The best robot vacuum that mops Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Robot vacuums can make the chore of vacuuming a little less painful. Modern models can also mop, and even climb (small) steps.
They have a tiny dustbin which they empty themselves and some can be operated by a smartphone app instead of an actual remote. Some come with mapping features to assist in navigation.
1. Power
With an impressive 8,000Pa of suction Our top pick for robot vacuums is durable enough to take on the toughest hairs and dirt. Its super-thin square design allows it to slide under furniture such as beds and sofas, and its Dual-Laser LiDAR technology provides intelligent navigation and accurate obstacle avoidance. It's also great at cleaning baking powder, pet hair and other debris that can be found near baseboards and corners.
Other high-powered robots that are listed apart from the DEEBOT X2 OMNI, include the iRobot Roomba j7+ as well as the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra includes a docking station which automatically performs maintenance. It also comes with mopping capabilities. Its powerful suction, coupled with its effective mopping, kept my floors clean of pet hair, muddy prints, and other debris on all floors we tested.
In the lower price range, a unit with around 2,500Pa of suction is more than enough for most homes. These models are quieter, making them the ideal option for people with sensitive hearing. They're not quiet, but they're not about the same as a normal conversation at home.
For the best mix of performance and convenience take into consideration your cleaning needs and budget. For light-duty cleaning that is frequent you will require a longer time-to-run and a lower suction is required. For heavy-duty cleaning, weekly runs require the maximum power. Examine your flooring, home layout and cleaning schedules prior to choosing the right model. We recommend looking through our complete list of robot vacuum reviews and ratings for more information on the latest models available. Many customers report having their carpets and floors looking much cleaner after introducing a robotic vacuum into their home.
2. Navigation
A robot vacuum can't accomplish its task when it doesn't know how to navigate around your home. The most advanced robots utilize sophisticated navigation technology to scan rooms and create maps, ensuring thorough cleaning without getting stuck or hitting obstacles. There are three kinds of robot cleaner navigation: LiDAR-based, sensor-based, and camera-based.
LiDAR is employed by the most expensive models to create a virtual space map, offering the highest levels of precision and efficiency. The less expensive models depend on bump sensors, which can be more inaccurate and are more likely to miss the majority of debris in dark spaces. Most robots are equipped with cliff sensors to keep them from falling off stairs or other drops.
Several robots in my tests used object recognition to deftly navigate things like fake cords and dog turds but the best was the Eufy X10. It was equipped with powerful mop heads that oscillate and a user-friendly app and a superb mapping capability.
Consider features such as sensors that detect floors, which automatically boost suction power when required. Certain robots such as the Roborock mop utilize mopping pads lift to reach into corners and clean dried spills. Some hybrids even apply cleaning solution to stubborn staining.
A smaller dustbin means less frequent emptying, however, a larger one can save you money on replacements. The most affordable robotic cleaners generally employ a tiny disposable dust bag, while the majority of mid-range models come with larger 3L dustbins that last for decades. Certain premium robots such as the EcoVACS DEEBOT OMNI Station are able to self-empty and fill up their water tanks, allowing hands-free convenience.
3. App control
Most robot vacuums come with an app to monitor cleaning progress, schedule sessions and connect to smart home devices. Many also connect to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to allow voice-controlled control. Some models have a separate remote control that lets you start, pause and return to dock. Choose a model that has a larger dustbin and can self-empty, rather than one that requires manual emptying.
Some robovacs come with mapping technology that helps them remember obstacles, like staircases, and prevents them from hitting furniture. Some robovacs allow you to designate no-go zones and specific rooms to ensure that they only clean areas that require the most. They also have cliff sensors to prevent them from falling down the staircase, which is particularly useful in multi-level homes.
If you plan to make use of your robot vacuum for cleaning rugs, choose a model which can be used for wet and dry mopping. You'll get better results from an vac that is able to remove its own mop pad too, which you can then wash and reattach when it comes time for another cleaning cycle. Also look for a robot that has a rubber roll that is less prone to tangles from pet hair and other debris than a bristle roller, as found on some cheaper models. Check the robot's side brushes and brushroll for any debris that has gotten stuck on. Make sure to do this at least every week. If you notice they are getting clogged it might be time to buy replacement parts.
4. Debris collection
Robot vacuums are made according to the name to collect dust and debris on your floors. The best ones are able to pick up fine particles like baking soda and sand as larger pieces such as orzo pasta, screws made of metal and pet hair. They also provide better results on carpets with a low pile than manual vacuums.
Across all flooring types, the top robots had pickup scores of more than 95%. The ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 OMNI and the Roborock Q Revo were the two most efficient bots in this class. Both are highly automated, with docking stations that can perform maintenance on their own, and app features which make them extremely user-friendly.
Both come with self-emptying bins which automatically suck up the contents of the wastebasket and can clean the washboard while mowing. They also have suction of 8,000Pa and smart mapping technology and advanced obstacle avoidance that helps them find their way around even the most difficult of areas. The ECOVACS model is also the only robots we tested that can take its mop pads and vacuum carpet, which makes it the best choice for those who have to switch between mopping and vacuuming regularly.
If you want a cheaper option, we recommend the iRobot Roomba Combo J7+, our budget choice. It features LIDAR navigation for a reasonable price and a decent performance in the collection of debris. It can be a bit slow in mapping rooms and has a tendency of hitting obstacles, but the cost is less than our other picks.
5. Battery life
The most effective robot vacuums let you get on with your day while they keep your floors in perfect state. It is still necessary to manually vacuum your home from time to time, but robovacs will assist you in maintaining a minimum standard of cleanliness, and even clean while you're away.
To maximize the amount of time you can use your robovac, choose a model with excellent battery life. A good robot vacuum guideline is to expect a model to last about two full cleaning sessions if you run it at the maximum power setting. This is not as long as a full-sized vacuum cleaner, but it will be sufficient to provide for the majority of homes. If you don't want to sit around waiting for your robovac recharges, you can also select one that will automatically make its way back to the base station to recharge.
If you're looking for a robot vacuum and mop with a variety of features in it, then consider a robot that can also mop. Eufy's X10 is the top model in this category and provides self-emptying, auto-draining and self-refilling of the dust bin as well as the mop pad. It can be programmed to automatically refill and wash mops as soon as they run out.
The clear winner in our tests is the Dyson V810 due to its outstanding carpet and hard floor pickup, outstanding hair pickup, tangle-free performance and an almost perfect auto empty score. It's expensive and, unless you live in a an apartment that is small and has no pets, it might be too costly for certain. The runner-up, the Dreametech D10+, has identical performance, however it costs 25 percent less.