Dyson’s First Robot Vacuum-Mop Falls Short
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When Dyson released the 360 Vis Nav in 2023, it quickly became a pick in our guide to thebest robot vacuumsthanks to its powerful suction and well-designed brush. But it lacked a self-emptying dock and the same smarts as offerings from companies like Roborock and Narwal, and it eventually got dethroned by robots with better software. So when I saw Dyson’s new Spot+Scrub AI — the company’s first robot vacuum and mop combo — I wanted to see what improvements had been made, so I used it as my main cleaning device for a week in hopes of finding a smarter andmore functional robot than the Vis Nav.
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It’s the first Dyson robot vacuum-mop combo
While Dyson’s previous robot vacuum, the 360 Vis Nav, had neither mopping nor a self-emptying dock, the Spot+Scrub has both, so it’s more functional and easier to manage. The dock, which has a more utilitarian design than the sleeker ones from Narwal and Roborock, has three containers up front: one for dirt and debris it pulls from the vacuum itself, the others for clean and dirty water. The container for dirt looks quite similar to the dustbins of Dyson’s upright vacuums and makes it easy to see when it’s time to empty; some users may prefer to keep the dirt concealed.
Every time the robot returns to the dock to clean itself — you can schedule the intervals inside the Dyson app — it will empty the on-device dirt bin. When you want to empty the container, you can remove it using a handle with a switch on top that opens the bottom and then empty it into a trash can. Many robot vacuums have bags inside their docks to store picked-up debris, but you either have to replace them when full or pull out things like hair if you want to empty and reuse the bag. You’ll still get the occasional plume of dust if you’re emptying a particularly full container, but it’s more hands-off than the bags other robots use.
As for actually cleaning, it’s nearly as effective as my current favorite robot vacuum, theRoborock Saros 10R. It has a single brush with tough bristles that, in tandem with the Spot+Scrub’s 18,000 Pa suction power, handles all sorts of dirt and debris with ease. It managed to pick up everything my five dogs tracked into the house, plus all their hair, without ever getting tangled or leaving things behind.
However, because this robot doesn’t have extendable side brushes (they stay in place underneath), it’s not as good at brushing baseboards and corners of rooms as other vacuums (like the Saros 10R, for example).
The mopping function worked almost as well. You can add a cleaning solution to a separate dispenser on the dock, but the mop works with just clean water, too. The Spot+Scrub AI has a self-cleaning mopping pad — many similarly priced robots require returning to a dock to clean the pads — which did a good job of scrubbing even caked-on materials like dried mud or spilled soda. Like most modern robot vacuums, it’s smart enough to know when it’s on carpet or hard surfaces, so it can lift the mop and avoid getting your fabric floors wet. It uses AI (paired with an on-device camera) to recognize stains and then spends more time scrubbing those spots. It worked well in most cases but still left behind some of the dried syrup I’d left on the floor for it to clean.
It’s too tall
Most robot vacuums these days are short enough to fit under couches, beds, TV stands, and other low-clearance furniture. The Spot+Scrub, though, is about 4.25 inches tall, almost two inches taller than robots like the Roborock Saros 10R that have similar vacuuming and mopping capabilities. Most of my furniture has enough clearance for the Dyson to get underneath, but I recommend measuring any pieces you’re concerned this robot might get stuck under before making a decision.
The software could be smarter
Although the Spot+Scrub’s hardware is impressive for Dyson’s first robot vacuum and mop combo, the software has some catching up to do. During the initial mapping process, the robot I used got stuck between the legs of a floor lamp in my living room where most robots can maneuver their way out. Once I rescued it, it only took about ten minutes to map 169 square feet of flooring; that’s on par with other robots in this price range. (None of that data gets sent to Dyson’s servers; it all lives on the device.)
Dyson’s accompanying app works similarly to those of Roborock, Narwal, and Eufy, letting you create designated no-go zones the robot won’t attempt to clean. This is useful for areas with a lot of cables or chairs the robot might get stuck on. But while every other app has object recognition that will place your furniture on the map so you can easily set those zones, Dyson’s app doesn’t identify furniture at all. You can still set no-go zones, but because you have to guess at where the furniture is, it may take a couple of runs of the vacuum and refining the settings to get things right. Otherwise, you risk leaving a good chunk of your floors uncleaned if you accidentally extend the zone beyond your furniture’s footprint.
It’s a good but not great robot vacuum
Dyson’s hardware is consistently top-notch, so I had high hopes for the Spot+Scrub AI. Its high suction power and self-cleaning mop all make it an excellent choice for those who prefer to keep their floors spotless without spending all day on them. That said, it’s difficult to ignore how Dyson’s app isn’t as useful as those of companies like Roborock, Eufy, and Narwal, all of which make it easier to label and separate your rooms. If you want all the bells and whistles of a robot vacuum, you can get a similarly priced robot from those other companies with more software features — and the ability to get under lower furniture — than the Dyson.
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