Best Robot Vacuums: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
Best Robot Vacuums and Mop CombosThe best method to keep your home clean is to use a robotic vacuum. It will pick up dust, pet hair, and other surface debris.
Certain robots can connect to smart assistants such as Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a environment that is hands-free. Look for models that can be recharged and continue cleaning the area they left.
1. iRobot S8
This smart robot vacuum and mop combination is an excellent option for a wide range of homes. It vacuums and mops well and is extremely navigable using both GPS and laser sensors, and comes with a variety of controls and features accessible via the app. It also comes with a helpful feature that allows you to create Cleaning zones for specific areas that need extra attention, as well as Keep Out zones where you don't want it to move. It also receives software updates, like all Roomba products, which make it better over time.
It's costly, but it's is also among the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It's got a huge battery that can vacuum an entire home in less than two hours. It also switches between mopping and vacuuming at the push of a button. And unlike other self-emptying robotics that require you to empty the dust bin after each run, it automatically empties into a larger waste container above its charging dock.
It also has a number of other features, including intelligent obstacle avoidance that uses a camera along with processor-powered smarts in order to identify obstacles. It's not often tripped or stuck during a cleaning process. In my tests it was the best in avoiding objects such as power cables. It is not as accurate in detecting pet waste, or other dangers.
2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid
Eufy, owned by Anker is now an iconic name in the world of budget robot vacuums. However, it did not provide a model that could also mop. This is changing with the X8 Hybrid, which has an impressive suite of advanced features and is able to compete with more expensive models.
The laser navigation system is the most important feature of this machine. The previous Eufy devices have created a rough map of your home utilizing infrared sensors and bumping into things, but the X8's laser mapping technology is far more precise. It also takes significantly less time to construct an accurate map of your space and stores multiple maps, which is ideal for multi-floor homes.
The X8 is still a decent vacuum for floors that are not clean, slinging debris under its side brushes and into its 400ml dust bin with relative ease. Its tyres are adept at securing edges and corners despite being circular. Our tests showed that it could only remove 90 percent of the fur from hard floors.
The basic mopping mode utilizes the same reservoir of water as the vacuuming mode. While this is a good option for loose spills, you can't limit the amount of water it uses and this will reduce its effectiveness for more severe staining. However, it does an excellent job of removing pet hair, and has a higher speed of pickup than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is known for its quiet, effective appliances. It is a stunning design, a great navigation system, and excellent cleaning power. But it has some operational issues that prevent it from being ranked as the best overall smart robot vacuum.
Like the latest models from iRobot like the RX2 features dual-sensor mapping technology which uses a LIDAR sensor to map the space and two 3D scanning cameras to identify and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real time. Once the room is mapped the app allows you to assign virtual no-go areas and favorite sections that the robot will clean automatically. You can also begin cleaning manually or change the cleaning mode, watch a live feed from the onboard cameras and more on the main screen.
The RX2's sensors work well by registering furniture and obstructions in real-time. Its sweeping and suction power are top-of-the-line cleaning up surface debris from medium-pile carpeting and embedded dust on floors with no floor. It's not the fastest robotics on the market. It's not the most efficient climber, and it has problems with transition strips made of steel.
A lot of people purchase a robotic vacuum for the ease of setting a schedule on an app and then forgetting about it for weeks at an time. It's crucial for a robot capable of doing the job, so our ZDNet staff has tested and looked over some of the most popular models to help you pick the right one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This budget-friendly robot is just like your standard robot, however it's a step up in terms of performance and features. Its smart mapping system generates 2D and 3D maps of your home and uses those to navigate around obstacles and avoid them. It is able to detect common obstacles such as furniture legs and power cords in real-time. This combination of sensors, together with a bump sensor and an infrared sensor for dropping that keeps it from falling down stairs, makes it one of the most flexible vacs we've tried.
It was able to walk over carpets with thick shags and didn't get stuck (unlike the RoboVac 11s, or Roomba 690-). Its navigation skills were impressive. Its composite score for flooring and carpet beats the competition and it picked up 98.5% of surface litter and embedded dog hair from our laboratory test samples.
The controls are more basic than those of the competition; there's an uniform cleaning button on the top, and you can access it via the app, or by voice commands using Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also set up a schedule for your daily or weekly cleaning, set no-go zones, and view its history of cleaning. Ion is clad in a stylish dark gray plastic that feels and looks appealing in your home. Its rear dustbin is accessible for emptying, and removing the filters is also simple.
5. Eufy 11S
Eufy 11S is an excellent option for those looking for an automated vacuum cleaner that is simple and has no frills at a cost that is low. It isn't equipped with some of the smart features, such as digital mapping and Alexa integration, which are available in higher-end models but if you're not looking for these features, you can save some money with this model.
This robot is simple to use and set up. It doesn't require smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing. However it does come with a remote control which lets you choose between different modes and adjust suction level. It also allows you to manually send the robovac off during scheduled cleaning.
During our tests, we found that the 11S was extremely efficient in cleaning dirt and pet fur from carpets with low pile and hard floors. Its slim profile allowed it to pass under furniture that is low-hanging and other items that bulkier robots could not reach. It was also able to get over thresholds for doors and transition between floors and another.
The 11S, just like other robots will also suckup some objects, such as cords and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you can prevent this by keeping such objects off the floor and using an organizer for cords if you can. It also recommends cleaning the dustbin periodically by replacing the filters and washing or changing the brushes as required.
6. iRobot Roomba 980
The Roomba 980 is the flagship robot vacuum. It's pricey, but it's also the best robot vacuum that you can buy. Its self-navigating get more info features and environmental mapping are truly a marvel to behold. It also has more advanced automation features than its competitors, including the ability to set virtual boundary markers using its mobile app. It's a capable robot vacuum, even if the app is a bit sluggish and the 980 spins when rolling over cables.
One thing we love about the 980 is that it makes use of its iAdapt 2.0 navigation sensors and its visual simultaneous localisation and mapping technology (or vSLAM) to remember the floor plan of your home. It then uses that information to create a consistent and efficient cleaning path for every cycle. The result is cleaner floors, and a more efficient vacuum than the majority of high-end robot vacuums.
Other features include dual multi-surface rubber brushes that pick up dirt from carpet and hard floors as well as a spinning brush that sweeps debris into the bin of the robotic vacuum. Its floor tracking sensors aid it navigate across furniture and along edges, and Cliff Detect keeps the Roomba from falling down stairs. It will also return to the base station for simple recharges between sessions. Although the 980's battery life and bin size isn't as impressive as other robot vacuums it's a solid and reliable machine that can keep your floors spotless for hours on end.