Robot Hoover Explained In Fewer Than 140 Characters

The Best Robot Hoover

The best robot hoover can vacuum and mop without needing your attention, and it leaves your floors spotless. Its price is surprisingly low and top-of-the-line features (such as dirt detection) are pluses.

Make sure you regularly examine the brushes of your robot vacuum that mops for hair tangled as well as large debris and wash them if needed. Some models will also empty the onboard dustbin and deposit it in an additional bin at the base. This reduces the amount fine dust that gets released into the air.

1. Roomba Q5 Pro

The Q5 Pro, and its more expensive sibling the Q7 Max Series are among the most powerful robotic vacuums we've test. They feature motors that are top of the class and can handle up to 5,500 Pascals. As with other top iRobot models (including the top choice), they use smart mapping technology to create precise floor plans and eliminate common obstacles like cords and furniture legs. They also have carpet boost, a feature which boosts the robot's power when it spots an abundance of dirt on the carpet in order to get it clean quickly.

The Q5 and Q7 Max Series both scored excellently in our tests on floors that were bare They are also adept in removing hair from dogs. They do have some flaws, however, that prevent them from being our top choice. One of the flaws of the Q5 is its navigation system doesn't feature AI-powered obstacles avoidance. It's thus susceptible to become stuck on socks and shoes and couldn't navigate rooms with lots of people well in our tests. It also doesn't come with a camera that would let it see the corners of a room.

However, it's a good choice, especially if you want to save money on a Roomba from iRobot and have a bare-floored home or office. Additionally, it's quiet and you can use it while you're at work or school. The only thing it lacks that you won't find in the more expensive iRobot Roomba X30 is edge-to-edge vacuuming on floors that aren't clean. It's also less effective at mopping, as it relies on disposable wet wipes that don't hold on well and aren't able to handle dried-on debris. The Q5 does come with self-emptying docks, however. If you need to clean the mopping pad, it can be replaced with 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 quick navigation make it easy to clean, and effective in dealing with larger particles such as pet hair. It also has a powerful suction and self-emptying bin. It's the most efficient robotic hoover for carpets but it's not as good as other hoovers when it comes to deep cleaning.

This high-performing mop and vacuum combination utilizes advanced sensors to stay clear of obstacles and pet waste and it learns your home's layout over time to provide more efficient cleaning. The app lets you modify zones and alter the cleaning schedule. It comes with a battery life that is comparable to other models.

If the X30 Ultra is in a carpeted space, you can tell it to pull back and extend its mop. This can help avoid cross-contamination. Its flex arm can also be used to reach beneath low-lying furnishings and along baseboards. It's not as effective on the washboard as our other Editors' Choice Picks, the Ecovacs Ozmo N8Pro+ and the iRobot Combo j9+.

During tests, X30 Ultra was the quickest robot vacuum/mop that could complete the task of cleaning a whole home, with 66 per cent of its battery remaining. It did a decent cleaning job on different floors and rooms with different kinds of flooring, including certain area rug. Its obstacle detection was top-of-the-line and it swiftly eluded fake dog socks, turds and cables.

It's a little more expensive than the iRobot Combo v9+ and iRobot Roomba j9+, but it has superior suction, an onboard dustbin that automatically emptys into its base, and it supports voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It even cleans the floor after vacuuming, a feature that we've not seen on other robotic vacuum/mop combos.

3. Roomba X40 from iRobot

With an elegant circular design that looks more like a regular Roomba rather than the compact models this mop and robot vacuum is one of the most attractive designs in our tests. The latest flagship model from iRobot is also the most intelligent. It comes with advanced features like Enhanced Dirt Detection as well as future compatibility (another company's robot that can wash mop pads autonomously).

It's also the only robot vacuum cleaner vacuum or mop that scored a perfect 10 out of 10 in our evaluations. This is thanks to a combination high-tech sensors, including a structured lighting system, a camera, and a variety of lasers. The X40 Ultra is also the only robot in our tests 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 as with other iRobot products, is easy to use. It comes with a simple mobile application interface, and it integrates with Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit. The only drawback is that it's an eerily noisy device that could be problematic if you run it in the morning before work or at night as you attempt to sleep.

It's also a bit expensive, though it's not as pricey as Ecovacs X2 Omni or the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra both of which are equally powerful and look better. If you're willing with a bit more noise and some extra cost, this is a very efficient two-in-one device that should satisfy most people.

4. iRobot Roomba L20 Ultra

The L20 Ultra is the top-of-the line robot vacuum and mop. It has a range of features that are advanced and will make you forget about your chores. The L20 Ultra is a hands-free cleaner that is similar to Ecovacs' top-of-the-range X2 Omni or Roborock's S8 Pro Ultra. It has a multifunction dock which automatically emptys the vacuum's bin and refills the water tank, as well as washes and dries the mop pads.

The smart robot employs a combination of LIDAR and structured light to map out the floor plan and detect obstacles, and navigates more effectively than its top competitors. It also has a camera mounted on the front for real-time detection of hazards however, it wasn't foolproof in our testing and was occasionally confused by power cords or other obstructions.

Its vacuum cleaner has a maximum suction of 7,000 Pascals which is more than enough to do the job. It also has "Intelligent Dirt Detection", which regulates how hard the vac works and adjusts the frequency of cleaning for different areas of your home depending on how dirty they are.

For larger homes it's recommended to choose models with zone or spot cleaning modes that let you tell the robot to clean a particular area of your house via the app or voice controls. If you have furniture, a stair mode is also a good option. Additionally, a recharge and resume feature that allows your robot vacuum to pick up right where it left off is great for busy families.

iRobot RX3

The RX3 is a smarter cleaner than you might think from its price. It has a great vacuuming performance and picked up 55% debris in our tests. (It was second to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mops using one pad that has a reciprocating motion that is cleaner than the other robot mop cleaners we've examined. It's also extremely self-sufficient, with a fully-featured application, and a self-emptying base that is washable.

The iRobot app is designed to guide you through the mapping process, which gathers information on your floorplan, as well as any "no go" areas that you've marked on the map. You can use it to create cleaning schedules, set up an area for cleaning or to prioritize your most filthy rooms for better performance. The app also provides access to many options, including seasonal suggestions, custom maps, and advanced settings for your cleaning.

It also has the ability to reach corners and under furniture more easily because its shape is more rectangular. It also has a strong suction of 8,000 Pascal suction and combs that are intelligent for hair of pets. You can also create a spot-clean that scours a specific area.

The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD offers a sleeker more affordable alternative to iRobot Roomba. It has a more attractive, Dolce & Gabbana-esque design and its twin cameras resemble cute eyes. It is great at vacuuming, but it's more likely to be caught on low thresholds. It also has a higher noise than other top robot vacuums that we have examined. It also comes with an app that's less intuitive and has a tiny base station that does not double as a bin for emptying.