10 Apps That Can Help You Manage Your Best Robot Vacuums

Best Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos

A robot vacuum is the best tool to maintain the cleanliness of your home. It will remove pet hair, dust and other debris from the surface before it becomes a larger problem.

Certain robots can connect to smart assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant to provide a hands-free experience. Look for models that recharge and then resume cleaning where they left off.

1. iRobot S8

This smart robot vacuum and mop is an excellent option for a wide range of homes. It features a superb navigation system with GPS and laser sensors. It also has numerous features and control options that can be accessed through the app. It also comes with a useful feature that allows you to add Cleaning zones for certain areas that need extra attention, and also to keep Out zones where you don't want it to move. And, like all Roomba devices, it is updated with new software updates that make it even better over time.

It's expensive but is also among the most advanced robot vacuums ZDNet has ever tested. It has a high-powered battery that can vacuum a large area in less than two hours. It can switch between vacuuming and mopping at the touch of a button. And unlike other self-emptying robotics that require you to empty the trash bin after each run, it automatically empties into a larger waste container above its charging dock.

It also comes with a variety of other options, like intelligent obstacle avoidance that uses a camera along with processor-powered smarts in order to recognize obstacles. It's not often damaged or entrapped during a cleaning cycle, and it's the best at avoiding power cables as well as other objects I've tested. However, it isn't as reliable at detecting pet waste and other dangers.

2. Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid

Eufy, owned by Anker It has become an iconic name in the world of low-cost robot vacuums. However, it did not provide the option of a model that could mop. The X8 Hybrid is a new model that has a wide range of features that are advanced and can compete with much more expensive models.

The laser navigation system is the main selling point of this machine. The previous Eufy devices have constructed a rough map of your home using infrared sensors and bumping into things but the X8's laser mapping technology is far more precise. It takes less time to create an extensive map of your home and can store multiple maps. This is ideal for multi-floored homes.

The X8 is still a decent vacuum for floors that are not clean, slinging debris under its side brushes and into the 400ml dust bin with relative ease. Its tyres are adept at securing edges and corners even though they are circular. Our tests revealed that it was able to remove 90 percent of the fur on hard floors.

The basic mopping mode utilizes the same water reservoir as the vacuuming mode. While this is great for spills that aren't too big, you can't limit the amount of water it uses, which will limit its effectiveness on more severe staining. That said, it does an admirable job of picking up pet hair, with a better pickup rate than the Roborock S7.

3. Miele RX2

Miele's RX2 robotic vacuum is known for its quiet, effective appliances. It has a beautiful design, superb navigation and an impressive cleaning power. It has a few oddities in its operation that prevent it from being considered the best smart robot vacuum.

Like iRobot's latest models, the RX2 has dual-sensor mapping technology which uses the LIDAR sensor to map out the space and three 3D scanning cameras to identify and avoid obstacles (like furniture legs or pet waste) in real-time. After the room has been mapped and assigned, you can assign virtual no-go zones and favorite sections to the robot. You can also change the cleaning modes, initiate cleaning manually, or view live feeds from the onboard cameras from the main screen.

The sensors of the RX2 work well in registering furniture and other obstructions in real-time. The suction and sweeping capabilities are exceptional, taking away surface debris from carpets of medium pile and also removing embedded dust on bare floors. However, it's not the most flexible robot available. Like many others, it's not a good climber and has issues with things like thresholds made of metal transition strips.

Some people buy a robot vacuum to enjoy the convenience of setting up a schedule using an app and forgetting about it for weeks at an time. It is essential for a robot to be capable of the task, so our ZDNet staff has tested and looked over some of the most popular models to help you pick the best one for your house.

4. Shark ION

This budget robovac is a robot that looks like any other, but has a few more features and better performance. Its smart mapping system generates 3D and 2-D maps of your house and uses to navigate and avoid obstacles. It can even detect common obstacles such as power cords and furniture legs in real-time. This combination of sensors with a bump detector and an infrared sensor that keeps the vacuum away from the stairs makes it one of our most agile vacuums.

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 capabilities were impressive. Its composite score for carpet and bare flooring was higher than the competition, and it picked up 98.5% of surface litter and embedded dog hair from our laboratory test samples.

Its controls are a bit more basic than the competitors. There's a round cleaning button on the top and you can start it from the app or by voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. You can also schedule daily or weekly cleanings, create no-go zones, and look up its history of cleaning. Ion is clad in a smart dark gray plastic that feels and looks beautiful in your home. The dust bin on the rear is easily accessible for emptying, and removing the filters is also simple.

5. Eufy 11S

If you're looking for a simple robotic vacuum that is simple and has no frills at a reasonable price, the Eufy 11S is a great option. The model isn't equipped with smart features like Alexa integration and digital mapping, which are available in higher-end models. However, if you don't require these functions, you can save money.

The robot is easy to install and use. It does not require a smartphone application or Wi-Fi pairing, however it does have a remote control that allows you to select between different modes and adjust the suction level. You can also manually assign the robotvac to the schedule of cleaning.

During our tests, the 11S was very effective at cleaning pet hair and dirt from hard floors as well as in low-pile carpets. Its slim profile allowed it to fit under furniture with low hanging and web018.dmonster.kr other objects that bulkier robots could not reach. It could also easily pass over doorway thresholds and transition from one floor type to another.

Like other robots, the 11S will suck up some objects, such as cords hoodie drawstrings and cat toys. The manufacturer states that you can prevent this by keeping such objects off the floor and by using a cord organizer if possible. It also suggests that you clean the dustbin, change the filters and wash or change the brushes when needed.

Roomba 990 from iRobot

The Roomba is the flagship model of iRobot's ecovacs robot vacuum vacuum. It's costly, but it's the best robot vacuum that you can buy. Its self-navigation as well as environmental mapping is something to behold. It also comes with more advanced automation features than most competitors, such as the ability to create virtual boundary markers with its mobile app. It's a powerful robot vacuum, even though its app is a bit sluggish and the 980 spins out when it comes across cables.

We really like the 980 due to its iAdapt2.0 navigation sensors and visual simultaneity localisation and mapping (or vSLAM) to store the floor plan of your home. It will then use the information to create a consistent and efficient cleaning path for every cycle. The result is cleaner floors and a more efficient vacuum than most competing high-end robot vacuums.

Other features of the 980 include two multi-surface rubber brushes which pick up dirt from carpet and hard floors and the spinning brush that sweeps debris into the bin of the robotic vacuum. The sensor for floor tracking helps it navigate around furniture as well as along edges and stairs. Cliff Detect prevents the Roomba from falling. It will also return to the base station for easy recharges between sessions. Although the 980's battery lifespan and bin size aren't quite as efficient as some other robot vacuums, it's a reliable and solid machine that will keep your floors clean for hours at a time.