Top Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
While robots won't be able to replace a conventional vacuum for picking up ground-in debris like metal screws and pieces of orzo pasta, they're excellent at sweeping dust, crumbs and pet hair. The best models feature intelligent navigation and object avoidance features that help them maneuver around cords, toys and other obstacles in the household.
1. Roomba iRobot i3+ from iRobot EVO
The iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO is a great robot vacuum that has a variety of smart features that make it more easy to maintain than most competing models. The automatic bin emptying feature is among the most useful features we've seen in a robot vacuum. It works well on carpets as well as hard floors. It's also simple to set up and use with the app that guides you through the process step-by-step. Another feature that is impressive is its ability to return to where it began in our tests. It did this for 77 minutes in one cleaning before running out of battery.
The i3+ EVO is different from the other robot vacuums that we tested comes with a self-emptying bin that automatically dumps debris in an external dirt compartment on its charging base once it is full. The i3+ EVO can be kept from overfilling thanks to a self-emptying container. However it still needs to be manually emptied at the end of each cleaning session. The i3+ EVO dust bin can hold 2.4L, which is enough to last four to five cleaning sessions.
The i3+ EVO, just like the i7, uses cutting-edge floor-tracking sensors to produce maps. It can also allow you to navigate in neat rows. The i3+ EVO can only keep one map, whereas the i7 can store multiple. The i7 also has the ability to use its map to create no-go zones as well as virtual barriers, however the i3+ EVO is not able to do this.
While the i3+ EVO is better in removing dirt and debris from surfaces than the other robovacs we reviewed however, it's not the most effective for cleaning corners and edges. It is also less gentle on furniture, despite being remarkably silent. It moved chairs away from walls, and made some collisions with the sides of our test bed, and also became stuck on cords and toys while testing.
2. Black & Decker Pro Q5
If you're looking to increase your robot vacuum collection or are just starting out, the Q5 Pro is a great option. It has an elegant design, powerful navigation, and efficient automation at a low price. It's the best value for the money you can get right now and even beats other Roborock models which are more expensive in a variety of ways.
This robot is great in cleaning floors that are not clean and its avoidance technology helps it to steer away from furniture legs and other obstacles. It also performs well on carpet and earns the top score in our tests of navigation. The only issue is that it's louder than other models we test and doesn't perform as well in our owner satisfaction and predicted reliability tests.
The Q5 Pro comes with a large dust bin of 770ml, meaning that you won't have to empty it as often as other 2-in-1 robots. Its 240-minute runtime is also extremely generous when compared to other models we've examined. If the battery is low, it automatically returns to its dock where it recharges and resumes cleaning from where it left off. You can control the Q5 Pro via the app and use voice commands with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
This is one of the first robots we've seen to incorporate 3D mapping. This along with other advancements, helped it perform exceptionally well in our tests of vacuuming and mopping test. You can plan cleaning schedules, create no-go zones, and check the battery's status among other things. The app is easy to use, though it doesn't support Apple HomeKit and that feature is slated to be added in 2025. Apple updated its footnote on its website in early November to reflect the fact that this feature has been delayed until 2025. A few other robots aren't compatible with HomeKit however, a lot of them work with Siri Shortcuts.
3. TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus
The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus robot vacuum cleaner is an excellent option if you're searching for a vacuum that can mop as well and is affordable. It comes with a plethora of features at a reasonable price and features a stylish design. You can control it using the buttons on the machine using the app, or even by using voice commands. The device is battery-powered and the vacuum can automatically empty itself.
The TP-Link RV30 Plus does a very good job at cleaning up messes of all kinds and is suitable for light mopping on hard floors. It comes with a replacement mopping cloth and the sweeping brush as well as a HEPA filter. It can be paired with a smart home hub, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant for easy voice control. The TP-Link RV30 Plus can be quickly set up and connect to various floor surfaces with the automatic mode. This will ensure the most effective cleaning results for each floor and room.
Three cleaning modes are available to meet your needs. The vacuuming mode is a thorough cleaning of the room. It uses the sensor's smart technology to detect edges furniture, stairs, and other obstacles. The mopping mode can be used to clean the floor automatically or to remove staining and liquid spills. You can combine the two functions to get an efficient and thorough cleaning.
With a powerful suction and 3 settings for dry mopping, the TP-Link RV30 Plus is quick to remove dust, pet hair and other crumbs from all flooring types. The device can even clean carpets without damaging them due to the specially designed mops.
During the first mapping run the TP-Link RV30 Plus scans and records the layout of your home by using its LiDAR and Gyro dual navigation system. The map can be edited within the app and you can combine or split rooms as you'd like. You can also create virtual walls and no-go zones to stop the RV30 Plus from entering areas that you don't want it access.
4. Eufy iMop
The Eufy iMop robot vacuum and mop is one of best fully-featured robots for flooring made of hard wood. It features a high-tech navigation system that does an excellent job of mapping your home's layout even across multiple floors. The well-designed base station almost fully automates the cleaning process. It also provides amazing navigation and obstacle avoidance.
This model makes use of a dToF internal LiDAR sensor to create a map of your home, resulting in efficient cleaning routes. The iMop received high marks for its accuracy and navigation. It also did a great job avoiding obstacles like furniture. It also finds its way back to the base station if it runs out of batteries during a cleaning session.
The spot cleaning mode allows you to clean a certain area of your floor. And self cleaning vacuum can be manually programmed to follow a fixed path, which is beneficial for narrow hallways or stairs. In our carpet cleaning test it did a good job cleaning carpets. However, it had a difficult time to clean carpets and rugs with larger piles. It is also able to automatically raise the mop pad whenever it encounters carpet, which is a great option if you wish to avoid mopping your carpets.
The iMop includes an onboard dustbin and a water tank, which it emptys at the end of each cleaning session. The dust bin that is onboard can hold up to 2.5 liters of debris and will only require emptying after a few cleaning cycles. The water tank is able to handle about a dozen mopping sessions before it runs out. The iMop requires less maintenance and cleaning than an average robot vacuum, which can be a big selling point for busy families.
The iMop smartphone app is simple to use and offers a wide range of configuration options. It offers various suction settings, mopping settings and scheduling. It allows you to create virtual walls, no-go zones and other restrictions to ensure that your robot doesn't wander off into forbidden areas. In addition, the app lets you view your iMop's status as well as error messages.