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 seen so far. It vacuums, mops, self-empties its bin and washes and dries mop pads without you having to do anything.
It lacks advanced cleaning modes and a bigger docking station but delivers a stellar performance at a fraction of the cost of high-end robotic vacuums . It also features an incredibly compact design that can be able to reach under furniture.
Vacuuming
A robot vacuum is an easy and quick way to keep your floors tidy. The majority of the robots we've included that we recommend are designed to work without your input, so you can schedule them to work while you're away or initiate a cleaning session from your phone. You'll need to choose one that has excellent navigation and object detection to avoid getting stuck in furniture or on the staircase.
It is crucial to select a robot vacuum that can effectively and efficiently clean all kinds of flooring. Look for a model with 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, aside from removing tangled fur from the rotating brush after each cleaning session (and wiping its sensors or camera as needed) and then periodically emptying the bin or using the robot's self-emptying base. If you follow these simple routine maintenance steps, your robotic vac should last just as long as a regular vacuum cleaner and keep your home cleaner for longer.
Robot mops aren't as flexible than vacuums but some can also pick up puddles and spills. The iLife V3s Pro, a good example of this type 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 have helped it overcome obstacles during testing, and the charging dock doubles as a trash bin.
For the best results, select an appliance that can do mopping and vacuuming simultaneously. Karcher's RCV 5 can do that, and has other features that are useful like live cameras that broadcasts a grainy picture to your app, so you can keep an eye on your pet or kids and remote controls that are easily programable. The navigation isn't as robust as the other models in our collection however it is able to lift it over low thresholds and has a generous 500ml dustbin that doesn't need to be cleaned frequently.
Mopping
Robots that vacuum and mop are relatively new to the market. They are more expensive and require an additional tank of water than standalone robots. However, they could be worth the cost for those with hard-to-clean stains clean or pets.
Some of the best robots that mop and vacuum also do a great job cleaning floors with no carpets. Many brands are now offering all-in-one machines that can do both tasks with ease. The Combo J9+ is one of the most efficient mopping machines that we've test. It has docks that can hold up to 60 days' worth of dirt. This is an enormous improvement over the Qrevo Pro which ran out water after mopping only 30 days of dirt in our tests.
The Tapo RV30 plus from networking giant TP-Link is another very good two-in-one. It's quiet and compact and is clean and easy to maintain an appearance. In our test rooms it cleaned the floors accurately and thoroughly - it was particularly good at cleaning rugs, however it took several runs to clean some areas of stained wood. Its LIDAR navigation is very effective, too. It avoids bumping into furniture or running over power cables.
It's a bit slow on the stairs, but it's to be expected from a small robot that's designed to overcome obstacles. The only drawback is that its mopping pads are difficult to attach and didn't remain in place during our tests, and it isn't equipped to deal with dried-on dirt that makes it more of a vacuum cleaner instead of a full-fledged mop.
It's still a great choice for those who prefer a hands-off experience and want to clean low-pile or plain carpets equally. It has a decent amount of suction, which allowed it to clean fine dust and pet hair from carpets. Automatic carpet recognition is a wonderful feature since it boosts the power of vacuuming to tackle dirt that has been embedded. It is easy to use, and the charging dock automatically empty the dustbin when it is full. This is a fantastic feature for apartment dwellers.
Cleaning Apps
Nearly every robot vacuum mop, sweeper, and vacuum has an app that lets you customize cleaning routines, pick rooms to clean, plan cleaning sessions, and change settings such as suction, water level, and scrub power. Some robots offer intelligent dirt detection that utilizes map data and past cleaning data to determine the most soiled areas.
Having an app also allows you to set up virtual barriers and no-go zones to keep your robot away from potentially hazardous items, such as cords, pet water bowls, and sharp objects. Some models let you create these virtual barriers with laser navigation sensors, and others come with small physical boundaries or barriers you can place wherever you'd like to block your floor.
There are still risks to be aware of, even though the top robot vacuums are able to detect and avoid obstacles. The main brush of a robot can become stuck in long cords or curtains and stop it in its tracks. You can prevent this from happening by clearing the area of all cords and tie up any curtains that are long prior to running your robot.
Some robots will automatically update the software that governs their navigation and obstacle avoidance algorithms which enhances performance and reduces wear and tear on the robot's internal components. It is a good idea to check regularly the manufacturer's website or your robot's app for updates to the firmware.
If you have a huge home, look for models that offer multiple cleaning modes. The iRobot Roomba 11S Max can sweep and vacuum hard and carpeted floors with different suction settings. It also has the ability to automatically change to the highest power setting for carpets and increase its scrubbing power by using SmartScrub.
A robot with the ability to speak is a great option when you want to keep your hands-free. The iRobot Roomba 980 can be operated by 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.