The Best Robot Hoover
The best robot hoover can mop and vacuum without needing your attention, and it leaves your floors spotless. Its low cost and features that are high-end (such as dirt detection) are a plus.
Check your robot's brushes regularly for tangled debris as well as hair. Clean them as needed. Some models can also self-empty the onboard dust bin and place it in an additional bin located at the base. This helps reduce the amount of fine dust that gets released into the air.
1. Roomba Q5 Pro
The Q5 Pro, and its more expensive counterpart, the Q7 Max Series are among the most powerful robotic vacuums that we have tested. They feature motors that are top of the quality and can suction up to 5,500 Pascals. Similar to other iRobots that are premium (including the most powerful model) they employ smart mapping to produce precise floorplans that avoid obstacles like cords and furniture legs. The robots also have a feature called Carpet Boost that boosts its power when it senses dirt on the carpet.
The Q5 and Q7 Max Series both scored very well in our tests of floors with no carpet, and they are particularly adept in removing hair from dogs. They do have some flaws, however, that prevent them from being our first choice. For one, the Q5's navigation system doesn't have AI-powered obstacle avoidance and is therefore prone to getting hung up on shoes and socks and can't navigate tight spaces very well in our tests. It also doesn't have a camera that would let it see the corners of a room.
It's still a good deal particularly if your office or home has a lot of bare floors and you're looking to save money. Additionally, it's quiet and can work when you're at work or going to school. The only thing it doesn't have that you can't find in the pricier iRobot Roomba X30 is edge-to-edge vacuuming on floors that aren't clean. It's also less effective in mopping. It relies on disposable wet wipes that don't stick very well and cannot handle dried-on debris. The Q5 does come with self-emptying docks, however. And, if you need to, you can swap the mopping pad for dry ones in a matter of seconds.
2. iRobot Roomba
The iRobot Roomba X30 is a compact, sleek vacuum cleaner that can mop floors. Its nimble navigation and intelligent cleaning maps make it easy to clean and efficient in taking on larger particles, such as pet hair. It also comes with an impressive suction system and an automatic bin for emptying. It's the most efficient robotic hoover for carpets, however it isn't as effective as some of its competitors in terms of deep cleaning.
This high-performance vacuum and mops utilizes sensor technology that can stay clear of obstacles and pet waste. It also learns the layout of your home over time to ensure cleaner and more efficient cleaning. The app lets you customize zones and change the cleaning schedule. Its battery life is average in comparison to similar models.
You can instruct the X30 Ultra to remove its mops and extend them when in a carpeted room which prevents cross-contamination. Its flex arm is ideal to get under furniture with low levels and along baseboards. However, it's not equipped with 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 during testing, the X30 Ultra was the fastest robot vacuum/mop that could complete the entire house with only 66 percent of its battery left. It did a great cleaning job on various rooms and floors with various flooring types including certain area rug. Its obstacle detection was great and it was able to avoid fake dog turds and socks, shoes and bundles of cables.
It's a little more expensive than iRobot Combo v9+ or iRobot Roomba j9+ but has superior suction and an onboard bin that automatically empty into the base. It also supports voice commands via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It can clean the floor even after it vacuums. This is a feature that we haven't seen in other robot vacuum/mop combination.
3. Roomba X40 from iRobot
With a sleek circular design that appears more like a regular Roomba rather than the boxy units, this mop and robot vacuum is among the most appealing looking in our reviews. The latest model from iRobot happens to be its smartest, 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 the only robotic mop or vacuum that scored an exemplary 10/10 in our testing thanks to a blend of high-tech sensors, which include cameras, a structured lighting system and multiple lasers. The X40 Ultra was the only robot we tested that could fill and empty its basestation in a self-contained manner. It also boasted a suction of 12,000Pa as well as self-cleaning mop mops.
The X40 is, like the other iRobot products, is easy to operate. It has a simple mobile application interface and integrates with Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit. The only drawback is that the X40 still a noisy unit. This could be a concern in the mornings prior to work or during the night when you are trying to sleep.
It's also somewhat expensive, although it's not as pricey as the Ecovacs X2 Omni or Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra Both of which are equally capable and look better. It's a dual-purpose vacuum that is very efficient, but it's going to cost you more and create more noise.
iRobot L20 Ultra
The L20 Ultra is the top-of-the line robot vacuum and mop. It has a number of advanced features that will make you forget about your chores. The L20 Ultra is a hands-free cleaning machine, similar to Ecovacs' top-of-the-range X2 Omni or Roborock's S8 Pro Ultra. It comes with a multi-function dock that will automatically empty the vacuum's bin and refills the water tank, and washes and drys mop pads.
The smart robot uses LIDAR and structured lighting to draw out floor plans and spot obstacles. It can navigate more efficiently than its competitors with premium features. It also has a front-mounted camera to detect hazards in real-time, although this wasn't quite foolproof in our testing and was sometimes confused by power cords or other obstructions.
The vacuum has a suction maximum of 7,000 Pascals which is more than enough to complete the task. It also features "Intelligent Dirt Detection", which regulates the intensity at which the vacuum works and adjusts the frequency of cleaning for different areas of the home depending on the amount of dirt they are.
If you own a larger home, it is worth choosing a model that has the option of cleaning zones or spots. This allows you to inform the robot of which area of your home needs to be cleaned using the app or voice command. A stairway mode is beneficial if you have large furniture. For families with busy schedules recharge functions and resume feature that allows your robot vacuum to resume where it left off could be extremely useful.
5. iRobot Roomba RX3
The RX3 is more intelligent than the price suggests. It's a pro at cleaning, removing 55% of the debris that was found in our tests (it was second only to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mopses using a single pad and a reciprocating motion that is more efficient than most of the robot mop cleaners that we've tested. And it's highly self-sufficient with a fully-featured app as well as an auto-emptying washable base.
The well-designed iRobot app will guide you through a mapping exercise that collects information about your floorplan and any "no-go" areas you have marked on the map. It can be used to create cleaning schedules, arrange an area for cleaning or to prioritise your dirtiest rooms to ensure better performance. The app also gives access to a variety of options, including seasonal suggestions, custom maps and advanced settings for your cleaning.
Its shape is more rectangular than most other robot vacuums, meaning it can get to corners and underneath furniture more easily. It also has a strong suction of 8,000 Pascal suction and intelligent combs for hair of pets. You can also create a spot-cleaner which will thoroughly clean an area.
The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD offers a sleeker, cheaper alternative to iRobot Roomba. It has a more attractive, Dolce & Gabbana-esque design and its twin cameras look like cute eyes. It is excellent at vacuuming, but it is more likely to be stuck on low thresholds. It is also louder than other top robot vacuums that we have examined. It also has an app that's not as intuitive, and a smaller base station that can't double as a bin for emptying.