Vacuuming With a Robot Hoover is the Best Hands-Off Model We've Tested
This premium Eufy bot is the top hands-off model we've test so far. It vacuums, mops and self-empties and drys mop pads all without your intervention.
It doesn't feature advanced cleaning options or a larger docking system, but it delivers outstanding performance for less than half the cost of the most expensive robotic vacuums. It also has the ability to be able to reach under furniture.
Vacuuming
Vacuuming using a robot hoover is a quick, easy way to keep your floors clean and tidy. Many of the robots in our top picks are designed to work without your input, so you can schedule them to run while you're away or initiate cleaning sessions using your smartphone. You'll need to choose one that has excellent navigation and object detection to avoid it getting stuck under furniture or falling down the staircase.
It is essential to choose the best robot vacuum that is able to effectively and efficiently clean all kinds of flooring. Look for a model with dust bins that is able to hold plenty of dirt between emptyings and an nozzle that doesn't lose suction as it rotates to remove debris.
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 regularly emptying the bin, or using the robot's self-emptying base. If you follow these simple maintenance steps, your robot vacuum should last as long as a full-size vacuum and help keep your home looking cleaner for longer.
Robot mops are less versatile than vacuums, but they can also pick up spills and puddles. The iLife V3s Pro is an example of a machine which is a great option for those with hardwood floors or a mix of rugs and carpets. It's quiet and has excellent navigation capabilities that allowed it to overcome obstacles during testing, and the charging dock can also double 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 does that, and has other features that are useful like live cameras that sends a blurry image to your app, so that you can keep an eye on your pet or children as well as a remote control that is easily programmed. The navigation might not be as precise as the other models on this list but its 500ml trash bin is spacious and doesn't need frequent emptying.
Mopping
Robots that mop and vacuum are relatively new to the market. They are more expensive and require a separate tank of water, unlike standalone robots. However, they may be worth the extra cost for those who have staining that is difficult to clean or pets.
The best robots can clean floors and carpets and also vacuum. Several brands now offer all-in-one robotics that perform both tasks extremely well. The Combo J9+, for example, is one of the best mopping robots we've tested. It has an impressively large dock that can accommodate 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 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 cleaned the floors efficiently and thoroughly - it was particularly effective in cleaning rugs, however it required several runs to clean certain areas of soiled wooden. Its LIDAR navigation is very effective, too. It avoids bumping into furniture and running over power cables.
It's a little slow on the stairs however that's to expected from a compact robot that's designed to overcome obstacles. Its only downside is its mopping pad attachment, which was difficult and didn't stay in its place during our tests. It also lacks the ability of dealing with dust that has dried on, making it more like a vacuum than a robot mop.
It's a great option for those who prefer a hands-free experience and want to clean low pile or bare carpets equally well. It has a decent amount of suction, which helped it to remove dust and pet hair from carpets. Automatic recognition of carpets is a great feature, since it boosts the suction power to better tackle embedded dirt. It is easy to use, and the charging dock automatically empty the dustbin when it is full. This is an excellent feature for apartment dwellers.
Cleaning apps
Nearly every robot vacuum, mop, and sweeper comes with an application that lets you modify cleaning routines, choose rooms to clean, schedule cleaning sessions, and change settings such as suction, water level, and scrub power. Certain robots have intelligent dirt detection that utilizes map data and past cleaning data to determine the most soiled areas.
You can also use an app to create virtual barriers and no-go zones to protect your robot from dangerous objects, like cords and pet water bowls. Certain models let you create these virtual barriers with laser navigation sensors, and others feature small physical barriers or boundary strips which you can put wherever you want to block the floor space.
The best robot vacuums and mops are intelligent enough to spot obstacles and navigate around them, but there are still some hazards to watch out for. For example, a robot's main brush can become stuck in long curtains or cords and stop the machine from running. To avoid this, you can rid the area of cords and tie up any curtains that are long.
Some robots automatically update their software that manages the algorithm for navigation and obstacle avoidance. automated vacuum cleaner enhances performance and reduces wear and tear on the robot's internal parts. It is a good idea to regularly to check the site of the manufacturer or the app for updates to firmware.
If you own a large house, consider a model with multiple cleaning modes. The iRobot Roomba 11S Max, for instance, can vacuum and mop on carpeted floors as well as hard floor rooms that have different suction levels. It also has the ability to automatically switch to the highest power setting on carpets and increase its scrubbing capabilities with SmartScrub.
A robot with the ability to speak is a great choice when you want to keep your hands-free. The iRobot Roomba 980, for instance, can be controlled using a simple voice command from Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant. It has a small self-emptying docking station as well as an efficient cleaning engine that leaves your floors sparkling.