The Best Robot Hoover

The best robot hoover can clean and mop without requiring your attention, and leaves your floors spotless. Its low cost and top-of-the-line functions (such as a dirt detectors) are both positives.

Be sure to check your robot's brushes for tangled hair and large particles, and wash them when required. Some models will automatically empty their onboard dustbin 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 more expensive counterpart the Q7 Max Series are among the most powerful robotic vacuums we've examined. They feature top-of-the-line motors that can pull up to 5,500 Pascals of suction force. Like other premium iRobots (including the most powerful model) they utilize smart mapping to create detailed floorplans and avoid household obstacles such as cords and furniture legs. They also come with carpet boost, a feature that increases the robot's power when it sees a lot of dirt on the carpet, allowing it cleaned up quickly.

The Q5 and Q7 Max Series both scored very well in our tests of floors with no carpet They are also adept at cleaning hair from dogs. However, they have several flaws that prevent them from being our top choice. One of the flaws of the Q5 is its navigation system doesn't have AI-powered obstacles avoidance. It's thus susceptible to become stuck on socks and shoes and couldn't navigate densely packed rooms very well in our tests. It also doesn't come with 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 an Roomba from iRobot and have a mostly bare-floor home or office. It's also very quiet and can be used when you're at work or school. It's not equipped with the edge-to-edge floor vacuuming that is offered by the more expensive iRobot Roomba X30. It's also less effective at mopping. It is dependent on disposable wet wipes that don't adhere very well and cannot handle dried-on debris. The Q5 has self-emptying docks, however. If you're in need of it, the mopping pad can be changed for an awe-inspiring one in a matter of just a few seconds.

2. iRobot Roomba X30

The iRobot Roomba X30 packs impressive vacuuming and mopping capabilities into an elegant, compact package. Its nimble navigation and intelligent cleaning maps make it simple to clean and efficient at taking on larger particles, such as pet hair. It also features an impressive suction system and an automatic bin for emptying. It's the best robot hoover for carpets, although it's not as effective as some rivals in deep cleaning.

This high-performance vacuum and mop uses sensors to stay clear of obstacles and pet waste. It also learns the layout of your home over time and offer better cleaning. You can modify its cleaning schedule and set up zones with the well-designed app. Its battery life is average in comparison to similar models.

If the X30 Ultra is in a carpeted space, you can tell it to pull back and extend its mops. This helps prevent cross-contamination. The flex arm can be utilized to reach under furniture with low levels and along baseboards. It doesn't perform as well on the washboard as our other Editors' Choice Picks, the Ecovacs Ozmo N8Pro+ and the iRobot Combo j9+.

During testing, X30 Ultra was the quickest robot vacuum/mop that could sweep the entire house with just 66 percent of its battery remaining. It also did a great job cleaning a range of floors and rooms with mixed flooring types, including certain area carpets. Its obstacle detection was excellent and it stayed clear of fake dog turds and socks, shoes and bundles of cables.

It's a bit more expensive than iRobot Combo v9+ or iRobot Roomba j9+ but it has superior suction and an onboard bin that automatically empties into the base. It also supports voice commands via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It can even clean the floor after vacuuming, a feature that hasn't been seen in other robotic vacuum/mop combos.

3. iRobot Roomba X40

The robot vacuum and mop combination is sleek and has a circular design that appears much like a Roomba model than the bulky units of the rivals. It's one of our most attractive looking robot vacuums. The latest model from iRobot is among the most intelligent model, with features that are cutting-edge like Enhanced Dirt Detection Technology and future compatibility with Matter (another company's robot that can autonomously wash mop pads).

It's the only robotic vacuum/mop that has an exemplary 10/10 in our testing due to a mix of high-tech sensors that include cameras, a structured light system and multiple lasers. The X40 Ultra was the only robot vacuum cleaners best we tested that could fill and empty its basestation on its own. It also boasted a suction of 12,000Pa and self-cleaning mops.

The X40 as with other iRobot products, is easy to use. It comes with an intuitive mobile application interface, and it is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit. The only issue is that it's a noisy unit that could be an issue if you use it in the morning before work or at night as you try to fall asleep.

It's also a bit expensive, but not as much as the Ecovacs MaxV Ultra or Roborock S8 Omni, which are equally capable and better looking. This is a dual-purpose vacuum that is very efficient however, it's more expensive and create more noise.

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. Like Ecovacs range-topping X2 Omni and Roborock's S8 Pro Ultra, the L20 is designed to be a hands-off cleaning machine that takes the care of mopping and vacuuming, with a multifunction dock that automatically empty the vacuum's dustbin, refills its water tank and washes and dries its mop pads.

The smart robot uses an array of LIDAR and structured light to draw out floor plans and spot obstacles, making it more efficient than its top competitors. It also comes with a front-mounted camera for real-time detection of hazards but this wasn't foolproof in our tests and was often confused with obstructions or power cords.

The vacuum cleaner comes with a maximum suction of 7,000 Pascals which is more than sufficient to complete the task. It also has "Intelligent Dirt Detection", which regulates how hard the vac works and alters the frequency of cleaning for different areas of the home depending on how dirty they are.

For bigger homes, it's worth opting for a model with spot or zone cleaning modes that allow you to instruct the robot to clean a particular area of your home by using the app or voice controls. If you have furniture, a stair-mode is also a good option. For families that are busy, a recharge function and resume feature that allows your robot vacuum to resume where it left off can be very beneficial.

5. iRobot Roomba RX3

The RX3 is more sophisticated than its price would suggest. It has a great vacuuming performance, picking up 55% debris in our tests. (It was second to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mops with only one pad and a reciprocating movement that cleans better that most mop cleaners for robots that we've tried. It's also self-sufficient with a full-featured app and a self emptying, washable base.

The well-designed iRobot app guides you through a mapping session that collects data about your floorplan as well as any "no-go" areas you set on the map. It can be used to create cleaning schedules, plan the perfect spot for cleaning or prioritise your dirtiest rooms for better performance. The app has a range of features, such as seasonal suggestions, custom mapping and advanced cleaning settings.

Its shape is more rectangular than most other robot vacuums, meaning it can reach corners and underneath furniture better. It is equipped with a powerful 8,000 Pascal suction as well as sophisticated combs that remove pet hair. You can also create a spot-cleaner that thoroughly cleans the area.

The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD offers a sleeker and less expensive alternative to iRobot Roomba. It has a more attractive design, akin to Dolce & Gabbana. The twin cameras are shaped like cute little eyes. It does a great job vacuuming, however it is more likely to be caught on low thresholds. It is also noisier than other top robot vacuums we have tested. It also has a less user-friendly app and a small base station that doesn't double as an emptying bin.