Robot Hoover: A Simple Definition

The Best Robot Hoover

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

Be sure to inspect your robot's brushes for hair tangled as well as large debris, and wash them when needed. Some models can also self-empty the onboard dustbin and deposit it in an additional bin at the base. This helps reduce the amount of fine dust that is 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 test. They feature top-of-the-line motors that can pull up to 5,500 Pascals of suction force. As with other premium iRobot models (including the top choice) they utilize smart mapping technology to design detailed floor plans and avoid home-based obstacles like cords and furniture legs. They also have carpet boost which boosts the robot's power when it sees an abundance of dirt on the carpet to get it cleaned up quickly.

The Q5 and Q7 Max Series both scored very well in our tests on bare floors, and they are particularly adept in removing hair from dogs. However, they do have several flaws that prevent them from being our top choice. For instance, the Q5's navigation system doesn't have AI-powered obstacle avoidance which means it's susceptible to become entangled in shoes and socks and can't navigate rooms with a lot of people well in our tests. It doesn't also have a camera that can see around corners.

It's still a good robot vacuum value for those whose office or home has lots of unfinished flooring and you're looking to save money. Additionally, it's quiet and can be used while you're at work, or at school. The only thing it doesn't have that you won't find in the pricier iRobot Roomba X30 is edge-to-edge vacuuming on floors that aren't clean. It's also less effective at mopping. It is dependent on disposable wet wipes that don't adhere very well and cannot handle dried-on debris. The Q5 does have a self-emptying dock, though. If you're required to, the mopping pad can be changed for one that is wet in just a few seconds.

2. iRobot Roomba

The iRobot Roomba X30 is a compact elegant vacuum cleaner that can also sweep floors. Its intelligent cleaning maps as well as quick navigation make it easy to clean, and effective in tackling larger particles, like pet hair. It also has a self-emptying bin as well as powerful suction, and support for virtual boundaries. It's the best robot hoover for carpets, but it lags behind some competitors in deep cleaning.

This high-performance vacuum and mops utilizes sensor technology that can keep away from obstacles and pet waste. It also learns the patterns of your home over time and ensure cleaner and more efficient cleaning. You can modify its cleaning schedule and set up zones through the well-designed app. Its battery life is average when compared to similar models.

You can instruct the X30 Ultra to remove its mops and to extend them when in a room with carpet which prevents cross-contamination. Its flex arm is also perfect to get under furniture with low levels 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+.

During testing during testing, the X30 Ultra was the fastest robot vacuum/mop that could complete the entire house with 66 percent of its battery left. It also did an excellent job cleaning a range of floors and rooms that had mixed flooring types, including certain area rug. Its obstacle detection was top-of-the-line and it swiftly eluded fake dog socks, turds and cables.

It's a bit 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 through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It can even clean the floor after it vacuums, a feature that we haven't seen in other robot vacuum/mop combinations.

3. IRobot Roomba X40

The robot vacuum and mop combination is sleek and has a circular look that looks more like a regular Roomba unit than the boxy models from the competition. It's one of our most attractive robot vacuums. iRobot’s latest flagship model is also its smartest. It has advanced features like Enhanced Dirt Detection as well as future compatibility (another company's robot that can wash mop pads in a self-cleaning manner).

It's also the only robotic vacuum/mop to score an absolute 10 out of 10 in our testing. This is thanks to a combination modern sensors, including a restructured light system, camera, and a variety of lasers. The X40 Ultra is also the only robot we tested that can completely autonomously refill and empty its base station, and it boasts the industry's highest suction of 12,000Pa and self-cleaning mop pads.

As with other iRobot models like the X40 is easy to use, offering a simple mobile app interface as well as integration with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant. The only downside is that the X40 is still a loud unit. This could be a concern in the mornings prior to work or in the evening when you're trying to fall asleep.

It's also somewhat expensive, although it's not as pricey as Ecovacs X2 Omni or Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra, both of which are equally powerful and better-looking. If you're willing to put up with a bit more noise and some additional cost this is a capable two-in-one that should delight most.

4. iRobot Roomba L20 Ultra

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

The smart robot vacuum cleaner makes use of the combination of LIDAR and structured light to map out floor plans and identify obstacles, and navigates more effectively than its more expensive rivals. It also has a camera mounted on the front 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 high maximum suction of 7,000 Pascals which is more than enough to complete the task. It also has an attribute known as "Intelligent Dirt Detection", that regulates the vacuum's power and adjusts the frequency of cleaning for various areas of the home based on how dirty the areas are.

If you have a larger home, it's worth choosing a model that has spot or zone cleaning mode. This allows you to instruct the robot vacuum cleaner on which part of your house needs to be cleaned with the help of an app or voice control. A stairway mode is useful if you own a lot furniture. Additionally, a 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 a more efficient cleaner than you would imagine from its price. It's a pro at cleaning, removing 55% of the debris we found in our tests (it was second only to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mops with one pad, which uses an oscillating motion that does a better job cleaning than 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 well-designed iRobot app guides you through a mapping session that collects data about your floorplan and any "no-go" areas you set on the map. You can use it to create cleaning schedules, plan an area for cleaning or to prioritise your dirtiest rooms for better performance. The app comes with a variety of features, including seasonal suggestions, customized mapping, and advanced cleaning settings.

Its shape is more rectangular than other robot vacuums, which means it can reach corners and underneath furniture more easily. It features an impressive 8,000 Pascal suction, as well as intelligent combs to remove pet hair. You can also set up a spot-clean that will thoroughly clean an area.

The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a sleeker and cheaper alternative to the iRobot Roomba. It has a more attractive design, similar to Dolce & Gabbana. The twin cameras are shaped like cute eyes. It does a great job vacuuming, but it's more likely to get caught on low thresholds. It is also noisier than other top robot vacuums we've tested. It also has a less user-friendly app and a tiny base station that doesn't double as an emptying bin.