Robot Hoover: A Simple Definition

The Best Robot Hoover

The best robot hoover can mop and vacuum without needing your attention, and will leave your floors clean. Its surprisingly affordable price and features that are high-end (such as dirt detection) are pluses.

Be sure to regularly examine the brushes of your robot for hair that is tangled as well as large debris, and wash them when required. Some models can also automatically empty their dust bin on board into a larger bin at the base, which decreases the amount of fine dust 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 have test. They have motors that are top-of-the quality and can suction up to 5,500 Pascals. As with other top iRobot models (including the top-rated model) they employ intelligent mapping technology to create detailed floor plans that avoid household obstacles such as cords and furniture legs. The robots also come with a feature called Carpet Boost that increases its power when it detects dirt on the carpet.

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

It's still a great deal particularly if your office or home has a lot of unfinished floors and you want to save some money. Plus, it's very quiet and can be used while you're at work or going to 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 of floors with no floor. And it's less effective at mopping, as it relies on disposable wet wipes that don't hold on very well and can't take on dried-on debris. The Q5 has a self-emptying cradle however. And, if you need to change the mopping pad for dry ones in just a few minutes.

2. iRobot Roomba X30

The iRobot Roomba X30 is a compact sleek and stylish vacuum cleaner that also has the ability to sweep floors. Its agile navigation and intelligent cleaning maps make it quick to clean and effective at dealing with larger particles such as pet hair. It also comes with strong suction and an automatic bin for emptying. It's the best robot vacuum robotic hoover for carpets but it isn't as effective as some of its competitors when it comes to deep cleaning.

This top-performing mop and vacuum combination utilizes advanced sensors to dodge obstacles and pet waste, and it also learns the layout of your home over time to provide more efficient cleaning. You can modify its cleaning schedule and set up zones using the app that is well-designed. It has a battery life that is similar to other models.

If the X30 Ultra is in a carpeted area, you can instruct it to remove and extend its mop. This can help avoid cross contamination. The flex arm can be used to reach under furniture that is low 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 during testing, the X30 Ultra was the fastest robot vacuum/mop to complete an entire home, and it did so with only 66 percent of its battery left. It did a decent cleaning job on different floors and rooms with different kinds of flooring, including certain area rug. Its obstacle detection was top notch and it swiftly eluded fake dog turds, socks, shoes, and bundles of cables.

It's more expensive than iRobot Combo v9+ or iRobot Roomba j9+ but offers superior suction and an onboard bin that is automatically empty 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 that we haven't seen in other robotic vacuum/mop combos.

3. Roomba X40 from iRobot

With an elegant circular design that appears more like a normal Roomba than the competition's boxes, this mop and robot vacuum is one of the most appealing looking in our evaluations. iRobot’s latest flagship model is also its smartest. It comes with advanced features like enhanced dirt detection and future compatibility (another company's robot that can wash mop pads autonomously).

It's also the only robot vacuum cleaner best vacuum/mop to score an absolute 10 out of 10 in our evaluations. This is thanks to a mix of modern sensors, including a restructured light system, a camera, and a variety of lasers. The X40 Ultra was the only robot vacuum cleaner best 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, with an easy mobile app interface and integration with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant. The only real drawback is that it's an eerily noisy device which could be an issue if you use it in the morning prior to work, or at night when you try to fall asleep.

It's also a bit expensive, but not as expensive as the Ecovacs MaxV Ultra or Roborock S8 Omni, which are equally powerful and more attractive. If you're willing with a little more noise and a little more cost this is a capable two-in-one that should please almost everyone.

iRobot L20 Ultra

The L20 Ultra is the top-of-the high-end robot vacuum and mop. It has a number of advanced features that help you forget your chores. The L20 Ultra is a hands-free cleaning device that is similar to Ecovacs top-of-the-line X2 Omni or Roborock's S8 Pro Ultra. It has a multifunction dock which automatically emptys the bin of the vacuum and fills up the water tank, and washes and dries mop pads.

The smart robot uses LIDAR and structured lighting to create floorplans and identify obstacles. It can navigate more efficiently than its premium competitors. It also comes with a front-mounted camera that can detect hazards in real-time but this wasn't foolproof in our tests and was often confused with obstructions or power cords.

The vacuum cleaner has a maximum suction of 7,000 Pascals which is more than sufficient to accomplish the task. It also has "Intelligent Dirt Detection", that regulates the amount of time the vacuum works and alters the frequency of cleaning for different areas of the home according to how dirty they are.

If you have a larger home, it is worth choosing a model that has zones or spot cleaning modes. This lets you tell the robot which area of your home needs to be cleaned by using the app or voice command. A stair mode can be useful if you have a large furniture. For busy families, a recharge feature and resume feature that allows your robot vacuum to continue from where it left off can be very beneficial.

5. iRobot Roomba RX3

The RX3 is a cleaner with more intelligence than you might imagine from its price. It does a stellar job vacuuming, removing 55% of debris in our tests (it was second only to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mopses using one pad and a rotating motion that is more efficient than most of the robot mop cleaners that we've tested. And it's highly self-sufficient with a full-featured application and an auto-emptying washable base.

The iRobot app is designed to guide you through a mapping run which collects information about your floorplan as well as any "no go" areas that you've marked on the map. You can use it to create cleaning schedules, set up the perfect spot for cleaning or prioritize your most filthy rooms to improve performance. The app offers a variety of features, such as seasonal suggestions, custom mapping, and advanced cleaning settings.

It can also reach corners and under furniture more easily because its shape is more rectangular. It is equipped with an impressive 8,000 Pascal suction and sophisticated combs that remove pet hair. You can also create a spot-cleaner that thoroughly cleans an area.

The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a more sleek and more affordable alternative to the iRobot Roomba. It is more appealing in its design, akin to Dolce & Gabbana. The twin cameras are designed like cute little eyes. It does a good job vacuuming, but is more prone to be caught by low thresholds and is louder than the other top robotic vacuums we've tested. It also has a less user-friendly app and a tiny base station that isn't able to double as a bin for emptying.