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 can get under furniture and into corners to remove messes you can't see.

Jodhaira Rodriguez has tested dozens of floor-cleaning appliances in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab that included a wide range of mop and robot vacuum combinations. She's put together her top choices for the top models for pet hair.

1. Battery life

The size of your house and the number of pets you have are important considerations when shopping for a robot mop and vacuum. The bigger your home, the more power the robot cleaner will require. Plus, more pets generally mean more hair. The type of floor surfaces in your home are also important because some models are better at cleaning hard floors than others.

A robotic vacuum and mop will remove pet hair from any floor surface including tile, hardwood and carpet. If you have pets, you may need a model that's especially efficient in removing hair. Some robot cleaners have water features to assist with sticky spills or stains. They also disinfect floors using water.

Robot mops with integrated vacuuming tend to have longer battery life than mops that only mop. This is due to the fact that you're combining two functions in one device, which cuts down on the time needed to charge and then shut down. Some models even are able to automatically empty themselves into their charging station after each run, and dry the pads in the process, stopping bacteria from growing on wet pads.

Ecovacs Deebot X2 is the most effective robot mop and vacuum to keep up with pet hairs and footprints. This model performed well in our tests. It is equipped with a range of smarts, including TrueMapping and TrueDetect 3D technologies to map your home and prevent bumps against furniture or other obstacles. It is equipped with a base that houses the tanks that are clean and dirty all in one place which makes maintenance easy.

2. App control

Many robot vacuums and mops can be used in conjunction with an app that allows you to save maps of your house, set cleaning schedules and keep track of maintenance requirements. Some even let you control the robot remotely. There are still models with the power button on the charging dock, base station, or even a remote included.

Find models with a cleaning mode, which can mop, vacuum or both, and doesn't require you to press a manual switch to switch it off. This will allow you to return the robot to its dock to empty its dirt bin or change a wet pad or wash a mop cloth or fill its water tank. It's also important to check whether the model is compatible with your voice assistant. If it is, you can use a single command such as "OK Google" or "OK Alexa" to start cleaning, ask for help with a problem and more.

Consider how long you'd like to devote to your robot cleaner and how much traffic your floors receive before deciding on a specific model. If you have furniture with a low density or a lot of space it is possible to select a model that is smaller in capacity for mopping and vacuuming. You also might need to be aware that certain mopping robots have reoccurring expenses since they can be costly to purchase and then you'll require mop pads or mop cloths on top of the need to replace filters, side sweeping brushes, rollers and other components that may be recommended for regular maintenance. Lastly, don't forget about the cost of the cleaning solution it self, since some brands recommend that you purchase an additional cleaning solution to keep your floors looking clean.

3. Carpet Recognition

The best robot vacuums and mop sets can distinguish between hard and carpets. This means they don't vacuum over spills or stains. They can also identify areas that have multiple types of flooring and schedule cleanings automatically in accordance with the arrangement of your home. These features are usually easy to use however, you'll need to install a separate app on your phone.

Most robot vacuums and mops utilize a reusable cleaning product that is purchased separately, but there are certain hybrid models that don't need any liquid at all. They typically empty into a bag which is kept inside the base. Some models even have a self-emptying feature which allows you to dump the contents into a trash can.

Some robots have a variety of mopping settings, whereas others can only be used for floors that are dry, such as hardwood or tile. The best robot vacuums and mop sets for pet hair can be used on all types of surfaces. This is why they are a great choice if your home has different flooring.

When selecting a Robotic Pet Hair Vacuum Cleaner vacuum and mop, consider the size of your home and how much foot traffic it gets. You'll want to find a model with enough power and battery longevity to cope with regular cleaning of your floors, particularly if you have kids or pets.

The top two-in-one robots have premium features that make them well worth the cost. Ecovacs Deebot Omni, for instance it can mop and vacuum mop for pet hair with 8,000-Pa suction and comes with a dual-rotating mop head. It can also scan your furniture and other items to avoid them while cleaning, and can even communicate with you via two-way audio. It can also take care of itself, and then return to its dock for a wash when the time comes.

4. Water tank capacity

Robot vacuums remove dirt from the floor, and then deposit it in a dustbin or bag. Robots spread cleaning solution on the floor and scrubs off dirt using pads. Some models combine both functions, while others have specific capabilities for different surfaces. To ensure you get the best kind of cleaning for your home, take note of your floors' surfaces and the amount of people use them.

The cleaning formula for the majority of robot vacuums and mop combos will differ from brand to brand. While it's possible to purchase third-party cleaners for these devices however, it's recommended to stick with the one suggested by the manufacturer. This will help prevent the possibility of damage and keep your robot running as efficiently as possible.

If your robot vacuum and mop has a dust bin, you'll have to empty it frequently. Most vacuums have an indicator that informs you when it's time for the replacement of the bag. In the same way, you'll probably require replacing the filters or rollers, side sweeping brushes and other accessories from time to time to ensure the best performance.

This procedure can be made simpler by a self-emptying robot that allows you to empty the contents into recycle bins or a trash can. The majority of these machines do not automatically wash and air dry their mopping pads or mopping cloths, which can lead bacterial growth. If your machine does not include this feature, you must remove the pad and wash it following each use. You can also lay it flat to dry between runs if you do not have a machine that has this feature.

The iRobot Combo i5+, the Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 and the Eureka E10S all have this feature. Contrastingly, the budget-friendly iLife V5s Pro focuses on minimalistic design by removing this feature.

5. Mop mode

If you're looking for a robotic mop and vacuum combo that can sweep your floors while you're away the best choice is the iRobot Roomba J7. It's not cheap however its AI obstacle-avoidance is the best available in the market. It can clean up Cheerios or spot poop and even navigate the tangled mess that phone and socks cables typically create on your floor. This makes it a good choice for households with children and pets that like to keep their floors clear of clutter.

It's among the few robots we tested that can mop hardwood, tile, and linoleum. In our tests it did a fantastic job cleaning sticky spills and wet dirt and pick up pet hair on carpets, too.

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

If you're looking for a 2-in-1 that is more traditional, then try the Ecovacs T10 Plus. It is equipped with an impressive suction system that easily eliminate pet hair from carpets. It also has an automatic emptying bin. It also comes with scented air filter pods, allowing you to choose your favorite scent. However it has a lower battery life than the top models we reviewed and needs to be charged frequently.