Robot Vacuum and Mop - Hands-Free Cleaning Made Easy

Think about this two-in-one cleaner if you're looking for a cleaner that does all. It is able to clean medium and low-pile carpets on floors, and its app lets you create mop-free areas and to adjust cleaning schedules and modes of operation.

Look for robot vacuum and mop models that detect the type of flooring they're using, take out their own water tanks and dirt and avoid obstacles like phone chargers, socks and pet hair. Find out how easy the unit can be installed.

Self-Emptying

People are always looking for ways of reducing their workload as the world becomes more frantic and hectic. Robot vacuums and mop are some of the best tools you can use to help. These machines can vacuum up dust, crumbs and pet hair while simultaneously cleaning floors. You can even make use of a smartphone or voice assistant to control them using pre-programmed schedules and specific room designations.

One of the biggest time-savers for both users and machines are self-emptying models that don't need you to empty out the bin after every cleaning cycle. This will save you a lot of effort and lets your robot keep your home clean more often, without having to worry about running out of room in the bin before the time comes for a refill.

If you're thinking about a self-emptying model be sure that the external dust bin is big enough to fit your home's size and cleaning frequency since it will be filled quickly if you decide to run it on a regular basis. It is also important to ensure that the system will not overfill, which can cause blockages that will stop the robot from being able to fully empty it.

The self-emptying function works by removing the dust bin inside the machine and placing it in a larger storage container -- think of it as the bag that comes with the traditional automatic vacuum cleaner robot cleanerwhich can be empty every two or three cycles. The robots are worth the extra cost because they come with this feature that is top-of-the-line.

Some models wash and dry dirty pads automatically after every use. Some models have docks that does the work for you, and you only have to empty it once or twice per year.

For a single-function robot that can do both take a look at this top-rated option from Roborock. The RockDock-S7 MaxV Ultra can both mop and vacuum, thanks to a the dock that can do all the maintenance for you. It's not necessary to empty the tanks manually, and you can schedule the unit or start it by using the controls on your device and voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Assistant. It even has boundaries that keep it out of certain areas, if you don't want it wandering throughout your home.

Object Avoidance

The top robot vacuums have object avoidance, which aids the machine move between furniture legs and toys for children. This is an essential feature for families with children and pets, as should the robot come into contact with the objects, they'll likely stop or break it.

The system is usually built around a single or couple of sensors situated close to the shock-absorbing bumpers of the vacuum. If sensors detect a roadblock, the robot will automatically reorient and turn until it can find an open path. Certain models utilize lidar technology that uses lasers to measure the distance between the robot and the surrounding objects. This enables it to create a map of its surroundings in real-time, and move more efficiently around your home.

Other robovacs, which do not use lidar technology, are designed to detect obstacles using cameras that utilize a binocular or monocular sight. These systems work best in the best lighting conditions, but don't work as well in low-light settings or with objects that are identical to their surroundings. A robot with monocular vision is unable to distinguish shoes and cables.

Some robot vacuums are more advanced than others and can perform more than just avoid obstacles. This is why they are called smart vacuums. They can create a virtual map of your home's layout and allow you to direct them to specific rooms or areas through the application. They'll even remember places they've already cleaned and can reduce the time spent cleaning and ensure your home is thoroughly clean.

Many of the most sophisticated robotic vacuums and mops are able to switch between different kinds of flooring. Some can automatically detect the flooring type in a room and adjust their suction and brush functions to match. Others can even move from carpet to hard floors without losing suction power.

Whatever the flooring regardless of the flooring type, all smart vacuums and mops need to be equipped with some form of obstacle avoidance. These mechanisms help to prevent the vacuums from getting stuck in a web or wires, which could cause them to lose suction. Certain models are equipped with a list of common objects they are aware to look out for, such as socks, shoes and pet waste. The best models can recognize these items and determine their dimensions, distance, and how to avoid them without running into it.

Floor Mapping

Most robot vacuums have sensors that aid in detecting objects. If a object -- like furniture legs or a random toy that is thrown around gets in the way the sensor will trigger that instructs the vacuum to turn away from the obstacle and to move towards a cleaner section of the floor. However the sensors aren't completely reliable. For example the Roomba 900 Series was able to avoid our shoelaces and wired headphones, but it inadvertently got a USB cord. We recommend moving objects out of the robot's path before letting it run through your home.

A lot of the mopping and vacuum robots we've tested in The Spruce come with an app that you can use to save maps, set schedules, select cleaning options and monitor your robot's progress. The best apps are easy to set up and simple to use, and some include many features to help your robot be more efficient.

App integration can also help you keep track of the robot's water tank as well as dirty pads. Look for models that allow you to determine the level of the water tank and the amount of moisture on the pad, and when the pad's cloth should be changed. You can even create a schedule that will automatically change the pad when it's wet in order to prevent mildewy smells from building up on the old one.

Mapping is a crucial feature of robot vacuums working on different floors within a house. It allows the robot to create a virtual map of your home which it can use to navigate between rooms and clean various areas more thoroughly. Some robots use sensors and artificial intelligence to create these maps. For instance, iRobot's vacuuming Mapping feature makes use of multiple sensors to scan a room including corners and walls, to determine how far it can travel before hitting obstacles or hitting furniture.

Other robots like the Ecovacs Deebot X1 -OMNI or the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra use optical sensors to determine the wall's location. They can then follow the edges of furniture or apply an algorithm for mapping to determine the best self emptying robot vacuum path for each room.

Mopping Sets

Robot vacuums are automated and all you have to do is to click a button on the app or on the remote control to get them to sweep a space. You can also use voice commands to set schedules which is a great feature for busy families that would like their robot to perform its duties at the same time every day.

The majority of robot mops utilize microfibre pads that are soaked with water tanks within their base, and many are able to be used repeatedly before needing to clean or replace the pad. You should look for models that alter the amount of water dispensed to suit different types of floors. It is also important to consider the size of your tank, the ability to switch between dry and dried mopping, and the length of time a mop that is robotic can last on a single charge.

The best robot mops can quickly and efficiently clean hard floors, getting under tables and around obstacles that you'd have difficulty doing manually. They're not perfect however they're not perfect, and may struggle to climb and descend the stairs or over ledges which separate rooms. They can also leave streaks on tiles and timber, especially in sunlight.

A high-quality robot vacuum and mop ought to also come with a sensor that can detect and avoid carpet. This is essential when you live in a home with different types of flooring, as the robot cleaner will not be sucked into or over rugs. It should be able to identify other objects that might hinder cleaning like cords and tassels. This will enable you to establish "no-go zones" that prevent the robot getting into these areas.

The majority of robots that we test in our CHOICE lab come with a smart app integration. This allows you to save maps of your house and set up cleaning schedules, and select cleaning modes. You'll also be able create virtual barriers to keep your robot away from certain areas, and get (sometimes amusing) warnings about errors when the device runs into problems. Certain apps are simpler to use than others, and others provide live webcams to monitor your robot.