Robot Hoover Explained In Fewer Than 140 Characters
The Best Robot Hoover
The best robot hoover can mop and vacuum without needing your attention, and leaves your floors spotless. Its surprisingly affordable price and top-of-the-line features (such as dirt detection) are great features.
Be sure to examine the brushes of your robot for hair that is tangled as well as large debris and clean them as required. 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 that is released into the air.
1. Roomba Q5 pro
The Q5 Pro and its sibling, the more expensive Q7 Max Series, are among the most powerful robot vacuums we've tested. They are equipped with motors that are top-of-the quality and can suction up to 5,500 Pascals. Like other top iRobot models (including the top choice) they employ smart mapping technology to create detailed floor plans and avoid common obstacles like cords and furniture legs. The robots also have a feature called Carpet Boost that increases its power when it detects dirt on the carpet.
The Q5 and Q7 Max Series both scored excellently in our tests of floors with no carpet and are especially adept in cleaning dog hair. There are some issues however, which prevent them from being our first choice. One of the weaknesses of the Q5 is its navigation system doesn't include AI-powered obstacle avoidance. It's thus susceptible to become 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 can see around corners.
However, it's a good choice, especially if you want to save money on an Roomba from iRobot, and you have a mostly bare-floor home or office. It's also quiet and works while you are at work or at 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, using disposable wet wipes that don't hold on well and aren't able to take on dried-on debris. The Q5 is self-emptying cradle that can be emptied by itself. If you want to change the mopping pad for a dry one in seconds.
2. IRobot Roomba
The iRobot Roomba X30 packs impressive vacuuming and mopping capabilities into an elegant, compact package. Its quick navigation and smart cleaning maps make it easy to clean and efficient at taking on larger particles, such as pet hair. It also features a self-emptying dustbin as well as powerful suction, and support for virtual boundaries. It's the best robotic hoovers hoover for carpets, however it falls behind some competitors when it comes to deep cleaning.
This high-performance vacuum and mop uses sensors to avoid obstacles and pet waste. It also learns the layout of your home over time to provide better cleaning. The app allows you to modify zones and alter the cleaning schedule. It has a battery lifespan that is similar to other models.
You can instruct the X30 Ultra to remove its mops and extend them when it's in a carpeted area to prevent cross-contamination. The flex arm can be utilized to reach under furniture with low levels 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+ as well as the iRobot Combo j9+.
During tests, X30 Ultra was the most efficient robot vacuum/mop which could complete the task of cleaning a whole home and had 66 percent of its battery remaining. It did a decent cleaning job on different flooring and rooms with different kinds of flooring, including certain area carpets. Its obstacle detection was top notch and it swiftly eluded fake dog socks, turds, shoes 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 also supports voice commands via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It can even clean the floor after vacuuming it, something hasn't been seen in other robot vacuum/mop combos.
3. iRobot Roomba X40
This robot vacuum and mop combination features a sleek, circular design that looks much like a Roomba model than the bulky models of the competitors. It's among our most attractive looking robot vacuums. iRobot’s latest flagship model is also among its most advanced. It features advanced features such as Enhanced Dirt Detection as well as future compatibility (another company's robot that is able to wash mop pads in a self-cleaning manner).
It's the only robotic hoovers vacuum/mop to score a perfect 10 in our tests, thanks to a combination of high-tech sensors, including cameras, a structured light system, and multiple lasers. The X40 Ultra was the only robot we tested that could fill and empty its basestation in a self-contained manner. It also boasted an industry-leading suction of 12,000Pa and self-cleaning mop mops.
Like other iRobot models as well, the X40 is user-friendly, offering an intuitive mobile app interface and integration with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant. The only drawback is that it's loud, which can be problematic if you run it in the morning before work, or at night when you try to fall asleep.
It's also quite expensive, but it's not as expensive as the Ecovacs Omni or Roborock's S8 MaxV Ultra, both of which are similarly capable and more attractive. If you're willing to live with a bit more noise and some extra cost, this is a very powerful two-in-one that will please almost everyone.
4. iRobot Roomba L20 Ultra
The L20 Ultra is the top-of-the best robot vacuum and mop. It comes with a variety of advanced features that will make you forget about your chores. Similar to Ecovacs the range-topping X2 Omni and Roborock's S8 Pro Ultra, the L20 is designed to be a hands-off cleaning machine that can take charge of both mopping and vacuuming, with a multi-function dock that automatically empties the autonomous vacuum's dust bin, fills its water tank, washes and dries its mop pads.
The smart robot utilizes LIDAR and structured lighting to create floor plans and spot obstacles. It is more efficient in its navigation than its premium competitors. It also has a camera mounted on the front for real-time detection of hazards but this was not 100% foolproof during our tests and was occasionally confused by power cords or other obstructions.
Its automatic vacuum and mop robot cleaner has a maximum suction of 7,000 Pascals which is more than sufficient to do the job. It also comes with a feature called "Intelligent Dirt Detection", that regulates the vacuum's power and adjusts the frequency of cleaning for various areas of the home based on how dirty these areas are.
For larger homes it's worth looking for a model with spot or zone cleaning modes that allow you to instruct the robot to clean one specific area of your home using the app or voice controls. If you have furniture, a stairway mode is also a good option. Additionally, a recharge and resume function that allows your robot vacuum to take over exactly where it left off is ideal for busy families.
5. iRobot Roomba RX3
The RX3 is a cleaner with more intelligence than you might think from its price. It is a good vacuum cleaner, picking up 55% debris in our tests. (It was second to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mops with one pad that has an oscillating motion that does a better job cleaning than the other mop cleaners for robots we've tested. It's also highly self-sufficient, with a fully-featured application, and a self-emptying base that can be washed.
The well-designed iRobot app will guide you through an initial mapping run that gathers information about your floorplan and any "no-go" areas you mark on the map. It can be used to design cleaning schedules or set up a spot-clean. You can also use it to prioritize the most soiled areas for better performance. The app comes with a variety of options, including seasonal suggestions, customized mapping, and advanced cleaning settings.
It can also reach corners and under furniture better because its shape is more rectangular. It also has strong 8,000 Pascal suction and combs with intelligent technology for hair of pets. You can also set up a spot-clean that thoroughly cleans an area.
The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a sleeker and cheaper alternative to the iRobot Roomba. It's more appealing, Dolce & Gabbana-esque design and its twin cameras resemble cute eyes. It does a great job vacuuming, but it is more likely to get stuck on low thresholds. It is also louder than other top robot vacuums that we have examined. It also has a less user-friendly app and a small base station that isn't able to double as an emptying bin.