How To Get More Value From Your Robot Hoover
The Best Robot Hoover
The best robot hoover can mop and vacuum without needing your attention, and will leave your floors clean. Its low cost and top-of-the-line functions (such as dirt detector) are positives.
Be sure to regularly check your robot's brushes for tangled hair and large debris and clean them as required. Some models will also empty the dust bin on board and then deposit it in an additional bin at the bottom. This can reduce the amount of fine dust that gets 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've examined. They are equipped with motors that are top-of-the line and can suction up to 5,500 Pascals. And, like other premium iRobot models (including the top-rated model) they utilize smart mapping technology to design precise floor plans and eliminate home-based obstacles like cords and furniture legs. The robots also feature a feature called Carpet Boost which boosts its power when it detects dirt on the carpet.
The Q5 and Q7 Max Series both scored excellently in our tests on floors that were bare They are also adept in removing hair from dogs. However, they do have a few flaws that keep them from being our top choice. For instance, the Q5's navigation doesn't feature AI-powered obstacle avoidance technology which means it's susceptible to become entangled in shoes and socks and can't navigate tightly packed rooms very efficiently in our tests. It doesn't also come with a camera to look around corners.
It's still a great deal particularly if your home or office has a lot of bare floors and you're looking to save some money. It's also very quiet and can be used when you're at work or at school. It lacks the edge-to-edge bare floor vacuuming available in the more expensive iRobot Roomba X30. And it's less effective at mopping, using disposable wet wipes, which don't stick on very well and can't handle dried-on debris. The Q5 is self-emptying cradle that can be emptied by itself. If you're in need of it, the mopping pad can be replaced with an awe-inspiring one in a matter of just a few seconds.
2. iRobot Roomba X30
The iRobot Roomba X30 packs impressive vacuuming and mopping capabilities into a sleek, compact package. Its quick navigation and smart cleaning maps make it quick to clean and effective at tackling larger particles like pet hair. It also features self-emptying dustbins with powerful suction and support for virtual boundaries. It's the best robot cleaner robot hoover for carpets, but it lags behind some competitors in deep cleaning.
This high-performance vacuum and mop uses sensors to stay clear of obstacles and pet waste. It also learns the layout of your home over time to offer more efficient cleaning. The app lets you customize zones and change the cleaning schedule. It comes with a battery life that is similar to other models.
When the X30 Ultra is in a carpeted area, you can instruct it to remove and extend its mop. This helps prevent cross contamination. Its flex arm can also be utilized 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 tests, X30 Ultra was the fastest robot vacuum that mops vacuum/mop to clean an entire home, with 66 per cent of its battery remaining. It did a good cleaning job on a variety of rooms and floors with various flooring types, including some area rug. Its obstacle detection was top-notch and it swiftly eluded fake dog socks, turds, and bundles of cables.
It's a little more expensive than iRobot Combo v9+ or iRobot Roomba j9+ but offers 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 it, something hasn't been seen in other robot auto vacuum and mop/mop combos.
3. IRobot Roomba X40
With an elegant, circular design that looks more like a regular Roomba rather than the boxy units This robot vacuum and mop combo is among the most attractive designs in our evaluations. iRobot’s latest flagship model is also the most intelligent. It has advanced features like Enhanced Dirt Detection and future compatibility (another company’s robot that can wash mop pads on its own).
It's the only robot vacuum/mop that has an exemplary 10/10 in our evaluations due to a mix of high-tech sensors, including cameras, a structured lighting system and multiple 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 and self-cleaning mop mops.
The X40 as with other iRobot products, is easy to operate. It has an easy mobile application interface, and it is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit. The only downside is that the X40 is still a loud unit. This could be a concern in the mornings before work or at night when you're trying to sleep.
It's also quite expensive however, not as much as the Ecovacs MaxV Ultra or the Roborock S8 Omni, which are both equally capable and better looking. If you're willing with a bit more noise and some additional cost this is a capable two-in-one that should satisfy most people.
iRobot L20 Ultra
The L20 Ultra is a top-of-the-range robot vacuum and mop, with a lot of advanced features that let 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-off cleaning machine that can take charge of both mopping and vacuuming. It comes with a multi-function dock that automatically emptys the vacuum's trash bin, refills its water tank, washes and dry the mop pads.
The smart robot uses the combination of LIDAR and structured light to draw out floor plans and spot obstacles, making it more efficient than its top competitors. It also comes with a front-mounted camera for real-time hazard detection however, it wasn't 100% foolproof during our tests and was often confused by power cords or other obstructions.
The vacuum has a suction maximum of 7,000 Pascals which is more than enough to finish the job. It also has an attribute called "Intelligent Dirt Detection", that regulates the vacuum's power and adjusts cleaning frequency for different areas in the house depending on how dirty the areas tend to be.
If you have a bigger home, it is worth choosing a model that has the option of cleaning zones or spots. This allows you to instruct the robot on which part of your house needs to be cleaned by using the app or voice control. If you have a lot of furniture, a stair mode is also a good option. Finally the recharge and resume feature that allows your robot vacuum to pick up right where it left off is great for busy families.
5. iRobot Roomba RX3
The RX3 is a more efficient cleaner than you'd expect from its price tag. It vacuums well, picking up 55% debris in our tests. (It was only second to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mopses using a single pad and a reciprocating motion that is more efficient than most mop cleaners for robots that we've tried. It's also self-sufficient, with a full-featured app and a self-emptying, washable base.
The well-designed iRobot app guides you through an initial mapping session that collects data about your floorplan as well as any "no-go" areas you have marked on the map. You can use it to create cleaning schedules, arrange an area for cleaning or to sort out your rooms with the most dirt for better performance. The app also grants access to a host of features like seasonal suggestions, custom maps and advanced settings for your cleaning.
It is also able to reach corners and under furniture better because its shape is more rectangular. It also has a strong 8000 Pascal suction and combs with intelligent technology for pet hair. You can also create a spot-cleaner which will thoroughly clean a specific area.
The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD offers a sleeker and less expensive 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 it is more susceptible to getting caught on low thresholds and is noisier than the other top robotic 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.
