10 Top Robot Vacuum Tricks All Experts Recommend

Top Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos

Robots aren't so good in removing debris such as metal screws or chunks of pasta. They are however great at sweeping dust, pet hair, and dust. The most effective models come with smart navigation technology, which helps them avoid cords, toys, and other household obstacles.

1. IRobot Roomba i3+ EVO

The iRobot Roomba i3+ is an excellent robot vacuum that has many smart features that make it easier to maintain. Its automatic bin emptying is among the most efficient features we've seen on a robot, and it works well with both hard floors and carpets. The app will guide you through the entire process. It's also simple to use and set up. Another impressive feature is its ability to return to the spot where it was when we tested it. It did this for 77 minutes on one cleaning, before running out of battery.

In contrast to other robovacs that we tested, the i3+ EVO features an automatic emptying bin that dumps debris into an external dirt compartment on the base of its charging when it's filled. This helps reduce the need for hands-on maintenance and helps keep the i3+ EVO from overfilling, however it must be manually cleaned after each cleaning session. The i3+ EVO dustbin can hold 2.4L that is enough to last four to five cleaning sessions.

Like the i7model, this model also uses the latest floor washing robot tracking sensors to create maps and navigate in neat rows. The i3+ EVO can only keep one map, whereas the i7 is able to store multiple. The i7's map is used to create virtual barriers and no-go zones, but not the i3+ EVO.

While the i3+ EVO is better in picking up debris on surfaces than the other robovacs we reviewed but it's not the best for cleaning edges and corners. It's also less gentle on furniture, despite being remarkably quiet. It was a bit rough on furniture, since it moved chairs away. It also made some collisions against the sides of the test bed.

2. Black & Decker Q5 Pro

If you're looking to expand your collection of robot vacuums, or are just starting out, the Q5 Pro is a great option. It features a sleek design, powerful navigation, and useful automation at a reasonable price. It's the best robot vacuum for large house pound-for-pound model available today and even matches Roborock's higher-priced models in many ways.

This robot is fantastic at cleaning floors that are not clean, and its avoidance tech helps it steer away from furniture legs or other obstacles. It also performs well on carpets and scores the top score in our tests of navigation. It's only downside is that it's more noisy than other models and doesn't do as well in our owner-satisfaction and predicted reliability tests.

The Q5 Pro has a very large 770ml dust bin that means you don't have to empty it as frequently as some other 2-in-1 robots. The Q5 Pro's 240 minute running time is also generous when in comparison to other 2-in-1 robots we have tested. If the battery is empty, it returns to its dock and automatically recharges before continuing cleaning where it left off. You can manage the Q5 Pro using the app or voice commands using Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

This is the first robot we've seen with 3D mapping. This along with other advancements has helped it perform exceptionally well in our vacuuming tests and mopping test. You can schedule cleanings and set up no-go zones. You can also view the status of your battery. The app is easy to use, though it doesn't support Apple HomeKit which is expected to be available in 2025. Apple updated its footnote on its website in the beginning of November to reflect that the feature was delayed until 2025. A few other robots aren't compatible with HomeKit however, a lot of them work with Siri Shortcuts.

3. TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus

The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus robot vacuum cleaner is an excellent choice if you are looking for a remote vacuum cleaner that can also mop and is affordable. It has a wide array of features for the price and has a chic design. You can control the device with different buttons on the machine or through the app, and even use voice commands. The device is powered by batteries and the vacuum container can automatically empty itself.

The TP-Link RV30 Plus is a excellent vacuum cleaner that can handle standard messy messes. It can also be used to lightly mop on hard floors. It comes with a replacement mopping cloth and sweeper brush, and an HEPA filter. It can be used with an intelligent hub such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to allow voice control. The TP-Link RV30 Plus is easy to install and can be connected to a wide range of flooring surfaces by using the automatic mode. This will ensure the most effective cleaning results for each area and floor type.

Three cleaning modes are available to suit your requirements. The vacuuming mode uses the smart sensor to detect of obstacles such as furniture, stairs and edges. The mopping mode is used to sweep the floor automatically or to get rid of liquid spills and stubborn stains. Another option is to combine the two functions for a deep and thorough cleaning.

The TP-Link RV30 Plus comes with powerful suction, three settings for dry mopping, and can swiftly remove dust, pet hairs, crumbs and other debris from any flooring kind. It can clean carpets without damaging the material because of specially designed mops.

In the initial mapping run the TP-Link RV30 Plus scans and stores the layout of your home by using its LiDAR and Gyro dual navigation system. The map can be edited within the app and you can combine or divide rooms however you'd prefer. You can also create virtual walls and no-go zones that will stop the RV30 Plus from straying into areas you don't wish to visit.

4. Eufy iMop

The Eufy iMop is one of the top full-featured mop and robot vacuum combos for hard floors. It has a high-tech mapping system that can map your home across several floors. The base station is well-designed and automates cleaning to a great extent. It offers excellent obstacle avoidance and navigation.

This model utilizes a dToF internal LiDAR sensor to map your home, creating efficient cleaning routes. The iMop was rated highly for its navigation and coverage. It also did an excellent job in avoiding obstacles like furniture. It can also find its way to the base station in case it is unable to recharge its batteries during an exercise of cleaning.

The spot cleaning mode lets you to clean a specific area of your floor. It can also be programmed to follow a fixed route, which is helpful in narrow staircases or hallways. In our carpet cleaning test it performed well cleaning carpets. However, it was unable to clean rugs and carpets with longer piles. It is also able to automatically raise the mop pad whenever it comes in contact with carpet. This is a fantastic feature if you want to avoid mowing your carpets.

The iMop has an onboard dustbin and a water tank, which it emptys at the end of each cleaning session. The dust bin that is onboard can hold up to 2.5 liters of debris and will only require emptying after a couple of cleaning cycles. The water tank is able to handle half a dozen mopping sessions before it runs dry. The iMop is easier to maintain and clean than a typical cheap robot vacuum cleaner cleaner, which could be an important benefit for busy households.

The iMop smartphone app is easy-to-use and comes with a variety of configuration options. It offers different suction settings, mopping settings and scheduling. It lets you create virtual walls, no-go zones and other restrictions so that the robot won't wander off into forbidden areas. The app also provides access to the iMop status and warnings about errors.