Robot Hoover Explained In Fewer Than 140 Characters

The best robotic mop and vacuum Robot Hoover

The most effective robot hoover will mop and vacuum without needing your attention, and will leave your floors spotless. Its low cost and high-end features (such as dirt detection) are pluses.

Examine your robot's brush frequently for tangled debris and hair. Wash them if needed. 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 released into the air.

1. Roomba Q5 pro

The Q5 Pro and its sibling, the pricier Q7 Max Series, are among the most powerful robot vacuums we've test. They are equipped with top-of-the-line motors which can generate up to 5,500 Pascals of suction force. Like other premium iRobots (including the top model) they utilize smart mapping to create detailed floorplans that avoid obstacles like cords and furniture leg. The robots also have a feature called Carpet Boost that boosts its power when it senses dirt on the carpet.

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 a few flaws that keep them from being our top pick. For one, the Q5's navigation system does not feature AI-powered obstacle avoidance technology which means it's susceptible to getting hung up on socks and shoes and couldn't navigate rooms with a lot of people efficiently in our tests. It also doesn't come with cameras that let it see the corners of the room.

It's still a great deal particularly if your office or home has lots of unfinished floors and you're looking to save money. It's also very quiet and can work when you're at work or school. It lacks the edge-to-edge bare floor vacuuming that is offered by the more expensive iRobot Roomba X30. It's also less effective in mopping, as it relies on disposable wet wipes that don't hold on very well and can't take on dried-on debris. The Q5 is self-emptying cradle, however. If you're required to clean the mopping pad, it can be replaced with a wet one in seconds.

2. IRobot Roomba

The iRobot Roomba X30 is a compact, sleek vacuum cleaner that can also mop floors. Its smart cleaning maps and nimble navigation make it easy to clean and effective in tackling larger particles such as pet hair. It also has a self-emptying bin, powerful suction, and support for virtual boundaries. It's the best robotic hoovers hoover for carpets, but it falls behind some competitors in terms of deep cleaning.

This top-performing mop and vacuum combo makes use of advanced sensors to dodge obstacles and pet waste and it will learn your home's layout over time to ensure more efficient cleaning. You can modify its cleaning schedule and customize zones through the well-designed app. Its battery life is average in comparison to other models.

If the X30 Ultra is in a carpeted area, 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 under low-lying furnishings and along baseboards. However, it doesn't have the same washboard performance as our other Editors' Choice picks, the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo N8 Pro+ and the iRobot Combo j9+.

In tests, the X30 Ultra was the fastest robot vacuum/mop that could complete an entire house, finishing with only 66 percent of its battery left. It did a decent cleaning job on a variety of flooring and rooms with different kinds of flooring, including certain area carpets. Its obstacle detection was excellent and it stayed clear of fake dog turds, socks, shoes and bundles of cables.

It's more expensive than iRobot Combo v9+ or iRobot Roomba j9+ but has superior suction and an onboard bin that automatically empty into the base. It also supports voice commands using Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It can even clean the floor after it vacuums this feature, which we haven't seen in other robot vacuum/mop combinations.

3. IRobot Roomba X40

With a sleek circular design that looks like a regular Roomba than the competition's boxy units this robot vacuum and mop combo is among the most appealing looking in our reviews. The latest model from iRobot is also the most intelligent. It has advanced features, like enhanced dirt detection and future compatibility (another company’s robot that can wash mop pads autonomously).

It's the only robotic mop or vacuum that has 100% in our tests due to a mix of high-tech sensors that include a camera, structured light system and multiple lasers. The X40 Ultra is also the only robot we tested that can fully self-refill and empty its base station, and it boasts the industry's highest suction of 12,000Pa and self-cleaning mop pads.

Like other iRobot models like the X40 is easy to use, offering an intuitive mobile app interface, and integration with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant. The only issue is that the X40 still a loud unit. This can be a problem in mornings before work, or at night when you're trying to sleep.

It's also somewhat expensive, though it's not as expensive as Ecovacs X2 Omni or Roborock's S8 MaxV Ultra both of which are equally powerful and look better. If you're willing to live with a little more noise and some extra cost it's a efficient two-in-one device that should delight most.

4. iRobot Roomba L20 Ultra

The L20 Ultra is a top-of-the-range robot vacuum and mop, with a lot of advanced features to help you forget about your chores. Like Ecovacs' range-topping X2 Omni and Roborock's S8 Pro Ultra, the L20 is designed to be a hands-free cleaning machine that takes charge of both vacuuming and mopping, with a multi-function dock that automatically empty the vacuum's trash bin, refills its water tank, washes and dry the mop pads.

The smart robot employs an array of LIDAR and structured light to map out floor plans and spot obstacles, navigating more intelligently than its top rivals. It also has a camera mounted on the front for real-time detection of hazards but this was not foolproof in our testing and was often confused by power cords or other obstructions.

Its vacuum has a maximum suction of 7,000 Pascals which is more than enough to complete the task. It also features "Intelligent Dirt Detection", which regulates how hard the vac works and alters the frequency of cleaning for different areas of your home according to the amount of dirt they tend to be.

If you have a bigger home, it is worth selecting a robot vacuum that mops that comes with the option of cleaning zones or spots. This allows you to tell the robot which area of your home needs to be cleaned with the help of an app or voice control. If you have lots of furniture, a stair-mode is also a good option. For busy families, a recharge feature and resume feature that allows your robot vacuum to continue from where it left off can be very beneficial.

iRobot RX3

The RX3 is more intelligent than the price suggests. It has a great vacuuming performance, picking up 55% debris in our tests. (It was only second to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mops using one pad and a reciprocating movement that cleans better that most mop cleaners for robots that we've examined. It's also highly self-sufficient, with a fully-featured app, and a self-emptying, washable base.

The iRobot application is designed to guide you through a mapping run, 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 make cleaning schedules, arrange an area for cleaning or to prioritise your dirtiest rooms to improve performance. The app also gives access to many features like seasonal suggestions, custom maps and advanced settings for your cleaning.

Its shape is more rectangular than most other robot vacuums, meaning it is able to reach corners and underneath furniture better. It also has a powerful suction of 8,000 Pascal suction and combs that are intelligent for hair of pets. You can also organize a spot-cleaner that will thoroughly clean the area.

The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a more sleek and cheaper alternative to the iRobot Roomba. It has a more attractive, Dolce & Gabbana-esque design and its twin cameras resemble cute eyes. It's good at vacuuming, but it is more susceptible to be caught by low thresholds and is a bit louder than the other top robot vacuums we've examined. It also has an app that's not as intuitive and has a tiny base station that doesn't double as a bin to empty.