Vacuuming With a Robot Hoover is the Best Hands-Off Model We've Tested
This high-end bot from Eufy is the most hands-free model we've tested so far. It vacuums, mop, self-empties, and washes and dry mop pads without your intervention.
It doesn't come with advanced cleaning functions or a larger docking system, but it provides stellar performance at less than half the cost of top-end robotic vacuums. It has a compact design and is able to reach under furniture.
Vacuuming
Vacuuming with a robot is a fast, simple way to keep your floors looking and feeling clean. Many of the robots we've selected are designed to run on their own without any involvement from you, so you can set them up to sweep while you're away or trigger an appointment from your phone. You'll need to select a robot with excellent navigation and object detection in order to avoid getting stuck under furniture or down the stairs.
Certain models are better at removing pet hairs from rugs than others, so it's crucial to select the right model that will effectively and efficiently clean all flooring types. Find a robot that has an enormous dust bin that can hold plenty of dirt between emptying and a nozzle that does not lose suction as it rotates.
Most robots require little to no maintenance, other than removing tangled fur from the rotating brush after every cleaning session (and wiping its camera or sensors when needed) and periodically emptying the bin or using a robot's self-emptying base. If you follow these simple routine maintenance steps, your robotic vac should last just as long as a full-size vacuum, and will help keep your home clean for longer.
While robot mops are generally less versatile than their vacuuming counterparts, some have the added capability of absorbing the puddles and spills while they're doing their thing. The iLife V3s Pro is an example of a machine which is a good choice for people with hardwood 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.
Pick a robot vacuum cleaner that is able to mop simultaneously. That's exactly what the Karcher RCV 5 does and also comes with other useful features such as live cameras that send an image that is grainy to your app so that you can monitor your pet or kids, as well as an easily-programmable remote control. Its navigation isn't as solid as other models we've reviewed however it is able to lift it over low thresholds and has a generous 500ml dustbin that doesn't have to be emptied often.
Mopping
Robots that vacuum and mop are relatively new to the market. These robots are more expensive and require a separate tank of water than standalone robots. However, they might be worth the extra cost for those who have stains that are difficult to clean or pets.
Some of the best robots can clean floors and carpets and also vacuum. Many brands offer robots that can do both jobs very well. The Combo J9+ is one of the most effective mopping robots that we have tested. It comes with docks that can hold up to 60 days worth of dirt. That's a big improvement on the Qrevo Pro, which ran out of water after mopping 30 days of dirt during our tests.
The Tapo RV30 plus from networking giant TP-Link is a excellent two-in-one. It's quiet, compact and has a neat, easy-to-clean appearance. In our test rooms, it cleans the floors quickly and thoroughly - it was particularly effective in cleaning rugs, however it took several runs to clean certain areas of soiled wooden. Its LIDAR navigation is very effective as well. It avoids bumping into furniture and running over power cables.
It's a bit slow on the stairs however that's to expected from a compact robot that's designed to tackle obstacles. The only downside is that its mopping pads can be difficult to attach and didn't stay put during our tests, and it lacks the ability to deal with dried-on dirt and makes it more like a vacuum cleaner rather instead of a full-fledged mop.
Despite these issues however, it's a great option for those seeking an effortless cleaning experience. It can handle bare and low-pile carpets with equal ease. It offers a decent amount of suction, which helped it to remove dust and pet hair from carpets. Automatic carpet recognition is a fantastic feature because it boosts the vacuuming power to take on dirt that is embedded. It is easy to use and the charging dock automatically empty the trash bin when it's full. This is a fantastic feature for apartment dwellers.
Cleaning Apps
Most robot vacuums, mop, and sweeper comes with an application that lets you personalize cleaning routines, select rooms to clean, schedule cleaning sessions, and adjust settings like suction, water level and the power of scrubbing. smart robot offer intelligent dirt detection, which uses map data and past cleaning data to prioritize dirty areas.
budget robot vacuum allows you to set up virtual barriers and no-go zones to protect your robot from dangerous items such as cords and pet water bowls and sharp objects. Some models allow you to create these virtual barriers with laser navigation sensors, while others have small physical barriers or boundary strips which you can put wherever you'd like to block the floor space.
There are still risks to be aware of, even though the most effective robot vacuums can recognize and avoid obstacles. For instance, a robot's main brush could get stuck on long cords or curtains, which can stop the machine from moving. You can avoid this by clearing the area of all cords and tie up any curtains that are long prior to running your robot.
Some robots automatically update the software that governs 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 website of the manufacturer or the app for updates to firmware.
If you have a huge house, consider models that offer 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 power setting to the highest level when cleaning carpets and increase its scrubbing power by using SmartScrub.
A robot that has a voice assistant is a great option if you want to be hands off. The iRobot Roomba 980 can be controlled by Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant. It has a compact self-emptying docking station, as well as powerful cleaning motor that will leave your floors sparkling.