Robot Hoover: A Simple Definition

The Best Robot Hoover

The best robot hoover can mop and vacuum without needing your attention, and will leave your floors clean. Its affordable price and high-end features (such as a dirt detector) are a plus.

Make sure to check your robot's brushes frequently for tangled debris and hair. Wash them when necessary. Some models can also automatically empty their onboard dustbin 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 more expensive cousin the Q7 Max Series are among the most powerful robotic vacuums we have tested. They feature motors that are top of the line and can suction up to 5,500 Pascals. Like other iRobots with premium features (including the most powerful model) they utilize smart mapping to produce precise floor plans and eliminate household obstacles such as cords and furniture legs. They also come with carpet boost that increases the robot vacuum cleaner's power when it detects an abundance of dirt on the carpet to get it cleaned up quickly.

The Q5 and Q7 Max Series both scored very well in our tests on floors that were bare and are especially adept in removing hair from dogs. There are some issues however, which prevent them from being our top option. One of the weaknesses of the Q5 is its navigation system doesn't feature AI-powered obstacles avoidance. It's therefore prone to get stuck on socks and shoes, and it couldn't navigate rooms with lots of people well during our tests. It also doesn't come with cameras that let it see the corners of an area.

Still, it's very good for those who want to save money on a Roomba from iRobot, and you have a mostly bare-floor home or office. It's also very quiet and you can use it while you're at work or at school. The only thing it doesn't have that you don't get in the pricier iRobot Roomba X30 is edge-to-edge vacuuming on bare floors. It's also less effective at mopping. It is dependent on disposable wet wipes that don't stick very well and cannot handle dried-on debris. The Q5 is self-emptying cradle however. And, if you need to, you can switch the mopping pad for dry ones in a matter of just a few seconds.

2. iRobot Roomba

The iRobot Roomba X30 packs impressive vacuuming and mopping capabilities into a compact, sleek package. Its nimble navigation and intelligent cleaning maps make it easy to clean and efficient at taking on larger particles, such as pet hair. It also features an impressive suction system and self-emptying bin. 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 utilizes advanced sensors to dodge obstacles and pet waste, and it will learn the layout of your home over time to provide more efficient cleaning. You can alter its cleaning schedule and customize zones using the app that is well-designed. It has a battery lifespan that is comparable to other models.

You can tell the X30 Ultra to remove its mops and to extend them when it's in a carpeted room which prevents cross-contamination. The flex arm is perfect for getting under furniture that is low and along baseboards. It doesn't offer the same washboard performance as our other Editors' Choice picks, the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo N8 Pro+ and the iRobot Combo j9+.

During tests, X30 Ultra was the quickest robot automatic vacuum and mop/mop that could sweep the entire house, with 66 per cent of its battery remaining. It also did a great job of cleaning a mix of rooms and floors with various flooring types, such as some area rugs. Its obstacle detection was superb, and it avoided fake dog turds, socks, shoes, and bundles of cables.

It's more expensive than the iRobot Combo v9+ and iRobot Roomba j9+, however, it comes with superior suction, a built-in dust bin that automatically empties into its base, and also supports voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It even cleans the floor after it vacuums it, something hasn't been seen in other robot vacuum/mop combinations.

3. IRobot Roomba X40

The robot vacuum and mop combination features a sleek, circular design that appears more like the regular Roomba unit than the boxy models from the competition. It's one of our most attractive looking robot vacuums. The latest model from iRobot is also among its most advanced. It features advanced features such as Enhanced Dirt Detection and future compatibility (another company's robot that is able to wash mop pads in a self-cleaning manner).

It's also the only robotic vacuum/mop to score a perfect 10 out of 10 in our evaluations. This is thanks to the combination of high-tech sensors including a structured lighting system, a camera and multiple lasers. The X40 Ultra was the only robot vacuum cleaner we tested that could fill and empty its basestation in a self-contained manner. It also boasted a suction of 12,000Pa and self-cleaning mops.

The X40, like other iRobot products, is simple to use. It has a simple mobile application interface and integrates with Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit. The only downside is that the X40 is still a loud unit. This can be a problem in the mornings prior to work or at night when you are trying to sleep.

It's also a bit costly however, not as expensive as the Ecovacs MaxV Ultra or the Roborock S8 Omni, which are both equally capable and better looking. If you're willing to put up with a bit more noise and a little more cost this is a powerful two-in-one that will delight most.

4. iRobot Roomba L20 Ultra

The L20 Ultra is a top-of-the-range robot vacuum and mop with a variety of sophisticated features that let you forget about your chores. Similar to Ecovacs the range-topping X2 Omni and Roborock's S8 Pro Ultra, the L20 is designed to be a hands-free cleaning machine that takes care of both vacuuming and mopping, with a multi-function dock that automatically empty the vacuum's dust bin, fills its water tank, cleans and dry its mop pads.

The smart robot makes use of LIDAR and structured lighting to draw out floorplans and identify obstacles. It can navigate more efficiently than its premium competitors. It also has a front-mounted camera for real-time detection of hazards, although this wasn't quite 100% foolproof during our tests and was occasionally confused by power cords or other obstructions.

The vacuum cleaner comes with a maximum suction of 7,000 Pascals which is more than enough to accomplish the task. It also comes with "Intelligent Dirt Detection", which regulates the intensity at which the vacuum works and also adjusts the frequency of cleaning for various areas of the house in accordance with the amount of dirt they are.

For bigger homes, it's worth opting for one that has zone or spot cleaning modes that let you tell the robot to clean one particular area of your home by using the app or voice controls. If you have furniture, a stairway mode is also a good option. Finally the recharge and resume feature that allows your robot vacuum to pick up right where it left off is great for busy families.

iRobot RX3

The RX3 is a more efficient cleaner than you might expect from its price tag. It does a stellar job cleaning, 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 rotating motion that is more efficient than most mop cleaners for robots that we've tried. It's also self-sufficient with a fully-featured application, and a self emptying base that is washable.

The iRobot application is designed to guide you through the mapping process which collects information about your floorplan as well as any "no go" areas that you have marked on the map. It can be used to design cleaning schedules or to organize the spot-cleaning. You can also use it to prioritize your dirtiest areas for better performance. The app has a range of features, such as seasonal suggestions, customized mapping, and advanced cleaning settings.

It is also able to reach corners and under furniture more easily because its shape is more rectangular. It also has a strong 8,000 Pascal suction and best robot hoover combs that are intelligent for hair of pets. You can also create a spot-cleaner that will thoroughly clean a specific area.

The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a sleeker and less expensive alternative to the iRobot Roomba. It's got a more attractive design, similar to Dolce & Gabbana. The twin cameras are shaped like cute eyes. It is excellent at vacuuming, however it is more likely to be caught in low thresholds. It also has a higher noise than other top robot vacuums we've test. It also has a less intuitive app and a small base station that can't be used as a bin for emptying.