Vacuuming With a Robot Hoover is the Best Hands-Off Model We've Tested
This top-of-the-line bot from Eufy is the most hands-free model we've tested so far. It vacuums, mops and self-empties and drys mop pads all without your involvement.
It lacks advanced cleaning modes and a larger docking station, but it delivers outstanding performance at a fraction of the cost of premium robot vacuums. It also features the ability to be able to reach under furniture.
Vacuuming
Vacuuming with a robot is a fast, simple way to keep your floors looking and feeling clean. Many of the robots we've selected are designed to operate without any involvement from you, so you can set them up to clean while you're away or trigger an appointment from your phone. You'll need to choose a robot with excellent navigation and object detection to avoid getting stuck under furniture or falling down the staircase.
Certain models are better at picking up pet hairs from rugs than others, which is why it's important to select the right model that will efficiently and effectively vacuum all types of flooring. Choose a model that has a dust bins that is able to hold plenty of dirt between emptying and a nozzle that does not lose suction when it rotates to take debris.
Most robots require little to no maintenance besides removing tangled hair from the rotating brush (and wiping down its cameras or sensors as needed) after each cleaning session and periodically emptying the trash bin or using 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 keep your home cleaner for longer.
While robot mops tend to be less versatile than their vacuuming counterparts they do have the ability to clean up spills and puddles while working. The iLife V3s Pro, a good example of this type of machine, is a fantastic option for those who have carpets and rugs as well as wood floors. It is quiet and has excellent navigation capabilities, which helped it avoid obstacles when tested. The charging dock can also double as a trash bin.
To get the best results, choose the robot that is capable of both vacuuming and mopping at the same time. That's exactly what the Karcher RCV 5 does and it comes with other handy features like a live camera that broadcasts an unreliable image to your app so you can monitor your pet or kids as well as a remote control that is easily programmed. Its navigation isn't as reliable as other models in our collection however, it can elevate it over low thresholds and has an ample 500ml dustbin that doesn't need to be emptying often.
Mopping
Robots that vacuum and mop are relatively new to the market. These machines are more expensive and require an additional tank of water compared to standalone robots. However, they might be worth the extra cost for those who have hard-to-clean stains clean or pets.
Some of the best robots that mop and vacuum also be very effective cleaning floors with no carpets. Many manufacturers offer machines that can do both jobs very well. The Combo J9+ is one of the most efficient mopping machines that we've tested. It uses docks that can hold up to 60 days worth of dirt. This is a significant improvement over the Qrevo Pro which ran out water after just mopping 30 days worth of dirt during our tests.
The Tapo RV30 plus from networking giant TP-Link is a excellent two-in-one. It's small, quiet and has an elegant, easy-to-use look. In our test rooms, it cleaned the floors thoroughly and precisely - it was particularly good on rugs, but it required multiple runs to fully clean some areas of soiled wood. Its LIDAR navigation works well, too. It prevents hitting furniture or running over power cables.
It's a bit slow on the stairs but that's expected from a compact robot that is designed to work around obstacles. The only issue is that its mopping pads can be difficult to attach and didn't stay in place during our tests. Additionally, it isn't equipped to handle dried-on dirt, which makes it more like a vacuum cleaner rather than a full-fledged mop.
Despite these issues however, it's a great option for those looking for a hands-off cleaning experience that can take care of bare and low-pile carpets with equal competence. It has a decent amount of suction, which has helped to pick up fine dust and pet hair from carpets. Automatic recognition of carpets is a wonderful feature because it boosts the suction power to take on dirt that is embedded. It's easy to use, and the charging dock automatically emptyes the trash bin when it's full. This is a great feature for apartment dwellers.
Cleaning Apps
Almost every robot vacuum mop, sweeper, and vacuum comes with an application that lets you modify cleaning routines, choose rooms to clean, plan cleaning sessions, and adjust settings like suction, water level and scrubbing power. Some robots provide intelligent dirt detection that uses maps and previous cleaning data to prioritize dirty areas.
Having an app also allows you to set up virtual barriers and no-go zones to protect your robot from dangerous items such as cords, pet water bowls, and sharp objects. budget robot vacuum allow you to create these virtual barriers with laser navigation sensors, while others come with small physical boundaries or barriers you can place wherever you want to block off your floor area.
The top robot vacuums and mops have the capability of being smart enough to detect obstacles and navigate around them, but there are still certain dangers to be on the lookout for. For instance, a robot's main brush can become stuck on long curtains or cords and stop the machine dead in its tracks. You can prevent this by clearing the area of all cords and tying off any curtains that are long before operating your robot.
Some robots automatically update their software that controls navigation and obstacle avoidance algorithm. This improves performance and decreases the wear and tear on the robot's internal parts. It's recommended to check the firmware periodically to check the manufacturer's site or the application for updates to the firmware.
If you have a large home, you should consider models that have multiple cleaning modes. The iRobot Roomba 11S Max can clean and mop hard and carpeted floors using different suction settings. It also has the ability to automatically switch to the highest power setting on carpets and increase its scrubbing power with SmartScrub.
A robot that has a voice assistant is a fantastic option when you want to keep your hands-free. The iRobot Roomba 980, for example, can be operated with a simple command from Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant. It comes with a compact self-emptying docking system and a powerful cleaning motor that will leave your floors sparkling.