10 Apps To Help Manage Your Best Robot Vacuums

Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos A robot vacuum is the ideal device to keep a clean home. It can remove dust, pet hair and other surface debris. Certain robots can connect to smart assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a hands-free environment. Look for models that can recharge and pick up the area they left. 1. iRobot S8 This smart robot vacuum and mop combo is a great option for a wide range of homes. It is able to vacuum and mop well and has a great navigation system that includes both GPS and laser sensors, and comes with a variety of features and controls that are accessible through the app. It also has a handy feature which allows you to create Cleaning zones in areas that require additional attention, and also to create Keep Out zones in areas that you don't want it to be. It also receives software updates, similar to all Roomba products, which enhance it over time. It's expensive, but it's also one of the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It comes with a powerful battery that can sweep all of your home in less than two hours. It can also switch between mopping and vacuuming at the press of the button. And unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the trash bin after each run, this one automatically empties into a larger waste container above its charging dock. It also comes with a variety of other features, such as intelligent obstacle avoidance that uses cameras in conjunction with processor-powered smarts in order to identify obstacles. It rarely gets derailed or entrapped during cleaning and is also the most effective in avoiding power cables and other objects I've tested. However, it isn't as effective in detecting pet waste or other dangers. 2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid Although Anker-owned Eufy has made its name in the field of low-cost robot vacuums, it's never offered an all-in-one model that can also mop. That changes with the X8 Hybrid, which has an impressive set of modern features that can compete against more expensive models. vacuum mop combo robot selling point of Eufy's this device is its laser navigation. The previous Eufy devices have created a rough map of your home utilizing infrared sensors and bumping into objects but the X8's laser mapping system is far more precise. It takes less time to build an extensive map of your home. It can also store multiple maps. This is perfect for multi-floored homes. The X8 is still a decent vacuum for floors that are not clean that can carry debris under its side brushes and into its 400ml dust bin with relative ease. The X8's tyres, despite their circular shape, are adept at grabbing corners and edges. Our tests revealed that it could only remove 90% of the fur on hard floors. There's a basic mopping mode that utilizes the same water tank as the vacuuming one. This is great for spills that aren't dangerous, but you are unable to limit the amount of water that it uses. It does, however, do an excellent job of removing pet hair, with a higher pickup rate than the Roborock S7. 3. Miele RX2 Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is known for its quiet, efficient appliances. It is a stunning design, excellent navigation and an impressive cleaning power. But it has some operational hiccups which prevent it from being considered as the top overall smart robot vacuum. Like iRobot's latest models like the RX2 features dual-sensor mapping technology which uses the LIDAR sensor to map the space and two 3D scanning cameras to detect and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real-time. Once mapped, the app lets you create virtual no-go zones as well as preferred areas that the robot will clean automatically. You can also manually change cleaning options, begin an automatic clean or watch live feeds from the onboard cameras from the main screen. The RX2 is equipped with excellent sensors that can detect furniture and other obstructions in a flash. Its sweeping and suction powers are outstanding, effectively removing surface litter from carpets of medium pile and also removing embedded dust on floors. It's not the fastest robot available. It's not the greatest climber and has issues with transition strips made of steel. A lot of people purchase a robotic vacuum for the ease of setting a schedule on an app and then forgetting about it for weeks at an time. It's crucial that a robot can get the job done, which is why our ZDNet staff examined and reviewed a few of the most popular models to help you select the best one for your home. 4. Shark ION This round, budget robot is just like a typical robot, but it's a step up in performance and features. Its intelligent mapping system creates 2D and 3D maps of your home and uses them to navigate around obstacles and avoid them. It is able to detect common obstacles such as furniture legs and power cords in real-time. This combination of sensors along with a bump sensor and an infrared drop sensor that keeps it off the stairs make it one of the fastest vacs we've tried. In our tests, it easily climbed over thick shag rug and didn't get stuck on them (like the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690). Its navigation skills were also impressive; its composite score in carpet and bare floors was better than the competition. It was able to pick up 98.5 percent of the surface litter and embedded pet hair from our lab test samples. The controls are simpler than the competitors. There's a cleaning button at the top and you can start it by using the app or voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule daily or weekly cleanings, create no-go zones and view its cleaning history. Covered in stylish dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and is attractive in your home. Its rear dustbin is accessible for emptying, and taking out the filters is also a breeze. 5. Eufy 11S Eufy 11S is a great option for those looking for a vacuum cleaner that is easy to use and doesn't have any frills at a reasonable price. It isn't equipped with some of the smart features, such as digital mapping and Alexa integration, found in higher-end models but if you're not looking for those functions you can save a little money by purchasing this model. This robot is very easy to set up and use. It doesn't require a smartphone app or Wi-Fi pairing, but it does come with the ability to control the remote with a remote that lets you choose between different modes and alter the suction level. You can also assign the robotvac to a cleaning schedule. In our tests, we found that the 11S was extremely effective at cleaning pet fur and dirt from carpets and floors with low pile. Its slim profile made it possible to get under low-hanging furniture and other items that larger robots are unable to reach. It could also easily pass over doorway thresholds and move between floors and another. Like other robots, the 11S will take in some objects like cords, drawstrings for hoodies and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you can prevent this from happening by keeping these items off the ground and using a cord organiser if possible. It also recommends cleaning the dustbin on a regular basis replacing the filters, and changing or washing the brushes as required. 6. iRobot Roomba 980 The Roomba is the flagship model of iRobot's robot vacuum. It's expensive but it's a top performer and, in some ways, the most advanced robot vacuum you can purchase. Its self-navigation and environmental mapping is something to behold. It has more advanced automation than the majority of its rivals, for instance the ability to set up virtual boundary markers with its mobile application. Although its application is a bit slow, and the 980 does spin out a bit while rolling over cables, it's still a highly efficient robot vacuum. We love the 980, because it makes use of its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors and visual simultaneity localisation and mapping (or vSLAM) to store the floor plan of your home. It will use this information to create a consistent and efficient cleaning path through each cycle. The result is cleaner floors, and a more efficient vacuum than the majority of high-end robot vacuums. Other features include two multi-surface rubber brushes that pick up dirt from hard floors and carpet and a spinning brush that sweeps debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. Its floor tracking sensors aid it navigate across furniture and along edges, while Cliff Detect helps to prevent the Roomba from slipping down stairs. It also automatically returns to the base station for simple recharging in between sessions. The battery life and bin capacity of the 980 aren't as great as some other robot vacuums. However, it's a reliable and solid machine that can keep floors clean for many hours.