The Best Robot Vacuum Mop Combo For Pet Hair

If you've got shedding pets, a robot vacuum mop combo can keep your home in check between deep cleanings. These machines reach under furniture and into corners to clean up the mess you can't see.

Jodhaira Rodriguez has tested dozens of floor-cleaning appliances in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, including many mop and robot vacuum combinations. She's rounded up her picks of the top models for pet hair.

1. Battery life

The size of your house and the number of pets you own are crucial factors to consider when you're looking for a robotic vacuum and mop combo. The bigger your house the more power the robot cleaner will require. And more pets usually mean more hair. The type of floor surfaces within your home are important as some models are better in cleaning hard floors than others.

A robotic vacuum and mop will be able remove pet hair from any floor surface including tile, hardwood and carpet. If you have more than one pet, you may want to choose a model that has a hair picker with high-efficiency. Most robot cleaners employ suction to get rid of dirt and debris, but certain models include a water feature that assists with sticky spills and staining. They also disinfect floors with the water.

Robotic mop mops that vacuum as well as mop come with longer battery lives. It's because you are using two functions in one device, which reduces the time needed to charge and shut down. Some models even empty themselves into the charging station after every run, drying the pads while doing so. This stops bacteria from growing on wet pads.

Ecovacs Deebot X2 is the most effective robot mop and vacuum combination to keep up with pet hairs and paw prints. This model is a solid performer in our tests and comes with numerous smart features, including TrueMapping 2.0 and TrueDetect 3D technology to map your home to create optimal cleaning patterns and avoid hitting furniture or other obstacles. It comes with base that houses the tanks that are clean and dirty in one location and makes maintenance simple.

2. App control

Many robot vacuums and mops can be combined with an app that lets you save maps of your house, set cleaning schedules, and track maintenance requirements. Certain robots can be controlled remotely. However, that's not required and you can still find models with the power button on the base station or charging docks, or even a remote that comes included.

In general, search for a model with a clean-up mode that vacuums, mops or does both, Best Robot Vacuum Mop Combo For Pet Hair and doesn't require you to push a manual button to switch off. This way, you can take the robot back to its dock to empty its dirt bin, change the pad that is wet or mop cloth, wash it or refill its water tank. It's also good to see whether the model is compatible with your voice assistant so you can simply use a voice command like "OK Google" or "OK Alexa" to start the cleaning process or request assistance for a problem and more.

Before choosing a robot cleaner think about how long it will take to maintain the machine and how much traffic is on your floors. For instance, if have a small furniture space or a large floor space, you may prefer a cleaner with smaller mop and vacuum capacity. You may also need to be aware that certain mopping robots are expensive and require ongoing costs. They are often expensive to buy and you will have to buy new pads or cloths. Make sure to think about the cost of the cleaning solution itself, as some brands may suggest buying an additional cleaning agent to keep your floors looking tidy.

3. Carpet recognition

The best robot vacuum and mop combos can distinguish between hard and carpet surfaces making sure they don't or scrub stains or spills. They can also identify areas that have more than one type of flooring and automatically schedule cleanings according to your home's layout. These functions are generally easy to use however, you'll need to install an additional app on your smartphone.

The majority of robot vacuum and mop combos utilize a reusable cleaning product that needs to be purchased separately, but there are some hybrid models that don't need any liquid in any way. They typically empty into a bag that is stored in the base. Some models even come with a self-emptying feature that lets you dispose of the contents in the trash can.

Certain robots come with a variety of mopping settings, whereas others are only suitable for dry floors like hardwood or tile. The most effective robot vacuums and mop sets for pet hair can be used on both types of surfaces. This makes them a great option if your home has a mix of flooring.

When choosing a robot mop and vacuum mop pet hair, think about the size of your home and how much people use it. You'll need to choose a model with enough power and battery life to keep up with daily cleanings of your floors, particularly if you have kids or pets.

The best two-in-one robots have superior capabilities that make them worth the price. For instance the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni will mop and vacuum in one sweep, with 8,000-Pa suction and two mop heads that rotate. It is also able to identify and scan your furniture and other items to stay clear of them when cleaning. Additionally, it can even talk to you via two-way audio. It also takes charge of its own scrubbing, so it automatically heads back to its dock when it's time for a wash.

4. Water tank capacity

Robot vacuums lift dirt, then deposit it in a dust bin or bag, while robot mop mops spread cleaning solutions across the floor and scrub it off using pads. Certain models combine the two functions and others have distinct capabilities to tackle different types of floors. Be aware of the type of flooring and foot traffic you have in your home to ensure that you get the best quality clean.

The cleaning formula used by the majority of mop and robot vacuums will differ from brand to brand. It is possible to buy third-party cleaners, but it's recommended to stick with the one recommended by the manufacturer. This will help avoid damage and keep your robot functioning as efficiently as it can.

If your robot vacuum and mop has a dust bin, you'll have to empty it frequently. The majority of them come with an indicator that lets you know it's time to remove the bag. It is also necessary to replace filters, rollers and side sweepers from time to time in order to maintain optimal performance.

This procedure can be made easier by a self-emptying robot that lets you empty the contents into a recycling bin or trash can. However, most of these machines don't automatically wash and dry their mopping pads or rags, which can lead to bacterial growth and mildew. If your machine does not have this feature, remove the pad and wash it following each use. You can also lay it flat to dry in between runs if own a machine equipped with this feature.

The iRobot Combo i5+, the Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1, and the Eureka E10S all have this feature. The budget-friendly iLife V5s Pro, on the other hand, focuses on minimalism and removes this function.

5. Mop mode

The iRobot Roomba J7 is the top robot vacuum and mop to clean your floors while you are away. It's not inexpensive however its AI obstacle-avoidance technology is among the best available in the industry. It can clean up Cheerios or spot poop and even cut through the tangled mess that socks and phone cables often leave on your floor. This makes it an excellent choice for homes that have pets or children and wish to keep their floors tidy.

It's one of the few robots that we tested that can mop hardwood, tile, and Linoleum. It was successful in cleaning sticky mess, wet spills and pet hair from carpets.

The only downside is that it's not a two-in-one robot, and it can take up to 6.5 hours to fully charge. The model also requires the manual emptying of the bin, unlike the majority of robots that automatically empty into the dust bag at the base station. This can be a problem in large homes with stairs and high ceilings.

If you're looking for a two-in-one that is more traditional, look into the Ecovacs T10 Plus. It has a powerful suction that is able to easily remove pet hair from carpets. It also comes with a self-emptying bin. It comes with scented pods, so you can select your preferred scent. However, it has a shorter battery life than the best models we tested and requires to be recharged frequently.