A robot vacuum can make cleaning your floors easier. This is particularly true if you have hard floors in your home and you want to reduce the amount of Swiffer pads you need to buy or dispose of.
Choose models that are simple to install and maintain. This includes charging the water tank and emptying it as well as removing and replacing the cleaning pads.
1. Object Avoidance
Robot vacuums are excellent at detecting large obstacles like furniture legs, walls, and pet toys, but they also miss smaller items that get carried around when cleaning. This is a problem that occurs with most robots and can lead to an unclean environment if the robot gets sucked into a place isn't. Robots with object avoidance systems employ various sensors (like cameras, lasers, and LIDAR) to identify small objects on the floor and avoid them during a cleaning session.
Most of the robots that we tested with this feature used a laser to help navigate its way and avoid obstacles, but certain models also employ cameras to recognize the floor's layout, and create a virtual map of the space. These maps let you create boundaries and mop zones. You can also create an agenda for cleaning and regulate the flow of water through each space during mopping.
A robotic mop that makes use of mapping technology can be a great asset, particularly when your home is surrounded by a lot of furniture and a complex floor plan. A robot that maps can remember your rooms' layout so it can clean them efficiently and quickly without crashing into furniture or other objects.
In our tests the iRobot Combo J7+ used a combination of LIDAR and a front-facing camera in order to keep away from obstacles that were in its path. This smart feature called PrecisionVision works in both mopping and sweeping mode and is an example of how robots are becoming more adept at identifying the objects they encounter on the floor.
This robot was great at eliminating large objects, but less so at detecting smaller items like USB cords and sockballs. This is a common issue we encounter in the majority of robotic mop cleaners but the good thing is that there are a lot of options on the market that do much better in this regard.
Some mop models have a wand that is specially designed to spray water on floors, while others come with an oscillating head that works with a gentle drip and no strong streams of water. If you have wood flooring, choose a model that uses a low-pressure flow of water to minimize damage.
2. Water Reservoir
The majority of robot mop cleaners come with an instruction that they are not designed to be used for stubborn staining, sticky or set-in. The good news is that even the vacuum cleaner that is able to do both is not as effective at getting rid of these 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 shiny and polished. It didn't reach the top of the ledges, which means it wasn't able to reach rooms on the other side. It has a smaller bin than the majority of robot vacuums, which means you may have to empty it more often when it is used in your home. We recommend a model with an automatic emptying port which will drop the cleaning pads into the empty container. This will save you from having to make numerous trips to the garbage can.
Another aspect to think about is whether a mopping device will automatically take its water tanks that are dirty to the dock for drying and washing. The majority of the models we tested will be able to do this, which can save you a step in your cleanup routine. However, it's important note that you will have to manually empty the dirt and cleaning solution tanks and wash reusable pads in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions between mopping sessions. This prevents mildew and other harmful bacteria from developing in the dark, moist space beneath the bot.
Many robot mop models come with an application that lets you customize the map of your home as well as customize cleaning areas and schedules, view the status of cleans and connect other smart devices or voice-activated assistants to allow hands free control. The app can be used to detect when your mopping robot requires maintenance, like a filter replacement. A few of the most popular models have smart home integration. onson robot vacuum allows you to connect them to smart lights, doorbells and other gadgets.
3. Water Level Adjustment
Robot vacuums that mop can be an excellent investment for those who spend lots of time and effort cleaning their floors. The majority of mops come with warnings that they are not designed to be used to tackle adversity or sticky messes or set-in staining. If you're looking for a mopping robot that does more than just get rid of dust and spills, it's important to look for one that is able to adjust the water level and/or scrub intensity to tackle tough mess.
It's also helpful to choose models that allow you to set up a schedule or manually begin and end cleaning. The app should also allow you to check the status of the mop in real time. It's also a good idea to select a model that automatically recharges and resumes cleaning if the battery gets low during cleaning. Many models that feature this feature are able to clean a large house in less than a half an hour.
The app should be easy to use, and it's a big benefit if you are able to use voice commands to control your mop. This is particularly beneficial for those who wish to clean their floors while doing other chores or watching television. Most of the models we've tested provide simple-to-use voice commands, however some require you to connect the mop to Wi-Fi to connect to the app.
Another thing to think about when buying a mopping robot is whether it comes with disposable or disposable cleaning pads. Reusable pads are more eco-friendly, but they can be difficult to store and may not perform as well as disposable pads. Certain models let you select the type of pad to use, but it's essential to remember to wash or change them every cleaning.
If you have a lot of area rugs with high pile in your house, it's worth looking for a robotic mop that is able to take care of these. iRobots j7 Combo is better at cleaning these than the Roborock S7 maxv ultra but it also does an excellent job on non-carpeted surfaces. If you want to, you can purchase an ECOVACS DEEBOT series model that includes mopping and vacuuming functions.
4. Self-Mopping
The majority of robot mops will save you 35 hours per year of tiring mopping work They're also quieter than vacuum cleaners. However, you'll still need to perform some maintenance, like refilling the reservoir or changing a dirty cleaning pad. A self-mopping feature makes this less of a chore since the mop will return to its dock when it's time for an entirely new pad.
This feature is especially useful for floors that are difficult to clean, such as granite or tile. Certain mop models utilize an e-spinner that rotates to scrub floors, whereas others simply run a cleaning pad across the floor. You can also find some mop models that sweep or vacuum in addition to mopping, meaning you'll have a variety of options for your cleaning needs.
If you plan on using a mop robot frequently look for one that has an integrated dustbin or a bin that is simple to empty. Some mops that double as vacuums will require you to empty the bin more often than mops that simply mop and go, and some come with distinct bins for each use. The Ecovacs Deebot X1 has an automatic bin for emptying its sweeping pads that's simpler to open than other robot vacuums, and it automatically swaps out the cleaning pads that are reusable to fresh ones once they're full.
Some robot mop models are connected to smart homes, which means you can utilize your smartphone or voice assistant to control them. The Braava Jet M6 is a smart robot that can connect to hubs, allowing you to schedule recurring cleanings according to your schedule and preferences through the app. Additionally, you can receive an update on the mop's battery and the level of water, which is beneficial if you're away from home to check on what's happening.
Be aware that no robot mop is perfect and even the most effective mop will not be able to remove sticky, greasy messes as clean as you can with manual mops or a traditional Swiffer. They're great for quick cleanups or for keeping stains from getting set, but they aren't a substitute for a thorough hand mop or deep-cleaning vacuum cleaner.
