20 Irrefutable Myths About Robot Hoover: Busted

The Best Robot Hoover

The most effective robot hoover will mop and vacuum without needing your attention, and will leave your floors spotless. Its low cost and top-of-the-line functions (such as dirt detectors) are both positives.

Examine your robot’s brush frequently for tangled debris and hair. Wash them when necessary. Some models will also empty the onboard dust bin and place it in a larger bin located at the base. This can reduce the amount of fine dust that gets 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 tested. They feature top-of-the-line motors that can generate up to 5,500 Pascals of suction force. Like other premium iRobots (including the most powerful model) they utilize intelligent mapping to design precise floorplans that avoid obstacles like cords and furniture legs. The robots also come with Carpet Boost, a feature which boosts its power when it senses dirt on the carpet.

The Q5 and Q7 Max Series both scored very well in our tests on floors that were bare and are especially adept in removing dog hair. However, they have several flaws that prevent them from being our top choice. For instance, the Q5’s navigation system does not have AI-powered obstacle avoidance, so it’s prone to become entangled in shoes and socks, and is unable to navigate tight spaces very well in our tests. It also doesn’t have cameras that let it see the corners of an area.

It’s still a good deal for those whose home or office has a lot of unfinished floors and you’re looking to save some money. It’s also very quiet and can be used while you’re at work or at school. It doesn’t have the edge-to-edge floor vacuuming that is offered in the more expensive iRobot Roomba X30. And it’s less effective at mopping, relying on disposable wet wipes, which don’t stick on very well and can’t take on dried-on debris. The Q5 does have an auto-emptying dock, however. And, if you have to change the mopping pad to dry ones in a matter of seconds.

2. iRobot Roomba X30

The iRobot Roomba X30 packs impressive mopping and vacuuming into an elegant, compact package. Its quick navigation and smart cleaning maps make it quick to clean and efficient in dealing with larger particles such as pet hair. It also has a self-emptying dustbin with powerful suction and support for virtual boundaries. It’s the best robotic hoover for carpets, but it falls behind some competitors when it comes to deep cleaning.

This high-performance vacuum and mop uses sensor technology that can stay clear of obstacles and pet waste. It also learns the patterns of your home over time and offer cleaner and more efficient cleaning. The app allows you to set up zones and modify the cleaning schedule. It comes with a battery life that is comparable to other models.

It is possible to instruct the X30 Ultra to remove its mops and extend them when it’s in a carpeted area which prevents cross-contamination. Its flex arm is also perfect for getting under low-lying furniture and along baseboards. However, it doesn’t have the same level of washboard performance as our other Editors’ Choice picks, the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo N8 Pro+ and the iRobot Combo j9+.

During tests, the X30 Ultra was the fastest robot vacuum/mop that could complete an entire home, and it did so with only 66 percent of its battery left. It did a good cleaning job on various floors and rooms with different kinds of flooring, including some area rugs. Its obstacle detection was top-notch, and it nimbly avoided fake dog socks, turds, and bundles of cables.

It’s more expensive than the iRobot Combo v9+ and iRobot Roomba j9+, however, it comes with superior suction, an onboard dustbin that automatically fills up its base, and it supports voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It can also clean the floor even after it vacuums. This is something we haven’t seen in other robotic vacuum/mop combos.

3. iRobot Roomba X40

The robot vacuum and mop combination has a sleek, circular design that looks more like the regular Roomba unit than the boxy units of the competition. It’s one of our most attractive looking robot vacuums. iRobot’s latest flagship model also is among the most intelligent, with advanced features including Enhanced Dirt Detection Technology as well as future compatibility with Matter (another company’s robot that is able to wash mop pads).

It’s also the sole robot vacuum or mop that scored an absolute 10 out of 10 in our testing. This is thanks to a combination high-tech sensors including a structured light system, camera, and a variety of lasers. The X40 Ultra was the only robot we tested that could refill and empty its basestation in a self-contained manner. It also boasted an industry-leading suction of 12,000Pa and self-cleaning mops.

As with other iRobot models like the X40 is user-friendly, offering an easy mobile app interface, and integration with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit as well as Google Assistant. The only downside is that the X40 still a loud unit. This could be a problem in the mornings prior to work or in the evening when you’re trying to fall asleep.

It’s also a bit expensive, although it’s not as pricey as Ecovacs X2 Omni or Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra Both of which are equally capable and look better. This is a two-in-one vacuum that’s extremely powerful, but it’s going to cost you more and produce more noise.

4. iRobot Roomba L20 Ultra

The L20 Ultra is a top-of-the-range robot vacuum and mop, with a lot of advanced features that let you forget about your chores. The L20 Ultra is a hands-free cleaning machine that is similar to Ecovacs’ top-of-the-range X2 Omni or Roborock’s S8 Pro Ultra. It comes with a multi-function dock that will automatically emptys the vacuum’s bin and refills the water tank, and washes and dry the mop pads.

The smart robot makes use of LIDAR and structured lighting to draw out floor plans and detect obstacles. It is more efficient in its navigation than its top competitors. It also comes with a front-mounted camera for real-time hazards detection, though this wasn’t completely foolproof in our tests, and could be confused with obstructions or power cords.

Its vacuum cleaner has a maximum suction of 7,000 Pascals which is more than enough to do the job. It also features « Intelligent Dirt Detection », that regulates the amount of time the vacuum works and also alters the frequency of cleaning for various areas of the house depending on how dirty they tend to be.

For larger houses it’s recommended to choose a model with spot or zone cleaning modes that allow you to instruct the robot to clean one particular area of your house using the app or via voice commands. A stairway mode is useful if you own a lot furniture. Additionally, a recharge and resume feature that allows your robot vacuum to continue where it left off is great for busy families.

5. iRobot Roomba RX3

The RX3 is a smarter cleaner than you might expect from its price tag. It vacuums well and was able to remove 55% of debris in our tests. (It was only second to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mops using one pad that has a reciprocating motion that is cleaner than the other robot Vacuum Mops mop cleaners we’ve tried. And it’s highly self-sufficient with a fully-featured app as well as a self-emptying, washable base.

The iRobot application is designed to help you navigate an exercise in mapping that collects data on your floorplan as well as any « no go » areas that you have marked on the map. It can be used to create cleaning schedules or organize a spot-clean. It can also be used to it to prioritize your dirtiest areas to improve performance. The app also provides access to a variety of features like seasonal suggestions, custom maps and advanced settings for your cleaning.

Its shape is more rectangular than other robot vacuums, which means it can get to corners and underneath furniture more easily. It features a powerful 8,000 Pascal suction as well as sophisticated combs that remove pet hair. You can also create a spot-cleaner which will thoroughly clean the 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, akin to Dolce & Gabbana. The twin cameras are designed like cute eyes. It does a good job vacuuming, but is more prone to getting caught on low thresholds and is louder than the other top robot vacuums we’ve examined. It also has an app that is less intuitive, and a smaller base station that can’t double as a bin for emptying.