Robot Hoover: A Simple Definition

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 functions (such as a dirt detector) are positives.

Be sure to regularly check your robot's brushes for hair that is tangled as well as large debris, and wash them when required. Some models can also self-empty the onboard dustbin and deposit it in a larger bin at the bottom. This helps reduce the amount of fine dust that gets 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 are equipped with top-of-the-line motors which can produce up to 5,500 Pascals of suction force. And, like other top iRobot models (including the top-rated model) they employ smart mapping technology to create detailed floor plans that avoid household obstacles such as cords and furniture legs. They also have carpet boost, a feature that boosts the robot's performance when it sees the presence of dirt on the carpet to get it cleaned quickly.

The Q5 and Q7 Max Series both scored very well in our tests of floors with no carpet They are also adept in cleaning dog hair. However, they do have a few flaws, however, that prevent them from being our first option. For one, 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 tight spaces very efficiently in our tests. It also doesn't have an image sensor that lets it see the corners of a room.

Still, it's very good to consider, particularly if you're looking to save money on an iRobot Roomba and you have a bare-floored home or office. Additionally, it's quiet and can be used while you're at work or going to school. The only thing it lacks that you won't find in the more expensive iRobot Roomba X30 is edge-to-edge vacuuming on floors that aren't clean. It's also less effective in mopping. It relies on disposable wet wipes that don't adhere well and aren't able to deal with dried-on debris. The Q5 does have a self-emptying dock, though. If you want to, you can swap the mopping pad to dry ones in just a few seconds.

2. IRobot Roomba X30

The iRobot Roomba X30 is a compact sleek and stylish vacuum cleaner that can also mop floors. Its smart cleaning maps and nimble navigation make it easy to clean, and efficient in dealing with larger particles like pet hair. It also has a self-emptying dustbin as well as powerful suction, and support for virtual boundaries. It's the best robot hoover for carpets, however it's not as good as other hoovers when it comes to deep cleaning.

This highly efficient mop and vacuum combo uses advanced sensor technology to avoid obstacles and pet waste and it will learn your home's layout over time for more efficient cleaning. You can change the schedule of cleaning and even customize zones with the well-designed app. It has a battery lifespan that is comparable to other models.

If the X30 Ultra is in a carpeted area, you can tell it to remove and extend its mop. This can help avoid cross-contamination. The flex arm can be used to reach under furniture with low levels and along baseboards. However, it's not equipped with the same 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 vacuums best vacuum/mop which could clean an entire home, with 66 per cent of its battery remaining. It also did a great job of cleaning a mix of floors and rooms that had mixed flooring types, including some area rugs. Its obstacle detection was top-notch, and it nimbly avoided fake dog socks, turds, and bundles of cables.

It's more expensive than the iRobot Combo v9+ and iRobot Roomba j9+, however it offers superior suction, a dustbin on board that automatically empties into its base, and also supports voice commands using Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It can clean the floor even after it has vacuumed. This is something we haven't seen before on other robot vacuum reviews vacuum/mop combination.

3. IRobot Roomba X40

This mop and vacuum combination features a sleek, circular design that appears more like a regular Roomba model than the boxy models from the competition. It's among our most appealing looking robot vacuums. The newest model from iRobot happens to be its smartest, with advanced features including enhanced dirt detection technology and future compatibility with Matter (another company's robot that can autonomously wash mop pads).

It's the only robotic vacuum/mop to score 100% in our testing due to a mix 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 is fully autonomously refill and empty its base station, and it boasts industry-leading 12,000Pa suction and self-cleaning mop pads.

Like other iRobot models as well, the X40 is user-friendly, offering a simple mobile app interface, and integration with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit as well as Google Assistant. The only drawback is that it's still quite an eerily noisy device that could be an issue if you use it in the morning before work or in the evening as you try to fall asleep.

It's also quite expensive however, not as much as the Ecovacs MaxV Ultra or Roborock S8 Omni, which are both equally powerful and more attractive. If you're willing with a bit more noise and a little more cost this is a capable two-in-one that should satisfy most people.

iRobot L20 Ultra

The L20 Ultra is the top-of-the best robot vacuum and mop. It comes with a variety of features that are advanced and will make 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 takes care of both mopping and vacuuming. It comes with a multifunction dock that automatically empty the vacuum's dustbin, refills its water tank, and cleans and dry its mop pads.

The smart robot employs an array of LIDAR and structured light to create floor plans and spot obstacles, and navigates more effectively than its top rivals. It also has a front-mounted camera for real-time hazard detection however, it wasn't 100% foolproof during our tests and was sometimes confused by power cords or other obstructions.

Its vacuum has a suction capacity of 7,000 Pascals which is more than enough to get the job done. It also has an attribute known as "Intelligent Dirt Detection", that regulates the vacuum's power and adjusts cleaning frequency for various areas of the home based on how dirty those areas are.

If you own a larger home, it is worth selecting a model with a zones or spot cleaning modes. This lets you instruct the robot on which part of your home needs to be cleaned with the help of an app or voice control. A stairway mode is beneficial if you have number of furniture. Additionally, a recharge and resume function that allows your robot vacuum to continue where it left off is ideal for busy families.

5. iRobot Roomba RX3

The RX3 is more advanced than the price suggests. It has a great vacuuming performance, picking up 55% debris in our tests. (It was only second to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mops with a single pad that uses a reciprocating motion that is cleaner than the other mop cleaners for robots we've tested. It's also self-sufficient, with a full-featured application and a self-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 you've marked on the map. It can be used to make cleaning schedules, plan an area for cleaning or to prioritise your dirtiest rooms to improve performance. The app also provides access to a variety of features like seasonal suggestions, custom maps, and advanced settings for your cleaning.

Its shape is more rectangular than other robot vacuums, which means it can reach corners and under furniture more easily. It features a powerful 8000 Pascal suction as well as sophisticated combs that remove pet hair. And you can create a spot-clean that intensely cleans a localized area.

The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a sleeker, cheaper alternative to iRobot Roomba. It's more appealing, Dolce & Gabbana-esque design and its twin cameras look like cute eyes. It is capable of vacuuming, but is more prone to get caught on low thresholds and is a bit louder than the other top robot vacuums we've tried. It also has an app that's less intuitive and has a tiny base station that doesn't double as a bin to empty.