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 hands-off model we've tested to date. It vacuums, mops and self-empties and drys mop pads all without your involvement.
It doesn't come with advanced cleaning modes or a more powerful docking system, but it delivers amazing performance for less than half the cost of the top robotic vacuums. It also has a compact design that can be able to reach under furniture.
Vacuuming
Vacuuming with a robot hoover is a quick, easy method to keep your floors clean and tidy. A lot of the models we've selected are designed to operate without any involvement from you, so you can set them up to sweep while you're out or start a session from your smartphone. But, you should select a model that has superior navigation and obstacle detection to ensure that it won't get stuck down the stairs or beneath furniture.
It is essential to choose a robot vacuum that can effectively and efficiently clean all kinds of flooring. Choose a model that has a an empty bin that can hold plenty of dirt between emptyings and the nozzle does not lose suction as it rotates to get rid of debris.
The majority of robots require little or no maintenance other than removing tangled hair from the rotating brush (and wiping down its sensors or cameras, when needed) after every cleaning session, and then emptying the dust bin or a self-emptying base if the robot has one. If you follow these easy steps to maintain your robot, the vacuum will last as long as larger vacuums and help keep your home tidy for longer.
While robot mops tend to be less flexible than their vacuum counterparts they do have the capability of absorbing spills and puddles while they're at it. The iLife V3s Pro, a good example of this type of machine, is a fantastic choice for those 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.
Choose a robot vacuum cleaner that can also mop at the same time. That's exactly what the Karcher RCV 5 can handle and it comes with other useful features such as live cameras that stream a grainy image to your app so you can monitor your children or pets and also an easily programmable remote control. Its navigation isn't as reliable 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 emptied often.
Mopping
Robots that vacuum and mop are relatively new to the market. They are more expensive and require a separate tank of water than standalone robots. However, they could be worth the extra cost for those who have staining that is difficult to clean or pets.
The best robots that vacuum and mop can also do a great job cleaning floors with no carpets. There are a number of brands that offer all-in-one machines that can do both tasks with ease. The Combo J9+, for example, is one of the top mopping machines we've tested. It has an impressively large dock that can hold up to 60 days worth of dirt. This is a significant improvement over the Qrevo Pro which ran out water after just mopping 30 days of dirt during 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 cleans the floors quickly and thoroughly. It was particularly good at cleaning rugs, but it took several runs to scrub certain areas of wood that were stained. Its LIDAR navigation system works very well too, avoiding bumping into furniture or running over power cords.
It's a bit sluggish on the stairs, but it's to be expected from a small robot that is designed to work around obstacles. The only drawback is the mopping pad attachment, that was difficult to use to hold in place during our tests. It also lacks the ability of dealing with dried-on dust which makes it more of the vacuum rather than a mop.
Despite these issues, it's still a solid choice for those who want an effortless cleaning experience. It can handle bare and low-pile carpets with equal ease. It offers a decent amount of suction, which allowed it to pick up fine dust and pet hair from carpets. One of the best features is its automatic carpet recognition, which boosts the power 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 have an app that allows you to alter the cleaning routines. You can also pick rooms to be cleaned, schedule cleaning sessions and adjust settings such as suction, scrub strength and water levels. Some robots provide intelligent dirt detection that uses map data and past cleaning data to prioritize dirty areas.
The app allows you to create virtual barriers and no-go zones to shield your robot from potentially hazardous items like cords, pet water bowls, and sharp objects. Some models let you create these virtual barriers using laser navigation sensors, while others come with small physical boundaries or barriers that to place wherever you'd like to block the floor space.
There are still smart vacuum cleaner to be aware of, even though the most effective robot vacuums can detect and maneuver around obstacles. The primary brush of a robot can get stuck in long cords or curtains and stop it dead in its tracks. To avoid this you should rid the area of cords and tie up any long curtains.
Certain robots automatically update the software that controls their navigation and obstacle avoidance algorithms which enhances performance and reduces wear and tear on the robot's internal components. It is a good idea to periodically to check the manufacturer's site or your robot's app for firmware updates.
If you live in a big 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 power setting to the highest level when cleaning carpets, and also boost its scrubbing power with SmartScrub.
A robot with a voice assistant is a fantastic option if you want to be hands off. The iRobot Roomba 980, for example, can be operated with a simple command from Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant. It has a small self-emptying docking system and a powerful cleaning motor that will leave your floors sparkling.