Best Robot Vacuums: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
Best Robot Vacuums: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
Blog Article
Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
A robot vacuum is the best tool for maintaining an orderly home. It will nab dust, pet hair and other particles from the floor before it causes a bigger problem.
Some robots can sync with smart assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a hands-free experience. Look for models that can recharge and then resume cleaning where they left off.
1. iRobot s8
This smart robot vacuum and mop combination is an excellent choice for many homes. It has a great navigation system that incorporates GPS and laser sensors. It also has a lot of features and control options that can be accessed through the app. It also comes with a helpful feature that lets you add Cleaning zones for certain areas that require extra attention, as well as Keep Out zones that you don't want it to go. It also receives software updates, similar to the other Roomba products, that make it better over time.
It's expensive but is also one of the most sophisticated robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It comes with a powerful battery that can clean the entire house in less than two hours. It also switches between mopping and vacuuming at the push of a button. And unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the bin after each run, this one automatically emptys into a larger waste container above its charging dock.
It also has a number of other options, like intelligent obstacle avoidance which uses cameras and processor-powered smarts in order to identify obstacles. It's rarely tripped up or stuck during a cleaning cycle. In my tests, it was the best at avoiding objects such as power cables. It's not as reliable in detecting pet waste or other hazards.
2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
Eufy owned by Anker, has become a household name in the world of robots that are budget-friendly vacuums. However, it didn't offer the option of a model that could mop. This is changing with the X8 Hybrid, which has an impressive suite of advanced features and can compete well against much more expensive models.
The main selling point of Eufy's the X8 is its laser navigation. The X8 uses laser mapping technology that is more accurate than previous Eufy devices. It also takes a lot less time to create an accurate picture of your living space and also stores multiple maps, which is great for multi-floor homes.
The X8 is a great vacuum cleaner for floors that are clean. It is able to effortlessly sling debris through the side brushes and into the 400ml dustbin. The tyres are adept at hugging edges and corners even though they are circular. It's not the best cat litter eater, however our tests have shown it can only remove about 90 percent of the fur from hard floors.
The basic mopping mode uses the same water reservoir as the vacuuming mode. This is ideal for spills that aren't serious, but you cannot control the amount of water it uses. It does, however, do an excellent job of picking up pet hair, with a better pickup rate than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
The company is known for its quiet home appliances, Miele's RX2 robot vacuum is a great choice because of its cleaning power, gorgeous design, and a great navigation. However, it does have some operational issues that prevent it from being ranked as the best overall smart robot vacuum.
Similar to the latest models of iRobot, the RX2 has dual-sensor mapping technology which uses the LIDAR sensor to map an area and two 3D scanning cameras that can detect and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real-time. Once the room is mapped and assigned, you can designate virtual no-go areas and preferred sections to the robot. You can also alter the cleaning modes, start an automatic clean or watch a live feed of the onboard cameras from the main screen.
The RX2 has superior sensors that can identify furniture and other obstructions in a flash. Its sweeping and suction power are top-of-the-line and cleans up surface debris from carpets of medium pile and dust on floors with no floor. However, it's not the most flexible robot available. It's not the best climber and has issues with transition strips made of steel.
Some people buy robot vacuums due to the ease of setting up a schedule in an app, and then forgetting about them for weeks. It's crucial that a robot can do the job that's why our ZDNet staff tested and reviewed several of the most well-known models to help you choose the right one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This round, budget robovac looks just like your typical robot but it's a step up in performance and features. Its smart mapping system creates 2D and 3D maps of your home and uses them to avoid obstacles and navigate. It can even detect common obstacles like furniture legs and power cords in real-time. This combination of sensors, along with a bump sensor, and an infrared drop sensor which keeps it off the stairs, makes it one of the most flexible vacs we've tested.
It was able to climb over the thick shag carpets and was not stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690-). Its navigation skills were impressive as well; its composite score in carpet and bare floors beat out the competition, and it was able to pick up 98.5 percent of the surface pet hair and litter from our laboratory test samples.
The controls are less basic than the competitors. There is a cleaning button at the top and you can choose to start it with the app or voice commands using Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule daily or weekly cleanings, designate no-go zones and view the history of cleaning. Clad in smart dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and looks attractive in your home. The rear dust bin is easy to access for emptying and removing the filter is the same.
5. Eufy 11S
If you're looking for a basic, no-frills robot vacuum for a reasonable price, the Eufy 11S is a great option. It's not equipped with some advanced features such as Alexa integration and digital mapping found in more expensive models. However, if you don't require these functions, you can save money.
This robot is easy to set up and use. It does not require a smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing. However it does include an remote control that lets you choose between various modes and adjust the suction level. It also allows you to manually turn off the robovac on a scheduled cleaning.
In our tests during our tests, the 11S was extremely effective in getting rid of pet hair and dirt from hard floors as well as in low-pile carpets. Its slim profile allowed it to fit under furniture with low hanging and other items that some heavier robots were unable to get at. It was able to get easily over thresholds of doorways and switch from one type of floor to another.
Like other robots, the 11S can take in some objects such as cords, drawstrings for hoodies and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests you keep these objects off the ground and by using a cord organizer when you can. It also recommends cleaning the dustbin on a regular basis, replacing the filters and changing or washing the brushes when needed.
6. IRobot Roomba 990
The Roomba 980 is iRobot's most popular robot vacuum. It's expensive but it's the most powerful robot vacuum you can buy. Its self-navigating features and environmental mapping are a wonder to behold. It is more sophisticated in its automation than the majority of its competitors, such as the ability to create virtual boundary markers using its mobile app. It's a dependable robot vacuum, even though its application is a bit slow and the 980 spins when it comes across cables.
One thing we really like about the 980 is that it uses its iAdapt 2.0 navigation sensors and its visual simultaneous mapping and localisation technology (or vSLAM) to store the floor plan of your home. It will then use that information to create an efficient and consistent cleaning path for every cycle. The result is cleaner floors, and a more efficient vacuum than other high-end robot vacuums.
The 980's other features include dual multi-surface rubber brushes that pick up dirt from carpet and hard floors as well as the spinning brush that sweeps debris into the bin of the robotic vacuum. The sensor for floor tracking assists in navigating through furniture as well as along edges and the stairs. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It also automatically returns to its base station to ensure hassle-free recharging between sessions. The battery life best robot hoover and bin capacity of the 980 aren't as impressive as other robot vacuums. However, it is a solid and reliable machine that can keep floors clean for many hours.