The best robot hoover can clean and mop without requiring your attention, and will leave your floors spotless. Its low cost and high-end features (such as dirt detection) are pluses.
Check your robot's brushes regularly for tangled debris and hair. Wash them if needed. Some models will automatically empty their onboard dust bin into a larger bin in the base, which decreases the amount of fine dust 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 vacuums we've examined. They feature motors that are top-of-the line and can suction up to 5,500 Pascals. Like other premium iRobots (including the most powerful model) they utilize smart mapping to create detailed floorplans that avoid obstacles like cords and furniture leg. The robots also come with a feature called Carpet Boost that boosts its power when it senses dirt on the carpet.
The Q5 and Q7 Max Series both scored very well in our tests on bare floors They are also adept in removing dog hair. However, they have several flaws that prevent them from being our top choice. One of the Q5's shortcomings is its navigation system does not feature AI-powered obstacles avoidance. It's also prone to getting stuck on socks and shoes and couldn't navigate rooms with lots of people well during our tests. It doesn't also come with a camera to look around corners.
However, it's a good choice to consider, particularly if you're looking to save money on an Roomba from iRobot and have a mostly bare-floor home or office. Additionally, it's quiet and you can use it when you're at work or school. It doesn't have the edge-to-edge floor vacuuming feature that's offered in the more expensive iRobot Roomba X30. It's also less effective in mopping. It relies on disposable wet wipes that don't adhere very well and cannot handle dried-on debris. The Q5 does have an auto-emptying dock, however. If you're in need of it mop, the mopping pad can be replaced with a wet one in seconds.
2. IRobot Roomba
The iRobot Roomba X30 packs impressive mopping and vacuuming into a sleek, compact package. Its agile navigation and intelligent cleaning maps make it quick to clean and effective at tackling larger particles like pet hair. It also comes with strong suction and self-emptying bin. It's the most efficient robot hoover for carpets, but it lags behind some competitors in deep cleaning.
This high-performance vacuum and mop uses sensors that help it keep away from obstacles and pet waste. It also learns the structure of your home over time and provide better cleaning. The app lets you set up zones and modify the cleaning schedule. It has a battery lifespan that is similar to other models.
When the X30 Ultra is in a carpeted area, you can tell it to pull back and extend its mops. This will help prevent cross contamination. Its flex arm is also great for getting under furniture that is low and along baseboards. However, it's not equipped with 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 most efficient robot automatic vacuum cleaner/mop which could sweep the entire house, with 66 per cent of its battery remaining. It also did an excellent job cleaning a variety of floors and rooms with different flooring types, including some area rug. Its obstacle detection was superb and it was able to avoid fake dog turds and socks, 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, an onboard dustbin that automatically fills up its base, and supports voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It can also clean the floor even after it has vacuumed. This is something we haven't seen on other robotic vacuum/mop combos.
3. IRobot Roomba X40
With an elegant circular design that appears like a regular Roomba than the competition's boxes this mop and robot vacuum is among the most appealing looking in our evaluations. iRobot's latest flagship model also is among the most intelligent and has advanced features like Enhanced Dirt Detection Technology and future compatibility with Matter (another company's robot that can wash its own mop pads).
It's also the sole robot vacuum/mop to score an absolute 10 out of 10 in our evaluations. This is thanks to a combination high-tech sensors, including a structured lighting 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 a suction of 12,000Pa and self-cleaning mops.
The X40, like other iRobot products, is simple to use. It has an easy mobile app interface that integrates with Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit. The only drawback is that it's loud which could be problematic if you run it in the morning before work or at night as you try to sleep.
It's also quite expensive, but it's not as pricey as the Ecovacs Omni or Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra Both of which are equally powerful and more attractive. This is a dual-purpose vacuum that's very capable, but it's more expensive and produce more noise.
iRobot L20 Ultra
The L20 Ultra is the top-of-the high-end robot mop and vacuum. It has a number of advanced features that help you forget 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 vacuuming and mopping, with a multi-function dock that automatically empties the vacuum's trash bin, refills its water tank, and washes and dry the mop pads.
The smart robot employs the combination of LIDAR and structured light to map out the floor plan and detect obstacles, and navigates more effectively than its more expensive rivals. It also comes with a front-mounted camera for real-time hazard detection but this was not foolproof in our testing and was occasionally confused by power cords or other obstructions.
Its automatic vacuum and mop robot cleaner has a maximum suction of 7,000 Pascals which is more than enough to do the job. It also comes with a feature known as "Intelligent Dirt Detection", which regulates the power of the vacuum and adjusts cleaning frequency for different areas in the home based on how dirty those areas tend to be.
For larger houses it's recommended to choose one with spot or zone cleaning modes that allow you to tell the robot to clean one particular area of your home by using the app or via voice commands. A stair mode can be beneficial if you have number of furniture. Additionally, a recharge and resume feature that lets your robot vacuum take over exactly where it left off is great for busy families.
5. iRobot Roomba RX3
The RX3 is more advanced than its price suggests. It is a good vacuum cleaner and picked up 55% debris in our tests. (It was only second to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mopses with one pad, which uses a reciprocating motion that does a better job cleaning than the other robot mop cleaners we've tested. It's also self-sufficient, with a fully-featured app as well as an auto-emptying, washable base.
The well-designed iRobot app guides you through an initial mapping run that gathers information about your floorplan and any "no-go" areas you mark on the map. It can be used to create cleaning schedules, plan the perfect spot for cleaning or prioritize your most filthy rooms for better performance. The app also provides access to many options, including seasonal suggestions, custom maps and advanced settings for your cleaning.
Its shape is more rectangular than most other robot vacuums, which means it can get to corners and under furniture more easily. It is equipped with an impressive 8000 Pascal suction, as well as intelligent combs to remove pet hair. And you can set up a spot clean that thoroughly cleans a particular area.
The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a sleeker and cheaper alternative to the iRobot Roomba. It is more appealing in its design, similar to Dolce & Gabbana. The twin cameras are designed like cute little eyes. It is excellent at vacuuming, but it is more likely to be caught on low thresholds. It is also noisier than other top robot vacuums that we have tested. It also has an app that's not as intuitive and a small base station that does not double as a bin to empty.