5 Top Robot Vacuum Projects For Any Budget
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 or chunks of orzo pasta, they are excellent at sweeping crumbs, dust and hair from pets. The best models feature intelligent navigation technology and a feature to avoid objects which allow them to navigate around cords, toys and other household obstacles.
1. Roomba iRobot i3+ from iRobot EVO
The iRobot Roomba i3+ is a great robot vacuum with many smart features that make it easier to maintain. Its automatic bin emptying is among the most convenient features we've seen in an iRobot and it is compatible with both hard floors and carpets. It's also easy to install and use, with the app guiding you through the process step-by-step. Its ability to resumptuate where it left off during our tests is an additional impressive feature. It did this for 77 minute on one cleaning, and then the battery was exhausted.
In contrast to other robovacs that we evaluated, the i3+ EVO has self-emptying bins that dump debris into an external dirt compartment on its charging base when it's filled. This reduces hands-on maintenance and helps keep the i3+ EVO from overfilling, however it still needs to be manually cleaned after each cleaning session. The i3+ EVO dust bin can hold 2.4L, which will last for four to five cleaning sessions.
Similar to the i7, this model also uses the latest floor sensors to create maps and navigate neat rows. However the i3+ EVO only stores one map, while the i7 has the capacity to store multiple maps. The i7 also has the ability to use its map to create no-go zones and virtual barriers, however the i3+ EVO can't.
The i3+ EVO does a better job of picking up surface debris compared to some other robovacs we've looked at, but it's not the best in cleaning corners and edges. It's also less gentle on furniture, despite being fairly silent. It was a bit rough on furniture, as it forced chairs away. It also caused collisions with the sides of the bed.
2. Black & Decker Q5 Pro
The Q5 Pro is an excellent option, whether you're expanding your collection of robot vacuums or just starting out. It packs serious power, smart navigation and easy automation into a sleek design at an affordable price. It's the most efficient pound-for pound model currently available and is even better than Roborock's higher-priced models in many ways.
This robot is fantastic in cleaning floors that are not clean and its avoidance technology helps it to steer away from furniture legs or other obstacles. It also performs well on carpets and scores an excellent score in our tests of navigation. The only drawback is that it's louder than other models and doesn't perform as well in our owner-satisfaction and predicted reliability tests.
The Q5 Pro has a very large 770ml dust bin that means you won't need to empty it as frequently as some other 2-in-1 robots. The 240-minute runtime is very generous compared to others we've tested. If best robot floor cleaner is low, it automatically returns to its dock, where it recharges and then resumes cleaning from where it began. You can manage the Q5 Pro using the app or voice commands using Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
This is the first robot we've seen that has 3D mapping. This, along with other innovations, helps it do exceptionally well in our mopping and vacuuming tests. You can schedule cleanings, set no-go zones and see the battery's condition, among other things. The app is easy to use, however it isn't compatible with Apple HomeKit. This feature is scheduled to be added in 2025. As of November 1, Apple has updated a footnote on its website to note that this feature will be delayed until 2025. HomeKit isn't compatible with several other robots, however Siri Shortcuts are.
3. TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus
The TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus robot vacuum cleaner is a fantastic choice if you are looking for a vacuum that is able to mop and is reasonably priced. robot cleaner offers an impressive set of features at a reasonable price and features a stylish design. It can be controlled using the buttons on the device through the app or even by using voice commands. The device has a long battery life and the vacuum container is automatically empty.
The TP-Link RV30 Plus is a excellent vacuum cleaner that can handle standard messy messes. It can also be used to gently mop on hard floors. It comes with mopping cloths that can be replaced and a sweeping brush and a HEPA filter. It can be paired with a smart home hub, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to provide convenient voice control. The TP-Link RV30 Plus can be quickly set up and connected to different flooring surfaces using the automatic mode. This ensures the best cleaning results for every floor and room.
Three cleaning modes are available to suit your requirements. The vacuuming mode uses the smart sensor to detect of obstacles such as stairs, furniture edges, and stairs. The mopping mode can be used to automatically clean the floor or to remove stubborn liquid spills and stains. You can combine the two features to provide a thorough and deep cleaning.
With a powerful suction and 3 settings for dry mopping, the TP-Link RV30 Plus is quick to remove dust, pet hair, crumbs and other debris from all types of flooring. It can clean carpets without damaging it because of specially designed mops.
During the first mapping run, the TP-Link RV30 Plus scans and saves the layout of your home using its LiDAR and Gyro dual navigation system. You can modify the map in the app and merge or split rooms based on your preference. You can also create virtual walls and no-go zones to prevent the RV30 Plus from wandering into areas you do not wish to visit.
4. Eufy iMop
The Eufy iMop robot vacuum and mop is one of best fully-featured robots for hard flooring. It comes with a sophisticated navigation system that does an outstanding job of mapping your home's layout and even across several floor levels. The base station is well-designed and can automate cleaning to a great extent. It is a great obstacle avoidance system and navigation.
The model is equipped with an internal dToF LiDAR sensor to map out your home and create efficient cleaning routes. The iMop was rated highly for its coverage and navigation. It also did an excellent job in avoiding obstacles like furniture. It can also find its way to the base station in case it is unable to recharge its batteries during a cleaning session.
It also comes with a spot cleaning mode that allows you to clean or mop a specific area of your floor. It can also be manually programmed to follow a predetermined path, which is beneficial for narrow staircases or hallways. In our carpet cleaning test, it did a good job cleaning carpets. However, it struggled to clean rugs and carpets with longer piles. It can be set up to raise the mop pad when it comes in contact with carpet. This is a fantastic option for those looking to avoid having to mop their carpets.
The iMop has an onboard dust bin and a water tank which it empties and refills at the end of each cleaning session. The onboard dust bin holds up to 2.5 Liters of debris and will only require emptying after a few cleaning cycles. The water tank can withstand up to a dozen mopping cycles before it is dry. The iMop requires less maintenance and cleaning than an average robot vacuum, which can be a big selling point for busy families.
The mobile app for iMop is easy to use and packed with options for setting up. It has multiple suction modes, mopping settings and scheduling. It also lets you design virtual walls and no-go zones so that the robot isn't able to wander into rooms that are off limits. The app also gives access to the iMop status and errors messages.