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 its bin and washes and dry mop pads without you having to do anything.
It's not equipped with the latest cleaning techniques and a larger docking station, but it delivers impressive performance at a fraction of the cost of premium robot vacuums. It also boasts the ability to be able to reach under furniture.
Vacuuming
A robot vacuum is an easy and quick way to keep your floors spotless. The majority of the robots we've included in our top picks are designed to work without your involvement, so you can schedule them to run while you're away or initiate cleaning sessions from your smartphone. But, you must select a model that has excellent navigation and obstacle detection to ensure it will not get stuck on the stairs or under furniture.
Certain models are better at removing pet hair from carpets than others, which is why it's important to select an item that is able to efficiently and effectively vacuum all types of flooring. Choose a model with a large dust bin that will hold a large amount of dirt between emptyings and a nozzle that does not lose suction as it rotates.
Most robots require little to no maintenance, aside from taking out tangled fur from the rotating brush after every cleaning session (and wiping its sensors or camera as required) and regularly emptying the bin, or using a robot's self-emptying base. If you follow these simple maintenance steps, your robot vacuum should last as long as regular vacuums and will keep your home clean for longer.
While robot mops are generally less versatile than their vacuuming counterparts, some have the added ability to clean up spills and puddles while at it. The iLife V3s Pro is an example of such a device, which is a great option for those with hardwood floors or a combination of carpets and rugs. It's quiet and has solid navigation capabilities that allowed it to overcome obstacles during testing, and the charging dock doubles as a trash can.
Choose a robot vacuum cleaner that is able to mop simultaneously. find out this here RCV 5 can do that, and also has other features that are beneficial, such as live cameras that sends a blurry image to your app so you can keep an eye on your pet or children as well as a remote control that's easily programmable. The navigation might not be as efficient as the other models in this collection but its 500ml trash bin is large and doesn't require frequent emptying.
Mopping
Robots that vacuum and mop are relatively new to the market. They are more expensive and require an additional tank of water than standalone robots. However, they might be worth the extra expense for those who have staining that is difficult to clean or pets.
Some of the best robots can clean carpets and floors and also vacuum. There are a number of brands that offer all-in-one robots that do both tasks with ease. The Combo J9+ is one of the most efficient mopping robots that we've 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 only 30 days worth of dirt in our tests.
The Tapo RV30 Plus from networking giant TP Link is another excellent two-in-one. It's small quiet and has an elegant, easy-to-use look. In our test rooms, it cleaned the floors efficiently and thoroughly - it was particularly effective in cleaning rugs, however it required several runs to clean certain areas of wood that were stained. Its LIDAR navigation system performs well, avoiding bumps into furniture or crossing power cords.
It's a bit slow on the stairs but it's to be expected from a small robot designed to work around obstacles. The only issue is that the mopping pads can be difficult to attach and didn't remain in place during our tests. It also does not have the capability to deal with dried-on dirt, which makes it more like a vacuum cleaner rather than a full-fledged robot mop.
It's still a great choice for people who prefer a hands-off experience and want to clean low-pile or bare carpets equally well. It had a good amount of suction that helped it pick up fine dust from carpets and pet hair. Automatic carpet recognition is a great feature, as it increases the suction power to take on dirt that is embedded. It's also easy to use and comes with a convenient charging dock that automatically empties the bin once it's full. This is a real boon for those who live in flats.
Cleaning apps
Almost every robot vacuum, mop, and sweeper has an app that lets you customize cleaning routines, pick rooms to clean, plan cleaning sessions, and adjust settings such as suction, water level, and scrubbing power. Certain robots have intelligent dirt detection, which uses maps and previous cleaning data to identify dirty areas.
You can also make use of an app to create virtual barriers and no-go zones to shield your robot safe from potentially dangerous objects, like cords and pet water bowls. Some models allow you to create these virtual barriers using laser navigation sensors, whereas others have small physical barriers or boundary strips you can place wherever you'd like to block the floor space.
There are still dangers to be aware of even though the most effective robot vacuums can recognize and maneuver around obstacles. The main brush of a robot can be caught in long cords or curtains and stop it dead in its tracks. You can prevent this from happening by clearing the area of all cords and tying up any curtains that are long prior to running your robot.
Some robots automatically update their software which manages the algorithm for navigation and obstacle avoidance. This enhances performance and reduces wear and tear of the robot's internal parts. It is recommended to regularly check the website of the manufacturer as well as the app on your robot for firmware updates.
If you own a large house, consider a model with multiple cleaning modes. The iRobot Roomba 11S Max, for instance, can be used to mop and vacuum on both hard floors and carpeted rooms that have different suction levels. It can also switch automatically to the power setting to the highest level when cleaning carpets, and boost its scrubbing strength with SmartScrub.
If you're looking to remain hands-free, a robot that has an assistant that can be activated by voice is an excellent choice. The iRobot Roomba 980, for instance, is able to be operated with a simple command from Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant. It comes with a compact, self-emptying docking station and a powerful cleaning engine that makes your floors sparkling.