Vacuuming With a Robot Hoover is the Best Hands-Off Model We've Tested
This high-end Eufy bot is the best hands-off model that we have tested so far. It vacuums, mops and self-empties and drys mop pads all without your intervention.
It lacks advanced cleaning modes and a bigger docking station, but provides stellar performance at a fraction of the price of top-end robot vacuums. It has a compact design and can be positioned to reach under furniture.
Vacuuming
A robot vacuum is an easy and quick method of keeping your floors spotless. Many of the robots in our top picks are designed to work without your involvement So you can schedule them to run when you're out or start cleaning sessions from your smartphone. You'll want to select one that has excellent navigation and object detection to avoid it getting stuck under furniture or falling down the stairs.
Some models are better at picking up pet hair from carpets than others, which is why it's important to select a robot that can effectively and efficiently clean all flooring types. Look for a model with dust bins that is able to hold plenty of dirt between emptying and the nozzle doesn't lose suction as it rotates to take debris.
The majority of robots require little or any maintenance, other than getting rid of hair that is tangled from the rotating brush (and wiping its cameras or sensors, as required) after each cleaning session and regularly emptying the dustbin or using a self-emptying base if the robot has one. If auto vacuum follow these easy maintenance tips, your robot vacuum should last as long as regular vacuums and will keep your home clean for longer.
While robot mops tend to be less versatile than vacuums, some have the added capability of absorbing spills and puddles while they're at it. The iLife V3s Pro is an example of such a device, which is a great choice for people with wood floors or a mix of rugs and carpets. It's quiet and has excellent navigation capabilities that have helped it overcome obstacles during testing, and the charging dock doubles as a trash bin.
Choose a robot vacuum cleaner that has the ability to mop at the same time. That's what the Karcher RCV 5 can handle and also comes with other handy features like live cameras that send a grainy image to your app so that you can monitor your pet or kids and also a remote control that is easily programmed. The navigation might not be as efficient as the other models on this list but its 500ml trash bin is spacious and doesn't need frequent emptying.
Mopping
Robots that vacuum and mop 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, particularly those who have difficult-to-clean stains or pets.
Some of the best robots that vacuum and mop also be very effective at cleaning bare floors and carpets. There are many brands that offer robots that can do both jobs very efficiently. The Combo J9+ is one of the most efficient mopping machines that we've tested. It comes with docks that can hold up to 60 days' worth of debris. This is a huge improvement over the Qrevo Pro, which ran out of water after mopping just 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 precisely and efficiently. It was particularly effective on rugs, but it required several runs to thoroughly clean certain areas of soiled wood. Its LIDAR navigation system performs well, avoiding crashing into furniture or running over power cords.
It's a bit sluggish on the stairs however, that's to be expected in a compact robot designed to overcome obstacles. The only issue is that its mopping pads are difficult to attach and didn't stay put during our tests. It also does not have the capability to deal with dried-on dirt that makes it more of a vacuum cleaner instead of a full-fledged mop.
It's still an excellent choice for those who prefer a hands-free experience and want to clean low pile or plain carpets equally. It was able to provide a lot of suction which helped it pick up fine dust from carpets and pet hair. Automatic recognition of carpets is a wonderful feature since it boosts the vacuuming power to tackle dirt that has been embedded. It is simple to use, and the charging dock automatically empty the trash bin when it's full. This is a fantastic feature for those who live in apartments.
Cleaning Apps
Most robot vacuums, mops and sweepers come with an app that allows you to alter the cleaning routines. You can also choose rooms to be cleaned, schedule cleaning sessions and change settings like suction as well as water levels and scrubbing strength. Some robots also have intelligent dirt detection, which uses past cleaning data and map information to prioritize areas of dirt and optimize cleaning mode.
Having an app also allows you to create virtual barriers and no-go zones to keep your robot away from dangerous items, such as cords and pet water bowls and sharp objects. Some models allow you to create these virtual barriers with laser navigation sensors, whereas others come with small physical barriers or boundary strips to place wherever you want to block your floor.
There are still dangers to be aware of, even though the most effective robot vacuums can detect and maneuver around obstacles. The main brush of a robot can get stuck in long cords or curtains, and stop it from moving. To avoid this it is possible to clear the area of cords and tie up any long curtains.
Certain robots automatically update their software which manages 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 regularly to check the website of the manufacturer or the app for updates to firmware.
If you live in a large home, you should choose a model with different cleaning modes. The iRobot Roomba 11S Max can mop and vacuum on carpeted and hard floors with different suction settings. It also has the ability to automatically switch the power setting to the highest level when cleaning carpets, and boost the strength of its scrubbing by using SmartScrub.
If you want to be hands-free, a robot that has the ability to speak to a voice-activated assistant is a fantastic option. The iRobot Roomba 980 can be operated by Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant. It has a compact self-emptying docking station as well as a powerful cleaning engine that leaves your floors sparkling.