I tested Roomba’s most functional robot vacuum yet, and it’s worth every penny

robot vacuum and mop is typically $1,399, but it’s 30% off for $979, just in time for the holidays.

As a robot vacuum tester, my home is full of constant whirring sounds from robots meandering around, and I was convinced nothing could surprise me. My anxious dog has become surprisingly accustomed to the robotic intruders in his home while his shedding coat continues to challenge each one. Pet hair is an issue for most dog and cat owners, as it is for me, so I always watch how each robot vacuum performs against it.

Also: 3 robot vacuum shopping tips I wish I knew before buying one

I’m glad to report that the Roomba Combo 10 Max

In its wake, the Combo 10 Max left visually hair-free rugs, becoming the best one I’ve seen at removing the nuisance from carpets. This is a hard balance for robot vacuums. If a robot vacuum’s suction power is too strong, it’ll get stuck on the rug. If you’ve ever pushed an upright vacuum over a rug on a very high suction level, you’ve likely realized it takes significant strength to push it forward and back. Robot vacuums don’t have a person pushing them, so they must balance suction power with thrust force.

The robot expertly avoids obstacles and objects on the floor, like paper towels and toys, to avoid getting its brush rollers stuck. It has powerful enough suction to remove pet hair from rugs. It keeps rugs dry by lifting the mop pad above the robot. It offers a hands-free cleaning experience by self-emptying and washing its mop pad.

Also: The best robot vacuum mops: Expert tested and reviewed

The mopping feature is one of the few reasons this isn’t the best device on the market. While I love the robotic mechanism that lifts the mop pad on top of the robot to keep my rugs dry, I found that the robot leaves streaks behind after mopping, likely due to the pumps that drip water onto the mop pad. 

The Roomba Combo 10 Max also doesn’t seem to follow its map very efficiently. I’ve had other robots, like the Eufy S1 Pro and Dreame X40 Ultra, vacuum and mop in rows and follow a neat pattern when mopping each room, but this Roomba doesn’t, as you can see in the picture below. That said, I believe it still cleans very well and mops better than even the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra.