The best method to keep your home tidy is to use a robot vacuum. It will nab dust, pet hair and other surface debris before it becomes a larger problem.
Some robots are able to sync with smart assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a hands-free experience. Look for models that can recharge and resume cleaning where they left off.
1. iRobot s8
This smart robot vacuum and mop is a great choice for many homes. It has a great navigation system with GPS and laser sensors. It also comes with many features and controls accessible via the app. It also comes with a helpful feature that lets you create Cleaning zones for specific areas that need extra attention, as well as Keep Out zones where you do not want it to move. As with all Roomba devices, it is updated with new software updates that make it even more efficient over time.
It's expensive but also one of the most sophisticated robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It has a powerful battery that can vacuum all of your home in less than two hours. It also switches between vacuuming and mopping at the press of the button. And, unlike other self-emptying robots that require you to empty the bin after each run, it automatically empties into a larger waste container above its charging dock.
It comes with a variety of other features that make it a great choice for homes of all sizes with its intelligent obstacle avoidance that uses the camera as well as processor-powered smarts to see obstacles. It rarely gets derailed or entrapped during a cleaning process and is also the most effective at avoiding power cables and other objects I've tested. It is not as accurate in detecting pet waste or other dangers.
2. Eufy RoboVac Hybrid X8
Although Anker-owned Eufy has earned a name for itself in the field of low-cost robot vacuums, it's not yet an all-in-one model that can also mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that offers a range of features that are advanced and can compete with more expensive models.
The laser navigation is the primary selling point of this machine. The X8 uses a laser mapping system that is more precise than the previous Eufy devices. It also takes a lot less time to construct an accurate picture of your home and can store multiple maps, which is great for homes with multiple floors.
The X8 is a good vacuum cleaner for floors with no dust. It is able to effortlessly sling debris under the side brushes and into the 400ml dustbin. The tyres are adept at hugging edges and corners even though they are circular. Our tests showed that it could only remove 90% of the fur on hard floors.
There's a mopping mode that utilizes the same water tank as the vacuuming. This is great for spills that are not serious, but you can't regulate the amount of water it consumes. It does, however, do an admirable job of picking up pet hair, with a better percentage of hair removal than the Roborock S7.
3. Miele RX2
The company is known for its quiet home appliances, Miele's RX2 robot vacuum has excellent cleaning power, beautiful design, and a great navigation. It has some oddities in its operation that keep it from being considered the best smart robot vacuum.
The RX2 comes with a dual-sensor mapping technology which uses LIDAR to map an area, and a pair 3D scanning cameras for detecting and avoiding obstacles (such as furniture legs or pet waste). After the room has been identified it is possible to assign virtual no go areas and sections that you would like to be the robot. You can also start a manual clean or manually change the cleaning mode, see a live feed from the onboard cameras and more from the main screen.
The RX2's sensors are effective in registering furniture and other obstructions in real-time. Its sweeping and suction powers are exceptional, getting rid of surface litter from carpets of medium pile as well as dust that has been deposited on floors. It's not the fastest robotics on the market. It's not the best climber and has issues with metal threshold transition strips.
A lot of people purchase a robotic vacuum for the ease of setting a schedule in an app and not thinking about it for weeks at one time. It's crucial that a robot is capable of doing the job, so our ZDNet staff has tested and examined some of the most popular models to help you select the best one for your home.
4. Shark ION
This round, budget robot looks like your standard robot, however it's a step up in terms of performance and features. Its smart mapping system generates 3D and 2D maps of your house and makes use of them to navigate and stay clear of obstructions. It can even detect common obstacles like furniture legs and power cords in real-time. The combination of sensors with a bump detector and an infrared sensor that keeps the vacuum away from steps makes it one our most flexible vacuums.
In our tests, it easily moved over large shag rugs and didn't get stuck on them (like the RoboVac 11s or Roomba 690). Its navigation capabilities were impressive. Its composite score for carpet and bare flooring beats the competition and it was able to pick up 98.5% of dirt and embedded dog hair from our lab test samples.
The controls are simpler than the competition's. There's a cleaning button at the top and you can choose to start it with the app or by voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule weekly or daily cleanings, designate no-go zones, and look up the history of cleaning. Clad in smart dark gray plastics, Ion feels sturdy and looks stylish in your home. The rear dust bin is accessible for emptying and cleaning the filter is just as simple.
5. Eufy 11S
Eufy 11S is a great option if you're looking for a robot vacuum that's simple and simple at a reasonable price. It isn't equipped with some of the more advanced features, such as digital mapping and Alexa integration, which are found in higher-end models, but if you're not looking for those functions you can save money with this model.
The robot is simple to use and set up. It does not require a smartphone app or Wi-Fi connection, however it does come with an remote control that allows you to select between different modes and adjust the suction level. It also lets you manually turn off the robovac on a scheduled cleaning.
In our tests, we found that the 11S was extremely effective at removing dirt and pet fur from carpets with low pile and hard floors. Its slim profile allowed it to reach under furniture and other low items that more bulkier robots couldn't reach. It could also easily pass over doorway thresholds and transition between floors and another.
The 11S, just like other robots, will also eat certain objects, like cords and cat toys. The manufacturer suggests that you can keep these objects off the ground and using a cord organizer if possible. It also suggests cleaning the dustbin regularly replacing the filters, and washing or changing the brushes when needed.
Roomba 990 by iRobot
The Roomba is iRobot’s flagship robot vacuum. It's costly however it's an excellent performer and arguably the most advanced robot vacuum you can purchase. Its self-navigating capabilities and environmental mapping are truly a marvel to behold. It also has more advanced automation features than most competitors, including the ability to set virtual boundary lines with its mobile app. Although the app isn't the most responsive, and the 980 does spin out a bit while crossing cables, it's still a very capable robot vacuum.
One thing we love about the 980 is that it makes use of its iAdapt 2.0 navigation sensors and its visual simultaneous localisation and mapping technology (or vSLAM) to memorise the floor plan of your home. It then uses this information to design an efficient and consistent cleaning path for every cycle. The result is cleaner floors, and a more efficient vacuum than most competing high-end robot vacuums.
The 980's other features include dual multi-surface rubber brushes that pick up dirt from hard floors and carpet as well as an ejector brush that moves debris into the robotic vacuum's bin. The sensor for floor tracking helps it navigate through furniture, along edges and on stairs. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It will automatically return to its base station for easy charging between sessions. Although the 980's battery lifespan and bin size aren't quite as impressive as other robot vacuums, it's a reliable and solid machine that will keep your floors spotless for hours at a time.
