Vacuuming With a Robot Hoover is the Best Hands-Off Model We've Tested
This top-quality bot from Eufy is the most hands-free model we've tested so far. It vacuums, mops and self-empties and drys mop pads all without you having to do anything.
It lacks advanced cleaning modes and a larger docking station, but it delivers impressive performance at a fraction of the price of top-end robot vacuums. It also boasts a compact design that can reach under furniture.
Vacuuming
A robot vacuum is a simple and quick way to keep your floors clean. The majority of the robots we've picked are built to run without your involvement and you can set them up to sweep while you're away, or even trigger the session using your smartphone. You'll need to choose one that has excellent navigation and object detection to avoid it getting stuck under furniture or down the stairs.
Certain models are better at removing pet hair from rugs than others, so it's important to select a robot that can effectively and efficiently vacuum all types of flooring. Look for a model with a dustbin that can hold plenty of dirt in between emptying and a nozzle that does not lose suction when it rotates to get rid of debris.
The majority of robots require little or no maintenance, other than cleaning the tangled fur off the rotating brush after every cleaning session (and wiping its sensors or camera as needed) and periodically emptying the bin, or using a robot's self-emptying base. If you follow these simple upkeep steps, your robot vacuum will last as long as a regular vacuum, and will help keep your home cleaner for longer.
Robotic mops aren't as versatile than vacuums but some can also pick up spills and puddles. The iLife V3s Pro is an example of such a machine, which is a solid choice for people with wood floors or a combination of rugs and carpets. It is quiet and has good navigation capabilities, which allowed it to avoid obstacles during testing. The charging dock can also double as a trash bin.
Choose a robot vacuum cleaner that is able to mop simultaneously. robotic vacuum cleaner best 's RCV 5 does that, and has other useful features including live cameras that transmits a blurry picture to your app, so that you can monitor your pet or kids as well as a remote control that is easily programmed. The navigation might not be as good as some of the other models in this collection, but its 500ml dustbin is spacious and doesn't need frequent emptying.
Mopping
Robots that vacuum and mops are relatively new to the market. They're more expensive than standalone robots and require an additional water tank, but the extra cost may be worth it for some people, especially those with difficult-to-clean stains, or pets.
The best robots can clean carpets and floors as well as vacuum. Several brands now offer all-in-one robots that do both jobs extremely well. The Combo J9+ is one of the most efficient mopping robots that we've tested. It has docks that can hold up to 60 days worth of debris. This is a significant improvement over the Qrevo Pro which ran out water after just mopping 30 days worth of dirt in our tests.
The Tapo RV30 Plus from networking giant TP Link is a fantastic two-in-one. It's small quiet and has an attractive, clutter-free appearance. In our test rooms, it was able to clean the floors thoroughly and precisely - it did particularly well on rugs, however it took several runs to thoroughly clean certain areas of soiled wood. Its LIDAR navigation is very effective, too. It is able to avoid hitting furniture or running over power cables.
It's a little slow on the stairs but it's to be expected from a small robot that is designed to work around obstacles. The only drawback is that its mopping pads can be difficult to attach and didn't stay in place during our tests. Additionally, it lacks the ability to deal with dried-on dirt and makes it more like a vacuum cleaner rather than a full-fledged robot mop.
Despite these shortcomings however, it's a great option for those seeking an easy-to-clean experience that can take care of carpets that are bare or low-pile with equal ease. It was able to provide a lot of suction, which helped it remove fine dust from carpets and pet hair. Automatic recognition of carpets is a wonderful feature since it boosts the suction power to tackle dirt that has been embedded. It's also simple to use and has a handy charging dock that automatically empties the dust bin when it's full, which is a real boon for those who live in flats.
Cleaning Apps
Most robot vacuums, mop and sweepers have an app that allows you to alter the cleaning routines. You can also pick rooms to be cleaned, plan cleaning sessions and adjust settings such as suction, scrub strength and water levels. Certain robots also provide intelligent dirt detection, which utilizes the data from previous cleaning sessions and maps data to prioritize dirty areas and optimize cleaning mode.
You can also make use of an app to create virtual barriers and no-go zones to shield your robot safe from potentially dangersome objects, such as cords and pet water bowls. Some models allow you to create these virtual barriers using laser navigation sensors, while others come with small physical barriers or boundary strips you can place wherever you'd like to block the floor space.
The most effective robot vacuums and mops are intelligent enough to spot obstacles and maneuver around them However, there are certain dangers to be on the lookout for. The principal brush of a robot can get stuck in long cords or curtains and stop it from moving. To avoid this you should clear the area of cords and tie up any curtains that are long.
Some robots automatically update their software, which manages the algorithm for navigation and obstacle avoidance. This improves performance and reduces the wear and tear of the robot's internal parts. It is recommended to check regularly the website of the manufacturer or the app on your robot for firmware updates.
If you live in a huge house, choose a model with different cleaning modes. The iRobot Roomba 11S Max can sweep and vacuum carpeted and hard floors with different suction settings. It can also automatically switch the highest power setting when cleaning carpets, and also boost its scrubbing power by using SmartScrub.
A robot with a voice assistant is a great option for those who want to be hands-free. The iRobot Roomba 980, for example, can be operated by a single command from Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant. It is equipped with a compact self-emptying docking system and a powerful cleaning motor that will leave your floors sparkling.