The Best Robot Hoover
The best robot hoover can clean and mop without requiring your attention, and leaves your floors spotless. Its low cost and top-of-the-line features (such as dirt detectors) are a plus.
Make sure to check your robot's brushes frequently for tangled debris and hair. Clean them as needed. Some models will automatically empty their onboard dust bin into a larger bin in the base, which reduces the amount of 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 test. They have top-of-the-line motors that can produce up to 5,500 Pascals of suction force. Similar to other iRobots that are premium (including the top model), they use smart mapping to produce precise floorplans that avoid obstacles like cords and furniture leg. The robots also have Carpet Boost, a feature that increases its power when it senses dirt on the carpet.
The Q5 and Q7 Max Series both scored very well in our tests on bare floors and are especially adept in cleaning hair from dogs. They do have some flaws however, which prevent them from being our top option. For instance, the Q5's navigation system does not include AI-powered obstacle avoidance and is therefore prone to become entangled in shoes and socks and can't navigate rooms with a lot of people well in our tests. It also doesn't come with cameras that let it see the corners of a room.
However, it's a good choice to consider, particularly if you're looking to save money on a Roomba from iRobot and have a mostly unfinished home or office. Additionally, it's quiet and you can use it when you're at work or school. The only thing it doesn't have that you don't get in the more expensive iRobot Roomba X30 is edge-to-edge vacuuming on bare floors. And it's less effective at mopping, using disposable wet wipes that don't stay on very well and can't take on dried-on debris. The Q5 does have self-emptying docks, however. If you're in need of it clean the mopping pad, it can be changed for an awe-inspiring one in a matter of just a few seconds.
2. iRobot Roomba
The iRobot Roomba X30 is a compact sleek and stylish vacuum cleaner that can sweep floors. Its agile navigation and intelligent cleaning maps make it quick to clean and efficient in dealing with larger particles such as pet hair. It also comes with an impressive suction system and self-emptying bin. It's the best automatic vacuum robotic hoover for carpets, however it isn't as effective as some of its competitors when it comes to deep cleaning.
This high-performance vacuum and mop uses sensors that help it keep away from obstacles and pet waste. It also learns the layout of your home over time to provide better cleaning. The app allows you to modify zones and alter the cleaning schedule. Its battery life is average compared to other models.
It is possible to instruct the X30 Ultra to remove its mops and extend them when in a carpeted room to prevent cross-contamination. The flex arm can be used to reach under furniture with low levels 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 fastest robot vacuum/mop to clean an entire home and had 66 percent of its battery remaining. It did a great cleaning job on various flooring and rooms with different flooring types, including certain area rug. Its obstacle detection was excellent and it stayed clear of fake dog turds and socks, shoes and bundles of cables.
It's more expensive than iRobot Combo v9+ or iRobot Roomba j9+ but it 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 also clean the floor even after it has vacuumed. This is a feature that we haven't seen on other robot vacuum/mop combination.
3. iRobot Roomba X40
With a sleek circular design that looks more like a normal Roomba than the competition's boxes this robot vacuum and mop combo is among the most attractive designs in our reviews. iRobot's latest flagship model also happens to be its smartest model, with features that are cutting-edge like Enhanced Dirt Detection Technology as well as future compatibility with Matter (another company's robot that can wash its own mop pads).
It's the only robotic mop or vacuum that scored an exemplary 10/10 in our tests thanks to a blend of high-tech sensors, including cameras, a structured light system and multiple lasers. The X40 Ultra is also the only robot in our tests that can fully self-refill and empty its base station and it has an its own self-cleaning mop pads.
The X40, like other iRobot products, is simple to operate. It comes with an easy mobile app interface that is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit. The only issue is that the X40 still a loud unit. This could be a problem in mornings before work or in the evening when you are trying to sleep.
It's also a bit expensive, though it's not as expensive as the Ecovacs X2 Omni or Roborock's S8 MaxV Ultra both of which are equally powerful and more attractive. If you're willing to live with a bit more noise and a little more cost it's a efficient two-in-one device that should delight most.
iRobot L20 Ultra
The L20 Ultra is a top-of-the-range robot vacuum and mop with a variety of sophisticated features to help you forget about your chores. The L20 Ultra is a hands-free cleaner that is similar to Ecovacs the top of the line X2 Omni or Roborock's S8 Pro Ultra. It comes with a multi-function dock that will automatically empty the automatic vacuum and mop robot's bin, refills the water tank, and cleans and dries mop pads.
The smart robot makes use of an array of LIDAR and structured light to draw out floor plans and identify obstacles, navigating more intelligently than some of its premium rivals. It also comes with a front-mounted camera for real-time hazards detection but this wasn't completely foolproof in our tests, and could be confused with power cords or obstructions.
The vacuum has a suction maximum of 7,000 Pascals, which is more than enough to finish the job. It also comes with a feature called "Intelligent Dirt Detection", that regulates the vacuum's power and adjusts the frequency of cleaning for different areas in the home based on how dirty these areas are.
For larger homes it's worth looking for models that has zone or spot cleaning modes that let you tell the robot to clean a particular area of your home via the app or via voice commands. A stairway mode is beneficial if you have lot furniture. For families that are busy, a recharge function and resume feature that permits your robot vacuum to continue from where it left off can be extremely useful.
5. iRobot Roomba RX3
The RX3 is more advanced than its price would suggest. It's a pro at vacuuming, picking up 55% of the debris that was found in our tests (it was second only to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mops using a single pad that uses a reciprocating motion that cleans better than most of the other mop cleaners for robots we've tested. It's also extremely self-sufficient, with a fully-featured application, and a self emptying, washable base.
The iRobot application is designed to guide you through an exercise in mapping that collects data on your floorplan, as well as any "no go" areas you've marked on the map. You can use it to create cleaning schedules, plan an area for cleaning or to prioritize your most filthy rooms to improve performance. The app comes with a variety of options, including seasonal suggestions, custom mapping and advanced cleaning settings.
Its shape is more rectangular than other robot vacuums, meaning it is able to reach corners and underneath furniture better. It is equipped with an impressive 8,000 Pascal suction, as well as sophisticated combs that remove pet hair. It also has the ability to set up a spot clean that thoroughly cleans a particular area.
The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a more sleek and less expensive alternative to the iRobot Roomba. It has a more attractive, Dolce & Gabbana-esque design and its twin cameras appear like cute eyes. It is excellent at vacuuming, however it is more likely to get caught in low thresholds. It is also louder than other top robot vacuum cleaners best vacuums that we've tested. It also comes with an app that is less intuitive, and a smaller base station that doesn't double as a bin for emptying.