automated vacuum cleaner can clean and mop without requiring your attention, and it leaves your floors spotless. Its affordable price and high-end features (such as dirt detector) are positives.
Be sure to regularly check your robot's brushes for hair that is tangled and large particles and wash them if needed. Certain models also automatically empty the onboard dust bin and place it in an additional bin at the base. This helps reduce the amount of fine dust that is released into the air.
1. Roomba Q5 pro
The Q5 Pro and its sibling the more expensive Q7 Max Series, are among the most powerful robot vacuums we've examined. They are equipped with motors that are top of the line and can suction up to 5,500 Pascals. As with other premium iRobot models (including the top choice) they utilize smart mapping technology to create precise floor plans and eliminate common obstacles like cords and furniture legs. The robots also have Carpet Boost, a feature that increases its power when it detects dirt on the carpet.
The Q5 and Q7 Max Series both scored very well in our tests on floors that were bare, and they are particularly adept in cleaning hair from dogs. There are some issues, however, that prevent them from being our first option. For instance, the Q5's navigation doesn't have AI-powered obstacle avoidance which means it's susceptible to get caught up in shoes and socks and can't navigate tight spaces very efficiently in our tests. It also doesn't have a camera to see around corners.
However, it's a good choice, especially if you want to save money on a Roomba from iRobot and have a mostly unfinished home or office. It's also extremely quiet and operates while you're at work or school. The only thing it lacks that you don't get in the pricier iRobot Roomba X30 is edge-to-edge vacuuming of floors with no floor. It's also less effective at mopping, as it relies on disposable wet wipes, which don't stick on for long and don't handle dried-on debris. The Q5 comes with a 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
The iRobot Roomba X30 is a compact elegant vacuum cleaner that can mop floors. Its quick navigation and smart cleaning maps make it easy to clean and efficient at tackling larger particles like pet hair. It also has strong suction and an automatic bin for emptying. It's the best robotic hoover for carpets but it falls behind some competitors in terms of deep cleaning.
This top-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 allows you to customize zones and change the cleaning schedule. It has a battery life that is comparable to other models.
You can tell the X30 Ultra to remove its mops and extend them when in a carpeted room which prevents cross-contamination. Its flex arm is ideal for getting under low-lying furniture 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+.
During testing, X30 Ultra was the fastest robot vacuum/mop to complete the task of cleaning a whole home and had 66 percent of its battery remaining. It also did an excellent job cleaning a range of floors and rooms with various flooring types, such as some area rugs. Its obstacle detection was top-notch and it swiftly eluded fake dog socks, turds, 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, a dustbin on board that automatically emptys into its base, and it supports voice commands using Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It is able to clean floors even after it vacuums. This is something we haven't seen on other robotic vacuum/mop combinations.
3. Roomba X40 from iRobot
With an elegant, circular design that looks more like a normal Roomba than the competition's boxes, this mop and robot vacuum is one of the most attractive looking models in our evaluations. The latest model from iRobot is also the most intelligent. It features advanced features, like Enhanced Dirt Detection and future compatibility (another company’s robot that can wash mop pads on its own).
It's also the only robotic vacuum/mop to score an absolute 10 out of 10 in our tests. This is thanks to a mix of modern sensors, including a restructured lighting system, a camera and multiple lasers. automatic vacuum is also the only robot we tested that can completely self-refill and empty its base station and boasts an industry-leading 12,000Pa suction and self-cleaning mop pads.
Like other iRobot models like the X40 is easy to use, offering an intuitive mobile app interface as well as integration with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and Google Assistant. The only downside is that the X40 still a noisy unit. This could be a problem in mornings before work or during the night when you're trying to sleep.
It's also a bit expensive, but not as much as the Ecovacs S8 MaxV Ultra or Roborock S8 Omni, which are both equally powerful and more attractive. It's a dual-purpose vacuum that's extremely powerful however, it's going to cost you more and create 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 will 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 care of both mopping and vacuuming. It comes with a multi-function dock that automatically empties the vacuum's trash bin, refills its water tank and cleans and dry its mop pads.
The smart robot makes use of the combination of LIDAR and structured light to map out floor plans and spot obstacles, making it more efficient than its more expensive competitors. It also comes with a front-mounted camera for real-time hazards detection however this was not completely foolproof in our tests, and was sometimes confused with power cords or obstructions.
Its vacuum has a suction capacity of 7,000 Pascals which is more than enough to get the job done. It also comes with a feature known as "Intelligent Dirt Detection", that regulates the power of the vacuum and adjusts cleaning frequency for different areas in the house depending on how dirty those areas are.
If you own a larger home, it's worth choosing a model that has spot or zone cleaning mode. This lets you instruct the robot on which part of your house needs to be cleaned with the help of an app or voice command. If you have a lot of furniture, a stair mode is also a good option. For families that are busy, a recharge feature and resume feature that permits your robot vacuum to resume where it left off can be very beneficial.
5. iRobot Roomba RX3
The RX3 is more sophisticated than its price would suggest. It vacuums well and was able to remove 55% of debris in our tests. (It was second to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mops using only one pad and a reciprocating motion that is more efficient than most of the mop cleaners with robots that we've tried. It's self-sufficient too, with a full-featured app and a self-emptying, washable base.
The well-designed iRobot application guides you through an initial mapping run that gathers information about your floorplan as well as any "no-go" areas you set on the map. It can be used to create cleaning schedules or to organize a spot-clean. It can also be used to it to rank your most filthy areas for better performance. The app also provides access to a host of features like seasonal suggestions, custom maps, and advanced settings for your cleaning.
Its shape is more rectangular than other robot vacuums, meaning it can reach corners and underneath furniture more easily. It is equipped with a powerful 8,000 Pascal suction and sophisticated combs that remove pet hair. You can also organize a spot-cleaner which will thoroughly clean an area.
best budget robot vacuum RX3 Home Vision HD is a more sleek and less expensive alternative to the iRobot Roomba. It has a more attractive, Dolce & Gabbana-esque design and its twin cameras appear like cute eyes. It's good at vacuuming, but it is more susceptible to be caught by low thresholds and is noisier than the other top robotic vacuums we've examined. It also has a less intuitive app and a small base station that doesn't double as a bin for emptying.