The Best Robot Hoover
The best robot vacuum can sweep and vacuum your floors without having to be involved. It also leaves the floors spotless. Its price is surprisingly low and top-of-the-line features (such as dirt detection) are pluses.
Check your robot's brushes regularly for tangled debris and hair. Wash them when necessary. Some models also self-empty their onboard dustbin into a larger bin at the base, which decreases 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 tested. They are equipped with top-of-the-line motors which can generate up to 5,500 Pascals of suction force. And, like other premium iRobot models (including the top-rated model) they utilize smart mapping technology to design detailed floor plans and avoid home-based obstacles like cords and furniture legs. The robots also feature a feature called Carpet Boost 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 bare floors and are especially adept in removing dog hair. They do have some flaws, however, that prevent them from being our top option. For instance, the Q5's navigation doesn't feature AI-powered obstacle avoidance technology which means it's susceptible to get caught up in shoes and socks, and is unable to navigate rooms with a lot of people well in our tests. It doesn't also come with a camera to look around corners.
However, it's a good choice, especially if you want to save money on an iRobot Roomba and you have a mostly bare-floor home or office. Plus, it's very quiet and you can use it when you're at work or at school. The only thing it's missing that you can't find in the pricier iRobot Roomba X30 is edge-to-edge vacuuming on floors that aren't clean. It's also less effective when it comes to mopping. It is dependent on disposable wet wipes, which don't stick well and aren't able to deal with dried-on debris. The Q5 has self-emptying docks, however. If you're in need of it mop, the mopping pad can be swapped for a wet one in minutes.
2. iRobot Roomba
The iRobot Roomba X30 packs impressive vacuuming and mopping capabilities into a compact, sleek package. Its smart cleaning maps and quick navigation make it easy to clean and effective in tackling larger particles like pet hair. It also features self-emptying dustbins as well as powerful suction, and support for virtual boundaries. It's the best robot hoover for carpets, though it's not as effective as some rivals in deep cleaning.
This high-performing mop and vacuum combo uses advanced sensor technology to stay clear of obstacles and pet waste and it learns the layout of your home over time to provide more efficient cleaning. You can change the schedule of cleaning and even customize zones with the well-designed app. Its battery life is average compared to other models.
When the X30 Ultra is in a carpeted area, you can instruct it to pull back and extend its mops. This helps prevent cross contamination. Its flex arm can also be utilized to reach under low-lying furnishings 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 Professional+ and the iRobot Combo j9+.
In tests, the X30 Ultra was the fastest robot vacuum/mop in the market to clean an entire house, finishing with only 66 percent of its battery left. It did a decent cleaning job on different flooring and rooms with different flooring types including certain area rug. Its obstacle detection was excellent, and it avoided fake dog turds, socks, shoes and bundles cables.
It's a bit more expensive than iRobot Combo v9+ or iRobot Roomba j9+ but it has superior suction and an onboard bin that is automatically empty into the base. It also supports voice commands via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It can also clean the floor even after it vacuums. This is something we haven't seen before on other robot vacuum/mop combination.
3. iRobot Roomba X40
This robot vacuum and mop combination has a sleek, circular design that looks much like a Roomba model than the bulky models of the competition. It's among our most attractive looking robot vacuums. The latest model from iRobot is also the most intelligent. It has advanced features like enhanced dirt detection and future compatibility (another company’s robot that can wash mop pads on its own).
It's the only robotic vacuum/mop that scored 100% in our evaluations, thanks to a combination of high-tech sensors, which include a camera, structured light system and multiple lasers. The X40 Ultra was the only robot we tested that could fill and empty its basestation in a self-contained manner. It also boasted a suction of 12,000Pa as well as self-cleaning mops.
The X40 as with other iRobot products, is simple to use. It has an intuitive mobile application interface and integrates with Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit. The only issue is that the X40 is still a loud unit. This can be a problem in the mornings before work or at night when you're trying to fall asleep.
It's also somewhat expensive, though it's not as expensive as the Ecovacs X2 Omni or Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra both of which are equally capable and better-looking. This is a two-in-one vacuum that's extremely powerful however it's more expensive and produce more noise.
4. iRobot Roomba 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. Similar to Ecovacs' range-topping X2 Omni and Roborock's S8 Pro Ultra, the L20 is designed to be a hands-free cleaning machine that can take charge of both vacuuming and mopping, with a multi-function dock that automatically emptys the vacuum's trash bin, refills its water tank, and washes and dries its mop pads.
The smart robot employs an array of LIDAR and structured light to map out the floor plan and detect obstacles, and navigates more effectively than some of its premium competitors. It also has a front-mounted camera for real-time hazard detection however, it wasn't foolproof in our testing and was sometimes confused by power cords or other obstructions.
Best robot vacuum cleaner UK has a maximum suction of 7,000 Pascals, which is more than enough to finish the job. It also has an attribute called "Intelligent Dirt Detection", which regulates the power of the vacuum and adjusts cleaning frequency for different areas of the home based on how dirty those areas tend to be.
For larger homes, it's worth opting for a model with zone or spot cleaning modes that let you tell the robot to clean a specific area of your home via the app or voice commands. If you have lots of furniture, a stair-mode is also useful. Finally, a recharge and resume function that lets your robot vacuum take over exactly where it left off is ideal for busy families.
iRobot RX3
The RX3 is more intelligent than the price suggests. It's a pro at vacuuming, removing 55% of the debris that was found in our tests (it was second only to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mops using one pad, which uses a reciprocating motion, which does a better job cleaning than the other robot mop cleaners we've examined. It's also extremely self-sufficient, with a full-featured app and a self-emptying, washable base.
The iRobot app is designed to guide you through the mapping process which collects information about your floorplan and any "no go" areas that you've marked on the map. You can use it to create cleaning schedules, plan a spot clean or to prioritise your dirtiest rooms to ensure better performance. The app also gives access to a variety of options, including seasonal suggestions, custom maps, and advanced settings for your cleaning.
It can also reach corners and under furniture better because its shape is more rectangular. It features a powerful 8000 Pascal suction, as well as intelligent combs to remove pet hair. You can also set up a spot-clean that will thoroughly clean an area.
The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a more sleek and less expensive alternative to iRobot Roomba. It's got a more attractive style, much like Dolce & Gabbana. The twin cameras are designed to resemble adorable eyes. It is great at vacuuming, however it is more likely to get stuck on low thresholds. It is also louder than other top robot vacuums that we have test. It also has a less intuitive app and a small base station that doesn't double as an emptying bin.