Robot Hoover: A Simple Definition

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 high-end features (such as dirt detection) are pluses.

Examine your robot's brush frequently for tangled debris and hair. Clean them as needed. Some models can also automatically empty their onboard dust bin into a larger bin in the base, which decreases 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 that we have examined. They have top-of-the-line motors that can pull up to 5,500 Pascals of suction force. As with other top iRobot models (including the top choice), they use intelligent mapping technology to create detailed floor plans and avoid household obstacles such as cords and furniture legs. The robots also have a feature called Carpet Boost that boosts its power when it detects dirt on the carpet.

Both the Q5 and Q7 Max Series get very excellent scores in our bare floor tests, and they're particularly adept in removing pet hair. However, they do have a few flaws that keep them from being our top choice. One of the flaws of the Q5 is its navigation system doesn't include AI-powered obstacle avoidance. It's also prone to getting stuck on socks and shoes, and it couldn't navigate rooms with lots of people well during our tests. It doesn't also have a camera to see around corners.

It's still a good robot vacuum value, especially if your office or home has lots of unfinished floors and you want to save some money. It's also quiet and can be used while you're at work or at school. It lacks the edge-to-edge bare floor vacuuming feature that's available in the more expensive iRobot Roomba X30. It's also less effective in mopping, as it relies on disposable wet wipes, which don't stick on very well and can't take on dried-on debris. The Q5 does come with self-emptying docks, however. If you need to, 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 is a compact elegant vacuum cleaner that also has the ability to mop floors. Its nimble navigation and intelligent cleaning maps make it quick to clean and effective at tackling larger particles like pet hair. It also comes with a powerful suction and self-emptying bin. It's the best robot hoover for carpets, though it isn't as efficient as some of its competitors in deep cleaning.

This high-performing combination vacuum and mop makes use of advanced sensors to avoid obstacles and pet waste and it learns your home's layout over time for more efficient cleaning. The app allows you to modify zones and alter the cleaning schedule. Its battery life is average when compared to other models.

It is possible to instruct the X30 Ultra to remove its mops and to extend them when in a carpeted room which prevents cross-contamination. The flex arm can be used to reach under low-lying furnishings and along baseboards. It's not as effective on the washboard as our other Editors' Choice Picks, the Ecovacs Ozmo N8Pro+ and the iRobot Combo j9+.

In the course of testing, X30 Ultra was the quickest robot vacuum/mop that could complete the task of cleaning a whole home, with 66 per cent of its battery remaining. It did a decent cleaning job on a variety of rooms and floors with various kinds of flooring, including certain area rug. Its obstacle detection was excellent and it was able to avoid fake dog turds and socks, shoes and bundles of cables.

It's more expensive than the iRobot Combo v9+ and iRobot Roomba j9+, however it offers superior suction, a built-in dust bin that automatically fills up its base, and supports voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It can also clean the floor even after it vacuums. 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 much like a Roomba model than the bulky units of the rivals. It's one of our most attractive robot vacuums. iRobot's latest flagship model also is its most advanced and has advanced features like Enhanced Dirt Detection Technology and future compatibility with Matter (another company's robot that is able to wash mop pads).

It's the only robotic vacuum/mop that scored a perfect 10 in our testing due to a mix of high-tech sensors, including cameras, a structured lighting system and multiple lasers. The X40 Ultra is also the only robot we tested that can completely autonomously refill and empty its base station and it boasts the industry's highest suction of 12,000Pa and self-cleaning mop pads.

The X40, like 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 real drawback is that it's loud that could be a problem if you run it in the morning before work or in the evening as you try to sleep.

It's also quite expensive, but it's not as expensive as the Ecovacs X2 Omni or the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra both of which are equally capable and look better. If you're willing to live with a little more noise and a little more cost, this is a very capable two-in-one that should satisfy most people.

4. iRobot Roomba L20 Ultra

The L20 Ultra is the top-of-the high-end robot vacuum mop cleaner robot and mop. It has a range of features that are advanced and will make you forget about your chores. The L20 Ultra is a hands-free cleaning machine, similar to Ecovacs the top of the line X2 Omni or Roborock's S8 Pro Ultra. It has a multifunction dock which automatically emptys the vacuum's bin, refills the water tank, and washes and drys the mop pads.

The smart robot uses an array of LIDAR and structured light to map out the floor plan and detect obstacles, making it more efficient than its more expensive rivals. It also has a front mounted camera that can detect hazards in real-time however this was not 100% reliable in our tests and could be confused with obstructions or power cords.

Its automatic vacuum and mop cleaner has a maximum suction of 7,000 Pascals which is more than sufficient to complete the task. It also has a feature known as "Intelligent Dirt Detection", which regulates the power of the vacuum and adjusts cleaning frequency for various areas of the house depending on how dirty those areas tend to be.

For bigger homes it's worth looking for one with spot or zone cleaning modes that allow you to tell the robot to clean a particular area of your house via the app or via voice commands. A stairway mode is beneficial if you have large furniture. For busy families, a recharge feature and resume feature that allows your robot vacuum to pick up where it left off can be very useful.

5. iRobot Roomba RX3

The RX3 is a cleaner with more intelligence than you would imagine from its price. It is a great job vacuuming, picking up 55% of the debris we found in our tests (it was second only to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mops using one pad, which uses a reciprocating motion, which is cleaner than the other mop cleaners for robots we've examined. It's also self-sufficient with a fully-featured app, and a self emptying, washable base.

The well-designed iRobot app will guide you through an initial mapping exercise that collects information about your floorplan and any "no-go" areas you mark on the map. You can use it to create cleaning schedules, set up a spot clean or to prioritize your most filthy rooms to ensure better performance. The app also grants 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 vacuum that vacuums and mops vacuums, which means it can reach corners and underneath furniture better. It is equipped with an impressive 8,000 Pascal suction as well as clever combs for removing pet hair. And you can set up a spot cleaning that intensely cleans a localized area.

The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a more sleek and less expensive alternative to iRobot Roomba. It has a more attractive design, similar to Dolce & Gabbana. The twin cameras are designed like adorable eyes. It is great at vacuuming, but it is more likely to get caught in low thresholds. It is also noisier than other top robot vacuums that we've tested. It also has a less user-friendly app and a small base station that can't be used as a bin for emptying.