Vacuuming With a Robot Hoover is the Best Hands-Off Model We've Tested
This high-end bot from Eufy is the best hands-off model we've tested to date. It vacuums, mops, self-empties its bin, washes and dries mop pads without your intervention.
It doesn't feature advanced cleaning modes or a more powerful docking system, but it offers outstanding performance for less than half the cost of the most expensive robotic vacuums. It also has the ability to be able to reach under furniture.
Vacuuming
Vacuuming with a robot is a quick, easy way to keep your floors clean and tidy. A lot of the models we've selected are designed to run without any involvement from you You can set them up to sweep while you're away, or even trigger an appointment from your phone. But, you should select a model that has excellent navigation and obstacle detection so that it will not be stuck on the stairs or under furniture.
Certain models are better at removing pet hair from rugs than others, which is why it's crucial to select the right model that will efficiently and effectively clean all flooring types. Choose a model with a large dustbin that will hold plenty of dirt between emptyings, and a nozzle which does not lose suction as it rotates.
Most robots require minimal to no maintenance, other than cleaning the tangled fur off the rotating brush after every cleaning session (and wiping its camera or sensors when needed) and then periodically emptying the bin, or using a robot's self-emptying base. If you follow these simple maintenance tips, your robot vacuum will last as long as full-size vacuums and help keep your home tidy for longer.
Robot mops are less versatile than vacuums, however some also remove spills and puddles. The iLife V3s Pro, a great example of machine, is an excellent choice for people with carpets and rugs as well as wood flooring. It's quiet and has excellent navigation capabilities that have helped it overcome obstacles during testing, and the charging dock doubles as a trash bin.
Choose a robot vacuum cleaner that can also mop simultaneously. Karcher's RCV 5 does that, and also has other features that are useful like a live camera, which sends a blurry image to your app, so you can keep an eye on your pet or children and a remote control that is easily programmed. Its navigation may not be as precise as some of the other models in this collection however, its 500ml dustbin is big enough and doesn't require frequent emptying.
Mopping
Robots that vacuum and mop are relatively new to the market. They are more expensive and require a separate tank of water than standalone robots. However, they may be worth the extra cost for those with stains that are difficult to clean or pets.
Some of the top robots can clean floors and carpets and also vacuum. Many brands offer robots that can perform both tasks extremely effectively. The Combo J9+ is one of the most efficient mopping machines that we've tested. It has a dock that can store up to 60 days' worth of dirt. This is a huge improvement over the Qrevo Pro which ran out water after just mopping 30 days of dirt in our tests.
The Tapo RV30 plus from networking giant TP Link is a good two-in-one. It is compact 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 soiled wooden. Its LIDAR navigation works well as well. It prevents hitting furniture and running over power cables.
It's a little slow on the stairs however that's to expected from a compact robot that's designed to tackle obstacles. The only issue is that the mopping pads can be difficult to attach and didn't stay put during our tests, and it isn't equipped to handle dried-on dirt that 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 pick up fine dust from carpets and pet hair. A good feature is its automatic carpet recognition, which enhances the effectiveness of the vacuum to better tackle embedded dirt. It's also simple to use and has a handy charging dock that automatically empties the dust bin when it's full. This is a real boon for flat dwellers.
Cleaning apps
Most robot vacuums, mop and sweepers come with an application that lets you modify cleaning routines. You can also choose rooms to be cleaned, plan cleaning sessions and adjust settings like suction levels, the amount of water and scrubbing power. Some robots also have intelligent dirt detection, which uses the data from previous cleaning sessions and maps data to prioritize dirty areas and optimize cleaning mode.
You can also use an app to create virtual barriers and no go zones to shield your robot away from dangersome objects, such as cords and pet water bowls. Certain models let you create these virtual barriers with laser navigation sensors, while others have small physical barriers or boundary strips you can place wherever you'd like to keep off your floor area.
There are still risks to be aware of, even though the top robot vac uums can detect and avoid obstacles. For instance, a robot's main brush could get stuck in long cords or curtains and stop the machine from running. To prevent this from happening you should remove the cords and tie up any long curtains.
Some robots will automatically update the software that governs their navigation and obstacle avoidance algorithms, which improves performance and reduces wear and wear 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 large home, you should consider models that have multiple cleaning modes. The iRobot Roomba 11S Max, for example, can vacuum and mop on both hard floors and carpeted rooms that have different suction levels. It also has the ability to automatically switch to the highest power setting for carpets and boost its scrubbing capabilities with SmartScrub.
If you want to be completely hands-free, a robotic device with the ability to speak to a voice-activated assistant is a fantastic option. The iRobot Roomba 980 can be controlled by Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant. It comes with a compact, self-emptying docking station and an efficient cleaning engine that leaves your floors sparkling.