Best Rated Robot Vacuum and Mop

Eufy's top-rated robot vacuum cleaners best mop and vacuum takes a lot of the hands-off work out of keeping your floors clean. It can re-fill its own water tank, self-empty its larger tower bin and then change the dust bag.

Advanced models can map your house and record furniture positioning. They can also detect obstructions and avoid dangers such as loose charging cables and loose socks.

Object Avoidance

Object avoidance features enable your robot to avoid crashing into things like power cords, toys and even clothes that could get caught up in the vacuum. This is especially important if you have kids or pets who are prone to leaving objects on the floor, which your robot will find them.

Depending on the model you choose, you might have a variety of sensors to assist your robot in its journey around obstacles. Some of the most popular are crossed IR sensors that send focused beams of infrared light across the room to identify things like doors and furniture legs. Many robots have embraced this technology, and you can find it in the flagship models that cost more.

Other technology for avoiding objects are typically found in more expensive robots are 3D Structured Light, which uses cameras and crossed IR sensors to map the environment and detect obstacles; and Time of Flight (ToF) sensors that emit and measure the time it takes for light to reflect off of objects to determine the distance to them. These are less common but are a great option for your robot if you're looking for extra security.

Most of the top-rated robotics are also able to mop your floors. Some come with their own water tanks, which allow them to wash away water-based spills and messes. You'll need to empty the robot's onboard dust bin and wipe down its sensors and cameras between cleaning sessions, but these chores will not take a lot of your time.

Mapping

Mapping capabilities are essential in robot vacuums because they enable them to keep track of your home's layout and avoid hitting things like walls. Without mapping, they could be tripped by furniture, cords, or pet toys, and end up cleaning less of your space. The majority of robots utilize sensors to map your home and navigate around obstacles. This allows them to sweep your floors with fewer passes, saving your time. Many of the top robotic vacuums also have this feature, which allows you to create areas of no-go.

Robots with a built-in LIDAR system make use of this technology to map your home quickly and Best Rated Robot Vacuum efficiently. The Eufy Clean robot separated my room into different areas and cleaned each separately during our tests. This was a huge improvement over other models that only used a front-bumper sensor. This was a more precise way to navigate my home and it was easy to control using the app that came with the device.

While no robot vacuum that mops vacuum can climb stairs, the majority of the top-rated models come with obstacle avoidance and mapping features. These tools allow them to collect dirt from low-pile or hard floors, and to avoid falling down the stairs. Some have cliff sensors that stop them from crossing over the edge of stairs, and some have boundary strips that can keep them away from certain areas.

Certain robots have an enormous base tower that is able to collect dirt. This helps reduce the amount of dust or allergens that are released within your home. These bases can be left for weeks or even months without emptying which is particularly beneficial when you suffer from allergies. Alternatively, some models have self-emptying systems that allow you to dump out their onboard dust bins without having to manually open or close them.

Wi-Fi enabled

Some robot vacuums use Wi-Fi to connect with their apps, allowing you to control them using your smartphone rather than (or in addition to) a physical remote. Those models are more expensive but can save you time by allowing you to schedule cleaning times on a daily, weekly or even monthly basis. They can also allow you to modify and save floor maps, and provide alternative cleaning schedules.

The most advanced robot vacuums use dual sensors, combining the LIDAR system to map your space with a structured light sensor that can see objects and avoid them, even if they're under furniture or power cords. These features let your robot reach into tight areas, such as the nook beneath your kitchen cabinets or under your sofas. Some robots have difficulty in these areas. They are also faster to navigate around obstacles, have longer runtimes and larger dust bins. This makes them more suitable for large homes compared to entry-level robots.

The most effective robot vacuums are quick, intelligent and powerful. They can remove an array of floor debris such as pet hair, kitty-litter and other dirt. They are also quiet making them a good option for homes with children and pets. The majority of robot vacuum owners we've interviewed have reported that they appreciate the ease of keeping their floors cleaned with little effort, particularly when they are used frequently. And with proper maintenance (cleaning the rotating brushes and keeping tabs on the parts that need replacement) robots can last as long as a conventional full-size vacuum cleaner. PCWorld offers a guide that includes some helpful tips to keep yours running smoothly.

Larger Dust Bags

Although a robot vacuum may not be as effective as a canister or upright model, it is excellent in removing dust and other debris that regular vacuuming leaves behind. It can be used to do quick touch-ups of bare floors, and can navigate around cords or other household obstacles. If you don't wish to do the deep cleaning yourself, a robot cleaner can be set to send it out to scour your floors on a regular schedule.

Some of the top-rated robot vacuums come with big easy to empty dust bags that can hold more dirt than one room. This can save time and money through bags that can be replaced. Several of the models on our list feature this feature, including the most popular one, the Ecovacs Deebot T30S Combo. This all-in-one robovac has an impressive performance score and comes with self-emptying bin. It has a mopping feature and an efficient navigation. It is a close call between this and the iRobot Roomba Combo j9+, that has intelligent mapping and avoidance technology. This model has a greater capacity, but is slightly more expensive.

Another significant difference between these two models is how well they handle hair that is long, which can tangle in the rollers of certain robots. The best robot vacuum cleaner and mop-performing models include the Roborock Q5 Max+ and SwitchBot K10S Plus, both have outstanding hair pickup and tangle avoidance scores, along with great path planning and near perfect auto empty results. The Shark Matrix Plus and eufy are also great options with decent hair pickup and tangle avoidance, but not as much path planning or auto empty.

The latest robots are fitted with sensors that detect dirt and debris on carpets and they are better in removing pet hair. Some robots have mopping mode, that makes use of the water reservoir in order to remove stuck-on mess and spills. This feature is a must for families with pets and children.

Maintenance

Having a robot vacuum can be a huge help in keeping up with your home. The top models can remove more dirt pet hair and lint, than the broom that is used on low-pile or hard flooring. They have navigational features that prevent them from getting stuck on power cords, rug fringe, or furniture.

According to the model, you can program a robot vacuum to run multiple times per day or even watch it perform its duties using an app. These devices are convenient, but they can also clog and require regular maintenance. This involves emptying the dust bin onboard (or in certain cases, the base's larger bin) as well as checking the brushes for tangled fur, and periodically rinsing the filters and allowing them to dry according to the specifications of the manufacturer.

Vacuum expert Emily Rairdin, a store owner apprentice at University automatic vacuum and mop robot + Sewing, says a high-quality robot vacuum can last from three to five years or more with regular maintenance and care. She suggests emptying the bin and brush roll often cutting out hair that gets caught in the brushes, and frequently washing and drying the filter if your robot is a mop as well. It's also an excellent idea to wipe down the sensors and charging contacts on the dock or the robot vacuums with mop occasionally with a soft cloth. Then, refill and recharge your robot prior to the next cleaning session.