While robots can't replace a conventional vacuum for picking up ground-in debris such as metal screws and chunks of orzo pasta, they are excellent at sweeping crumbs, dust and hair from pets. The best models feature intelligent navigation and a feature to avoid objects that help them maneuver around toys, cords and other household obstacles.
1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The iRobot Roomba i3+ is a fantastic robot Auto Vacuum cleaner that comes with several smart features that make it easier to maintain. Its automatic bin emptying is among the most useful features we've seen in the form of a robot and it is compatible with both hard floors and carpets. It's also simple to set up and use, with the app guiding you step-by-step through the process. Its ability to restart where it left off during our tests is a great feature. It was able to do this for 77 minutes on one cleaning, and then the battery died.
In contrast to other robovacs that we evaluated, the i3+ EVO comes with self-emptying bins that dump debris into an external dirt compartment on its charging base when it's filled. The i3+ EVO can be prevented from overfilling by a self-emptying bin. However, it must still be emptied manually at the end of each cleaning session. The i3+ EVO dustbin can hold 2.4L which is enough to last four to five cleaning sessions.
Like the i7, this model also uses the latest floor tracking sensors to create maps and navigate neat rows. The i3+ EVO can only keep one map, whereas the i7 can store multiple. The i7's map is used to create virtual barriers and no-go zones however, not the i3+ EVO.
Although the i3+ EVO is more effective in picking up surface debris than some of the other robovacs we looked at however, it's not the most effective in terms of cleaning edges and corners. It's also less gentle on furniture, despite being fairly silent. It was quite rough on furniture, as it moved chairs away. It also made some collisions against the sides of the test bed.
2. Black & Decker Pro Q5
If you're looking to increase your collection of robot vacuums, or are just starting out using one, the Q5 Pro is a great choice. It features a sleek design, powerful navigation, and effective automation at a reasonable cost. It's the most efficient pound-for pound model available today and even matches Roborock's higher-priced models in several ways.
This robot does a great job of cleaning floors with no dust and its avoidance system assists it in avoiding furniture legs and other obstacles. It also performs well on carpets and gets a high score in our navigation tests. The only issue is that it's noisier than other models and doesn't perform as well in our satisfaction of the owner and predicted reliability tests.
The Q5 Pro comes with a large dust bin that is 770ml, meaning that you won't have to empty it as frequently as other 2-in-1 robots. Its 240-minute runtime is also quite generous in comparison to other robots we've tried. When the battery is low, it will automatically return to its dock, where it recharges and then resumes cleaning from where it began. You can control the Q5 Pro using the app or voice commands with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
This is the first robot we've seen with 3D mapping. This, along with other innovations, helped it perform exceptionally well in our vacuuming tests and mopping tests. It allows you to schedule cleaning times, set no-go zones and see the battery's status as well as other things. The app is simple to use, even though it doesn't support Apple HomeKit and that feature is slated to be added by 2025. As of the beginning of November, Apple has updated a footnote on its website to reflect that this feature will be delayed until 2025. A few other robots aren't compatible with HomeKit However, many of them work with Siri Shortcuts.
3. TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus
If you want a robot vacuum cleaner that can also mop, and is a great value, the TP Link Tapo RV30 Plus is the ideal option. It has a stylish design and impressive features for its price. You can control it with the buttons on the device, via the app or even with voice commands. The device has an extended battery life and the vacuum container is automatically empty.
The TP-Link RV30 Plus does a excellent job of cleaning up normal messes and is suitable for light mopping on hard floors. It comes with a replacement sweeping brush and mopping cloth as well with a HEPA-filter. It can be connected to an intelligent hub such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to control the device using voice. The TP-Link RV30 Plus can be quickly set up and connected to various floor surfaces with the automatic mode. This guarantees the most effective cleaning results for each area and floor type.
You can choose from three cleaning options to meet your needs. The vacuuming mode is a thorough cleaning of the room. It makes use of the smart sensor to detect edges furniture, stairs, and other obstacles. The mopping mode is utilized to clean the floor in a systematic manner or to eliminate liquid spills and stubborn stains. You can combine the two features to provide the most thorough and thorough cleaning.
With a powerful suction and 3 settings for dry mopping, TP-Link RV30 Plus quickly picks up dust, pet hair and other crumbs from all types of flooring. It can clean carpets without damaging the flooring because of specially designed mops.
In the initial mapping run, the TP-Link RV30 Plus scans and records the home's layout by using its LiDAR and Gyro dual navigation system. The map can be edited within the app and you can join or divide rooms however you like. You can also create no-go zones and virtual walls to prevent the RV30 Plus from wandering into areas you don't want it enter.
4. Eufy iMop
The Eufy iMop is one of the most powerful fully-featured robot vacuum and mop combos for hard floors. It features a high-tech mapping system that can map your home across several floors. The base station is well-designed, and automates cleaning to a large extent. It also offers incredible obstacles-avoiding and navigation.
This model uses an internal dToF LiDAR sensor to map your home and design efficient cleaning routes. The iMop excelled in our analysis of coverage and navigation efficiency, and it was very good at avoiding obstacles, including furniture. It's also able to find its way back to the base station which is a nice feature in the event it's running out of battery during a cleaning session.
It also comes with a spot cleaning mode that allows you to clean or mop an area of your floor. It can also be programmed manually to follow a certain direction. This is great if you have narrow stairs or hallways. In our carpet cleaning test, it performed well cleaning carpets. However, it was unable to clean rugs and carpets with larger piles. It is possible to set it up to raise the mop pad automatically when it comes in contact with carpet. This is a great option for those looking to avoid having to mop their carpets.
The iMop has an onboard dustbin and a water tank that is empty at the conclusion of every cleaning session. The onboard dust bin holds up to 2.5 liters of debris. It will only require emptying after a couple of cleaning cycles. The water tank can withstand about a dozen mopping sessions before it runs dry. The iMop is more easy to clean and maintain than a typical robot cleaner, which can be a major benefit for busy households.
The iMop smartphone app is user-friendly and comes with a variety of configuration options. It has multiple suction modes, mopping settings, and also scheduling. It also lets you create virtual walls and no-go zones so the robot won't wander into areas that aren't safe for it. In addition, the application lets you view your iMop's status and warnings about errors.
