Robot Hoover: The Evolution Of Robot Hoover
The Best Robot Hoover
The best robot hoover can vacuum and mop without needing your attention, and it leaves your floors spotless. Its price is surprisingly low and features that are high-end (such as dirt detection) are pluses.
Be sure to inspect your robot's brushes for hair that is tangled and large debris, and wash them when required. Some models can also automatically empty their onboard dust bin into a larger one at the base, which decreases the amount of fine dust released into the air.
1. Roomba Q5 Pro
The Q5 Pro and its sibling, the pricier Q7 Max Series, are among the most powerful robot vacuums we've tested. They are equipped with motors that are top-of-the quality and can suction up to 5,500 Pascals. As with other premium iRobot models (including the top-rated model), they use smart mapping technology to create detailed floor plans that avoid household obstacles such as cords and furniture legs. They also have carpet boost that increases the robot's power when it sees a lot of dirt on the carpet to get it clean quickly.
The Q5 and Q7 Max Series both scored excellently in our tests of floors with no carpet They are also adept at cleaning hair from dogs. However, they have several flaws that prevent them from being our top choice. One of the flaws of the Q5 is its navigation system doesn't include AI-powered obstacle avoidance. It's thus susceptible to getting stuck on socks and shoes, and it couldn't navigate through rooms with a lot of people efficiently during our tests. It also doesn't come with an image sensor that lets it see the corners of an area.
It's still a good value for those whose office or home has a lot of unfinished floors and you want to save money. Plus, it's very quiet and you can use it while you're at work, or school. The only thing it doesn't have that you can't find in the more expensive iRobot Roomba X30 is edge-to-edge vacuuming on bare floors. It's also less effective when it comes to mopping. It relies on disposable wet wipes that don't adhere well and aren't able to deal with dried-on debris. The Q5 does have a self-emptying dock, though. And, if you need to, you can switch the mopping pad to dry ones in a matter of just a few seconds.
2. iRobot Roomba X30
The iRobot Roomba X30 is a compact, sleek vacuum cleaner that can mop floors. Its quick navigation and smart cleaning maps make it quick to clean and efficient in tackling larger particles like pet hair. It also has strong suction and an automatic hoover bin for emptying. It's the best robot hoover for carpets, but it's not as effective as some rivals in deep cleaning.
This high-performing combination vacuum and mop makes use of advanced sensors to dodge obstacles and pet waste, and it also learns your home's layout over time for more efficient cleaning. The app lets you set up zones and modify the cleaning schedule. It has a battery life that is similar to other models.
It is possible to instruct the X30 Ultra to remove its mops and to extend them when it's in a carpeted room which prevents cross-contamination. Its flex arm is ideal for getting under furniture that is low and along baseboards. However, it doesn't have the same 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 quickest robot vacuum/mop that could clean an entire home and had 66 percent of its battery remaining. It also did a good job cleaning a variety of floors and rooms with mixed flooring types, including certain area carpets. Its obstacle detection was top-notch and it swiftly eluded fake dog turds, socks, 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 can even clean the floor after it vacuums it, something we haven't seen in other robot vacuum/mop combinations.
3. Roomba X40 from iRobot
This robot vacuum and mop combination features a sleek, circular look that looks much like a Roomba model than the boxy units of the rivals. It's one of our most appealing looking robot vacuums. The latest model from iRobot is its most advanced model, with features that are cutting-edge like enhanced dirt detection technology and future compatibility with Matter (another company's robot vacuum cleaner uk that is able to wash mop pads).
It's also the only robotic vacuum/mop to score a perfect 10 out of 10 in our tests. This is due to a combination high-tech sensors, including a structured light system, a camera and multiple lasers. The X40 Ultra is also the only robot in our tests that is fully self-refill and empty its base station, and it has an the industry's highest suction of 12,000Pa and self-cleaning mop pads.
The X40 as with other iRobot products, is easy to use. It has a simple 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 problem in the mornings prior to work or at night when you're trying to sleep.
It's also a bit costly but not as much as the Ecovacs MaxV Ultra or the Roborock S8 Omni, which are equally impressive and attractive. If you're willing to put up with a little more noise and some extra cost this is a capable two-in-one that should please almost everyone.
iRobot L20 Ultra
The L20 Ultra is the top-of-the line robot mop and vacuum. It has a range of advanced features that will help you forget your chores. Similar to Ecovacs range-topping X2 Omni and Roborock's S8 Pro Ultra, the L20 is designed to be a hands-free cleaning machine that takes the care of 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 makes use of LIDAR and structured lighting to draw out floor plans and detect obstacles. It can navigate more efficiently than its premium competitors. It also comes with a front-mounted camera for real-time hazard detection but this was not foolproof in our testing and was often confused by power cords or other obstructions.
The vacuum cleaner comes with the capacity to suction up to 7,000 Pascals which is more than enough to accomplish the task. It also features "Intelligent Dirt Detection", which regulates the intensity at which the vacuum works and also alters the frequency of cleaning for different areas of your home depending on the amount of dirt they are.
If you have a larger home, it is worth choosing a model that has zones or spot cleaning modes. This lets you inform the robot of which area of your home must be cleaned by using the app or voice control. If you have furniture, a stair-mode is also a good option. Finally a recharge and resume function that lets your robot vacuum pick up right where it left off is ideal for busy families.
5. iRobot Roomba RX3
The RX3 is more advanced than its price would suggest. It's a pro at vacuuming, removing 55% of the debris we found in our tests (it was second only to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mops using one pad and a reciprocating motion that is more efficient than most mop cleaners for robots that vacuum and mop that we've examined. It's also self-sufficient with a fully-featured application, and a self emptying base that can be washed.
The iRobot application is designed to help you navigate a mapping run that collects data on your floorplan and any "no go" areas you've marked on the map. It can be used to create cleaning schedules, set up a spot clean or to prioritise your dirtiest rooms to improve performance. The app also provides access to a variety of features, such as seasonal suggestions, custom maps and advanced settings for your cleaning.
It also has the ability to reach corners and under furniture more easily because its shape is more rectangular. It is equipped with an impressive 8,000 Pascal suction as well as sophisticated combs that remove pet hair. You can also organize a spot-cleaner that thoroughly cleans an area.
The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a more sleek more affordable alternative to iRobot Roomba. It has a more attractive, Dolce & Gabbana-esque design and its twin cameras appear like cute eyes. It is capable of vacuuming but is more prone to getting caught on low thresholds and is a bit more noisy than the other top robotic vacuums we've examined. It also has a less user-friendly app and a small base station that doesn't double as a bin for emptying.