1. Roomba Q5 Pro
The Q5 Pro, and its more expensive counterpart, the Q7 Max Series are among the most powerful robotic vacuums we've test. They have motors that are top-of-the line and can suction up to 5,500 Pascals. Similar to other iRobots that are premium (including the most powerful model) they utilize intelligent mapping to design precise floor plans and eliminate household obstacles like furniture leg. The robots also come with 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 they are particularly adept in removing hair from dogs. They do have some flaws however, which prevent them from being our top option. One of the flaws of the Q5 is its navigation system does not feature AI-powered obstacles avoidance. It's therefore prone to get stuck on shoes and socks, and it couldn't navigate rooms with lots of people efficiently during our tests. It doesn't also have a camera to see around corners.
It's still a great option for those who want to save money on a Roomba from iRobot, and you have a mostly bare-floor home or office. It's also quiet and works while you're at work or at school. It doesn't have the edge-to-edge floor vacuuming feature that's available in the more expensive iRobot Roomba X30. It's also less effective when it comes to mopping. It is dependent on disposable wet wipes that don't adhere well and aren't able to deal with dried-on debris. The Q5 has an auto-emptying dock, however. If you're in need of it mop, the mopping pad can be swapped for a wet one in minutes.
2. IRobot Roomba X30
The iRobot Roomba X30 packs impressive vacuuming and mopping capabilities into an elegant, compact package. 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 a powerful suction and a self-emptying bin. It's the most efficient robotic hoover for carpets but it falls behind some competitors in terms of deep cleaning.
This high-performing mop and vacuum combo utilizes advanced sensors to avoid obstacles and pet waste, and it learns the layout of your home over time to ensure more efficient cleaning. You can alter its cleaning schedule and customize zones with the well-designed app. Its battery life is average compared to other models.
It is possible to instruct the X30 Ultra to remove its mops and to extend them when in a room with carpet, which helps prevent cross-contamination. The flex arm is great for getting under furniture that is low and along baseboards. However, best budget robot vacuum cleaner 's not equipped with the same level of washboard performance as our other Editors' Choice picks, the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo N8 Pro+ and the iRobot Combo j9+.
During testing, X30 Ultra was the most efficient robot vacuum/mop which could complete the task of cleaning a whole home and had 66 percent of its battery remaining. It also did an excellent job cleaning a range of rooms and floors with different flooring types, including some area rug. Its obstacle detection was top notch, and it nimbly avoided fake dog turds, socks, shoes, and bundles of cables.
It's a bit more expensive than the iRobot Combo v9+ and iRobot Roomba j9+, however it offers superior suction, an onboard dustbin that automatically emptys into its base, and also supports voice commands using Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It even cleans the floor after vacuuming this feature, which hasn't been seen in other robotic vacuum/mop combos.
3. IRobot Roomba X40
With an elegant circular design that looks more like a regular Roomba rather than the boxes, this robot vacuum and mop combo is one of the most appealing looking in our reviews. The latest flagship model from iRobot is also among its most advanced. It comes with 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 also the only robot vacuum or mop that scored an absolute 10 out of 10 in our tests. This is thanks to the combination of modern sensors, including a restructured light system, camera, and a variety of lasers. The X40 Ultra was the only robot we tested that could fill and empty its basestation on its own. It also boasted an industry-leading suction of 12,000Pa and self-cleaning mop mops.
Like other iRobot models as well, the X40 is user-friendly, with a simple mobile app interface, and integration with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant. The only issue is that it's still quite loud, which can be an issue if you use it in the morning prior to work or at night as you try to fall asleep.
It's also quite expensive however, not as expensive as the Ecovacs MaxV Ultra or the Roborock S8 Omni, which are equally impressive and attractive. If you're willing to put up with a bit more noise and a little more cost this is a powerful two-in-one that will delight most.
4. iRobot Roomba L20 Ultra
The L20 Ultra is a top-of-the-range robot vacuum and mop with a variety of sophisticated features that let you forget about your chores. The L20 Ultra is a hands-free cleaning machine that is similar to Ecovacs' top-of-the-range X2 Omni or Roborock's S8 Pro Ultra. It features a multi-functional dock that can automatically empty the vacuum's bin and refills the water tank, and washes and dry mop pads.
The smart robot employs a combination of LIDAR and structured light to create floor plans and identify obstacles, and navigates more effectively than some of its premium competitors. It also comes with a front-mounted camera that can detect hazards in real-time but this wasn't 100% reliable in our tests and could be confused with obstructions or power cords.
Its vacuum has a high suction maximum of 7,000 Pascals which is more than enough to complete the task. It also comes with a feature called "Intelligent Dirt Detection", that regulates the power of the vacuum and adjusts cleaning frequency for various areas of the home based on how dirty the areas are.
For larger houses it's worth looking for models that has zone or spot cleaning modes that let you tell the robot to clean one specific area of your home by using the app or voice controls. A stair mode can be useful if you own a number of furniture. Additionally a recharge and resume feature that lets your robot vacuum continue where it left off is ideal for busy families.
iRobot RX3
The RX3 is more intelligent than the price suggests. It is a good vacuum cleaner, picking up 55% debris in our tests. (It was only second to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mops with one pad that has a reciprocating motion, which is cleaner than the other mop cleaners for robots we've examined. It's also extremely self-sufficient, with a fully-featured app, and a self-emptying base that can be washed.
The well-designed iRobot application guides you through an initial mapping exercise that collects information about your floorplan and any "no-go" areas you set on the map. It can be used to design cleaning schedules, or to set up a spot-clean. You can also use it to prioritize your dirtiest areas for greater efficiency. The app also gives access to a host of features like seasonal suggestions, custom maps, and advanced settings for your cleaning.
Its shape is more rectangular than other robot vacuums, meaning it is able to reach corners and under furniture more easily. It is equipped with a powerful 8,000 Pascal suction as well as intelligent combs to remove pet hair. You can also set up a spot-clean which will thoroughly clean the area.
The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a sleeker and cheaper alternative to the iRobot Roomba. It's got a more attractive design, akin to Dolce & Gabbana. The twin cameras are designed to resemble cute eyes. It does a great job vacuuming, but it is more likely to get caught in low thresholds. It also has a higher noise than other top robot vacuums that we've test. It also has a less user-friendly app and a tiny base station that isn't able to double as a bin for emptying.