The Best Robot Hoover
The best robot vacuum can vacuum and mop your floors without your involvement. It also leaves them spotless. Its price is surprisingly low and high-end features (such as dirt detection) are a plus.
Check your robot's brushes frequently for tangled debris and hair. Wash them when necessary. Some models will automatically empty their onboard dustbin into a larger bin at the base, which reduces the amount of fine dust that is released into the air.
1. Roomba Q5 Pro
The Q5 Pro, and its more expensive sibling the Q7 Max Series are among the most powerful robotic vacuums we have tested. They feature motors that are top-of-the class and can handle up to 5,500 Pascals. As with other top iRobot models (including the top-rated model) they employ smart mapping technology to create detailed floor plans that avoid home-based obstacles like cords and furniture legs. They also feature a feature called carpet boost which boosts the robot's power when it spots an abundance of dirt on the carpet, allowing it cleaned up quickly.
Both the Q5 and the Q7 Max Series get very excellent scores in our floor tests that test for bare floors They're also particularly adept in cleaning pet hair. There are some issues however, which hinder them from being our top option. For one, the Q5's navigation system doesn't include AI-powered obstacle avoidance which means it's susceptible to get caught up in shoes and socks and can't navigate tight spaces very efficiently in our tests. It also doesn't have an image sensor that lets it see the corners of an area.
It's still a good value for those whose office or home has lots of unfinished flooring and you're looking to save some money. It's also very quiet and works while you are at work or school. The only thing it doesn't have that you won't find in the more expensive iRobot Roomba X30 is edge-to-edge vacuuming of floors with no floor. It's also less effective in mopping. It is dependent on disposable wet wipes that don't stick very well and cannot handle dried-on debris. The Q5 has self-emptying docks, however. If you're in need of it mop, the mopping pad can be changed for an awe-inspiring one in a matter of just a few seconds.
2. iRobot Roomba X30
The iRobot Roomba X30 packs impressive mopping and vacuuming capabilities into an elegant, compact package. Its quick navigation and smart cleaning maps make it easy to clean and efficient in dealing with larger particles such as pet hair. It also comes with an impressive suction system and an automatic bin for emptying. It's the best robot hoover for carpets, though it lags behind some competitors in deep cleaning.
This highly efficient combination vacuum and mop uses advanced sensor technology to stay clear of obstacles and pet waste, and it also learns your home's layout over time to ensure more efficient cleaning. The app lets you modify zones and alter the cleaning schedule. Its battery life is average in comparison to similar models.
You can tell the X30 Ultra to remove its mops and extend them when in a carpeted area to prevent cross-contamination. Its flex arm is also ideal to get under furniture with low levels and along baseboards. However, it's not equipped with the same washboard performance as our other Editors' Choice picks, the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo N8 Professional+ and the iRobot Combo j9+.
During tests during testing, the X30 Ultra was the fastest robot vacuum/mop to complete an entire house, finishing with 66 percent of its battery left. It also did a great job cleaning a range of floors and rooms that had different flooring types, including certain area rug. Its obstacle detection was excellent, and it avoided fake dog turds and socks, shoes and bundles of cables.
It's more expensive than iRobot Combo v9+ or iRobot Roomba j9+ but it has superior suction and an onboard bin that automatically empty into the base. It also supports voice commands using Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It can even clean the floor after vacuuming it, something we've not seen on other robotic vacuum/mop combos.
3. IRobot Roomba X40
This robot vacuum and mop combination features a sleek, circular design that appears more like the regular Roomba model than the bulky models of the competitors. It is one of our most attractive robot vacuums. iRobot's latest flagship model also is among the most intelligent, with advanced features including Enhanced Dirt Detection Technology as well as future compatibility with Matter (another company's robot that is able to wash mop pads).
It's also the only robot vacuum/mop that scored a perfect 10 out of 10 in our testing. This is due to a combination high-tech sensors, including a structured lighting system, a camera and multiple lasers. The X40 Ultra was the only robot we tested that could refill and empty its basestation in a self-contained manner. It also boasted a suction of 12,000Pa as well as self-cleaning mops.
The X40 as with other iRobot products, is easy to use. It comes with a simple mobile application interface and is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit. The only real drawback is that it's still quite a noisy unit, which can be problematic if you run it in the morning prior to work or in the evening as you try to sleep.
It's also somewhat expensive, but it's not as pricey as Ecovacs X2 Omni or Roborock's S8 MaxV Ultra, both of which are similarly capable and look better. If you're willing to put up some more volume and a little more cost this is a efficient two-in-one device that should satisfy most people.
iRobot L20 Ultra
The L20 Ultra is the top-of-the best robot vacuum and mop. It has a range of advanced features that help you forget your chores. The L20 Ultra is a hands-free cleaner that is similar to Ecovacs top-of-the-line X2 Omni or Roborock's S8 Pro Ultra. It features a multi-functional dock that can automatically empty the vacuum's bin and refills the water tank, and washes and drys the mop pads.
The smart robot uses LIDAR and structured lighting to create floor plans and spot obstacles. It navigates more intelligently than its competitors with premium features. It also has a front mounted camera for real-time detection of hazards however this was not foolproof in our tests and was often confused with obstructions or power cords.
The vacuum cleaner comes with the capacity to suction up to 7,000 Pascals which is more than sufficient to accomplish the task. It also features "Intelligent Dirt Detection", that regulates the amount of time the vac works and adjusts the frequency of cleaning for different areas of your home depending on the amount of dirt they tend to be.
If you have a bigger home, you should consider choosing a model that has spot or zone cleaning mode. This allows you to instruct the robot on which part of your house needs to be cleaned using the app or voice control. A stairway mode is useful if you own a large furniture. Finally, a recharge and resume function that lets your robot vacuum continue where it left off is ideal for busy families.
5. iRobot Roomba RX3
The RX3 is more advanced than the price suggests. It is a good vacuum cleaner and picked up 55% debris in our tests. ( robot cleaner was only second to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mops with a single pad and a reciprocating motion that cleans better that most of the mop cleaners with robots that we've examined. It's also self-sufficient, with a full-featured application and an auto-emptying, washable base.
The iRobot app is designed to guide you through an exercise in mapping which collects information about your floorplan as well as any "no go" areas you've marked on the map. It can be used to create cleaning schedules or create a spot-clean. You can also use it to prioritize the most soiled areas to improve performance. The app also grants access to many features like seasonal suggestions, custom maps and advanced settings for your cleaning.
It is also able to reach corners and under furniture better because its shape is more rectangular. It also has strong 8,000 Pascal suction and intelligent combs for pet hair. You can also set up a spot cleaning that intensely cleans a localized area.
The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a more sleek and cheaper alternative to the iRobot Roomba. It has a more attractive, Dolce & Gabbana-esque design and its twin cameras appear like cute eyes. It does a great job vacuuming, however it is more likely to be caught on low thresholds. It also has a higher noise than other top robot vacuums we've tested. It also has an app that's less intuitive and has a tiny base station that doesn't double as a bin for emptying.