Vacuuming With a Robot Hoover is the Best Hands-Off Model We've Tested
This premium Eufy bot is the most hands-off model we've tested so far. It vacuums, mops and self-empties and dry mop pads without your intervention.
It doesn't come with advanced cleaning functions or a more powerful docking system, but it provides stellar performance at less than half the cost of top-end robotic vacuums. It's compact and can reach under furniture.
Vacuuming
Vacuuming with a robot is a fast, simple method to keep your floors clean and tidy. A lot of the models we've chosen are designed to operate without your involvement and you can set them up to sweep while you're out or start a session from your smartphone. However, you'll want to look for a model with superior navigation and obstacle detection to ensure it won't get stuck down the stairs or underneath furniture.
Certain models are better at removing pet hair from rugs than others, so it's crucial to select a robot that can effectively and efficiently clean all flooring types. Look for a robot with a large dustbin that will hold a lot of dirt in between emptyings and a nozzle that doesn't lose suction when it rotates.
The majority of robots require little or no maintenance, other than removing tangled fur from the rotating brush after each cleaning session (and wiping its sensors or camera as required) and then periodically emptying the bin, or using the robot's self-emptying base. If you follow these simple maintenance tips, your robot vacuum should last as long as larger vacuums and keep your home cleaner for longer.
Robotic mops aren't as versatile than vacuums, however some also clean up spills and puddles. The iLife V3s Pro, a excellent example of this kind of machine, is an excellent option for those who have carpets and rugs as well as wood flooring. It is quiet and has excellent navigation capabilities, which allowed it to avoid obstacles when tested. The charging dock also doubles as trash bin.
Choose a robot vacuum cleaner that has the ability to mop at the same time. That's exactly what the Karcher RCV 5 can handle and it comes with other handy features like live cameras that stream an unreliable image to your app so that you can check on your pet or kids and also a remote control that is easily programmed. Its navigation isn't as solid as the other models in our selection however, it can elevate it over low thresholds and comes with a large 500ml dustbin that doesn't have to be cleaned frequently.
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 but the extra cost may be worth it for many people, particularly those with difficult-to-clean stains, or lots of pets.
Some of the best robots that vacuum and mop can also do an excellent job cleaning floors with no carpets. There are a number of brands that offer all-in-one robots that do both tasks extremely well. The Combo J9+ is among the most efficient mopping robots that we have test. It has a dock that can store up to 60 days' worth of dirt. This is a huge 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 a excellent two-in-one. robot floor cleaner and has a neat, fuss-free look. In our test rooms it cleans the floors quickly and thoroughly - it was particularly adept at cleaning rugs, but it required several runs to scrub certain areas of soiled wooden. Its LIDAR navigation is very effective as well. It is able to avoid hitting furniture and running over power cables.
It's a bit sluggish on the stairs but it's to be expected from a small robot that's designed to overcome obstacles. The only issue is its mopping pad attachment, which was a challenge and wouldn't stay in place during our tests. It is also not capable of dealing with dried-on dust, making it more like an ordinary vacuum cleaner than a robot mop.
Despite these shortcomings however, it's a great option for those seeking a hands-off cleaning experience. It can handle bare and low-pile carpets with equal ease. It has a decent amount of suction which helped it pick up fine dust from pet hair and carpets. One of the most appealing features is its automatic carpet recognition, which enhances the effectiveness of the vacuuming to tackle dirt that has been embedded. It is simple to use and the charging dock automatically empty the dustbin when it is full. This is a great feature for apartment dwellers.
Cleaning Apps
The majority of robot vacuums, mops, and sweepers come with an app that allows you to modify cleaning routines. You can also choose rooms to be cleaned, schedule cleaning sessions, and alter settings such as suction as well as water levels and scrubbing strength. Some robots also offer intelligent dirt detection, which uses the data from previous cleaning sessions and maps data to prioritize dirty areas and optimize cleaning mode.
You can also use an app to create virtual barriers and no go zones to keep your robot away from dangerous objects, such as cords and pet water bowls. Certain models have laser navigation sensors that allow you to create virtual barriers while others have small physical boundaries and barriers that you can place anywhere you'd like to limit the floor area.
There are still risks to be aware of even though the best robot vacuums can detect and avoid obstacles. For instance, a robot's main brush can become stuck in long cords or curtains and stop the machine from running. You can prevent this by clearing the area of all cords and tie up any curtains that are long prior to running your robot.
Some robots automatically update their software which controls the algorithm for navigation and obstacle avoidance. This improves performance and reduces the wear and tear on the robot's internal parts. It is a good idea to periodically check the manufacturer's website or the app on your robot for firmware updates.
If you have a large house, consider models that have multiple cleaning modes. The iRobot Roomba 11S Max can mop and vacuum on carpeted and hard floors with different suction settings. It can also switch automatically to the power setting to the highest level when cleaning carpets, and boost its scrubbing strength with SmartScrub.
If you're looking to remain hands-off, a robot with the ability to speak to a voice-activated assistant is an excellent choice. 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 system and a powerful cleaning motor that makes your floors sparkling.