A robot vacuum can make cleaning your floors easier. This is especially relevant if you live in a home with hard floors and you want to reduce the number of Swiffer pads you have to purchase or dispose of.
Find models that are easy to set up and maintain. This includes charging the tank with water and emptying it, as well as taking out and replacing the pads for cleaning.
1. Object Avoidance
Robot vacuums are able to detect large obstacles such as furniture legs, walls, and pet toys. However, they could miss smaller objects that are moved around during cleaning. This is a concern that the majority of robots have and can cause a mess if they get sucked into things they should not. Robots equipped with object-avoidance systems employ sensors (like lasers, cameras or LIDAR) to detect and avoid small objects that are on the ground.
The majority of the robots we tested with this feature employed lasers to guide the robot and avoid obstacles. However, some also use cameras to identify the floor's layout and create a virtual map of the area. These maps allow you to create boundaries and no mop zones, establish an agenda for cleaning, and control the water flow in the mopping area for each space.
A robotic mop that makes use of mapping technology can be a huge asset, especially in homes with a lot of furniture and a complex floor plan. Mapping lets robots memorize the arrangement of your rooms so that it can quickly and effectively clean them without crashing into or knocking over furniture or other items that may be getting in the way.
During our testing the iRobotCombo j7+ used a combination of LIDAR and a front-facing camera to avoid objects that were in its path. This feature, dubbed PrecisionVision, works during both sweeping and mopping modes and is a good illustration of how robots are getting better at understanding what they're encountering on the floor as they work.
When we examined this robot performed well, it did a decent job of avoiding large obstacles however, it was less proficient in recognizing smaller items like sock balls and USB cords on the floor. This is a problem that we have seen with the majority of robotic mops. The good news is there are many options available to do a much better job.
Some mop models make use of a special wand to spray a stream of water on floors, while others come with an oscillating head that works with a gentle drip and does not have any large sprays of water. Look for a model with an air flow that is low-pressure to reduce damage.
2. Water Reservoir
The majority of robot mops come with a warning that they aren't designed to be used to remove stubborn staining, sticky or set-in. However, the good news is that a mopping robot is still far more effective at eliminating these than a vacuum cleaner, even one that can perform both.
When we tried the Yeedi robot vacuum and mop and found it was able to maneuver over obstacles and was able to adjust to objects like toys, furniture and pet hair, leaving floors looking shiny and polished. It was unable to reach the top of ledges, meaning it couldn't reach the rooms on the other side. It has a smaller bin than other robot vacuums, which means you may have to empty it more often if it is used throughout your home. We recommend getting a model with an automatic emptying dock that will place its cleaning pads in the empty container, avoiding numerous trips to the trash can.
Another important feature to consider is whether a mopping robot will automatically return its water tanks that are dirty back to the dock for washing and drying. Most of the models we tested did, and this saves you a step in your cleaning routine. It's important to keep in mind that you need to manually empty the dirt and cleaning solution tanks and wash the pads that are reusable in accordance with the instructions from the manufacturer between mopping sessions. This will stop mildew or other unwanted bacteria from growing in the moist and dark space beneath the bot.
Many robot mops have an app which lets you change the map of your home as well as customize your cleaning schedule and see the status of a clean, and connect with other smart devices or voice assistants for hands-free control. The app can be used to detect whether your mopping device requires maintenance, like filter replacement. Some of the most well-known models feature smart home integration, which allows you to connect them to smart light bulbs, doorbells, and other devices.
3. Water Level Adjustment
Robot vacuums that mop could be an excellent investment for people who spend lots of time and effort cleaning their floors. However, most mop cleaners come with a disclaimer saying that they are not designed to be used on a variety of stubborn or sticky spills or set-in stains. If you're looking for a cleaning machine that can do more than just remove spills and dust, search for one with the ability to adjust water level or scrub intensity.
It is helpful to discover models that let you program or manually start and finish cleaning. The app will also let you check the status of the mop in real time. It is also beneficial to select a mop that automatically charges when the battery gets depleted. We've seen that the majority of models that include this feature are able to clean up a large space in less than two hours.
The app should be easy to navigate and use, and it's a major plus if you can use voice commands to control your mop. This is particularly useful for those who would like to clean their floors as they go about their other chores or sit down to watch television. The majority of models we've tested have simple voice controls, however some require you to connect the mop to Wi-Fi to access the app.
Another thing to consider when purchasing a mopping device is whether it will come with disposable or reusable cleaning pads. The latter are more environmentally friendly but can be difficult to store and may not function as well as the first. Certain models let you select the type of pad you wish to use, but it's important to keep in mind to wash or change them every cleaning.
If you have lots of high-pile area rugs around your home, it's worth looking for a best robot mop for laminate Floors mop that can manage these. The j7 model from iRobot's Combo is superior in cleaning these than the Roborock S7 maxv ultra however, it also does a great job on non-carpeted surfaces. You can also purchase an ECOVACS DEEBOT model, which has both mopping and vacuuming functions.
4. Self-Mopping
Robot mops are quieter than vacuums and could save you up to 35 hours of mopping per year. However, you'll still need to perform some routine maintenance such as refilling the reservoir or changing a dirty cleaning pads. Self-mopping features make this a less hassle, as the mop will return to its dock when it's time for an entirely new pad.
This feature is especially helpful when you have floors that are difficult to clean, like tile or granite. Some mop models scrub floors using the rotating bristle spinning while others use pads for cleaning. Some mop models can sweep and vacuum as well as mop, providing more options.
If you intend to use a mop robot frequently, consider getting one with a built-in dustbin or a bin that is easy to empty. Certain mops that double as vacuums require you to empty the bin more often than those that just mop and go, and some have a separate bin for each purpose. The Ecovacs Deebot X1 has a self-emptying bin for its sweeping pads that's easier to open than other robot vacuums, and it automatically switches out the reusable cleaning pads for new ones when they're full.
Some robot mops are connected to smart homes, so you can use your phone or voice assistant to control them. The Braava Jet M6 is a smart robot that can connect to hubs, allowing you to set up regular cleanings based on your schedule and preferences using the app. You can also receive a status update on the mop's life expectancy and water level, which is beneficial if you're away from home to see what's going on.
Be aware that no robot mop will be perfect. Even the most effective mop won't be able to keep dirty, greasy messes wiped clean like you would with manual mops, or a traditional sweeper. They're excellent for quick cleanups or for preventing stains from setting however they're not an alternative to a thorough hand mop or a thorough vacuum cleaner.
