Vacuuming With a Robot Hoover is the Best Hands-Off Model We've Tested
This top-of-the-line Eufy bot is the top hands off model we have tried so far. It vacuums, mops and self-empties and dry mop pads without your involvement.
It isn't equipped with advanced cleaning modes and a larger docking station but delivers a impressive performance at a fraction of the cost of high-end robotic vacuums. It is compact in design and is able to reach under furniture.
Vacuuming
Vacuuming with a robot hoover is a quick, easy method to keep your floors clean and tidy. A lot of the models we've selected are designed to run on their own without the involvement of you You can set them up to clean while you're away or trigger an appointment from your phone. But, you must look for a model with excellent navigation and obstacle detection to ensure that it will not get stuck on the stairs or beneath furniture.
It is essential to choose a robot vacuum that can effectively and efficiently clean all types of flooring. Find a model with a an empty bin that is able to hold plenty of dirt in between emptying and the nozzle doesn't lose suction as it rotates to take debris.
Robot Vacuum Mops require little to no maintenance other than getting rid of hair that is tangled from the rotating brush (and wiping down its cameras or sensors as required) after every cleaning session, and then emptying the trash bin or an automatic emptying base if the robot has one. If you follow these easy steps to maintain your robot, the vacuum should last as long as full-size vacuums and keep your home cleaner for longer.
Robot mops aren't as flexible than vacuums, but they can also remove puddles and spills. The iLife V3s Pro is an example of such a machine, which is a great option for those with hardwood floors or a combination of rugs and carpets. It is quiet and has excellent navigation capabilities, which helped it overcome obstacles during tests. The charging dock can also function as a trash bin.
For the best results, select the robot that is capable of both vacuuming and mopping at the same time. Karcher's RCV 5 can do that, and has other features that are useful including live cameras, which broadcasts a grainy picture to your app, so you can monitor your kids or pet as well as a remote control that's easily programable. The navigation isn't as robust as the other models we've reviewed however, it can elevate it over low thresholds and has an ample 500ml trash bin that doesn't have to be cleaned frequently.
Mopping
Robots that vacuum and mop are a relatively new addition to the market. They're more expensive than standalone robots and require a separate water tank, however, the additional cost could be worth it for a lot of people, especially those who have difficult-to-clean stains or pets.
Some of the best robots that mop and vacuum also do a great job at cleaning bare floors and carpets. Many manufacturers offer machines capable of doing both extremely effectively. The Combo J9+ is among the most efficient mopping robots that we have tested. It uses docks that can hold up to 60 days worth of debris. This is a significant improvement over the Qrevo Pro, which ran out of water after mopping 30 days' worth of dirt during our tests.
The Tapo RV30 Plus from networking giant TP Link is another excellent two-in-one. It's quiet, compact and is clean and easy to maintain an appearance. In our test rooms, it was able to clean the floors thoroughly and accurately - it did particularly well on rugs but it took several runs to thoroughly clean certain areas of soiled wood. Its LIDAR navigation system works very well too, avoiding bumping into furniture or crossing power cords.
It's a little slow on the stairs, but that's to be expected from a compact robot designed to work around obstacles. The only issue is that its mopping pads are fiddly to attach and didn't remain in place during our tests. It also lacks the ability to deal with dirt that has dried and makes it more of a vacuum cleaner than a full-fledged mop.
It's a great option for people who prefer a hands-off experience and want to clean low pile or bare carpets equally well. It has a decent amount of suction which helped it pick up fine dust from carpets and pet hair. Automatic recognition of carpets is a great feature, as it increases the suction power to better tackle embedded dirt. It is easy to use, and the charging dock automatically empty the bin when it's full. This is a great feature for apartment dwellers.
Cleaning Apps
The majority of robot vacuums, mop and sweepers have an application that allows you to modify cleaning routines. You can also select rooms to be cleaned, plan cleaning sessions and adjust settings such as suction, water levels and scrubbing strength. Some robots provide intelligent dirt detection that utilizes maps and previous cleaning data to determine the most soiled areas.
The app allows you to create virtual barriers and no-go zones to shield your robot from dangerous items such as cords and pet water bowls and sharp objects. Certain models let you create these virtual barriers with laser navigation sensors, while others feature small physical barriers or boundary strips to place wherever you'd like to block the floor space.
The best robot vacuums and mops are intelligent enough to detect obstacles and navigate around them, but there are still some hazards to watch out for. For instance, a robot's main brush could get stuck on long cords or curtains and stop the machine dead in its tracks. To avoid this you should clear the area of cords and tie up any curtains that are long.
Certain robots automatically update their software that regulates the algorithm for navigation and obstacle avoidance. This enhances performance and reduces wear and tear of the robot's internal components. It is a good idea to check regularly the website of the manufacturer or the app on your robot for firmware updates.
If you have a huge home, look for models that have multiple cleaning modes. The iRobot Roomba 11S Max, for example, can mop and vacuum both hard floors and carpeted rooms with different suction levels. It can also switch automatically to the highest power setting when cleaning carpets, and also boost its scrubbing strength with SmartScrub.
A robot that has an integrated voice assistant is a great choice for those who want to be hands off. The iRobot Roomba 980, for instance, can be controlled using a simple voice command from Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant. It comes with a compact self-emptying docking station as well as a powerful cleaning engine that will leave your floors sparkling.