Robot Hoover: A Simple Definition

The Best Robot Hoover

The best robot hoover can vacuum and mop without needing your attention, and it will leave your floors spotless. Its low cost and top-of-the-line features (such as dirt detection) are a plus.

Check your robot's brushes regularly for tangled debris as well as hair. Wash them if needed. Some models can also self-empty the dust bin on board and then deposit it in an additional 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 more expensive sibling, the Q7 Max Series are among the most powerful robotic hoovers vacuums we've tested. They are equipped with motors that are top of the class and can handle up to 5,500 Pascals. Like other premium iRobots (including the most powerful model) they utilize smart mapping to produce precise floorplans that avoid obstacles such as cords and furniture legs. They also feature carpet boost which boosts the robot's power when it detects an abundance of dirt on the carpet in order to get it cleaned up quickly.

The Q5 and Q7 Max Series both scored extremely well in our tests of floors with no carpet They are also adept at cleaning hair from dogs. However, they have a few flaws that keep them from being our top choice. One of them is that the Q5's navigation doesn't feature AI-powered obstacle avoidance technology and is therefore prone to getting hung up on shoes and socks, and is unable to navigate tightly packed rooms very efficiently in our tests. Also, it doesn't have a camera that would let it see the corners of an area.

It's still a great deal particularly if your home or office has a lot of unfinished flooring and you're looking to save some money. It's also very quiet and can be used while you're at work or in school. The only thing it lacks that you won't find in the pricier iRobot Roomba X30 is edge-to-edge vacuuming of floors with no floor. It's also less effective at mopping, relying on disposable wet wipes that don't hold on for long and don't deal with dried-on debris. The Q5 comes with a self-emptying cradle that can be emptied by itself. If you're required to mop, the mopping pad can be changed for a wet one in just a few seconds.

2. IRobot Roomba X30

The iRobot Roomba X30 is a compact elegant vacuum cleaner that also has the ability to sweep floors. Its intelligent cleaning maps as well as quick navigation make it easy to clean, and efficient in tackling larger particles, like pet hair. It also comes with strong suction and self-emptying bin. It's the best robot vacuum and mop robot hoover for carpets, though it's not as effective as some rivals in deep cleaning.

This high-performance vacuum and mops utilizes sensors to avoid obstacles and pet waste. It also learns the layout of your home over time to offer cleaner and more efficient cleaning. You can modify the schedule of cleaning and even customize zones through the well-designed app. Its battery life is average when compared 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. The flex arm is ideal for getting under low-lying furniture and along baseboards. It doesn't perform as well on the washboard as our other Editors' Choice Picks, the Ecovacs Ozmo N8Pro+ and the iRobot Combo j9+.

In tests, the X30 Ultra was the fastest robot vacuum/mop to complete an entire house, finishing with 66 percent of its battery left. It also did a good job cleaning a variety of floors and rooms with different flooring types, including some area rugs. Its obstacle detection was top-of-the-line and it swiftly eluded fake dog socks, turds, shoes, and bundles of cables.

It's a bit more expensive than the iRobot Combo v9+ and iRobot Roomba j9+, but it has superior suction, a built-in dust bin that automatically emptys 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 in other robot vacuum/mop combination.

3. IRobot Roomba X40

The robot vacuums that mop vacuum and mop combination has a sleek, circular design that looks more like the regular Roomba model than the bulky models of 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 wash its own mop pads).

It's also the only robotic vacuum or mop that scored the perfect 10/10 out of 10 in our evaluations. This is due to a mix of modern sensors, including a restructured lighting system, a camera 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.

Like other iRobot models as well, the X40 is user-friendly, offering an intuitive mobile app interface as well as integration with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit and Google Assistant. The only real drawback is that it's loud, which can be a problem if you run it in the morning before work or in the evening as you try to fall asleep.

It's also a bit expensive, though it's not as pricey as the Ecovacs Omni or Roborock's S8 MaxV Ultra both of which are equally capable and better-looking. If you're willing to put up some more volume and some additional cost this is a efficient two-in-one device that should please almost everyone.

iRobot L20 Ultra

The L20 Ultra is a top-of-the-range robot vacuum and mop, with many advanced features that let 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-off cleaning machine that takes charge of both mopping and vacuuming. It comes with a multi-function dock that automatically empties the vacuum's trash bin, refills its water tank, cleans and dry its mop pads.

The smart robot employs a combination of LIDAR and structured light to map out the floor plan and detect obstacles, and navigates more effectively than its more expensive competitors. It also comes with a front-mounted camera for real-time detection of hazards but this wasn't 100% reliable in our tests and was often confused with power cords or obstructions.

Its vacuum cleaner has a maximum suction of 7,000 Pascals which is more than enough to do the job. It also has a feature 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 these areas are.

If you own a larger home, it is worth selecting a robot that comes with zones or spot cleaning modes. This lets you tell the robot which area of your house needs to be cleaned by using the app or voice command. A stairway mode is useful if you own a number of furniture. Additionally, a recharge and resume function that lets your robot vacuum pick up right where it left off is ideal for busy families.

iRobot RX3

The RX3 is a cleaner with more intelligence than you'd imagine from its price. It does a stellar 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 a reciprocating motion that does a better job cleaning than the other robot mop cleaners we've tested. It's also extremely self-sufficient, with a fully-featured application, and a self-emptying base that can be washed.

The iRobot app is designed to help you navigate a mapping run which collects information about your floorplan, as well as any "no go" areas that you've marked on the map. It can be used to make cleaning schedules, arrange an area for cleaning or to sort out your rooms with the most dirt to ensure better performance. The app also provides access to a host of features, such as seasonal suggestions, custom maps and advanced settings for your cleaning.

Its shape is more rectangular than other robot vacuums, meaning it can reach corners and underneath furniture better. It also has a strong 8,000 Pascal suction and combs with intelligent technology for pet hair. You can also organize a spot-cleaner that thoroughly cleans the area.

The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a sleeker and more affordable 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, but it is more likely to be caught on low thresholds. It is also louder than other top robot vacuums that we've test. It also has a less intuitive app and a small base station that doesn't double as an emptying bin.