Vacuuming With a Robot Hoover is the Best Hands-Off Model We've Tested
This top-of-the-line bot from Eufy is the best Robot hoover hands-off model we've tested so far. It vacuums, mops and self-empties and dry mop pads without you having to do anything.
It doesn't have advanced cleaning options or a larger docking system, but it delivers stellar performance at less than half the price of the top robotic vacuums. It also features a compact design that can reach under furniture.
Vacuuming
A robot vacuum is an easy and quick way to keep your floors tidy. A majority of the robots featured that we recommend are built to function without your input, so you can schedule them to run while you're away or initiate cleaning sessions using your phone. You'll need to choose one that has excellent navigation and object detection in order to avoid getting stuck under furniture or falling down the stairs.
Certain models are better at picking up pet hair from carpets than others, which is why it's also important to choose the right model that will efficiently and effectively clean all types of flooring. Find a robot that has a large dustbin that will hold a large amount of dirt between emptyings, and a nozzle which does not lose suction when it rotates.
Most robots require little to no maintenance, aside from cleaning the tangled fur off the rotating brush after every cleaning session (and wiping its camera or sensors as needed) and regularly emptying the bin, or using the robot's self-emptying base. If you follow these simple upkeep steps, your robot vacuum will last as long as a full-size vacuum and help keep your home cleaner for longer.
While robot mops are generally less flexible than their vacuum counterparts they do have the ability to suck up spills and puddles while at it. The iLife V3s Pro, a excellent example of this kind of machine, is an excellent choice for people with carpets and rugs or wood floors. It's quiet and has excellent navigation capabilities that allowed it to overcome obstacles during testing, and the charging dock doubles as a trash bin.
Pick a robot vacuum cleaner that can also mop at the same time. Karcher's RCV 5 can do that, and has other features that are useful like a live camera, which sends a blurry image to your app so you can keep an eye on your pet or children, as well as a remote control that's easily programable. The navigation might not be as good as some of the other models in this collection but its 500ml trash bin is spacious and doesn't need frequent emptying.
Mopping
Robots that vacuum and mops are relatively new to the market. They are more expensive and require an additional tank of water than standalone robots. However, they may be worth the cost for those with staining that is difficult to clean or pets.
Some of the best robots can clean floors and carpets as well as vacuuming. Many manufacturers offer machines that can perform both tasks exceptionally effectively. The Combo J9+, for example, is one of the top mopping machines we've tested and uses an impressively large dock that can accommodate up to 60 days worth of dirt. That's a big improvement on the Qrevo Pro, which ran out of water after mopping only 30 days' worth of dirt during our tests.
The Tapo RV30 Plus from networking giant TP Link is another excellent two-in-one. It is compact, quiet and has an elegant, easy-to-use look. In our test rooms, it was able to clean the floors thoroughly and accurately and efficiently. It was particularly effective on rugs, however it took multiple runs to fully clean some areas of soiled wood. Its LIDAR navigation works well, too. It is able to avoid hitting furniture or running over power cables.
It's a bit slow on the stairs however that's to expected from a small robot designed to tackle obstacles. The only issue is that the mopping pads are fiddly to attach and didn't remain in place during our tests. Additionally, it lacks the ability to deal with dried-on dirt that makes it more like a vacuum cleaner rather than a full-fledged mop.
Despite these issues, it's still a solid option for those seeking an effortless cleaning experience that can take care of carpets with equal competence. It has a decent amount of suction, which allowed it to remove fine dust from carpets and pet hair. One of the most appealing features is its automatic recognition of carpets, which increases the strength of the vacuuming to better tackle embedded dirt. It's also easy to use and has a handy charging dock that automatically empties the bin once it's filled, which is a real boon for those who live in flats.
Cleaning Apps
The majority of robot vacuums, mops, and sweepers come with an app that allows you to customize cleaning routines. You can also select rooms to be cleaned, schedule cleaning sessions and change settings such as suction as well as water levels and scrubbing strength. Certain robots have intelligent dirt detection that uses map data and past cleaning data to prioritize dirty areas.
You can also use an app to create virtual barriers and no-go zones to keep your robot from dangerous objects, like cords and pet water bowls. Some models let you create these virtual barriers with laser navigation sensors, and others come with small physical barriers or boundary strips you can place wherever you want to block your floor.
The best robot vacuums and mops are smart enough to recognize obstacles and navigate around them however there are certain risks to be aware for. The principal brush of a robot can get stuck in long cords or curtains and stop it dead in its tracks. To prevent this from happening you should clear the area of cords and tie up any long curtains.
Certain robots automatically update their software which manages 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 website of the manufacturer or your robot's app for updates to the firmware.
If you own a large house, consider models that have multiple cleaning modes. The iRobot Roomba 11S Max can sweep and vacuum hard and carpeted floors with different suction settings. It can also switch automatically to the highest power setting when cleaning carpets and increase the strength of its scrubbing with SmartScrub.
If you're looking to remain hands-off, a robot with the ability to speak to a voice-activated assistant is a great option. The iRobot Roomba 980 can be controlled by Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant. It comes with a compact self-emptying docking station as well as a powerful cleaning engine that makes your floors sparkling.