Blog entry by Jade Ketner
The best robot hoover can mop and vacuum without needing your attention, and will leave your floors spotless. Its surprisingly affordable price and top-of-the-line features (such as dirt detection) are pluses.
Check your robot's brushes regularly for tangled debris and hair. Wash them when necessary. Some models will also empty the onboard dustbin and deposit it in a larger bin at the bottom. This reduces the amount fine dust that gets 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 examined. They have motors that are top of the class and can handle up to 5,500 Pascals. And, like other premium iRobot models (including the top-rated model) they employ intelligent mapping technology to create precise floor plans and eliminate common obstacles like cords and furniture legs. They also feature carpet boost that increases the robot's power when it detects the presence of dirt on the carpet, allowing it cleaned up quickly.
The Q5 and Q7 Max Series both scored very well in our tests on floors that were bare They are also adept at cleaning dog hair. There are some issues however, which prevent them from being our top option. For one, the Q5's navigation system doesn't feature AI-powered obstacle avoidance technology which means it's susceptible to get caught up in shoes and socks, and is unable to navigate tight spaces very well in our tests. It also doesn't have a camera to see around corners.
It's still a good value for those whose office or home has a lot of unfinished floors and you're looking to save some money. It's also extremely quiet and can be used while you're at work or at school. It lacks the edge-to-edge bare floor vacuuming offered by the more expensive iRobot Roomba X30. It's also less effective at mopping, relying on disposable wet wipes, which don't stick on for long and don't deal with dried-on debris. The Q5 does have a self-emptying dock, though. If you want to, you can swap the mopping pad for a dry one in seconds.
2. iRobot Roomba
The iRobot Roomba X30 packs impressive vacuuming and mopping capabilities into a compact, sleek package. Its intelligent cleaning maps and nimble navigation make it easy to clean, and efficient in tackling larger particles, like pet hair. It also comes with self-emptying dustbins with powerful suction and support for virtual boundaries. 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 sensor technology that can keep away from obstacles and pet waste. It also learns the layout of your home over time and ensure cleaner and more efficient cleaning. You can change its cleaning schedule and customize zones through the well-designed app. It has a battery life that is comparable to other models.
When the X30 Ultra is in a carpeted area, you can instruct it to take off and extend its mop. This can help avoid cross contamination. Its flex arm is also ideal to get under furniture with low levels and along baseboards. It doesn't offer 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 testing, X30 Ultra was the quickest robot cleaner vacuum/mop that could complete the task of cleaning a whole home, with 66 per cent of its battery remaining. It also did a great job cleaning a variety of floors and rooms that had mixed flooring types, including certain area rug. Its obstacle detection was top-of-the-line and it swiftly eluded fake dog turds, socks, shoes and cables.
It's a bit more expensive than the iRobot Combo v9+ and iRobot Roomba j9+, however, it comes with superior suction, an onboard dustbin that automatically fills up its base, and it supports voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It can even clean the floor after vacuuming, a feature that we haven't seen in other robot vacuum/mop combos.
3. iRobot Roomba X40
This mop and automatic vacuum cleaner and mop combination features a sleek, circular design that appears more like the regular Roomba model than the bulky units of the competition. It's one of our most appealing looking robot vacuums. The latest flagship model from iRobot is also its smartest. It has advanced features like Enhanced Dirt Detection as well as future compatibility (another company’s robot that can wash mop pads in a self-cleaning manner).
It's the only robot vacuum/mop that scored 100% in our tests, thanks to a combination of high-tech sensors that include a camera, structured light system and multiple lasers. The X40 Ultra is also the only robot in our tests that is fully autonomously refill and empty its base station and it boasts industry-leading 12,000Pa suction and self-cleaning mop pads.
The X40 is, like the other iRobot products, is easy to use. It comes with an easy mobile app interface that is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit. The only issue is that the X40 is still a loud unit. This could be a problem in the mornings prior to work or in the evening when you are trying to fall asleep.
It's also a bit costly however, not as expensive as the Ecovacs MaxV Ultra or Roborock S8 Omni, which are equally powerful and more attractive. If you're willing with a bit more noise and some additional cost this is a powerful two-in-one that will delight most.
4. iRobot Roomba L20 Ultra
The L20 Ultra is the top-of-the line robot mop and vacuum. It has a range of advanced features that make you forget about your chores. The L20 Ultra is a hands-free cleaning device, similar to Ecovacs' top-of-the-range X2 Omni or Roborock's S8 Pro Ultra. It has a multifunction dock which automatically empty the vacuum's bin and refills the water tank, as well as washes and drys the mop pads.
The smart robot makes use of the combination of LIDAR and structured light to draw out floor plans and spot obstacles, and navigates more effectively than some of its premium rivals. It also has a camera mounted on the front for real-time detection of hazards, although this wasn't quite 100% foolproof during our tests and was occasionally confused by power cords or other obstructions.
Its vacuum cleaner has an maximum suction of 7,000 Pascals which is more than enough to do the job. It also features "Intelligent Dirt Detection", which regulates how hard the vacuum works and adjusts the frequency of cleaning for different areas of your home depending on the amount of dirt they tend to be.
For larger houses it's worth looking for one with zone or spot cleaning modes that let you tell the robot to clean one specific area of your home using the app or voice controls. If you have a lot of furniture, a stairway mode is also a good robot vacuum option. Also the recharge and resume function that allows your robot vacuum to take over exactly where it left off is ideal for busy families.
iRobot RX3
The RX3 is a smarter cleaner than you might imagine from its price. It's a pro at vacuuming, removing 55% of the debris we found in our tests (it was second only to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mopses using only one pad and a reciprocating movement that is more efficient than most mop cleaners for robots that we've tried. And it's highly self-sufficient with a fully-featured app as well as an auto-emptying, washable base.
The iRobot application is designed to guide you through a mapping run that collects data on your floorplan and any "no go" areas you've marked on the map. You can use it to make cleaning schedules, set up the perfect spot for cleaning or sort out your rooms with the most dirt for better performance. The app also gives access to a host of options, including seasonal suggestions, custom maps, and advanced settings for your cleaning.
Its shape is more rectangular than other robot vacuums, meaning it can reach corners and underneath furniture more easily. It also has a strong 8,000 Pascal suction and combs that are intelligent for hair of pets. It also has the ability to set up a spot clean that thoroughly cleans a particular area.
The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a more sleek, cheaper alternative to iRobot Roomba. It's more appealing, Dolce & Gabbana-esque design and its twin cameras resemble cute eyes. It's good at vacuuming, but it is more susceptible to get caught on low thresholds and is a bit more noisy than the other top robot vacuums we've tried. It also has a less intuitive app and a tiny base station that doesn't double as an emptying bin.