Buying a Robot Vacuum That Mop

A robot vacuum can make cleaning your floors easier. This is especially relevant if you live in a home with hard flooring and you want to cut down on the amount of Swiffer pads that you need to purchase or dispose of.

Look for models that are simple to set up and floor maintain. This includes charging and emptying the water tank, removing and replacing pads for cleaning.

1. Object Avoidance

Robot vacuums are great at detecting large obstacles like furniture legs, walls, and pet toys, but they may miss smaller items that get moved around during cleaning. This is a problem that occurs for all robots and could lead to a messy clean up in the event that the robot is pulled into a place should not be. Robots equipped with object avoidance systems employ different sensors (like cameras, lasers and LIDAR) to detect small objects on the floor and avoid them during cleaning.

The majority of the robots we tested with this feature used the aid of a laser to guide the robot and avoid obstacles, but some also utilize cameras to identify 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 a schedule for cleaning, and control the flow of water through each space during mopping.

A mop with a robot that utilizes mapping technology can be a great asset, especially when your home is surrounded by lots of furniture and a complicated floor plan. Mapping lets robots learn the arrangement of your rooms so that it can quickly and efficiently clean them without crashing into or knocking over furniture or other items that are in the way.

During our tests, the iRobot Combo J7+ was able to combine LIDAR with an in-front video camera to avoid obstacles in its path. This clever feature is called PrecisionVision can be used in both mopping and sweeping mode, and is a good example of how robots are getting more adept at identifying the objects they come across on the floor.

This robot was great at avoiding large objects, but less than it was at detecting smaller objects like sockballs and USB cords. This is a problem that we see with most robotic mops. The good news is that there are many alternatives available that do a much better job.

Some of these mops use a special wand to spray water on floors, while others come with an oscillating head that performs the task with a more gentle drip and no strong sprays of water. If you have wood floors, look for one that has a low-pressure flow of water to minimize damage.

2. Water Reservoir

Most robot mops include an explanation that they're not intended to be used on difficult, stuck-on, or set-in stains. The positive side is that vacuum cleaners that are able to perform both tasks isn't as effective at getting rid of these stains as a mopping robotic.

We found that the Yeedi robot mop and vacuum was able to navigate around obstacles and adjust for objects like furniture, toys or pet hair leaving floors shiny and buffed. The only drawback was that it couldn't make it up to the top of ledges to access rooms on the other side. It also has a smaller dust container than the typical robot vacuum, which means it may require emptying more frequently if you are using it in your entire home. We recommend a model with a self-emptying port, which will deposit the cleaning pads in the empty container. This will keep you from making numerous trips to the garbage can.

Mopping robots' ability to return its dirty tanks back to the dock to be cleaned and dried is an additional important feature. The majority of the models we tested did save you a step during your cleaning routine. However, it's important note that you will need to manually empty the cleaning solution and dirt tanks and wash reusable pads according to their manufacturer instructions between mopping sessions. This will stop mildew and other unwanted bacteria from growing in the moist and dark area beneath the bot.

Many robot mops have an app that lets you alter the layout of your home and customize cleaning areas as well as schedules, see the state of your cleans, and connect other smart devices or voice-activated assistants to allow hands free control. The app also gives you an opportunity to know the moment when your mopping robot requires maintenance, such as an adjustment to the filter. Some of the most popular models include smart home integration, allowing you to connect them to smart lights doorbells, lights, and other gadgets.

3. Water Level Adjustment

Robot vacuums that mop can be an excellent investment for those who spend much time and effort cleaning their floors. Most mops have an indication that they're not intended to be used for tackling stubborn or sticky messes, or set-in stains. If you want a mopping machine that can do more that just remove dirt and floor spills, look for one that has the capacity to adjust the water level or the intensity of the scrub.

It's also helpful to choose models that allow you to schedule or manually start and end cleaning. The app should also allow you to check the status of the mop in real-time. Similarly, it's helpful to choose a model that recharges automatically and resumes cleaning when its battery starts running low in mid-cleaning. Most models with this feature are able to clean a large house in less than a half an hour.

It should be simple to use and have the option to control your mop with voice commands. This is especially useful for those who wish to sweep their floors while they do other chores or even watch television. Most models we've tested offer easy-to-use voice controls, but some require you to connect the mop to Wi-Fi to connect to the app.

If you are considering buying a mopping robot, you should also consider whether the mopping robot comes with disposable cleaning pads or disposable ones. Reusable pads are more eco-friendly, but they can be difficult to stock and might not perform quite as well as disposable pads. Certain models let you select the type of pad you wish to use, but it's essential to keep in mind to wash or change them after each cleaning.

If you have a lot of high-pile area rugs in your home, it's worth searching for an automated mop that can manage these. The j7 model from iRobot's Combo is better at handling these than the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra however, the latter can do well on carpeted and non-carpeted flooring. You can also purchase an ECOVACS DEEBOT model, which has both mopping and vacuuming functions.

4. Self-Mopping

Robot mops are quieter than vacuums and can help you save up to 35 hours of mopping per year. However, you'll still need to perform some maintenance like refilling the reservoir or changing dirty cleaning pad. Self-mopping makes this simpler since the mop will return to its dock automatically if it requires an additional pad.

This feature is especially useful for floors that are difficult to clean such as granite or tile. Some mop models scrub floors by using an elongated, rotating bristle while others use pads for cleaning. You can also find some mops that can sweep or vacuum in addition to mopping, which means you'll have more options to clean your home.

If you are planning to use a mop robot often, think about getting one with a built-in trash bin or a bin that is easy to empty. Some mops which also vacuum require you to empty the bin more frequently than those that just mop. Others have separate bins for each purpose. Ecovacs Deebot X1 has a bin that is opened with ease unlike other robot vacuums. It also automatically replaces the reusable cleaning pad when it is full.

Some robot mops are connected to smart homes, so you can use your phone or voice assistant to control them. The Braava Jet M6 is an example a smart robot mop that can connect to a hub, meaning it is possible to schedule regular cleaning schedules based on your schedule and other preferences through the app. Additionally, you can receive an update on the mop's life expectancy and water level, which can be useful if you're not home to check what's happening.

Keep in mind that no robot mop can be perfect. Even the best robot vacuum cleaner and mop ones won't get dirty, greasy messes wiped clean like you do with manual mops, or a traditional sweeper. They're ideal for quick clean-ups or preventing stains from setting however they're not a substitute for a thorough hand mop or a deep-cleaning vacuum cleaner.