The Best Robot Hoover
The most effective robot hoover will mop and vacuum without needing your attention, and will leave your floors spotless. Its price is affordable and its high-end features (such as a dirt detectors) are positives.
Examine your robot's brush regularly for tangled debris as well as hair. Wash them if needed. Certain models also automatically empty the onboard dustbin and deposit it in a larger bin at the base. This helps reduce the amount of fine dust that is 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 are equipped with motors that are top of the class and can handle up to 5,500 Pascals. Like other premium iRobots (including the most powerful model), they use smart mapping to produce precise floorplans that avoid obstacles like cords and furniture legs. They also have a feature called carpet boost that increases the robot's power when it sees a lot of dirt on the carpet to get it cleaned quickly.
Both the Q5 and the Q7 Max Series get very high scores on our tests on floors that are bare and are particularly effective at cleaning pet hair. However, they have a few flaws that keep them from being our top choice. One of the flaws of the Q5 is that its navigation system does not feature AI-powered obstacles avoidance. It's thus susceptible to get stuck on socks and shoes and couldn't navigate through rooms with a lot of people well during our tests. It also doesn't have a camera that would let it see the corners of the room.
It's still a good value for those whose office or home has lots of unfinished floors and you want to save some money. Plus, it's very quiet and can work while you're at work or school. It doesn't have the edge-to-edge floor vacuuming that is offered in the more expensive iRobot Roomba X30. It's also less effective at mopping, as it relies on disposable wet wipes, which don't stick on for long and don't take on dried-on debris. The Q5 has self-emptying docks, however. If budget robot vacuum in need of it clean the mopping pad, it can be changed for one that is wet in just a few minutes.
2. IRobot Roomba
The iRobot Roomba X30 is a compact sleek and stylish vacuum cleaner that also has the ability to mop floors. Its agile navigation and intelligent cleaning maps make it easy to clean and effective at dealing with larger particles such as pet hair. It also features strong suction and self-emptying bin. It's the best robot hoover for carpets, although it isn't as efficient as some of its competitors in deep cleaning.
This high-performance vacuum and mop utilizes sensors that help it avoid obstacles and pet waste. It also learns the patterns of your home over time and provide cleaner and more efficient cleaning. The app lets you set up zones and modify the cleaning schedule. Its battery life is average when compared to similar models.
If the X30 Ultra is in a carpeted area, you can tell it to pull back and extend its mops. This can help avoid cross-contamination. Its flex arm can also be used to reach beneath furniture that is low and along baseboards. However, it'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, the X30 Ultra was the fastest robot vacuum/mop in the market to clean an entire home, and it did so with 66 percent of its battery left. 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 nimbly avoided fake dog socks, turds and cables.
It's more expensive than iRobot Combo v9+ or iRobot Roomba j9+ but offers superior suction and an onboard bin that automatically empties into the base. It also supports voice commands using Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It even cleans the floor after vacuuming it, something hasn't been seen in other robot vacuum/mop combinations.
3. IRobot Roomba X40
This robot vacuum and mop combination features a sleek, circular design that appears much like a Roomba model than the boxy models from the competitors. It is one of our most attractive robot vacuums. The latest model from iRobot is also its smartest. It features advanced features like Enhanced Dirt Detection and future compatibility (another company's robot that is able to wash mop pads in a self-cleaning manner).
It's the only robot vacuum/mop to score a perfect 10 in our testing due to a mix of high-tech sensors, including cameras, a structured lighting system and multiple lasers. The X40 Ultra is also the only robot in our tests 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.
The X40 is, like the other iRobot products, is simple to use. It has a simple mobile app interface that integrates with Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit. The only downside is that the X40 is still a loud unit. This could be a problem in mornings prior to work or in the evening when you are trying to sleep.
It's also quite expensive however, not as expensive as the Ecovacs MaxV Ultra or Roborock S8 Omni, which are both equally capable and better looking. If you're willing some more volume and some additional cost, this is a very efficient two-in-one device that should delight most.
iRobot L20 Ultra
The L20 Ultra is a top-of-the-range robot vacuum and mop, with a variety of sophisticated features that let you get rid of your chores. The L20 Ultra is a hands-free cleaning device, similar to Ecovacs the top of the line X2 Omni or Roborock's S8 Pro Ultra. It has a multifunction dock which automatically emptys the bin of the vacuum and refills the water tank, as well as washes and dries mop pads.
The smart robot uses the combination of LIDAR and structured light to draw out floor plans and identify obstacles, navigating more intelligently than its more expensive competitors. It also has a front mounted camera for real-time detection of hazards, though this wasn't foolproof in our tests and was sometimes confused with power cords or obstructions.
Its vacuum has a suction capacity of 7,000 Pascals, which is more than enough to get the job done. It also has a feature known as "Intelligent Dirt Detection", that regulates the power of the vacuum and adjusts cleaning frequency for various areas of the house depending on how dirty the areas tend to be.
If you have a larger home, it's worth selecting a robot that comes with zones or spot cleaning modes. This lets you tell the robot which area of your home must be cleaned with the help of an app or voice command. A stair mode can be useful if you own a large furniture. Finally, a recharge and resume feature that lets your robot vacuum take over exactly where it left off is ideal for busy families.
iRobot RX3
The RX3 is a cleaner with more intelligence than you would think from its price. It vacuums well, picking up 55% debris in our tests. (It was second to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mops using one pad, which uses a reciprocating motion that is cleaner than the other mop cleaners for robots we've examined. It's self-sufficient too, with a full-featured application and an auto-emptying washable base.
The iRobot application 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. It can be used to design cleaning schedules or to set up a spot-clean. It can also be used to it to prioritize the most soiled areas for greater efficiency. The app offers a variety of options, including seasonal suggestions, custom mapping, and advanced cleaning settings.
Its shape is more rectangular than most other robot vacuums, meaning it can get to corners and underneath furniture better. It has a powerful 8000 Pascal suction and clever combs for removing pet hair. You can also set up a spot clean that thoroughly cleans a particular 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, similar to Dolce & Gabbana. The twin cameras are designed like adorable eyes. It does a great job vacuuming, but it is more likely to be caught on low thresholds. It is also louder than other top robot vacuums that we've tested. It also has a less user-friendly app and a small base station that isn't able to double as an emptying bin.