Buying a Robot Vacuum That Mop

A robot vacuum that mops can take the stress out of keeping your floors spotless. This is especially true if your home has hard floors and you want to reduce the number of Swiffer pads that you need to buy or discard.

Choose models that are simple to set up and maintain. This includes charging the tank with water and emptying it as well as taking out and replacing the pads for cleaning.

1. Object Avoidance

Robot vacuums are fantastic at detecting large obstacles like furniture legs, walls and pet toys, but they can miss smaller items that get pushed around during cleaning. This is a common issue for all robots and could cause an unpleasant clean-up when the robot is sucked into a place it shouldn't be. Robots equipped with object-avoidance systems employ sensors (like cameras, lasers or LIDAR) to detect and avoid small objects on the ground.

Some robots use cameras to create a virtual map that can recognize the floor layout. These maps allow you to create boundaries and no-mop zones and set a cleaning schedule and control water flow in every room during mopping.

Mapping technology is one of the main advantages of a robot that mop especially if you live in an apartment with a lot of furniture or complex floor plans. A robot that uses mapping can memorize your rooms' layout so it can clean them quickly and mopping effectively without falling over or running into furniture or other items.

During our tests, the iRobot Combo J7+ incorporated LIDAR with a front-facing video camera to stay clear of obstacles in its path. This clever feature is called PrecisionVision works in both sweeping and mopping mode and is an example of how robots are getting better at understanding the objects they come across on the floor.

When we examined this robot, it did a good job of avoiding large obstacles, but it was less adept at recognizing smaller things like sock balls or USB cords on the floor. This is a common problem we see in most robotic mops but the good thing is that there are plenty of options available that are much better in this regard.

Some mop models have a wand that is specially designed to spray water on floors, while others feature an oscillating mop head that does the work with a more gentle drip and no large streams of water. Choose a model that has a low-pressure water flow to minimize damage.

2. Water Reservoir

Most robot mops include an explanation that they're not meant to be used on stubborn, stuck-on, or set-in stains. The good news is that even a vacuum cleaner that can do both is not as efficient at removing the stains as a robotic.

We found that the Yeedi robot mop and vacuum could maneuver around obstacles and adjust for objects such as furniture, toys or pet hair leaving floors sparkling and polished. It wasn't able to reach the top of ledges, meaning it was unable to reach the rooms on the other side. It's a smaller bin than the majority of robot vacuums, which means you may have to empty it more frequently if it is used throughout your home. We recommend buying a model that has self-emptying docks, which will deposit its cleaning pads into the empty container, saving you numerous 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 an additional important feature. The majority of the models we tested did do this, which will save you a step in your cleaning routine. However, it's important note that you will have to manually empty the dirt and cleaning solution tanks and wash disposable pads according to the manufacturer's instructions after each mopping session. This will prevent mildew and other harmful bacteria from forming in the dark, moist area under the bot.

Many robot mop models have a dedicated app that lets you adjust the map of your home, customize cleaning areas, schedule and see the status of cleaning and connected smart devices or voice assistants to provide hands-free control. The app can also be used to check when your mopping robot requires maintenance, for example, replacement of the filter. Some of the top models also have smart home integration. This allows you to connect them to your smart lights, doorbells and other devices.

3. Water Level Adjustment

A robot vacuum that mop is a good investment for those who frequently spend time and energy cleaning their floors. However, the majority of mop models come with a disclaimer saying that they're not intended to be used on stubborn or sticky dirt or set-in staining. If you're looking for a mopping machine that does more than just clean up spills and dust, search for one that has the capacity to adjust the water level or scrub intensity.

It's useful to locate models that let you program or manually start and stop cleaning. You should also be able check the status of your mop live on the app. It is also beneficial to select a mop that automatically recharges when the battery is low. Many models that feature this feature can clean a huge home in less than an hours.

The app should be easy to use and is a huge benefit if you are able to use voice commands to control your mop. This is particularly beneficial for those who want to clean their floors while doing other chores or watching television. The majority of the mop models we tested have voice controls that are simple to use, but some require connecting the mop to Wi-Fi in order to access the app.

Another thing to think about when purchasing a mopping machine is whether it comes with disposable or reusable cleaning pads. The latter are more environmentally sustainable, but they can be difficult to keep stocked and may not work as well as the former. Some pads let you choose the type of pad you use however you'll need ensure that you change them regularly or clean them after each cleaning.

If you have high-pile carpets in your home, it is worthwhile to find a robot that can handle them. IRobot's J7 Combo can handle these better than the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra, but the latter does an excellent job on both carpeted and non-carpeted floors. You can also purchase an ECOVACS DEEBOT series model that includes mopping and vacuuming capabilities.

4. Self-Mopping

Most robot mops can save you 35 hours a year of tiring mopping work, and they're quieter than vacuum cleaners. However, you'll need to take care of some maintenance tasks like refilling the water reservoir or changing out an old cleaning pad. Self-mopping features make this less of a hassle, as the mop will be automatically returned to its dock when it's time for a new pad.

This feature is particularly helpful when your floors are difficult to clean, like granite or tile. Some mop models scrub floors with the rotating bristle spinning while others use pads for cleaning. Some mop models sweep and vacuum as well as mop, giving you more options.

If you intend to use an automated mop frequently you should consider one with an integrated dustbin or a bin that is simple to empty. Some mops that also vacuum require you to empty the bin more often than those that only mop. Others have separate bins for each function. The Ecovacs Deebot X1 features an automatic vacuum cleaner bin for emptying its sweeping pads that is easier to open than those of other robot vacuums, and it automatically replaces the disposable pads to fresh ones once they're full.

Some robot mops have smart home connectivity so you can control them via your smartphone or voice assistant. The Braava Jet M6 is an example of smart robot mops that connects to a hub. This means it is possible to schedule recurring cleanings with your schedule and other preferences via the app. You can also receive a status update on the mop's life expectancy and the level of water, which is useful if you're not home to check what's going on.

Keep in mind that no robot mop is perfect and even the top ones will probably not get dirty, greasy messes as clean as you can with manual mops or traditional Swiffer. They're excellent to clean up quick or for preventing stains from setting however they're not an alternative to a thorough hand mop or a thorough vacuum cleaner.