The Three Greatest Moments In Robot Hoover History
The Best Robot Hoover
The best robot hoover can mop and vacuum without needing your attention, and it will leave your floors spotless. Its low cost and top-of-the-line functions (such as dirt detector) are both positives.
Make sure you regularly check your robot's brushes for hair that is tangled and large debris, and wash them when needed. Certain models also automatically empty the dust bin on board and then deposit it in a larger bin at the base. This can reduce the amount of 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. Like other premium iRobots (including the top model) they employ smart mapping to produce precise floorplans and avoid household obstacles like furniture leg. They also have a feature called carpet boost that increases the robot's power when it detects the presence of dirt on the carpet, allowing it cleaned quickly.
The Q5 and Q7 Max Series both scored extremely well in our tests on floors that were bare, and they are particularly adept in removing hair from dogs. However, they have a few flaws that keep them from being our top pick. One of the Q5's shortcomings is its navigation system doesn't include AI-powered obstacle avoidance. It's therefore prone to get stuck on shoes and socks, and it couldn't navigate densely packed rooms very efficiently during our tests. Also, it doesn't have cameras that let it see the corners of an area.
However, it's a good choice, especially if you want to save money on a Roomba from iRobot, and you have a mostly unfinished home or office. It's also very quiet and operates while you are at work or in school. The only thing it's missing that you can't find in the more expensive iRobot Roomba X30 is edge-to-edge vacuuming of floors with no floor. And it's less effective at mopping, relying on disposable wet wipes that don't stay on for long and don't handle dried-on debris. The Q5 is self-emptying cradle, however. And, if you need to, you can switch the mopping pad to a dry one in seconds.
2. IRobot Roomba
The iRobot Roomba X30 packs impressive mopping and vacuuming capabilities into a sleek, compact package. Its agile navigation and intelligent cleaning maps make it simple to clean and efficient in dealing with larger particles such as pet hair. It also has a self-emptying dustbin, powerful suction, and support for virtual boundaries. It's the best automatic vacuum robot vacuum for carpets, although it isn't as efficient as some of its competitors in deep cleaning.
This high-performance vacuum and mop uses sensors that help it stay clear of obstacles and pet waste. It also learns the patterns of your home over time to provide more efficient cleaning. The app lets you set up zones and modify the cleaning schedule. It has a battery life that is comparable to other models.
If the X30 Ultra is in a carpeted area, you can tell it to take off and extend its mop. This helps prevent cross contamination. Its flex arm can also be used to reach under furniture with low levels and along baseboards. However, it doesn't have the same level of washboard performance as our other Editors' Choice picks, the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo N8 Professional+ and the iRobot Combo j9+.
In the course of testing, X30 Ultra was the fastest robot vacuum/mop to complete the task of cleaning a whole home, with 66 per cent of its battery remaining. It did a decent cleaning job on various floors and rooms with different kinds of flooring, including certain area rugs. Its obstacle detection was top-of-the-line, and it nimbly avoided fake dog socks, turds, shoes, and bundles of cables.
It's a bit 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 supports voice commands using Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It can also clean the floor even after it vacuums. This is a feature that we haven't seen on other robotic vacuum/mop combos.
3. IRobot Roomba X40
With a sleek, circular design that looks like a regular Roomba rather than the compact models this mop and robot vacuum is among the most appealing looking in our reviews. The newest model from iRobot is its most advanced and has advanced features like 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 to score an absolute 10 out of 10 in our evaluations. This is thanks to the combination of high-tech sensors, including a structured light system, a camera, and a variety of 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 an industry-leading suction of 12,000Pa and self-cleaning mop mops.
The X40, like other iRobot products, is simple to use. It has a simple mobile application interface and is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit. The only issue is that the X40 is still a loud unit. This can be a problem in mornings prior to work or in the evening when you are trying to fall asleep.
It's also quite expensive, but it's not as expensive as the Ecovacs Omni or the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra both of which are equally capable and look better. This is a dual-purpose vacuum that's extremely powerful however, it will cost you more and create more noise.
iRobot L20 Ultra
The L20 Ultra is a top-of-the-range robot vacuum and mop, with many advanced features that will let you forget about your chores. Like Ecovacs the range-topping X2 Omni and Roborock's S8 Pro Ultra, the L20 is designed to be a hands-free cleaning machine that can take charge of both vacuuming and mopping, with a multi-function dock that automatically emptys the vacuum's dust bin, fills its water tank, and cleans and dry its mop pads.
The smart robot uses the combination of LIDAR and structured light to create floor plans and identify obstacles, and navigates more effectively than some of its premium competitors. It also comes with a front-mounted camera for real-time hazard detection but this was not reliable in our tests and was occasionally confused by power cords or other obstructions.
Its vacuum has a high maximum suction of 7,000 Pascals which is more than enough to complete the task. It also has an option called "Intelligent Dirt Detection", that regulates the power of the vacuum and adjusts the frequency of cleaning for various areas of the house depending on how dirty these areas are.
For larger houses it's recommended to choose a model with zone or spot cleaning modes that allow you to instruct the robot to clean one particular area of your house using the app or via voice commands. A stair mode can be beneficial if you have lot furniture. Additionally a recharge and resume function 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 would imagine from its price. It is a good vacuum cleaner and was able to remove 55% of debris in our tests. (It was second to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mopses using one pad and a reciprocating movement that is more efficient than most of the robot mop cleaners that we've examined. It's also extremely self-sufficient, with a fully-featured app, and a self emptying base that is washable.
The well-designed iRobot application guides you through an initial mapping exercise that collects information about your floorplan as well as any "no-go" areas you mark on the map. You can use it to create cleaning schedules, plan a spot clean or to prioritise your dirtiest rooms to ensure better performance. The app also gives access to a variety of features, such as seasonal suggestions, custom maps, and advanced settings for your cleaning.
Its shape is more rectangular than most other robot vacuums, which means it is able to reach corners and underneath furniture more easily. It also has a strong suction of 8,000 Pascal suction and intelligent combs for pet hair. You can also organize a spot-cleaner which will thoroughly clean the area.
The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a more sleek more affordable alternative to iRobot Roomba. It's got a more attractive style, much like Dolce & Gabbana. The twin cameras are shaped like cute eyes. It is capable of vacuuming but is more prone to get caught on low thresholds and is a bit noisier than the other top robotic hoovers vacuums we've tried. It also has a less intuitive app and a tiny base station that isn't able to double as an emptying bin.