10 Things We All Hate About Robot Hoover
The Best Robot Hoover
The best robot vacuum and mop robot vacuums best hoover can mop and vacuum without needing your attention, and it will leave your floors clean. Its low cost and top-of-the-line features (such as dirt detection) are a plus.
Be sure to regularly check your robot's brushes for hair that is tangled as well as large debris and clean them as required. Some models will also empty the onboard dustbin and deposit it in a larger bin at the base. This can reduce the amount of fine dust 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 tested. They are equipped with motors that are top-of-the class and can handle up to 5,500 Pascals. As with other premium iRobot models (including the top pick), they use smart mapping technology to create detailed floor plans that avoid home-based obstacles like cords and furniture legs. They also have a feature called carpet boost which boosts the robot's power when it detects an abundance of dirt on the carpet in order to get it clean quickly.
Both the Q5 and the Q7 Max Series get very good scores in our tests on floors that are bare, and they're particularly adept at cleaning pet hair. However, they do have a few flaws, however, that prevent them from being our top choice. For one, the Q5's navigation system does not include AI-powered obstacle avoidance which means it's susceptible to getting hung up on shoes and socks, and is unable to navigate tight spaces very well in our tests. It also doesn't have a camera to see around corners.
It's still a great option, especially if you want to save money on a iRobot Roomba and you have a bare-floored home or office. It's also extremely quiet and can be used when you're at work or in school. The only thing it lacks that you can't find in the more expensive iRobot Roomba X30 is edge-to-edge vacuuming on bare floors. And it's less effective at mopping, relying on disposable wet wipes that don't stay on for long and don't take on dried-on debris. The Q5 does come with a self-emptying dock, though. If you're required to mop, the mopping pad can be swapped for an awe-inspiring one in a matter of just a few seconds.
2. IRobot Roomba
The iRobot Roomba X30 packs impressive vacuuming and mopping capabilities into a sleek, compact package. Its quick navigation and smart cleaning maps make it quick to clean and efficient at taking on larger particles, such as pet hair. It also has strong suction and an automatic bin for emptying. It's the best robot hoover for carpets, although it's not as effective as some rivals in deep cleaning.
This high-performing combination vacuum and mop uses advanced sensor technology to stay clear of obstacles and pet waste and it also learns your home's layout over time to provide more efficient cleaning. The app lets you customize zones and change the cleaning schedule. It has a battery life that is comparable to other models.
When the X30 Ultra is in a carpeted area, you can instruct it to remove and extend its mop. This will help prevent cross contamination. Its flex arm is perfect for getting under low-lying furniture and along baseboards. It's not as efficient on the washboard as our other Editors' Choice Picks, the Ecovacs Ozmo N8Pro+ and the iRobot Combo j9+.
During tests during testing, the X30 Ultra was the fastest robot vacuum/mop to complete the entire house with the battery at 66 percent left. It did a great cleaning job on various rooms and floors with various flooring types including certain area rugs. Its obstacle detection was top notch, and it nimbly avoided fake dog socks, turds, shoes, and bundles of cables.
It's a little more expensive than iRobot Combo v9+ or iRobot Roomba j9+ but it has superior suction and an onboard bin that automatically empties into the base. It also supports voice commands via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It can clean the floor even after it has vacuumed. This is a feature we haven't seen in other robotic vacuum/mop combos.
3. Roomba X40 from iRobot
With a sleek circular design that looks like a regular Roomba rather than the compact models this robot vacuum and mop combo is among the most attractive designs in our tests. The latest model from iRobot is among the most intelligent, with advanced features including 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 best robotic mop and vacuum mop or vacuum that scored 100% in our tests, thanks to a combination of high-tech sensors, including cameras, a structured lighting system, and multiple lasers. The X40 Ultra was the only robot we tested that could refill and empty its basestation on its own. It also boasted a suction of 12,000Pa as well as self-cleaning mops.
As with other iRobot models like the X40 is user-friendly, offering an easy mobile app interface and integration with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit as well as Google Assistant. The only drawback is that the X40 is still a noisy unit. This can be a problem in mornings before work or in the evening when you are trying to sleep.
It's also somewhat expensive, but it's not as pricey as the Ecovacs X2 Omni or the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra Both of which are similarly capable and more attractive. It's a dual-purpose vacuum that is very efficient however, it will cost you more and produce more noise.
iRobot L20 Ultra
The L20 Ultra is a top-of-the-range robot vacuum and mop with many advanced features that let you forget about your chores. Similar to Ecovacs' 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, with a multi-function dock that automatically empties the vacuum's trash bin, refills its water tank, washes and dry the mop pads.
The smart robot uses a combination of LIDAR and structured light to map out floor plans and identify obstacles, navigating more intelligently than its top rivals. It also has a front mounted camera for real-time hazards detection but this wasn't completely foolproof in our tests, and was sometimes confused with obstructions or power cords.
Its vacuum cleaner has a maximum suction of 7,000 Pascals which is more than enough to do the job. It also has "Intelligent Dirt Detection", which regulates the intensity at which the vacuum works and adjusts the frequency of cleaning for various areas of the house in accordance with the amount of dirt they tend to be.
For larger houses it's worth looking for a model with zone or spot cleaning modes that allow you to tell the robot to clean one particular area of your home using the app or voice controls. If you have furniture, a stair-mode is also a good option. For families with busy schedules, a recharge feature and resume feature that permits your robot vacuum to continue from where it left off can be very useful.
5. iRobot Roomba RX3
The RX3 is more intelligent than the price suggests. It is a great job cleaning, removing 55% of debris in our tests (it was second only to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mopses with a single pad that uses an oscillating motion that does a better job cleaning than the other robot mop cleaners we've examined. It's self-sufficient too, with a full-featured application and an auto-emptying washable base.
The iRobot app is designed to help you navigate an exercise in mapping, which gathers information on your floorplan, as well as any "no go" areas that you've marked on the map. It can be used to create cleaning schedules, set up a spot clean or to prioritize your most filthy rooms to improve performance. The app has a range of features, such as seasonal suggestions, custom mapping, and advanced cleaning settings.
It is also able to reach corners and under furniture better because its shape is more rectangular. It also has strong suction of 8,000 Pascal suction and combs that are intelligent for pet hair. You can also set up a spot cleaning that intensely cleans a localized area.
The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a sleeker more affordable alternative to iRobot Roomba. It has a more attractive design, akin to Dolce & Gabbana. The twin cameras are designed to resemble cute little eyes. It does a good job vacuuming, but it is more susceptible to be caught by low thresholds and is more noisy than the other top robot vacuums we've examined. It also has an app that's not as intuitive and a small base station that does not double as a bin for emptying.