The best robot hoover can vacuum and mop without needing your attention, and leaves your floors spotless. Its price is affordable and its high-end functions (such as a dirt detectors) are both positives.
Examine your robot's brush regularly for tangled debris and hair. Wash them if needed. Some models can also self-empty the onboard dustbin and deposit it in a larger bin at the bottom. This reduces the amount fine dust that is 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 feature motors that are top of the class and can handle up to 5,500 Pascals. Like other premium iRobot models (including the top-rated model) they utilize smart mapping technology to create detailed floor plans and avoid common obstacles like cords and furniture legs. The robots also have Carpet Boost, a feature that boosts its power when it detects dirt on the carpet.
Both the Q5 as well as the Q7 Max Series get very excellent scores in our bare floor tests and are particularly effective at cleaning pet hair. They do have some flaws however, which hinder them from being our first choice. One of the weaknesses of the Q5 is its navigation system doesn't include AI-powered obstacle avoidance. It's therefore prone to getting stuck on shoes and socks and couldn't navigate rooms with lots of people well in our tests. It also doesn't have a camera that would let it see the corners of the room.
However, it's a good robot vacuum choice, especially if you want to save money on an Roomba from iRobot and have a mostly unfinished home or office. Plus, it's very quiet and you can use it while you're at work or at school. The only thing it's missing that you don't get 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 is dependent on disposable wet wipes, which don't stick well and isn't able to handle dried-on debris. The Q5 is self-emptying cradle however. And, if you have to, you can swap the mopping pad to dry ones in a matter of minutes.
2. IRobot Roomba
The iRobot Roomba X30 is a compact elegant vacuum cleaner that can also sweep floors. Its smart cleaning maps and nimble navigation make it easy to clean, and efficient in dealing with larger particles such as pet hair. It also comes with a powerful suction and self-emptying bin. It's the best robot hoover for carpets, although it isn't as efficient as some of its competitors in deep cleaning.
This high-performance vacuum and mop utilizes sensor technology that can keep away from obstacles and pet waste. It also learns the structure of your home over time and ensure more efficient cleaning. The app allows you to customize zones and change the cleaning schedule. Its battery life is average in comparison to similar models.
You can tell the X30 Ultra to remove its mops and to extend them when in a carpeted room which prevents cross-contamination. Its flex arm is perfect for getting under furniture that is low 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 Pro+ and the iRobot Combo j9+.
During tests, X30 Ultra was the fastest robot vacuum/mop to sweep the entire house, with 66 per cent of its battery remaining. It did a decent cleaning job on various rooms and floors with various kinds of flooring, including certain area rugs. Its obstacle detection was top-of-the-line, and it nimbly avoided fake dog socks, turds, and bundles of cables.
It's a bit more expensive than iRobot Combo v9+ or iRobot Roomba j9+ but it has superior suction and an onboard bin that is automatically empty into the base. It also supports voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It is able to clean floors even after it has vacuumed. This is a feature that we haven't seen before on other robotic vacuum/mop combinations.
3. Roomba X40 from iRobot
This robot vacuum and mop combination features a sleek, circular look that looks more like the regular Roomba unit than the boxy models of the competition. It is one of our most appealing looking robot vacuums. The latest flagship model from iRobot is also among its most advanced. It features advanced features, like enhanced dirt detection and future compatibility (another company's robot that is able to wash mop pads autonomously).
It's also the only robot vacuum/mop that scored an absolute 10 out of 10 in our evaluations. This is thanks to a combination high-tech sensors, including a structured light system, camera and multiple lasers. The X40 Ultra is also the only robot vacuum cleaner reviews we tested that is fully autonomously refill and empty its base station and it has an the industry's highest suction of 12,000Pa and self-cleaning mop pads.
The X40 as with other iRobot products, is simple to operate. It comes with a simple mobile application interface and integrates with Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit. The only drawback is that it's still quite a noisy unit that could be an issue if you use it in the morning prior to work or in the evening as you attempt to sleep.
It's also quite expensive, but it's not as pricey as the Ecovacs Omni or the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra Both of which are similarly capable and better-looking. If you're willing to live with a little more noise and some additional cost this is a efficient two-in-one device that should delight most.
4. iRobot Roomba L20 Ultra
The L20 Ultra is the top-of-the best robot vacuum cleaner and mop robot mop and vacuum. It comes with a variety of advanced features that make you forget about your chores. The L20 Ultra is a hands-free cleaner, similar to Ecovacs the 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 cleans and drys mop pads.
The smart robot uses LIDAR and structured lighting to draw out floor plans and detect obstacles. It can navigate more efficiently than its top competitors. It also has a camera mounted on the front for real-time detection of hazards, although this wasn't quite 100% foolproof during our tests and was occasionally confused by power cords or other obstructions.
Its vacuum has a maximum suction of 7,000 Pascals which is more than enough to get the job done. It also comes with an option known as "Intelligent Dirt Detection", which regulates the power of the vacuum and adjusts the frequency of cleaning for different areas of the home based on how dirty these areas tend to be.
If you have a bigger home, you should consider selecting a robot that comes with zones or spot cleaning modes. This allows you to inform the robot of which area of your house needs to be cleaned with the help of an app or voice control. A stair mode can be useful if you have a large furniture. Finally, a recharge and resume function that lets your robot vacuum take over exactly where it left off is ideal for busy families.
iRobot RX3
The RX3 is more advanced than its price would suggest. It is a good vacuum cleaner and picked up 55% debris in our tests. (It was only second to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mops with one pad and a reciprocating movement which is cleaner than the majority of the mop cleaners with robots that we've tried. And it's highly self-sufficient with a full-featured application and 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 mark on the map. You can use it to make cleaning schedules, plan a spot clean or to prioritise your dirtiest rooms to ensure better performance. The app also gives access to a host of options, including seasonal suggestions, custom maps, and advanced settings for your cleaning.
It can also reach corners and under furniture more easily because its shape is more rectangular. It also has a strong 8000 Pascal suction and combs with intelligent technology for hair of pets. You can also set up a spot-clean that will thoroughly clean the area.
The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a more sleek and more affordable alternative to the iRobot Roomba. It has a more attractive style, much like Dolce & Gabbana. The twin cameras are shaped like cute eyes. It is great at vacuuming, however it is more likely to be stuck on low thresholds. It is also louder than other top robot vacuums that we've examined. It also has a less intuitive app and a tiny base station that can't be used as a bin for emptying.