Robot Hoover: A Simple Definition

The Best Robot Hoover

The best automatic vacuum cleaner robot hoover can mop and vacuum without needing your attention, and will leave your floors spotless. Its price is affordable and its high-end features (such as dirt detectors) are both positives.

Be sure to check your robot's brushes for tangled hair as well as large debris and clean them as needed. Some models will automatically empty their dust bin on board 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 sibling, the pricier Q7 Max Series, are among the most powerful robot vacuums we've tested. They have top-of-the-line motors that can pull up to 5,500 Pascals of suction force. Similar to other iRobots that are premium (including the top model), they use smart mapping to create detailed floor plans and eliminate household obstacles such as cords and furniture leg. The robots also come with Carpet Boost, a feature which boosts its power when it senses dirt on the carpet.

Both the Q5 and Q7 Max Series get very high scores on our tests on floors that are bare, and they're particularly adept in cleaning pet hair. However, they do have a few flaws that keep them from being our top pick. One of the Q5's shortcomings is that its navigation system does not include AI-powered obstacle avoidance. It's therefore prone to become stuck on socks and shoes, and it couldn't navigate through rooms with a lot of people well in our tests. It also doesn't have a camera that would let it see the corners of the room.

Still, it's very good for those who want to save money on a Roomba from iRobot, and you have a bare-floored home or office. Plus, it's very quiet and you can use it while you're at work or at school. It's not equipped with the edge-to-edge floor vacuuming offered in the more expensive iRobot Roomba X30. It's also less effective in mopping, as it relies on disposable wet wipes that don't stay on for long and don't deal with dried-on debris. The Q5 is self-emptying cradle however. If you want to, you can switch the mopping pad for a dry one in minutes.

2. IRobot Roomba

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

This top-performing combination vacuum and mop utilizes advanced sensors to avoid obstacles and pet waste and it learns the layout of your home over time to ensure more efficient cleaning. The app lets you set up zones and modify the cleaning schedule. Its battery life is average compared to similar models.

It is possible to instruct the X30 Ultra to remove its mops and to extend them when it's in a carpeted room, which helps prevent cross-contamination. Its flex arm is perfect for getting 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 Professional+ and 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 also did a great job cleaning a variety of floors and rooms with mixed flooring types, including some area rug. Its obstacle detection was excellent and it stayed clear of fake dog turds and socks, shoes and bundles cables.

It's more expensive than the iRobot Combo v9+ and iRobot Roomba j9+, however, it comes with superior suction, a dustbin on board that automatically fills up its base, and also supports voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It is able to clean floors even after it vacuums. This is a feature we haven't seen on other robotic vacuum/mop combinations.

3. IRobot Roomba X40

This mop and vacuum combination has a sleek, circular design that appears much like a Roomba model than the bulky models from the competitors. It is one of our most attractive looking robot vacuums. The newest model from iRobot is among the most intelligent model, with features that are cutting-edge like Enhanced Dirt Detection Technology as well as future compatibility with Matter (another company's robot that can wash its own mop pads).

It's also the sole robot vacuum or mop that scored an absolute 10 out of 10 in our tests. 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 we tested that could fill and empty its basestation in a self-contained manner. It also boasted an industry-leading suction of 12,000Pa as well as self-cleaning mop mops.

The X40, like other iRobot products, is easy to operate. It has an intuitive mobile app interface that integrates with Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit. The only real drawback is that it's loud which could be problematic if you run it in the morning before work or in the evening as you try to sleep.

It's also quite expensive but not as much as the Ecovacs MaxV Ultra or Roborock S8 Omni, which are equally impressive and attractive. If you're willing to live with a little more noise and some additional cost, this is a very efficient two-in-one device that should delight most.

4. iRobot Roomba L20 Ultra

The L20 Ultra is a top-of-the-range robot vacuum and mop, with a variety of sophisticated features that will let you get rid of your chores. Similar to Ecovacs the range-topping X2 Omni and Roborock's S8 Pro Ultra, the L20 is designed to be a hands-off cleaning machine that can take care of both mopping and vacuuming, with a multifunction dock that automatically empties the vacuum's trash bin, refills its water tank, and washes and dry the mop pads.

The smart robot uses an array of LIDAR and structured light to create floor plans and spot obstacles, making it more efficient than its top competitors. It also comes with a front-mounted camera for real-time detection of hazards but this was not 100% foolproof during our tests and was occasionally confused by power cords or other obstructions.

Its vacuum has a suction capacity of 7,000 Pascals, which is more than enough to finish the job. It also has "Intelligent Dirt Detection", which regulates how hard the automatic vacuum and mop robot works and adjusts the frequency of cleaning for various areas of the house in accordance with how dirty they are.

For larger homes it's worth looking for a model that has zone or spot cleaning modes that allow you to tell the robot to clean one particular area of your home via the app or voice controls. A stair mode can be useful if you have a number of furniture. Also the recharge and resume function that allows your robot vacuum to pick up right where it left off is great for busy families.

iRobot RX3

The RX3 is more intelligent than the price suggests. It has a great vacuuming performance and was able to remove 55% of debris in our tests. (It was second to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mops with one pad, which uses a reciprocating motion, which cleans better than most of the other mop cleaners for robots we've tested. It's also self-sufficient, with a full-featured application and an auto-emptying, washable base.

The iRobot application 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, 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 variety of features, such as seasonal suggestions, custom maps and advanced settings for your cleaning.

It is also able to reach corners and under furniture more easily because its shape is more rectangular. It also has strong 8,000 Pascal suction and combs that are intelligent for pet hair. You can also set up a spot cleaning that scours a specific area.

The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a sleeker more affordable alternative to iRobot Roomba. It's more appealing, Dolce & Gabbana-esque design and its twin cameras appear like cute eyes. It does a good job vacuuming but is more prone to be caught by low thresholds and is noisier than the other top robot vacuums we've tested. It also has a less intuitive app and a small base station that can't be used as a bin for emptying.