The Best robot hoover (Recommended Reading)

The best robot hoover can clean and mop without requiring your attention, and will leave your floors clean. Its price is surprisingly low and high-end features (such as dirt detection) are pluses.

Examine your robot vacuum that vacuums and mops's brush regularly for tangled debris as well as hair. Wash them when necessary. Some models also self-empty their onboard dust bin 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 examined. They have motors that are top-of-the line and can suction up to 5,500 Pascals. Like other premium iRobot models (including the top choice) they employ intelligent mapping technology to create precise floor plans and eliminate common obstacles like cords and furniture legs. They also have a feature called carpet boost that increases the robot's power when it sees a lot of dirt on the carpet in order to get it cleaned up quickly.

The Q5 and Q7 Max Series both scored extremely well in our tests of floors with no carpet They are also adept in cleaning hair from dogs. They do have some flaws however, which prevent them from being our first option. One of them is that the Q5's navigation doesn't have AI-powered obstacle avoidance and is therefore prone to get caught up in shoes and socks, and is unable to navigate rooms with a lot of people efficiently in our tests. Also, it doesn't have a camera that would let it see the corners of the room.

It's still a great option for those who want to save money on a Roomba from iRobot and have a bare-floored home or office. It's also very quiet and can be used while you're at work, or going to school. The only thing it lacks 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 at mopping. It is dependent on disposable wet wipes, which don't stick very well and cannot handle dried-on debris. The Q5 has a self-emptying cradle, however. And, if you have to, you can switch the mopping pad for a dry one in seconds.

2. iRobot Roomba X30

The iRobot Roomba X30 is a compact, sleek vacuum cleaner that can also mop floors. Its smart cleaning maps and nimble navigation make it easy to clean, and efficient in tackling larger particles like pet hair. It also has a self-emptying dustbin with powerful suction and support for virtual boundaries. It's the best automatic vacuum robot vacuum for carpets, though it's not as effective as some rivals in deep cleaning.

This high-performing combination vacuum and mop utilizes advanced sensors to stay clear of obstacles and pet waste and it will learn your home's layout over time to provide more efficient cleaning. The app lets you modify zones and alter the cleaning schedule. It has a battery life that is comparable to other models.

You can instruct the X30 Ultra to remove its mop and extend them when it's in a room with carpet which prevents cross-contamination. The flex arm can be utilized to reach under furniture with low levels and along baseboards. However, it doesn't have the same washboard performance as our other Editors' Choice picks, the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo N8 Professional+ and the iRobot Combo j9+.

During testing, X30 Ultra was the most efficient robot vacuum/mop which could clean an entire home, with 66 per cent of its battery remaining. It did a decent cleaning job on different rooms and floors with various flooring types including some area rugs. Its obstacle detection was excellent and it stayed clear of fake dog turds, socks, shoes and bundles cables.

It's a little more expensive than the iRobot Combo v9+ and iRobot Roomba j9+, but it has superior suction, a dustbin on board that automatically emptys into its base, and also supports voice commands via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It is able to clean floors even after it has vacuumed. This is something we haven't seen before on other robotic cleaner and mop vacuum/mop combinations.

3. IRobot Roomba X40

With an elegant, circular design that looks like a regular Roomba than the competition's boxes this robot vacuum and mop combo is one of the most attractive designs in our evaluations. iRobot’s latest flagship model is also among its most advanced. It features advanced features, like Enhanced Dirt Detection and future compatibility (another company’s robot that can wash mop pads autonomously).

It's the only robotic mop or vacuum to score a perfect 10 in our testing due to a mix of high-tech sensors that include cameras, a structured lighting 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 an industry-leading suction of 12,000Pa and self-cleaning mops.

As with other iRobot models as well, the X40 is easy to use, offering a simple mobile app interface and integration with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit as well as Google Assistant. The only drawback is that it's a noisy unit, which can be problematic if you run it in the morning prior to work or at night as you attempt to sleep.

It's also a bit expensive however, not as expensive as the Ecovacs MaxV Ultra or the Roborock S8 Omni, which are equally impressive and attractive. If you're willing to live some more volume and a little more cost this is a powerful two-in-one that will satisfy most people.

4. iRobot Roomba L20 Ultra

The L20 Ultra is a top-of-the-range robot vacuum and mop with many advanced features that let you forget about your chores. The L20 Ultra is a hands-free cleaner, similar to Ecovacs the top of the line X2 Omni or Roborock's S8 Pro Ultra. It has a multifunction dock which automatically emptys the vacuum's bin and refills the water tank, and washes and dry mop pads.

The smart robot makes use of LIDAR and structured lighting to map out floor plans and detect obstacles. It is more efficient in its navigation than its competitors with premium features. It also has a front-mounted camera to detect hazards in real-time however, it wasn't foolproof in our testing and was often confused by power cords or other obstructions.

Its vacuum has a high suction capacity of 7,000 Pascals which is more than enough to get the job done. It also comes with "Intelligent Dirt Detection", which regulates the intensity at which the vacuum works and alters the frequency of cleaning for various areas of the house depending on the amount of dirt they tend to be.

For larger homes it's worth looking for one with zone or spot cleaning modes that allow you to tell the robot to clean a particular area of your home by using the app or via voice commands. A stairway mode is useful if you own a large furniture. For families that are busy, a recharge feature and resume feature that allows your robot vacuum to pick up where it left off could be extremely useful.

5. iRobot Roomba RX3

The RX3 is more intelligent than the price suggests. It is a good vacuum cleaner and picked up 55% debris in our tests. (It was only second to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mops with a single pad and a reciprocating motion which is cleaner than the majority of the robot mop cleaners that 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 and any "no go" areas that you've marked on the map. It can be used to make cleaning schedules, set up a spot clean or to prioritise your dirtiest rooms to improve performance. The app also gives access to a host of features like seasonal suggestions, custom maps and advanced settings for your cleaning.

It is also able to reach corners and under furniture more easily because its shape is more rectangular. It has a powerful 8000 Pascal suction, as well as intelligent combs to remove pet hair. You can also organize a spot-cleaner that thoroughly cleans the area.

The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a sleeker and cheaper alternative to the iRobot Roomba. It has a more attractive style, much like Dolce & Gabbana. The twin cameras are shaped like cute little eyes. It is capable of vacuuming, but it is more susceptible to be caught by low thresholds and is noisier than the other top robotic vacuums we've tried. It also has an app that's not as intuitive and a small base station that can't double as a bin to empty.