Buying a Robot Vacuum That Mop
A robot vacuum can help you clean your floors more easily. This is especially true if have hard floors throughout your home and want to reduce the number of Swiffer pads you need to purchase or dispose of.
Find models that are easy to install and maintain. This includes charging the tank with water and emptying it and removing and replacing the pads for cleaning.
1. Object Avoidance
Robot vacuums are great at detecting large obstacles like furniture legs, walls, and pet toys, but they also overlook smaller objects that are pushed around in the course of cleaning. This is a common problem with most robots and can result in a messy clean up when the robot is sucked into an object isn't. Robots with object-avoidance systems use sensors (like lasers, cameras or LIDAR) to detect and avoid small objects on the ground.
Most of the robots that we tested with this feature employed lasers to guide the robot and avoid obstacles, but some also use cameras to identify the floor's layout and draw an imaginary map of the space. These maps let you create boundaries and no mop zones, set up a schedule for cleaning and regulate the flow of water through each space during mopping.
Mapping technology is among the most significant advantages of a robot that mops, especially if you have a home with lots of furniture or complex floor plans. A robot that maps can learn your room's layout so it can clean them efficiently and quickly without crashing into furniture or other items.
In our tests, the iRobot Combo J7+ was able to combine LIDAR with a front-facing video camera to eliminate obstacles in its path. This clever feature, known as PrecisionVision is able to work in both sweeping and mopping modes and is a good illustration of how robots are becoming more adept at understanding what they're encountering on the floor while they work.
When we test this robot it did a great job of avoiding obstacles that were large, but it was less skilled at recognizing smaller objects like sock balls and USB cords lying on the floor. This is a problem we have seen with the majority of robotic mop machines. The good news is there are many alternatives available that can do a better job.
Some of these mops come with an wand with a special design that sprays a stream of clean water onto the floor while others use an oscillating head to accomplish the job with the gentle drip of water and not a powerful jet. If you have wood floors, you should look for models that use a low-pressure flow of water to minimize damage.
2. Water Reservoir
Most robot mops have a disclaimer that they're not intended to be used on stubborn, stuck-on, or set-in stains. The good news is that a vacuum cleaner that can perform both tasks isn't as efficient at removing the stains as a robotic.
We discovered that the Yeedi robot mop and vacuum could maneuver around obstacles and adjust for objects like furniture, toys, or pet hair, leaving floors shiny and polished. It was unable to reach the top of ledges, so it was unable to reach the rooms to the opposite side. It's smaller than most robot vacuums, and you might need to empty it more often if it is used in your home. We recommend buying a model that has a self-emptying dock, which will drop its cleaning pads into the empty container, avoiding multiple trips to the trash can.
A mopping robot's capability to automatically return its dirty tanks to its dock to be washed and dried is a further important feature. black friday robot vacuum deals of the models we tested did save you an extra step in your cleaning routine. But, it's important to note that you will need to manually empty the dirt and cleaning solution tanks and wash disposable pads according to their manufacturer instructions after each mopping session. This helps prevent the growth of mildew as well as other undesirable bacteria from forming in the moist, dark space beneath the bot.
Many robot mop models have a dedicated app which lets you change their map of your home, customize cleaning areas, schedule and see the status of the cleanliness of your home and connected smart devices or voice assistants for hands-free control. The app can also be used to check whether your robot needs maintenance, like replacement of the filter. Some of the most popular models have smart home integration, which allows users to connect them to your smart light bulbs as well as doorbells and other devices.
3. Water Level Adjustment
Robot vacuums that mop could be an excellent investment for people who spend a lot of time and effort cleaning their floors. The majority of mops come with an indication that they're not intended to be used for tackling stubborn or sticky messes or set-in staining. If you're looking for a cleaning robot that does more than just rid of spills and dust, it's essential to find one that has the ability to alter the level of water and/or scrub intensity to deal with tough messes.
It's also beneficial to choose an option that allows you to schedule or manually start and stop cleaning. The app should also allow you to keep track of the condition of the mop in real-time. Additionally, it's beneficial to choose a mop that automatically recharges and resumes cleaning whenever its battery starts running low in mid-cleaning. Most models with this feature are able to clean a large home in less than an hour.
The app should be easy to navigate and is a huge plus if you can use voice commands to control your mop. This is especially useful for those who want to tidy their floors while they go about their other chores or sit down to watch TV. The majority of the models we tested come with voice controls that are easy to use, however some require connecting the mop to your Wi-Fi in order to access the app.
When buying a mopping robotic it is important to consider whether the mopping robot comes with disposable cleaning pads or one that is reusable. The reusable pads are greener, but they can be hard to stock and may not perform quite as well as disposable ones. Certain models let you select the type of pad to use, but it's important to remember to wash or change them after each cleaning.
If you have lots of high-pile area rugs in your home, it's worth seeking out a robot mop that can manage these. iRobot’s j7 Combo is more effective in cleaning these rugs than the Roborock S7 Maxv Ultra, but it can also do a great job on non-carpeted surfaces. Alternatively, you can buy an ECOVACS DEEBOT series model that includes mopping and vacuuming capabilities.
4. Self-Mopping
Robot mops are quieter than vacuums and could save you up to 35 hours of mopping per year. However, you'll need to take care of some maintenance tasks such as refilling the water reservoir or changing out the dirty cleaning pad. A self-mopping feature makes this less of a hassle because the mop will return to its dock when it's time for an entirely new pad.
This feature is especially useful when you have floors that are difficult to clean, like tile or granite. Some mop models scrub floors with the rotating bristle spinning, while others use a pad for cleaning. Some mops can sweep and vacuum, as well as mop, providing more options.
If you plan on using a robot mop often, consider one that has an integrated dustbin or a bin that is easy to empty. Some mops that also double as vacuums will require you to empty the bin more often than those that just mop and go, and some come with a separate bin for each purpose. The Ecovacs Deebot X1 has a self-emptying bin for its sweeping pads that is easier to open than those of other robot vacuums. It also automatically replaces the cleaning pads that are reusable for new ones when they're full.
Some robot mops have smart home connectivity which means you can control them with your phone or voice assistant. The Braava Jet M6 is an example of a smart robot mop that can be connected to a hub. This means you can set up regular cleaning schedules based on your schedule and other preferences via the app. You can also receive an update on the mop's battery and water levels, which is useful even when you're not home.
Keep in mind that no robot mop will be perfect. Even the most effective mop won't be able to keep sticky, greasy messes clean like you would with manual mops, or a traditional sweeper. They are excellent for speedy cleaning up or preventing stains but they don't replace the need for a thorough vacuum or hand mop.