The Best Robot Hoover

The best robot hoover can mop and vacuum without needing your attention, and leaves your floors spotless. Its price is affordable and its high-end features (such as dirt detector) are a plus.

Be sure to check your robot's brushes for hair tangled and large particles and wash them if needed. Some models will also empty the dust bin on board and then deposit it in an additional bin at the base. This reduces the amount fine dust released into the air.

1. Roomba Q5 Pro

The Q5 Pro, and its more expensive sibling, the Q7 Max Series are among the most powerful robotic cleaner and mop vacuums that we have tested. They feature motors that are top of the quality and can suction up to 5,500 Pascals. And, like other premium iRobot models (including the top choice) they utilize smart mapping technology to design precise floor plans and eliminate home-based obstacles like cords and furniture legs. The robots also have Carpet Boost, a feature that increases its power when it detects dirt on the carpet.

The Q5 and Q7 Max Series both scored very well in our tests on floors that were bare and are especially adept in removing hair from dogs. However, they do have some flaws that prevent them from being our top choice. For instance, the Q5's navigation system doesn't have AI-powered obstacle avoidance and is therefore prone to become entangled in shoes and socks, and is unable to navigate tight spaces very efficiently in our tests. It also doesn't come with cameras that let it see the corners of the room.

It's still a great option to consider, particularly if you're looking to save money on a iRobot Roomba and you have a mostly unfinished home or office. It's also very quiet and can work while you're at work, or at school. The only thing it lacks that you can't find in the more expensive iRobot Roomba X30 is edge-to-edge vacuuming on bare floors. It's also less effective at mopping, as it relies on disposable wet wipes that don't hold on well and aren't able to take on dried-on debris. The Q5 comes with a self-emptying cradle that can be emptied by itself. And, if you have to, you can swap the mopping pad for a dry one in seconds.

2. IRobot Roomba X30

The iRobot Roomba X30 packs impressive mopping and vacuuming capabilities into a sleek, compact package. Its intelligent cleaning maps and nimble navigation make it easy to clean, and efficient in dealing with larger particles, like pet hair. It also has an impressive suction system and an automatic bin for emptying. It's the best robot hoover for carpets, but it's not as effective as some rivals in deep cleaning.

This high-performing combination vacuum and mop makes use of advanced sensors to avoid obstacles and pet waste and it learns your home's layout over time to ensure more efficient cleaning. The app allows you to customize zones and change the cleaning schedule. It comes with a battery life that is similar to other models.

You can tell the X30 Ultra to remove its mops and extend them when in a room with carpet, which helps prevent cross-contamination. The flex arm can be used to reach under low-lying furnishings and along baseboards. However, it's not equipped with the same level of washboard performance as our other Editors' Choice picks, the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo N8 Professional+ and the iRobot Combo j9+.

In the course of testing, X30 Ultra was the quickest robot vacuum/mop that could sweep the entire house, with 66 per cent of its battery remaining. It did a good cleaning job on various rooms and floors with various kinds of flooring, including certain area rug. Its obstacle detection was excellent and it was able to avoid fake dog turds and socks, shoes and bundles cables.

It's more expensive than the iRobot Combo v9+ and iRobot Roomba j9+, however it offers superior suction, a dustbin on board that automatically emptys into its base, and supports voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It can clean the floor even after it has vacuumed. This is something we haven't seen before on other robotic vacuum/mop combos.

3. Roomba X40 from iRobot

This mop and vacuum combination is sleek and has a circular design that looks more like a regular Roomba model than the boxy units of the competitors. It's among our most appealing looking robot vacuums. The newest model from iRobot is its most advanced, with advanced features including Enhanced Dirt Detection Technology and future compatibility with Matter (another company's robot that can autonomously wash mop pads).

It's also the sole robot vacuum or mop that scored an absolute 10 out of 10 in our tests. This is due to the combination of high-tech sensors including a structured light system, camera, and a variety of lasers. The X40 Ultra was the only robot we tested that could refill and empty its basestation on its own. It also boasted a suction of 12,000Pa as well as self-cleaning mops.

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

It's also a bit costly however, not as much as the Ecovacs MaxV Ultra or the Roborock S8 Omni, which are both equally capable and better looking. It's a dual-purpose vacuum that is very efficient, but it's more expensive and make 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 to help you get rid of your chores. Similar to Ecovacs the range-topping X2 Omni and Roborock's S8 Pro Ultra, the L20 is designed to be a hands-off cleaning machine that can take care of both mopping and vacuuming. It comes with a multifunction dock that automatically empty the vacuum's trash bin, refills its water tank, cleans and dry its mop pads.

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

The vacuum cleaner has an maximum suction of 7,000 Pascals which is more than sufficient to do the job. It also comes with a feature known as "Intelligent Dirt Detection", that regulates the power of the vacuum and adjusts cleaning frequency for different areas in the house depending on how dirty the areas are.

For larger houses, it's worth opting for a model with spot or zone cleaning modes that let you tell the robot to clean a particular area of your house via the app or voice commands. If you have lots of furniture, a stairway mode is also a good option. Additionally the recharge and resume feature that allows your robot vacuum to continue where it left off is ideal for busy families.

iRobot RX3

The RX3 is more intelligent than the price suggests. It does a stellar job vacuuming, removing 55% of debris in our tests (it was second only to the Roomba Q5 Pro). It also mopses using only one pad and a reciprocating motion that is more efficient than most of the robot mop cleaners that we've examined. It's also highly self-sufficient, with a fully-featured app, and a self-emptying base that is washable.

The well-designed iRobot application guides you through a mapping exercise that collects information about your floorplan and any "no-go" areas you mark on the map. You can use it to make cleaning schedules, arrange the perfect spot for cleaning or prioritize your most filthy rooms for better performance. The app has a range of features, including seasonal suggestions, customized mapping, and advanced cleaning settings.

Its shape is more rectangular than most other robot vacuums uk vacuums, which means it is able to reach corners and under furniture more easily. It also has a powerful 8,000 Pascal suction and intelligent combs for pet hair. It also has the ability to set up a spot cleaning that thoroughly cleans a particular area.

The Miele Scout RX3 Home Vision HD is a more sleek and cheaper alternative to the iRobot Roomba. It's got a more attractive, Dolce & Gabbana-esque design and its twin cameras resemble cute eyes. It is great at vacuuming, but it's more likely to get caught on low thresholds. It is also louder than other top robot vacuums we have examined. It also has a less intuitive app and a tiny base station that doesn't double as an emptying bin.