Robot Hoover: A Simple Definition

The Best Robot Hoover

The best robot hoover can vacuum and mop without needing your attention, and leaves your floors spotless. Its low cost and top-of-the-line features (such as a dirt detectors) are positives.

Examine your robot's brush regularly for tangled debris and hair. Clean them as needed. Certain models also automatically empty the onboard dust bin and place it in a larger bin at the base. This helps reduce the amount of fine dust that gets 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 test. They feature top-of-the-line motors that can generate up to 5,500 Pascals of suction force. Like other premium iRobots (including the most powerful model) they employ smart mapping to create detailed floorplans and avoid household obstacles such as cords and furniture leg. They also feature carpet boost that increases the robot vacuum with mop's power when it sees an abundance of dirt on the carpet to get it cleaned up quickly.

Both the Q5 as well as the Q7 Max Series get very excellent scores in our bare floor tests They're also particularly adept in removing pet hair. However, they have a few flaws that keep them from being our top choice. One of them is that the Q5's navigation doesn't include AI-powered obstacle avoidance and is therefore prone to getting hung up on shoes and socks and can't navigate tight spaces very well in our tests. It doesn't also come with a camera to look around corners.

It's still a great option to consider, particularly if you're looking to save money on an Roomba from iRobot, and you have a mostly bare-floor home or office. It's also quiet and operates while you're at work or at school. The only thing it's missing that you won't find in the pricier iRobot Roomba X30 is edge-to-edge vacuuming of floors with no floor. It's also less effective at mopping. It is dependent on disposable wet wipes, which don't stick well and isn't able to handle dried-on debris. The Q5 is self-emptying cradle that can be emptied by itself. If you're required to clean the mopping pad, it can be changed for a wet one in seconds.

2. iRobot Roomba X30

The iRobot Roomba X30 packs impressive vacuuming and mopping capabilities into a sleek, compact package. Its intelligent cleaning maps as well as fluid navigation make it simple to clean and effective in dealing with larger particles such as pet hair. It also has self-emptying dustbins as well as powerful suction, and support for virtual boundaries. It's the best automatic vacuum and mop robot hoover for carpets, but it isn't as efficient as some of its competitors in deep cleaning.

This high-performance vacuum and mop uses sensors that help it stay clear of obstacles and pet waste. It also learns the layout of your home over time to offer more efficient cleaning. You can modify the schedule of cleaning and even customize zones with the well-designed app. Its battery life is average when compared to similar models.

You can tell the X30 Ultra to remove its mop and extend them when it's in a room with carpet which prevents cross-contamination. The flex arm is great to get under furniture with low levels and along baseboards. It's not as effective on the washboard as our other Editors' Choice Picks, the Ecovacs Ozmo N8Pro+ and the iRobot Combo j9+.

In tests, the X30 Ultra was the fastest robot vacuums that mop vacuum/mop to complete an entire home, and it did so with the battery at 66 percent left. It also did a good job of cleaning a mix of floors and rooms with different flooring types, including some area carpets. Its obstacle detection was top-notch and it swiftly eluded fake dog socks, turds, shoes and cables.

It's a little more expensive than iRobot Combo v9+ or iRobot Roomba j9+ but has superior suction and an onboard bin that automatically empty into the base. It also supports voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It is able to clean floors even after it vacuums. This is a feature that we haven't seen on other robotic vacuum/mop combinations.

3. Roomba X40 from iRobot

With an elegant circular design that appears like a regular Roomba than the competitors' boxy units This robot vacuum and mop combo is among the most attractive looking models in our tests. The latest model from iRobot is also the most intelligent. It comes with advanced features, like Enhanced Dirt Detection as well as future compatibility (another company's robot that is able to wash mop pads on its own).

It's also the only robot vacuum/mop that scored an absolute 10 out of 10 in our tests. This is thanks to a combination high-tech sensors, including a structured light system, camera, and a variety of lasers. The X40 Ultra is also the only robot we tested that can fully self-refill and empty its base station and it boasts its own self-cleaning mop pads.

The X40, like other iRobot products, is simple to use. It comes with a simple mobile application interface, and it integrates with Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit. The only drawback is that it's loud which could be a problem if you run it in the morning prior to work or in the evening as you attempt to sleep.

It's also quite expensive, though it's not as expensive as Ecovacs X2 Omni or Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra, both of which are equally capable and more attractive. If you're willing some more volume and some extra 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 high-end robot mop and vacuum. It has a number of advanced features that make you forget about your chores. The L20 Ultra is a hands-free cleaning device that is 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 empty the vacuum's bin and refills the water tank, and cleans and drys mop pads.

The smart robot utilizes LIDAR and structured lighting to draw out floor plans and detect obstacles. It navigates more intelligently than its premium competitors. It also comes with a front-mounted camera for real-time detection of hazards however this was not completely foolproof in our tests, and could be confused with obstructions or power cords.

The vacuum has a maximum suction of 7,000 Pascals which is more than enough to complete the task. It also has a feature known as "Intelligent Dirt Detection", that regulates the vacuum's power and adjusts cleaning frequency for different areas of the house depending on how dirty those areas tend to be.

For larger homes it's worth looking for a model with spot or zone cleaning modes that let you tell the robot to clean a particular area of your home using the app or voice commands. If you have a lot of furniture, a stairway mode is also a good robot vacuum option. Finally a recharge and resume feature that lets your robot vacuum continue where it left off is great for busy families.

iRobot RX3

The RX3 is more intelligent than its price would suggest. It vacuums well, picking up 55% debris in our tests. (It was only second to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mops with a single pad that uses a reciprocating 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 a self-emptying, washable base.

The well-designed iRobot application guides you through a mapping exercise that collects information about your floorplan as well as any "no-go" areas you set on the map. It can be used to create cleaning schedules, plan the perfect spot for cleaning or sort out your rooms with the most dirt to improve performance. The app also gives access to a variety of features like seasonal suggestions, custom maps, and advanced settings for your cleaning.

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 sophisticated combs that remove pet hair. It also has the ability to create a spot-clean that intensely cleans a localized area.

The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD offers a sleeker and less expensive alternative to iRobot Roomba. It is more appealing in its design, akin to Dolce & Gabbana. The twin cameras are designed to resemble cute eyes. It is great at vacuuming, but it's more likely to be caught in low thresholds. It is also noisier than other top robot vacuums that we've test. It also comes with an app that is less intuitive and a small base station that can't double as a bin to empty.