Robot Hoover: A Simple Definition

The Best Robot Hoover

The best robot hoover can clean and mop without requiring your attention, and it will leave your floors spotless. Its price is affordable and its high-end features (such as a dirt detectors) are positives.

Make sure you regularly inspect your robot vacuums that mop's brushes for tangled hair and large debris and clean them as needed. Some models will automatically empty their onboard dust bin into a larger bin at the base, which decreases the amount of fine dust 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 have examined. They have top-of-the-line motors that can generate up to 5,500 Pascals of suction force. Similar to other iRobots that are premium (including the top model) they employ smart mapping to create detailed floor plans and eliminate household obstacles like cords and furniture legs. The robots also come with a feature called Carpet Boost that increases its power when it senses dirt on the carpet.

Both the Q5 as well as the Q7 Max Series get very good scores in our tests on floors that are bare and are particularly effective at cleaning pet hair. There are some issues however, which prevent them from being our first option. For instance, the Q5's navigation system does not include AI-powered obstacle avoidance and is therefore prone to get caught up in shoes and socks and can't navigate tightly packed rooms very well in our tests. It also doesn't have a camera that can see around corners.

However, it's a good choice, especially if you want to save money on an Roomba from iRobot and have a bare-floored home or office. Plus, it's very quiet and can be used while you're at work, or school. It lacks the edge-to-edge bare floor vacuuming feature that's available in the more expensive iRobot Roomba X30. It's also less effective when it comes to mopping. It is dependent on disposable wet wipes that don't adhere well and aren't able to deal with dried-on debris. The Q5 does have self-emptying docks, however. If you're in need of it, the mopping pad can be changed for one that is wet in just a few minutes.

2. iRobot Roomba X30

The iRobot Roomba X30 is a compact elegant vacuum cleaner that can sweep floors. Its quick navigation and smart cleaning maps make it easy to clean and efficient in taking on larger particles, such as pet hair. It also comes with a self-emptying dustbin, powerful suction, and support for virtual boundaries. It's the best robot hoover for carpets, though it isn't as efficient as some of its competitors in deep cleaning.

This high-performance vacuum and mop uses sensors that help it avoid obstacles and pet waste. It also learns the structure of your home over time and ensure better cleaning. The app allows you to modify zones and alter 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 remove and extend its mops. This can help avoid cross contamination. Its flex arm can also be used to reach under furniture that is low and along baseboards. It doesn't offer the same level of washboard performance as our other Editors' Choice picks, the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo N8 Pro+ and the iRobot Combo j9+.

In the course of testing, X30 Ultra was the fastest robot vacuum/mop to complete the task of cleaning a whole home, with 66 per cent of its battery remaining. It did a decent cleaning job on a variety of floors and rooms with different kinds of flooring, including some area rugs. Its obstacle detection was superb and it was able to avoid fake dog turds, socks, shoes, and bundles of cables.

It's a little more expensive than the iRobot Combo v9+ and iRobot Roomba j9+, however, it comes with superior suction, an onboard dustbin that automatically empties into its base, and also supports voice commands via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It is able to clean floors even after it has vacuumed. This is a feature that we haven't seen on other robot vacuum/mop combination.

3. Roomba X40 from iRobot

This robot mop vacuum and mop combination has a sleek, circular design that appears more like the regular Roomba model than the boxy units of the rivals. It's among our most appealing looking robot vacuums. iRobot's latest flagship model also is among the most intelligent and has advanced features 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 the only robot vacuum/mop that has 100% in our testing due to a mix of high-tech sensors, including cameras, a structured light system, and multiple lasers. The X40 Ultra is also the only robot in our tests that can completely autonomously refill and empty its base station and it boasts industry-leading 12,000Pa suction and self-cleaning mop pads.

The X40 as with other iRobot products, is easy to use. It comes with a simple mobile application interface and is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit. The only drawback is that the X40 still a loud unit. This could be a problem in mornings prior to work or at night when you are trying to fall asleep.

It's also a bit expensive but not as much as the Ecovacs S8 MaxV Ultra or Roborock S8 Omni, which are both equally capable and better looking. This is a dual-purpose vacuum that is very efficient however it will cost you more and make more noise.

iRobot L20 Ultra

The L20 Ultra is a top-of-the-range robot vacuum and mop, with a variety of sophisticated features that let you get rid of your chores. The L20 Ultra is a hands-free cleaner, similar to Ecovacs the top of the line X2 Omni or Roborock's S8 Pro Ultra. It comes with a multi-function dock that will automatically emptys the bin of the automatic vacuum and mop, refills the water tank, as well as washes and dry 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 more expensive rivals. It also comes with a front-mounted camera that can detect hazards in real-time but this wasn't foolproof in our tests and was sometimes confused with obstructions or power cords.

The vacuum has a suction capacity of 7,000 Pascals which is more than enough to get the job done. It also features "Intelligent Dirt Detection", which regulates the intensity at which the vac works and adjusts the frequency of cleaning for various areas of the house depending on how dirty they tend to be.

For bigger homes it's recommended to choose models with zone or spot cleaning modes that allow you to instruct the robot to clean one particular area of your home by using the app or voice controls. A stairway mode is useful if you have a number of furniture. For families that are busy recharge functions and resume feature that allows your robot vacuum to resume where it left off could be very useful.

5. iRobot Roomba RX3

The RX3 is more sophisticated than its price would suggest. It is a great job vacuuming, removing 55% of debris in our tests (it was second only to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mops using one pad and a reciprocating motion which is cleaner than the majority of the robot mop cleaners that we've tested. It's also extremely self-sufficient, with a full-featured app and a self-emptying base that is washable.

The iRobot app is designed to guide you through the mapping process which collects information about your floorplan and any "no go" areas that you have marked on the map. It can be used to create cleaning schedules or create a spot-clean. It can also be used to it to rank your most filthy areas to improve performance. The app offers a variety of features, including seasonal suggestions, customized mapping, and advanced cleaning settings.

It can also reach corners and under furniture better because its shape is more rectangular. It features a powerful 8,000 Pascal suction, as well as intelligent combs to remove pet hair. You can also create a spot-cleaner which will thoroughly clean the area.

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