Buying a Robot Vacuum That Mop
A robot vacuum that mop can take the hassle out of keeping your floors spotless. This is particularly true if you have hardwood flooring throughout your home and want to reduce the amount of Swiffer pads you need to purchase or dispose of.
Find models that are simple to set up and maintain. This includes charging the tank with water and emptying it and changing and removing the cleaning pads.
1. Object Avoidance
Robot vacuums are fantastic in spotting large obstacles such as furniture legs, walls and pet toys, but they also miss smaller objects that are carried around when cleaning. This is a common issue that affects all robots and can lead to an unclean environment when the robot is sucked into an object should not be. Robots that have object-avoidance systems utilize sensors (like cameras, lasers or LIDAR) to detect and avoid small objects that are on the ground.
Most of the robots that we tested with this feature used a laser to help navigate its way and avoid obstacles, but some also use cameras to recognize the floor's layout and draw a virtual map of the space. These maps let you define boundaries and no-mop zones as well as set a schedule for cleaning and control the flow of water through every room during mopping.
A mop with a robot that utilizes mapping technology could be a valuable asset, particularly in homes with a lot of furniture and a complex floor plan. Mapping lets robots remember the layout of your rooms, so it can swiftly and efficiently clean them without running into or knocking over furniture or other objects that may be getting in the way.
During our testing the iRobot Combo J7+ employed a combination of LIDAR and an in-front camera to avoid objects that were in its path. This feature, dubbed PrecisionVision is able to work in mopping and sweeping modes. It's a great illustration of how robots are getting better in understanding what they're seeing on the floor while they work.
This robot was great at avoiding large objects, but less than it was at detecting smaller objects such as USB cords and sockballs. This is a problem we see in most robotic mops however the good news is that there are a lot of options available that do much better in this regard.
Some mops feature a special wand that sprays a stream of clean water on the floor, while others employ an oscillating head to accomplish the job with a gentle drip of water, not a strong jet. Look for a model with a water flow that is low pressure to limit the risk of damage.
2. Water Reservoir
The majority of robot mop cleaners come with the warning that they are not designed to be used for stubborn sticky or set-in stains. But the good news is that a mopping machine is still much superior in eliminating these stains than a vacuum, even one that can do both.
When we tested the Yeedi robot mop and vacuum, we found that it was able to maneuver around obstacles and adjusted for objects like furniture, toys and pet hair to leave floors shiny and buffed. It was unable to reach the top of the ledges, which means it was unable to reach the rooms to the opposite side. It also has a smaller dust bin than the average robot vacuum, so it might require emptying more often if you utilize it in your entire home. We recommend getting a model with an automatic emptying dock that will deposit its cleaning pads into the empty bin, avoiding multiple trips to the trash can.
A mopping robot's capability to return its dirty tanks to the dock to be cleaned and dried is a further important feature. The majority of the models we tested did save you an extra step in your cleaning routine. It's important to remember to manually empty the dirt and cleaning solutions tanks and wash the reusable pads in accordance with the instructions from the manufacturer between mopping sessions. This will prevent mildew and other harmful bacteria from developing in the dark, moist space beneath the bot.
Many robot mops have an app that allows you to alter the map of your house, customize cleaning areas and schedules, see the progress of cleaning and connect to other smart devices or voice-activated assistants for hands free control. The app also offers a way to see the time when your mopping machine requires maintenance, like changing the filter. Some of the popular models have smart home integration. This lets you connect them to your smart lights, doorbells, and other devices.
3. Water Level Adjustment
Robot vacuums that mop could be a great investment for those who spend much time and effort cleaning their floors. Most mops have warnings that they're not intended to be used for stubborn or sticky messes, or set-in staining. If you're looking for a mopping robot that can do more than just get rid of dust and spills it's crucial to choose one that's able to alter the level of water or scrub intensity to take on tough dirt.
It's also helpful to find models that allow you to schedule or manually start and stop cleaning. You should also be able monitor the condition of your mop in real-time via the app. robot vacuum for pet hair 's also a good idea to choose a mop that recharges automatically and resumes cleaning whenever its battery is running low during cleaning. We've observed that the majority of models that include this feature can clean up a large space in less than two hours.
It should be simple to use and have the option to control your mop via voice commands. This is especially useful for those who want to sweep their floors while they do other chores or sit down to watch TV. Most of the models we've tested provide simple voice controls, however some require you to connect the mop to your Wi-Fi to connect to the app.
Another thing to think about when buying a mopping robot is whether it will come with disposable or recyclable cleaning pads. The reusable pads are more eco-friendly but they are difficult to stock and might not perform quite as well as disposable ones. Certain models let you select the type of pad to use, but it's important to keep in mind to clean or change them every cleaning.
If you have high-pile area carpets in your home, it's worth looking for an automatic system that can take care of the carpets. The j7 model from iRobot's Combo can handle these better than the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra, but the latter can do well on carpeted and non-carpeted floors. If you want to, you can purchase an ECOVACS DEEBOT series model that comes with mopping and vacuuming functions.
4. Self-Mopping
The majority of robot mops will save you 35 hours a year of tiring mopping work, and they're quieter than vacuum cleaners. You'll still have to do some routine maintenance such as refilling the reservoir or changing a dirty cleaning pads. Self-mopping features make this less of a hassle because the mop will automatically return to its dock when it's time for the replacement pad.
This feature is especially helpful if you have hard-to-clean floors such as granite or tile. Some mop models use an e-spinner that rotates to scrub floors, while others use a simple cleaning pad across the floor. Some mop models sweep and vacuum as well as mop, giving you more options.
If you plan 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 need you to empty the dustbin more often than those that mop and go, and some even have a separate bin for each purpose. The Ecovacs Deebot X1 comes with a self-emptying bin for its sweeping pads, which is simpler to open than the other vacuums, and it automatically switches out the reusable cleaning pads for fresh ones when they're full.
Some robot mops are connected to smart homes, meaning you can use your smartphone or a voice assistant to control them. The Braava Jet M6 is an example of a smart robot mop that can be connected to a hub, which means you can schedule recurring cleanings with your schedule and other preferences using the app. You can also receive a status update about the mop's battery and water levels, which is helpful when you're not at home.
Keep in mind that no robot mop will be perfect. Even the top ones will not get dirty, greasy messes wiped clean like you would using manual mops or a traditional sweeper. They are great for quick cleaning up or preventing stains however, they aren't a substitute for an effective vacuum or hand mop.