How To Get Better Results Out Of Your Robot Hoover
The Best Robot Hoover
The best robot hoover can clean and mop without requiring your attention, and it will leave your floors spotless. Its price is surprisingly low and high-end features (such as dirt detection) are a plus.
Examine your robot's brush frequently for tangled debris and hair. Wash them when necessary. Some models can also automatically empty their dust bin on board into a larger bin at the base, which decreases the amount of fine dust 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 that we have examined. They are equipped with motors that are top of the class and can handle up to 5,500 Pascals. Similar to other iRobots that are premium (including the most powerful model), they use intelligent mapping to design precise floor plans and eliminate household obstacles such as cords and furniture legs. The robots also feature the feature of Carpet Boost which boosts its power when it senses dirt on the carpet.
The Q5 and Q7 Max Series both scored excellently in our tests on floors that were bare, and they are particularly adept in removing dog hair. However, they do have a few flaws that keep them from being our top choice. One of the weaknesses of the Q5 is its navigation system doesn't include AI-powered obstacle avoidance. It's also prone to getting stuck on shoes and socks and couldn't navigate rooms with lots of people efficiently during our tests. It also doesn't have a camera that can see around corners.
However, it's a good choice for those who want to save money on a iRobot Roomba and you have a bare-floored home or office. Additionally, it's quiet and can be used while you're at work, or going to school. It lacks the edge-to-edge bare floor vacuuming feature that's offered by the more expensive iRobot Roomba X30. It's also less effective in mopping. It is dependent on disposable wet wipes, which don't stick well and isn't able to handle dried-on debris. The Q5 has a self-emptying cradle, however. And, if you have to, you can switch the mopping pad for a dry one in seconds.
2. iRobot Roomba
The iRobot Roomba X30 packs impressive mopping and vacuuming into an elegant, compact package. Its intelligent cleaning maps and fluid navigation make it simple to clean and effective in dealing with larger particles, like pet hair. It also comes with strong suction and self-emptying bin. It's the most efficient robotic automatic hoover for carpets, but it falls behind some competitors when it comes to deep cleaning.
This top-performing combination vacuum and mop utilizes advanced sensors to avoid obstacles and pet waste and it will learn the layout of your home over time for more efficient cleaning. You can alter its cleaning schedule and set up zones using the app that is well-designed. Its battery life is average compared to other models.
You can tell the X30 Ultra to remove its mops and to extend them when in a room with carpet which prevents cross-contamination. The flex arm can be used to reach under furniture with low levels and along baseboards. However, it doesn't have 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+.
In the course of testing, X30 Ultra was the fastest robot vacuum that vacuums and mops vacuum/mop to sweep the entire house and had 66 percent of its battery remaining. It also did a great job cleaning a variety of rooms and floors with different flooring types, including some area carpets. Its obstacle detection was top notch and it was nimbly avoiding fake dog socks, turds, and bundles of cables.
It's a bit more expensive than the iRobot Combo v9+ and iRobot Roomba j9+, however, it comes with superior suction, a built-in dust bin that automatically fills up its base, and it supports voice commands using Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It even cleans the floor after it vacuums this feature, which we haven't seen in other robot vacuum/mop combinations.
3. IRobot Roomba X40
With an elegant circular design that appears more like a normal Roomba than the competition's compact models, this robot vacuum and mop combo is one of the most attractive designs in our tests. The latest flagship model from iRobot is also among its most advanced. It features advanced features, like Enhanced Dirt Detection and future compatibility (another company's robot vacuums that mop that is able to wash mop pads in a self-cleaning manner).
It's also the only robotic vacuum/mop that scored an absolute 10 out of 10 in our evaluations. This is thanks to a mix of high-tech sensors, including a structured light system, a camera and multiple lasers. The X40 Ultra was the only robot we tested that could fill and empty its basestation on its own. It also boasted a suction of 12,000Pa and self-cleaning mops.
Like other iRobot models like the X40 is easy to use, offering an intuitive mobile app interface as well as integration with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant. The only issue is that it's loud that could be a problem if you run it in the morning before work or at night as you try to fall asleep.
It's also a bit costly but not as expensive as the Ecovacs MaxV Ultra or Roborock S8 Omni, which are equally impressive and attractive. This is a two-in-one vacuum that's extremely powerful however it's going to cost you more and create more noise.
iRobot L20 Ultra
The L20 Ultra is the top-of-the best robot mop and vacuum. It comes with a variety of advanced features that help you forget your chores. Like Ecovacs' range-topping X2 Omni and Roborock's S8 Pro Ultra, the L20 is designed to be a hands-off cleaning machine that takes charge of both vacuuming and mopping, with a multi-function dock that automatically empties the vacuum's dustbin, refills its water tank, cleans and dry its mop pads.
The smart robot employs a combination of LIDAR and structured light to draw out floor plans and identify obstacles, navigating more intelligently 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 was sometimes confused with power cords or obstructions.
Its vacuum has a high maximum suction of 7,000 Pascals, which is more than enough to complete the task. It also comes with a feature called "Intelligent Dirt Detection", which regulates the power of the vacuum and adjusts the frequency of cleaning for various areas of the house based on how dirty the areas are.
For larger homes it's worth looking for one with zone or spot cleaning modes that allow you to tell the robot to clean a particular area of your home by using the app or voice commands. If you have furniture, a stair mode is also a good option. Finally the recharge and resume function that lets your robot vacuum continue where it left off is great for busy families.
5. iRobot Roomba RX3
The RX3 is more sophisticated 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 only one pad and a reciprocating movement which is cleaner than the majority mop cleaners for robots that we've tried. It's also self-sufficient with a fully-featured application, and a self-emptying base that can be washed.
The iRobot app is designed to help you navigate a mapping run that collects data on your floorplan, as well as any "no go" areas you've marked 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 to improve performance. The app offers a variety of features, including seasonal suggestions, customized mapping, and advanced cleaning settings.
It is also able to reach corners and under furniture better because its shape is more rectangular. It features a powerful 8,000 Pascal suction, as well as intelligent combs to remove pet hair. And you can create a spot-clean that intensely cleans a localized area.
The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a more sleek and more affordable alternative to the iRobot Roomba. It has a more attractive, Dolce & Gabbana-esque design and its twin cameras look like cute eyes. It is capable of vacuuming, but is more prone to be caught by low thresholds and is noisier than the other top robotic vacuums we've tried. It also comes with an app that is less intuitive, and a smaller base station that can't double as a bin for emptying.