Watch Out: How Robot Hoover Is Taking Over And What Can We Do About It

· 6 min read
Watch Out: How Robot Hoover Is Taking Over And What Can We Do About It

The Best Robot Hoover

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

Be sure to inspect your robot's brushes for tangled hair as well as large debris, and wash them when required. Some models will also empty the onboard dust bin and place it in a larger bin at the bottom. This reduces the amount fine dust that gets released into the air.

1. Roomba Q5 pro

The Q5 Pro, and its more expensive sibling the Q7 Max Series are among the most powerful robotic vacuums we've test. They are equipped with motors that are top-of-the class and can handle up to 5,500 Pascals. Like other top iRobot models (including the top-rated model), they use intelligent mapping technology to create detailed floor plans that avoid home-based obstacles like cords and furniture legs. The robots also feature the feature of Carpet Boost which boosts its power when it detects dirt on the carpet.

The Q5 and Q7 Max Series both scored very well in our tests on floors that were bare They are also adept in cleaning hair from dogs. However, they do have a few flaws that keep them from being our top pick. One of the weaknesses of the Q5 is its navigation system does not feature AI-powered obstacles avoidance. It's also prone to getting stuck on socks and shoes, and it couldn't navigate densely packed rooms very well in our tests. Also, it doesn't have an image sensor that lets it see the corners of the room.

Still, it's very good to consider, particularly if you're looking to save money on a iRobot Roomba and you have a mostly unfinished home or office. It's also extremely quiet and can be used when you're at work or school. It doesn't have the edge-to-edge floor vacuuming feature that's offered in the more expensive iRobot Roomba X30. It's also less effective when it comes to mopping. It relies on disposable wet wipes that don't adhere very well and cannot handle dried-on debris. The Q5 does have a self-emptying dock, though. If you're required to, the mopping pad can be replaced with one that is wet in just a few seconds.

2. iRobot Roomba X30

The iRobot Roomba X30 packs impressive mopping and vacuuming into a compact, sleek package. Its intelligent cleaning maps as well as nimble navigation make it easy to clean and effective in tackling larger particles, like pet hair. It also comes with self-emptying dustbins, powerful suction, and support for virtual boundaries. It's the best robot hoover for carpets, but it isn't as efficient as some of its competitors in deep cleaning.

This highly efficient combination vacuum and mop utilizes advanced sensors to avoid obstacles and pet waste and it will learn your home's layout over time for more efficient cleaning. You can change its cleaning schedule and set up zones through the well-designed app. Its battery life is average compared to other models.



You can tell the X30 Ultra to remove its mop and extend them when it's in a room with carpet, which helps prevent cross-contamination. The flex arm can be used to reach under furniture with low levels and along baseboards. It's not as efficient on the washboard as our other Editors' Choice Picks, the Ecovacs Ozmo N8Pro+ and the iRobot Combo j9+.

In tests, the X30 Ultra was the fastest robot vacuum/mop in the market to clean an entire home, and it did so with only 66 percent of its battery left. It did a great cleaning job on different flooring and rooms with different flooring types including some area carpets. Its obstacle detection was great and it was able to avoid fake dog turds, socks, shoes, and bundles of cables.

It's a little more expensive than the iRobot Combo v9+ and iRobot Roomba j9+, however, it comes with superior suction, a built-in dust bin that automatically emptys into its base, and supports voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It can even clean the floor after it vacuums this feature, which hasn't been seen in other robotic vacuum/mop combos.

3. Roomba X40 from iRobot

With a sleek circular design that appears more like a regular Roomba than the competitors' boxes This mop and robot vacuum is one of the most appealing looking in our evaluations. The latest flagship model from iRobot is also among its most advanced. It has advanced features, like Enhanced Dirt Detection as well as future compatibility (another company's robot that can wash mop pads on its own).

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 light system, camera, and a variety of lasers. The X40 Ultra was the only robot we tested that could refill and empty its basestation autonomously. It also boasted a suction of 12,000Pa as well as self-cleaning mop mops.

As with other iRobot models, the X40 is user-friendly, with an intuitive mobile app interface as well as integration with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit as well as Google Assistant. The only downside is that the X40 is still a noisy unit. This could be a problem in the mornings prior to work or in the evening when you are trying to sleep.

It's also a bit expensive, though it's not as expensive as the Ecovacs X2 Omni or Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra both of which are equally powerful and better-looking. If you're willing to put up with a little more noise and some extra cost, this is a very efficient two-in-one device that should please almost everyone.

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 will let you get rid of your chores. The L20 Ultra is a hands-free cleaning device like Ecovacs' top-of-the-range X2 Omni or Roborock's S8 Pro Ultra. It has a multifunction dock which automatically empty the vacuum's bin and fills up the water tank, and washes and drys mop pads.

autonomous vacuum  makes use of a combination of LIDAR and structured light to map out floor plans and identify obstacles, and navigates more effectively than its more expensive competitors. It also has a camera mounted on the front to detect hazards in real-time, although this wasn't quite 100% foolproof during our tests and was occasionally confused by power cords or other obstructions.

Its vacuum has a high suction maximum of 7,000 Pascals which is more than enough to finish the job. It also has an attribute known as "Intelligent Dirt Detection", that regulates the power of the vacuum and adjusts the frequency of cleaning for various areas of the house based on how dirty the areas are.

If you have a bigger home, you should consider selecting a model with a zones or spot cleaning modes. This allows you to instruct the robot on which part of your home needs to be cleaned with the help of an app or voice command. A stairway mode is useful if you own a number of furniture. For families with busy schedules, a recharge function and resume feature that permits your robot vacuum to continue from where it left off can be very beneficial.

5. iRobot Roomba RX3

The RX3 is a cleaner with more intelligence than you would imagine from its price. It is a good vacuum cleaner and picked up 55% debris in our tests. (It was second to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mopses using a single pad and a reciprocating movement that is more efficient than most of the mop cleaners with robots that we've examined. It's also self-sufficient, with a full-featured application and an auto-emptying washable base.

The iRobot app is designed to help you navigate the mapping process, which gathers information on your floorplan as well as any "no go" areas you've marked on the map. It can be used to make cleaning schedules, set up an area for cleaning or to sort out your rooms with the most dirt for better performance. The app also provides access to a variety of features, such as seasonal suggestions, custom maps and advanced settings for your cleaning.

Its shape is more rectangular than most other robot vacuums, which means it is able to reach corners and underneath furniture better. It also has strong suction of 8,000 Pascal suction and combs that are intelligent for pet hair. You can also create a spot-clean that thoroughly cleans a particular area.

The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a more sleek, cheaper alternative to iRobot Roomba. It's got a more attractive design, akin to Dolce & Gabbana. The twin cameras are designed to resemble cute eyes. It's good at vacuuming, but it is more susceptible to be caught by low thresholds and is a bit noisier than the other top robot vacuums we've tested. It also has a less intuitive app and a tiny base station that doesn't double as a bin for emptying.