Vacuuming With a Robot Hoover is the Best Hands-Off Model We've Tested
This top-of-the-line Eufy bot is the best hands off model we have tried so far. It vacuums, mops, and self-empties its bin, washes and dry mop pads without your intervention.
It doesn't feature advanced cleaning modes or a bigger docking system, but it offers stellar performance at less than half the price of the top robotic vacuums. It's compact and is able to reach under furniture.
Vacuuming
Vacuuming with a robot is a quick, easy method to keep your floors looking and feeling clean. Many of the robots in our top picks are built to function without your involvement You can set them to run when you're out or trigger a cleaning session from your phone. However, you'll want to select a model that has excellent navigation and obstacle detection to ensure it won't get stuck down the stairs or beneath furniture.
Some models are better at picking up pet hairs from rugs than others, so it's important to select the right model that will efficiently and effectively vacuum all types of flooring. Look for a robot with a large dust bin that will hold plenty of dirt between emptying, and a nozzle which doesn't lose suction when it turns.
Most robots 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 each cleaning session and regularly emptying the dustbin or an automatic emptying base when the robot is equipped with one. If you follow these easy maintenance tips, your robot vacuum should last as long as regular vacuums and keep your home cleaner for longer.
While robot mops are generally less versatile than their vacuuming counterparts they do have the capability of absorbing spills and puddles while they're doing their thing. The iLife V3s Pro is an example of such a machine, which is a great option for those who have wood floors or a mix of carpets and rugs. It's quiet and has excellent navigation capabilities that have helped it overcome obstacles during testing, and the charging dock doubles as a trash can.
Pick a robot vacuum cleaner that can also mop simultaneously. That's what the Karcher RCV 5 can do, and it also offers additional useful features, such as live cameras that stream an image that is grainy to your app so that you can monitor your pets or children, as well as an easily-programmable remote control. Its navigation isn't as solid as the other models in our collection, but it can lift its own thresholds to a certain level and has an ample 500ml dustbin that doesn't need to be emptied often.
Mopping
Robots that mop and vacuum are relatively new to the market. They are more expensive than standalone robots and require an additional water tank however, the additional cost could be worth it for some people, especially those with difficult-to-clean stains, or pets.
Some of the top robots that vacuum and mop can also do a great job at cleaning bare floors and carpets. Many brands are now offering all-in-one robotics that perform both tasks with ease. The Combo J9+ is among the most efficient mopping machines that we have tested. It comes with a dock that can store up to 60 days' worth of dirt. This is a significant improvement over the Qrevo Pro which ran out water after mopping only 30 days of dirt during our tests.
The Tapo RV30 Plus from networking giant TP Link is a fantastic two-in-one. It is compact and quiet, with an elegant, easy-to-use look. In our test rooms, it cleaned the floors efficiently and thoroughly - it was particularly adept at cleaning rugs, but it required several runs to clean certain areas of wood that were stained. Its LIDAR navigation system performs well, avoiding crashing into furniture or crossing power cords.
It's a bit slow on the stairs but it's to be expected from a small robot that is designed to work around obstacles. click here to read is that the mopping pads are difficult to attach and didn't remain in place during our tests. It also lacks the ability to deal with dirt that has dried, which makes it more like a vacuum cleaner rather than a full-fledged mop.
Despite these shortcomings, it's still a solid choice for those who want an easy-to-clean experience. It can handle bare and low-pile carpets with equal competence. 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 carpet recognition which enhances the effectiveness of the vacuuming to take on dirt that is embedded. It is easy to use and the charging dock automatically empty the trash bin when it's full. This is an excellent feature for those who live in apartments.
Cleaning Apps
Almost every robot vacuum, mop, and sweeper has an app that lets you customize cleaning routines, select rooms to clean, schedule cleaning sessions, and adjust settings such as suction, water level, and the power of scrubbing. Some robots offer intelligent dirt detection that utilizes maps and previous cleaning data to identify dirty areas.
Having an app also allows you to set up virtual barriers and no-go zones to keep your robot away from dangerous items like cords and pet water bowls and sharp objects. Certain models let you create these virtual barriers with laser navigation sensors, while others come with small physical boundaries or barriers to place wherever you'd like to block off your floor area.
There are still hazards to be aware of, even though the top robot vacuums can detect and maneuver around obstacles. 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 any cords and tying off any long curtains before running your robot.
Some robots automatically update their software that controls the navigation and obstacle avoidance algorithm. This improves performance and reduces the wear and tear on the robot's internal parts. It's a good idea periodically to check the manufacturer's site or the app for updates to firmware.
If you have a huge home, look for models that have multiple cleaning modes. The iRobot Roomba 11S Max can mop and vacuum on hard and carpeted floors using different suction settings. It can also switch automatically to the highest power setting when cleaning carpets and increase its scrubbing strength with SmartScrub.
A robot that has the ability to speak is a great option when you want to keep your hands-free. The iRobot Roomba 980 can be controlled by Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant. It is equipped with a compact self-emptying docking system as well as a powerful cleaning motor that will leave your floors sparkling.