20 Irrefutable Myths About Robot Hoover: Busted

The Best Robot Hoover

The best robot hoover can vacuum and mop without needing your attention, and it will leave your floors clean. Its low cost and top-of-the-line functions (such as a dirt detectors) are a plus.

Be sure to inspect your robot's brushes for hair that is tangled and large particles and clean them as needed. Certain models also automatically empty the onboard dustbin and deposit it in a larger bin at the bottom. This helps reduce the amount of fine dust that gets released into the air.

1. Roomba Q5 pro

The Q5 Pro and its sibling, the pricier Q7 Max Series, are among the most powerful robot vacuums we've tested. They are equipped with motors that are top-of-the class and can handle up to 5,500 Pascals. As with other premium iRobot models (including the top choice) they utilize smart mapping technology to create detailed floor plans that avoid home-based obstacles like cords and furniture legs. The robots also come with the feature of Carpet Boost that increases its power when it senses dirt on the carpet.

Both the Q5 and Q7 Max Series get very good scores in our floor tests that test for bare floors They're also particularly adept in removing pet hair. They do have some flaws however, which hinder them from being our first option. One of the flaws of the Q5 is its navigation system doesn't have AI-powered obstacles avoidance. It's therefore prone to getting stuck on socks and shoes and could not navigate rooms with lots of people well in our tests. It also doesn't have an image sensor that lets it see the corners of a room.

Still, it's very good for those who want to save money on a iRobot Roomba and you have a mostly unfinished home or office. It's also very quiet and you can use it while you're at work, or at school. It doesn't have the edge-to-edge floor vacuuming feature that's offered in the more expensive iRobot Roomba X30. And it's less effective at mopping, using disposable wet wipes that don't stay on very well and can't handle dried-on debris. The Q5 is self-emptying cradle that can be emptied by itself. If you need to, the mopping pad can be changed for a wet one in seconds.

2. iRobot Roomba X30

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 effective in dealing with larger particles, like pet hair. It also features strong suction and self-emptying bin. It's the best robot hoover for carpets, but it isn't as efficient as some of its competitors in deep cleaning.

This highly efficient mop and vacuum combo uses advanced sensor technology to dodge obstacles and pet waste, and it will learn your home's layout over time for more efficient cleaning. You can alter its cleaning schedule and set up zones using the app that is well-designed. It has a battery lifespan that is similar to other models.

It is possible to instruct the X30 Ultra to remove its mops and to extend them when it's in a carpeted room to prevent cross-contamination. Its flex arm can also be used to reach under furniture that is low and along baseboards. However, it's not equipped with the same washboard performance as our other Editors' Choice picks, the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo N8 Pro+ and the iRobot Combo j9+.

During tests during testing, the X30 Ultra was the fastest robot vacuum/mop in the market to clean an entire home, and it did so with the battery at 66 percent left. It did a good cleaning job on a variety of flooring and rooms with different flooring types including some area carpets. Its obstacle detection was top notch and it swiftly eluded fake dog socks, turds, shoes and cables.

It's a little more expensive than the iRobot Combo v9+ and iRobot Roomba j9+, however it offers superior suction, a dustbin on board that automatically emptys into its base, and also supports voice commands via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It is able to clean floors even after it vacuums. This is a feature we haven't seen in other robotic vacuum/mop combos.

3. IRobot Roomba X40

With a sleek, circular design that looks more like a normal Roomba than the competitors' boxy units, this robot vacuum and mop combo is among the most appealing looking in our evaluations. The latest model from iRobot is also its smartest. It features advanced features such as Enhanced Dirt Detection and future compatibility (another company’s robot that can wash mop pads in a self-cleaning manner).

It's also the sole robot vacuum reviews vacuum/mop that scored the perfect 10/10 out of 10 in our evaluations. This is due to the combination of high-tech sensors including a structured light system, a camera and multiple lasers. The X40 Ultra is also the only robot we tested that can completely self-refill and empty its base station and boasts an industry-leading 12,000Pa suction and self-cleaning mop pads.

As with other iRobot models, the X40 is user-friendly, with a simple mobile app interface and integration with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit as well as Google Assistant. The only issue is that it's a noisy unit that could be problematic if you run it in the morning before work, or at night when you try to fall asleep.

It's also a bit expensive, although it's not as pricey as Ecovacs X2 Omni or Roborock's S8 MaxV Ultra, both of which are similarly capable and better-looking. It's a dual-purpose automatic vacuum cleaner and mop that's extremely powerful however, it's going to cost you more and produce more noise.

4. iRobot Roomba L20 Ultra

The L20 Ultra is a top-of-the-range robot vacuum and mop, with a lot of advanced features that let you get rid of your chores. Like Ecovacs' range-topping X2 Omni and Roborock's S8 Pro Ultra, the L20 is designed to be a hands-off cleaning machine that takes care of both vacuuming and mopping, with a multi-function dock that automatically empties the automatic vacuum cleaner's trash bin, refills its water tank and washes and dries its mop pads.

The smart robot makes use of an array of LIDAR and structured light to create floor plans and identify obstacles, and navigates more effectively than its top rivals. It also has a front mounted camera for real-time detection of hazards but this wasn't foolproof in our tests and could be confused with obstructions or power cords.

Its vacuum has a suction capacity of 7,000 Pascals which is more than enough to complete the task. It also features "Intelligent Dirt Detection", which regulates how hard the vacuum works and also alters the frequency of cleaning for various areas of the house according to how dirty they are.

If you have a larger home, you should consider selecting a model with a the option of cleaning zones or spots. This allows you to tell the robot which area of your home needs to be cleaned with the help of an app or voice command. If you have furniture, a stair mode is also a good option. Additionally the recharge and resume feature that allows your robot vacuum to continue where it left off is great for busy families.

5. iRobot Roomba RX3

The RX3 is a more efficient cleaner than you'd imagine from its price. It has a great vacuuming performance and picked up 55% debris in our tests. (It was only second to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mops using only one pad and a rotating motion that cleans better that most mop cleaners for robots that we've tried. It's also self-sufficient, with a full-featured app and a self-emptying, washable base.

The well-designed iRobot application guides you through a mapping session that collects data about your floorplan and any "no-go" areas you have marked on the map. It can be used to create cleaning schedules, or to set up a spot-clean. It can also be used to it to rank your most filthy areas for greater efficiency. The app has a range of features, such as seasonal suggestions, custom mapping, and advanced cleaning settings.

It is also able to reach corners and under furniture more easily because its shape is more rectangular. It also has a strong 8,000 Pascal suction and intelligent combs for pet hair. It also has the ability to set up a spot cleaning that scours a specific area.

The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a sleeker and cheaper alternative to the iRobot Roomba. It's got a more attractive design, similar to Dolce & Gabbana. The twin cameras are shaped like cute little eyes. It is excellent at vacuuming, but it is more likely to get caught on low thresholds. It is also louder than other top robot vacuums that we have examined. It also comes with an app that's not as intuitive and a small base station that can't double as a bin for emptying.