Vacuuming With a Robot Hoover is the best robot cleaner Hands-Off Model We've Tested

This high-end bot from Eufy is the most hands-free model we've seen so far. It vacuums, mop and self-empties and drys mop pads all without your involvement.

It doesn't have advanced cleaning options or a larger docking system, but it offers outstanding performance for less than half the cost of top-end robotic vacuums. It also has an incredibly compact design that can be able to reach under furniture.

Vacuuming

A robot vacuum is a convenient and quick way to keep your floors clean. A majority of the robots featured in our top picks are designed to work without your intervention, so you can schedule them to run while you're out or trigger a cleaning session from your smartphone. However, you'll want to select a model that has excellent navigation and obstacle detection to ensure it will not get stuck on the stairs or beneath furniture.

It's important to select the best robot floor cleaner robot vacuum that is able to effectively and efficiently clean all kinds of flooring. Look for a model with an empty bin that can hold plenty of dirt between emptyings and the nozzle doesn't lose suction as it rotates to take debris.

Most robots require little to no maintenance, other than removing tangled fur from the rotating brush after each cleaning session (and wiping its camera or sensors as required) and regularly emptying the bin or using a robot's self-emptying base. If you follow these simple routine maintenance steps, your robotic vacuum should last the same amount of time as a traditional vacuum and help keep your home looking cleaner for longer.

While robot mops are generally less flexible than their vacuum counterparts, some have the added ability to clean up spills and puddles while they're doing their thing. The iLife V3s Pro is an example of a machine which is a solid option for those with hardwood floors or a mix of rugs and carpets. It is quiet and has excellent navigation capabilities, which allowed it to avoid obstacles when tested. The charging dock also doubles as trash bin.

Select a robotic vacuum cleaner that can also mop simultaneously. This is what the Karcher RCV 5 does and also comes with other useful features such as a live camera that broadcasts a grainy image to your app so that you can monitor your pets or children and also an easily programmable Remote vacuum cleaner control. The navigation might not be as efficient as some of the other models in this selection, but its 500ml dustbin is big enough and doesn't require frequent emptying.

Mopping

Robots that mop and vacuum are a fairly new addition to the market. These machines are more expensive and require an additional tank of water, unlike 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 top robot vacuum cleaner robots that vacuum and mop also do a great job at cleaning bare floors and carpets. Many manufacturers offer machines capable of doing both very efficiently. The Combo J9+ is one of the most effective mopping robots that we have test. It comes with docks that can hold up to 60 days' worth of dirt. This is a huge improvement over 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 very good two-in-one. It's small quiet and has an elegant, easy-to-use look. In our test rooms it cleans the floors quickly and thoroughly. It was particularly adept at cleaning rugs. However, it required several runs to clean certain areas of soiled wooden. Its LIDAR navigation is very effective as well. It avoids bumping into furniture or running over power cables.

It's a little slow on the stairs, but that's to be expected from a compact robot that's designed to overcome obstacles. The only issue is that the mopping pads are 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 of a vacuum cleaner instead of a full-fledged mop.

It's still a great choice for people who prefer a hands-off experience and want to clean low pile or plain carpets equally. It has a decent amount of suction which helped it remove fine dust from carpets and pet hair. One of the most appealing features is its automatic carpet recognition, which enhances the effectiveness of the vacuum to tackle dirt that has been embedded. It is simple to use, and the charging dock automatically emptyes the dustbin when it is full. This is a fantastic feature for apartment dwellers.

Cleaning apps

Almost every robot vacuum mop, sweeper, and vacuum has an application that lets you personalize cleaning routines, pick rooms to clean, schedule cleaning sessions, and adjust settings such as suction, water level, and scrub power. Certain robots have intelligent dirt detection, which uses map data and past cleaning data to determine the most soiled areas.

Having an app also allows you to create virtual barriers and no-go zones to shield your robot from dangerous items such as cords, pet water bowls, and sharp objects. Some models let you create these virtual barriers using laser navigation sensors, while others feature small physical boundaries or barriers that you can place wherever you want to block your floor.

The most effective robot vacuums and mops have the capability of being smart enough to spot obstacles and navigate around them however there are some hazards to watch out for. For instance, a robot's main brush can become stuck on long cords or curtains, which can stop the machine from moving. To prevent this it is possible to clear the area of cords and tie up any curtains that are long.

Some robots automatically update their software which controls navigation and obstacle avoidance algorithm. This improves performance and reduces the wear and tear of the robot's internal components. It is a good idea to check regularly the website of the manufacturer as well as your robot's app for updates to the firmware.

If you live in a large house, choose a model that has multiple cleaning modes. The iRobot Roomba 11S Max can clean and mop 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 boost its scrubbing power by using SmartScrub.

If you want to be hands-free, a robot that has an assistant that can be activated by voice is a great option. The iRobot Roomba 980, for instance, can be controlled using a simple voice command from Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant. It comes with a compact, self-emptying docking station and an efficient cleaning engine that leaves your floors sparkling.