Blog entry by Michal Plunkett
Best 
Robot vacuum cleaners are perfect if you don't like to make your hands messy. They are time-saving and energy-saving when compared to manual cleaning, and are great for flats or single-storey homes.
Smart features are a bonus. They include mapping technology that can remember your home's layout, avoidance of rugs and furniture, and getting into those nipples under low furniture that bigger robots struggle with.
iRobot Roomba J7+
The iRobot Roomba J7+ is an upgrade on the previous model of the company and includes a new feature to make it more effective in avoiding pet waste. It makes use of smart navigation and mapping to create maps of floors and rooms and tries to avoid obstacles like furniture, charging cords and shoes. It can also detect dirt and prioritize cleaning areas that are heavily soiled. This is a major improvement over previous models that may not notice dirty spots or only clean them for a brief period of time.
The robot vacuum and mop vacuum comes with a self-emptying base which can put dustbin debris into its own 2.4L dirt bag. The company claims that it can hold up to 60 days of debris, meaning you only have to empty and change the bag every three months. The base station can also be used to store bags for spares and quick replacements.
It's easy to set up and use the Roomba device, which is compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant and is fully controllable via the iRobot Genius app. You can use the app to choose when to start and stop the cleaning, and how long it will take to complete the task at hand, and create a schedule.
During our testing, the iRobot Roomba J7+ cleaned hardwood and area rug surfaces in the foyer, family room and kitchen without issue. It was responsive to our instructions and carried out its tasks quietly, registering just 64db on the decibel meter during operation. It took 90 minutes to clean a single room and the battery needed to be recharged following the cleaning for a total of an hour and 58 minutes. The Combo j7 allows you to extend your iRobot ecosystem by pairing it with the iRobot Mop m6. One can run while the other moves around the room.
Dyson 360 Viz Nav
The Dyson 360 Viz Nav robot vacuum cleaner is the best automatic vacuum and mop option for anyone who lives in a multi-floored residence. This model can create maps for multiple floors and save them in the app. It's then easy to switch between spaces without having to repeat the setup procedure. The robot can also be controlled with voice, with support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Dyson's robot vacuum employs sensors, cameras and other technology to detect obstacles. A panoramic camera on the top of the robot along with 26 external sensors, help to create a map of the space as it moves. This assists to avoid obstacles and furniture.
In our tests, the Dyson 360 Vis Nav was capable of reaching right up to the edges and baseboards, and could also be easily guided through furniture pieces with very tight corners. The robot's suction is strong and it is able to pick up every dust particle, hair strand, and dried-out piece of Playdoh we tossed its way. The vacuum also pulled the bin out easily and quickly, reducing cleanup time by half.
However the Dyson 360 Viz Nav didn't perform as well as other robots in our obstacle-avoidance tests. It had a hard time with a drying rack that it was unable to maneuver under, eventually getting stuck and disrupting the cleaning process. It also had difficulty avoiding furniture pieces that are taller, such as the chair or coffee table. The Dyson 360 Vis Nav also has difficulty climbing stairs, which is a problem for many people who live in multi-story homes.
Roborock
Roborock robot vacuum cleaners offer the highest quality cleaning features and are an upgrade from the other. Dual mops are available that spin and lift stains while pressing down. They also lift automatically when vacuuming carpets, stopping dirty streaks from appearing and re-clogging vacuums. They are extremely suction with 5,500 Pa for superior dirt and dust removal. They also have smart water flow controls to ensure the proper amount of moisture is absorbed by every floor type.
Roborock's ability of mapping your entire home with laser technology is one of its most impressive features. The LiDAR system of a Roborock robotic arm is constantly rotating emitting lasers and determining how long it takes to bounce off the nearby objects. The data is then used to construct a real-time map of your home's layout that allows it to navigate precisely and avoid obstacles.
Depending on the model you choose You can alter the map to include no-go zones, furniture placements and a specific room's cleaning. You can also choose an option to clean only, mop only, or vacuum+mop, and schedule regular cleanings with an app-based cleaning cycle that allows you to set it and forget it.
Roborock provides a range of options, ranging from the budget-friendly S6 MaxV to the premium S7 MaxV. All models come with advanced mapping as well as a battery that lasts for a long time and a large dustbin. The docking station offers many features, including charging and refilling the hot water tank. Lastly, they have a two-year warranty in the UK.
Beko RCV 5
The Beko RCV 5 may be an relative newcomer to the robotic vacuum and mopping market, but its sleek design and reasonable price have already made it a cult. This robot vacuums uk comes with a few tricks on its sleeves that distinguish it from its competitors, such as self-emptying capabilities and object recognition. It's also a breeze to set up and use, thanks to an easy-to-use application that lets you modify the settings to suit your preferences.
The navigation system of this model makes use of sensors and mapping technology to guide your home, and it does an excellent job of avoiding obstacles. You can also adjust the cleaning route with the app, making it easier to clean certain areas more often than others. The app is a bit confusing initially but once you get the knack of it you'll be able plan your cleaning schedule and monitor your robot's power levels effortlessly.
The RCV 5 has some flaws despite its impressive list of features. It has a tiny water tank that can only hold 240 ml at a given time. This is sufficient for a basic wipe-clean, however, it isn't ideal for more tough stains. The wiping plate also lacks an ability to rotate or even vibrate.
The battery life of a robot at this price is not as long as one would imagine. In actual fact the RCV 5 only lasts for approximately a third of the cleaning cycle before needing to recharge. This isn't a dealbreaker but it's something to consider when you are looking for a new robotic vacuum cleaner.
Karcher RCV 5
The German manufacturer Karcher is most well-known for its pressure washers, but it's now entering the robotic vacuum market with a model that vacuums and mop. The RCV 5 offers an impressive range of features including excellent obstacle detection (with a dual laser system) and mapping that can be viewed in real time through the app that is smart.
It's also able to sense carpeted surfaces, which automatically triggers mopping mode when wet. The spot cleaning feature is also extremely beneficial. It can be programmed to run weekly. The RCV 5 comes with a respectable suction capacity of 2,500 psi and good robot vacuum sweeping capability for both hard and soft flooring. It is able to get into tight nooks and under furniture, which can impede larger robot cleaners.
Karcher Home Robots is an app that runs on smartphones, as with other robots today it can be used to begin cleaning processes and make maps of your home. The RCV 5 can also create virtual walls and zones that it cannot drive.
A downside of the RCV 5 is that its dust bin is only able to hold around 1 liters and requires regular emptying, in contrast to models that have integrated disposal technologies integrated into their docking stations. It's also heavier than other gadgets which makes it less portable and requires a bit more space to place in its charging station. Nonetheless, testers found the RCV 5 very easy to use and rated its app control as high. It was a great performer in our tests, but some testers had trouble getting its voice technology to function correctly.