Robot Hoover: A Simple Definition

The Best Robot Hoover

The best robot hoover can mop and vacuum without needing your attention. It leaves your floors spotless. Its low cost and top-of-the-line functions (such as a dirt detector) are a plus.

Check your robot's brushes regularly for tangled debris as well as hair. Clean them as needed. Some models will automatically empty their onboard dustbin 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 cousin the Q7 Max Series are among the most powerful robotic vacuums we've tested. They have motors that are top of the line and can suction up to 5,500 Pascals. Like other iRobots with premium features (including the most powerful model) they utilize intelligent mapping to design precise floor plans and eliminate household obstacles such as cords and furniture leg. They also have carpet boost, a feature which boosts the robot's power when it spots the presence of dirt on the carpet, allowing it cleaned quickly.

Both the Q5 as well as the Q7 Max Series get very good scores in our floor tests that test for bare floors, and they're particularly adept in cleaning pet hair. They do have some flaws, however, that prevent them from being our first choice. One of the weaknesses of the Q5 is that its navigation system doesn't feature AI-powered obstacles avoidance. It's also prone to get stuck on shoes and socks and couldn't navigate densely packed rooms very efficiently during our tests. It doesn't also have a camera to see around corners.

It's still a great option for those who want to save money on a iRobot Roomba and you have a bare-floored home or office. Plus, it's very quiet and can work while you're at work, or going to school. The only thing it's missing that you can't find in the pricier iRobot Roomba X30 is edge-to-edge vacuuming on bare floors. It's also less effective at mopping, as it relies on disposable wet wipes, which don't stick on for long and don't take on dried-on debris. The Q5 has a self-emptying cradle that can be emptied by itself. If you're in need of it clean the mopping pad, it can be swapped for an awe-inspiring one in a matter of seconds.

2. iRobot Roomba

The iRobot Roomba X30 packs impressive mopping and vacuuming into a compact, sleek package. Its nimble navigation and intelligent cleaning maps make it simple to clean and effective at tackling larger particles like pet hair. It also features self-emptying dustbins as well as powerful suction, and support for virtual boundaries. It's the best robotic hoover for carpets, however it's not as good robot vacuum as other hoovers in terms of deep cleaning.

This top-performing mop and vacuum combo utilizes advanced sensors to stay clear of obstacles and pet waste and it also learns the layout of your home over time for more efficient cleaning. You can modify the schedule of cleaning and even customize zones using the app that is well-designed. It has a battery lifespan that is comparable to other models.

When the X30 Ultra is in a carpeted area, you can instruct it to pull back and extend its mops. This helps prevent cross-contamination. The flex arm is great to get 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 Pro+ as well as the iRobot Combo j9+.

During testing, X30 Ultra was the most efficient robot vacuum/mop which could sweep the entire house with just 66 percent of its battery remaining. It did a great cleaning job on a variety of floors and rooms with different flooring types including certain area carpets. Its obstacle detection was excellent and it stayed clear of fake dog turds, socks, shoes and bundles of cables.

It's a bit more expensive than iRobot Combo v9+ or iRobot Roomba j9+ but has superior suction and an onboard bin that automatically empties into the base. It also supports voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It can clean the floor even after it vacuums. This is a feature we haven't seen on other robotic vacuum/mop combos.

3. iRobot Roomba X40

With a sleek circular design that appears more like a regular Roomba rather than the compact models this mop and robot vacuum is among the most appealing looking in our evaluations. The latest model from iRobot is its most advanced model, with features that are cutting-edge 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 robotic vacuum/mop to score the perfect 10/10 out of 10 in our tests. This is due to a mix of modern sensors, including a restructured light system, camera, and a variety of lasers. The X40 Ultra is also the only robot in our tests that is fully autonomously refill and empty its base station, and boasts an its own self-cleaning mop pads.

The X40 as with other iRobot products, is simple to operate. It comes with an intuitive mobile app interface that is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit. The only issue is that the X40 still a noisy 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, but not as much as the Ecovacs S8 MaxV Ultra or the Roborock S8 Omni, which are both equally powerful and more attractive. If you're willing with a bit more noise and some extra cost it's a capable two-in-one that should satisfy most people.

iRobot L20 Ultra

The L20 Ultra is a top-of-the-range robot vacuum and mop with a lot of advanced features to help you get rid of 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 mopping and vacuuming. It comes with a multifunction dock that automatically emptys the vacuum's dustbin, refills its water tank, washes and dry the 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 its more expensive rivals. It also comes with a front-mounted camera that can detect hazards in real-time, though this wasn't 100% reliable in our tests and was sometimes confused with power cords or obstructions.

Its vacuum cleaner has the capacity to suction up to 7,000 Pascals which is more than sufficient to complete the task. It also has "Intelligent Dirt Detection", that regulates the amount of time the vacuum works and also adjusts the frequency of cleaning for various areas of the house according to the degree of dirt they are.

If you have a larger home, it is worth selecting a model with a zones or spot cleaning modes. This allows you to instruct the robot on which part of your home needs to be cleaned with the help of an app or voice command. A stairway mode is useful if you own a large furniture. For families with busy schedules, a recharge feature and resume feature that allows your robot vacuum to continue from where it left off can be very beneficial.

iRobot RX3

The RX3 is a cleaner with more intelligence than you might imagine from its price. It has a great vacuuming performance and picked up 55% debris in our tests. (It was only second to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mopses with one pad, which uses an oscillating motion that is cleaner than the other robot mop cleaners we've tried. It's also self-sufficient, with a full-featured application and an auto-emptying washable base.

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. It can be used to design cleaning schedules or create an automatic vacuum and mop spot-clean. It can also be used to it to rank your most filthy areas for greater efficiency. The app offers a variety of features, such as seasonal suggestions, custom mapping and advanced cleaning settings.

Its shape is more rectangular than other robot vacuums, which means it can reach corners and underneath furniture better. It also has a strong 8,000 Pascal suction and intelligent combs for pet hair. It also has the ability to set up a spot cleaning that scours a specific area.

The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a more sleek and cheaper alternative to the iRobot Roomba. It is more appealing in its style, much like Dolce & Gabbana. The twin cameras are shaped like cute eyes. It is great at vacuuming, but it's more likely to be caught on low thresholds. It is also noisier than other top robot vacuums that we've test. It also has a less user-friendly app and a tiny base station that doesn't double as an emptying bin.