How we tested
Mashable’s product reviewers, particularly vacuum expert and senior shopping reporter Leah Stodart, have been testing popular robot vacuums for the home since 2020. Their hands-on tests of hybrid robot vacuums have included everything from budget models under $200 with just the basics to premium models at $1,500 with advanced features that clean, operate, and perform regular maintenance on their own. So far in 2024, Stodart has tested the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra, Eufy X10 Pro Omni, Roomba Combo j5+, Narwal Freo X Ultra, and most recently reviewed the Yeedi M12 Pro+.
Stoddart said: For now, we’ve decided to leave the Yeedi M12 Pro+ off our recommended list. On paper, it has a lot of premium features at a very affordable price. Most notable are the auto-cleaning and drying mop pad and 11,000 Pa suction power. This (if it actually performed that well in our tests) would be one of the most powerful suction powers on the market, beating the 10,000 Pa of the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra at $1,799.99. Considering the Yeedi M12 Pro+ is priced at under $1,000 (and under $700 on sale), it’s a budget-friendly new star that we’d love to have in our hands.
Its performance in picking up dry rice, cat litter, and long hairs on multiple carpets was about on par with other vacuums I’ve tried, but it didn’t necessarily feel like the most powerful suction money could buy. Then the creepy low price point becomes clear when the plastic vacuum struggles to lift bath mats and living room rugs off tile and hardwood floors, often getting stuck. In one case, the mop pad came off entirely. As for the mop itself, again, it’s a bit of a pain to use. Are you okaybut it’s not amazing. The cleaning results are mediocre and unsatisfactory, the overall result is flimsy, and the obstacle-avoidance tech kept working on top of my phone charger, so if you’re on a budget, I’d definitely recommend the $799.99 Eufy X10 Pro Omni.
The next vacuum we’ll be testing is the new Roomba Combo 10 Max Robot + AutoWash Dock.
How to evaluate the performance of a robot vacuum cleaner
Ranking 2-in-1 robot vacuums requires testing all the factors we consider for a regular robot vacuum, plus a few extras specific to mopping. For this list, we tested the robot’s ability to sweep and mop hardwood floors, rugs, and tile surfaces. When cleaning dry debris, we tested suction and edge cleaning by scattering debris (cocoa pebbles, purposely crushed potato chips) around the floor and along the edges of the walls. Once that process was complete, we soiled the floor with more stubborn stains, such as small pieces of syrup and dried drops of soy sauce. After all, what’s the point of buying a hybrid vacuum instead of a regular one if these vacuums simply drive over the dirt without wiping it off?
We’ve found that the best hybrid models require more than just a wet mop pad gently rubbing against the floor to mop effectively. Ideally, the mop pad isn’t stationary, but instead oscillates or wipes back and forth, scrubbing with downward pressure to mimic the force of a human elbow. Compatibility with cleaning solutions is always preferred over being limited to mopping with water alone.
But to make it onto our guide to the best robot vacuum/mop hybrids, these machines had to do more than just vacuum and mop. We also tested the accuracy of their navigation and smart mapping around furniture and walls, and took into account their ability to automatically empty dust bins and detect and avoid small obstacles like charging cords and pet waste. What good is a robot mop if it can’t reliably get to places that need mopping?
