Vacuuming With a Robot Hoover is the Best Hands-Off Model We've Tested
This top-quality bot from Eufy is the most hands-free model we've tested to date. It vacuums, mops, self-empties its bin and washes and dries mop pads with no intervention from you.
It isn't equipped with advanced cleaning modes and a bigger docking station, but it delivers outstanding performance for less than half the cost of high-end robotic vacuums. It is compact in design and can reach under furniture.
Vacuuming
Vacuuming using a robot hoover is a quick, easy method to keep your floors clean and tidy. A majority of the robots featured that we recommend are designed to work without your input You can set them to run while you're out or trigger a cleaning session from your smartphone. But, you must look for a model with excellent navigation and obstacle detection so that it will not get stuck on the stairs or underneath furniture.
Some models are better at picking up pet hair from rugs than others, which is why it's also important to choose the right model that will efficiently and effectively clean all flooring types. Choose a model that has a dust bins that can hold plenty of dirt between emptyings and the nozzle doesn't lose suction as it rotates to get rid of debris.
The majority of robots require little or no maintenance other than taking hair that has become tangled off the rotating brush (and wiping down its cameras or sensors when needed) after each cleaning session and regularly emptying the dust bin or a self-emptying base if the robot has one. If you follow these easy maintenance tips, your robot vacuum will last as long as full-size vacuums and help keep your home tidy for longer.
While robot mops tend to be less versatile than vacuums, some have the added capability of absorbing spills and puddles while at it. The iLife V3s Pro, a great example of machine, is a great option for those who have carpets and rugs as well as wood floors. It's quiet and has excellent navigation capabilities that allowed it to avoid obstacles during testing, and the charging dock doubles as a trash bin.
Pick a robot vacuum cleaner that can also mop simultaneously. Karcher's RCV 5 does this, and it also comes with other features that are beneficial, such as live cameras that transmits a blurry picture to your app so you can keep an eye on your pet or kids as well as a remote control that is easily programmed. The navigation might not be as precise as some of the other models on this list however, its 500ml dustbin is large and doesn't require frequent emptying.
Mopping
Robots that vacuum and mop are a relatively new addition to the market. These robots are more expensive and require an additional tank of water compared to standalone robots. However, they might be worth the extra cost for those with hard-to-clean stains clean or pets.
Some of the top robots that vacuum and mop also do a great job in cleaning floors that are not clean and carpets. Many manufacturers offer machines that can do both jobs very efficiently. The Combo J9+ is one of the most efficient mopping robots that we've tested. It has a dock that can store up to 60 days' worth of dirt. This is an enormous improvement over the Qrevo Pro which ran out water after only mopping 30 days of dirt in our tests.
The Tapo RV30 Plus from networking giant TP Link is another excellent two-in-one. It is compact and quiet, with an elegant, easy-to-use look. In our test rooms, it scrubbed the floors thoroughly and accurately - it did particularly well on rugs, but it required multiple runs to fully clean some areas of soiled wood. Its LIDAR navigation is very effective as well. It is able to avoid hitting furniture and running over power cables.
It's a bit slow on the stairs, but that's to be expected from a compact robot that's designed to overcome obstacles. The only drawback is that its mopping pads are difficult to attach and didn't stay in place during our tests. Additionally, it does not have the capability to deal with dirt that has dried and makes it more of a vacuum cleaner instead of a full-fledged mop.
Despite these shortcomings however, it's a great option for those seeking an effortless cleaning experience. It can handle carpets with equal ease. It offers a decent amount of suction, which has helped to clean fine dust and pet hair from carpets. One of the most appealing features is its automatic recognition of carpets, which boosts the power of the vacuuming to tackle dirt that has been embedded. It's also simple to use and comes with a convenient charging dock that automatically empties the dust bin when it's full. This is a real boon for those who live in flats.
Cleaning Apps
Most robot vacuums mop, sweeper, or mop has an application that lets you modify cleaning routines, pick rooms to clean, schedule cleaning sessions, and adjust settings like suction, water level, and scrubbing power. Certain robots have intelligent dirt detection that utilizes maps and previous cleaning data to identify dirty areas.
A smartphone app can also allow you to set up virtual barriers and no-go zones to shield your robot from potentially hazardous items, such as cords, pet water bowls, and sharp objects. Certain models let you create these virtual barriers using laser navigation sensors, whereas others feature small physical barriers or boundary strips which you can put wherever you'd like to block the floor space.
The best robot vacuums and mops are intelligent enough to recognize obstacles and maneuver around them however there are some hazards to watch out for. For instance, the main brush can get stuck on long curtains or cords and stop the machine dead in its tracks. You can avoid this by clearing the area of any cords and tie up any long curtains before running your Robot Vacuum Mops.
Some robots automatically update the software that controls their navigation and obstacle avoidance algorithms which enhances performance and reduces wear and tear on the robot's internal components. It is recommended to regularly check the manufacturer's website or the app of your robot for firmware updates.
If you have a large house, consider models that have multiple cleaning modes. The iRobot Roomba 11S Max, for instance, can vacuum and mop on both hard floors and carpeted rooms with different suction levels. It also has the ability to automatically switch to the highest power setting for carpets and increase its scrubbing capabilities with SmartScrub.
If you're looking to remain hands-free, a robot that has the ability to speak to a voice-activated assistant is an excellent choice. The iRobot Roomba 980 can be controlled by Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant. It has a small self-emptying docking station as well as an efficient cleaning engine that will leave your floors sparkling.