Why Top Robot Vacuum Could Be Your Next Big Obsession?
Top Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
While robots won’t be able to replace a conventional vacuum for picking up ground-in debris such as metal screws and chunks of orzo pasta, they are excellent at sweeping dust, crumbs and hair from pets. The most effective models come with smart navigation technology and object avoidance capabilities which allow them to navigate around toys, cords and other obstacles in the household.
1. Roomba iRobot i3+ from iRobot EVO
The iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO is an excellent robot vacuum that comes with a range of innovative features that make it much easier to maintain than many competing models. The automatic bin emptying feature is among the most impressive features we’ve seen in a robot vacuum. It is a great choice for carpets and hard floors. It’s also simple to set up and operate and the app will guide you step-by-step through the process. Another notable feature is the ability to return to where it was when we tested it. It did this for 77 minutes in one cleaning, before running out of battery.
Contrary to other robovacs we’ve tested, the i3+ EVO has a self-emptying bin that dumps debris into an external dirt compartment on its charging base when it’s full. This makes it easier to maintain the unit and also helps prevent the i3+ EVO from overfilling, however it still needs to be manually empty after each cleaning session. The i3+ EVO’s internal dustbin holds 2.4L of debris and is more than enough to last five or four cleaning sessions before you need to replace it.
Like the i7model, this model also uses the latest floor tracking sensors to create maps and navigate neat rows. However the i3+ EVO only stores one map, while the i7 has the capacity to store multiple maps. The i7 can also make use of its map to create no-go zones and virtual barriers, however the i3+ EVO cannot.
The i3+ EVO does a better job of removing debris from the surface compared to some other robovacs we’ve reviewed, but it is not the most effective in cleaning corners and edges. It’s also more abrasive on furniture despite being relatively quiet. It was a bit rough on furniture as it forced chairs away. It also made some collisions against the sides of the test bed.
2. Black & Decker Q5 Pro
The Q5 Pro is an excellent option, whether you’re expanding your collection of robot vacuums or just starting out. It features a sleek design with powerful navigation and effective automation at a reasonable price. It’s the most affordable model for the money on the market currently and even beats other Roborock models which are more expensive in a variety of ways.
This robot is excellent in cleaning floors that are dirty, and its avoidance tech assists it in staying clear of furniture legs or other obstacles. It also performs well on carpets and gets a high score in our navigation tests. The only snag is that it’s more raucous than the other models we test, and it doesn’t fare as well in our owner satisfaction and predicted reliability assessments.
The Q5 Pro has a very large dust bin that is 770ml, which means you won’t need to empty it as often as other 2-in-1 robots. The 240-minute runtime is quite generous in comparison to other robots we’ve tested. When the battery is running low, it automatically returns to its dock where it recharges before resuming cleaning where it left off. You can control the Q5 Pro using the app or voice commands with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
This is among the first robots we’ve seen to incorporate 3D mapping. That, combined with some other innovations, makes it excel in our mopping and vacuuming tests. It allows you to plan cleaning schedules, create no-go zones, and view the battery’s status as well as other things. The app is simple to use, but it does not support Apple HomeKit. This feature is scheduled to be added in 2025. As of November 1, Apple has updated a footnote on its website to reflect that this feature will be delayed until 2025. Some other robots won’t work with HomeKit, but many of them work with Siri Shortcuts.
3. TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus
If you are looking for a robotic vacuum cleaner that can also mop and is very affordable, the TP Link Tapo RV30 Plus is the right choice. It features a sleek design and amazing features for the money. You can control the device with different buttons on the machine or via the app and even make use of voice commands. The device has an extended battery life and the vacuum container can be automatically empty.
The TP-Link RV30 Plus does a very good job at cleaning up normal messes and is suitable for light mopping on hard floors. It comes with a replacement sweeping brush and mopping cloth, aswell being an HEPA-filter. It can be combined with a smart home hub like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to provide convenient voice control. The TP-Link RV30 Plus is easy to set up and is connected to a range of floor surfaces using the automatic mode. This ensures that the best results are achieved for every room and flooring.
You can select from three cleaning modes that will meet your needs. The vacuuming mode is a thorough cleaning of the room. It makes use of the sensor’s smart technology to detect edges furniture, stairs, and other obstacles. The mopping mode can be used to automatically clean the floor or remove stubborn liquid spills and stains. You can combine both functions to get a thorough and deep cleaning.
The TP Link RV30 Plus features an impressive suction and 3 settings for dry mopping and can quickly remove dust, pet hairs, crumbs and other debris from floors of any type. The device can clean carpets without damaging the flooring because of specially designed mops.
In the initial mapping run the TP-Link RV30 Plus scans and saves the layout of your home using its LiDAR and Gyro dual navigation system. You can edit the map using the app and split or merge rooms according to your preferences. You can also design virtual walls and no-go zones to stop the RV30 Plus from wandering into areas you do not wish to visit.
4. Eufy iMop
The Eufy iMop robot vacuum and mop is among the best cheap robot vacuum (click to find out more) fully-featured robots for flooring made of hard wood. It comes with a cutting-edge mapping system that maps your home across multiple floors. The base station is well-designed and can automate cleaning to a great extent. It provides excellent obstacle avoidance and navigation.
The model is equipped with an internal dToF LiDAR sensor to map your home and create efficient cleaning routes. The iMop was a winner in our analysis of coverage and navigation efficiency, and it was very adept at eliminating obstacles, like furniture. It’s also able to locate its way back to the base station, which is a great feature in case it runs out of battery during a cleaning session.
It also comes with a spot cleaning mode that lets you to clean or mop an part of your floor. It can also be programmed to follow a fixed path, which is useful for narrow staircases or hallways. It did a decent job of cleaning carpets during our carpet cleaning evaluation however, it had trouble with longer pile carpets and rug. It is able to lift the mop pad automatically when it comes into contact with carpet. This is an excellent option for those looking to avoid having to mop their carpets.
The iMop includes an onboard dustbin and a water tank that empties at the end each cleaning session. The dust bin onboard can hold up to 2.5 Liters and only has to be cleaned every two cleaning cycles. The water tank can handle half a dozen mopping session before it runs out. The iMop requires less maintenance and cleaning than an standard robot vacuum, which could be a big selling point for busy families.
The smartphone app of iMop is user-friendly and packed with options for configuration. It offers various suction settings as well as mopping settings, and scheduling. It allows you to set up virtual walls, no-go zones, and other limitations to ensure that the robot won’t wander off into prohibited areas. In addition, the app gives you access to your iMop’s status and error messages.