Vacuuming With a Robot Hoover is the Best Hands-Off Model We've Tested
This top-quality bot from Eufy is the most hands-free model we've tested to date. It vacuums, mops and self-empties and drys mop pads all without you having to do anything.
It isn't equipped with advanced cleaning modes and a larger docking station but delivers a stellar performance at a fraction of the price of top-end robot vacuums. It also features a compact design that can be able to reach under furniture.
Vacuuming
Vacuuming with a robot hoover is a fast, simple way to keep your floors looking and feeling clean. Many of the robots that we have selected are designed to work without your intervention So you can schedule them to run while you're out or start cleaning sessions using your phone. You'll need to choose one that has excellent navigation and object detection to avoid it getting stuck in furniture or on the stairs.
It's important to select a robot vacuum that can effectively and efficiently clean all kinds of flooring. Choose a model that has a an empty bin that can hold plenty of dirt between emptying and an nozzle that doesn't lose suction as it rotates to get rid of debris.
The majority of robots require little or no maintenance, aside from taking out tangled fur from the rotating brush after each cleaning session (and wiping its camera or sensors when required) and then periodically emptying the bin, or using a robot's self-emptying base. If you follow these easy maintenance steps, your robot vac should last just as long as a full-size vacuum cleaner and keep your home looking cleaner for longer.
While robot mops tend to be less versatile than vacuums they do have the capability of absorbing spills and puddles while working. The iLife V3s Pro, a great example of machine, is an excellent choice for those with carpets and rugs or wood flooring. It's quiet and has excellent navigation capabilities that have helped it avoid obstacles during testing and the charging dock can also double as a trash bin.
Pick a robot vacuum cleaner that can also mop at the same time. This is what the Karcher RCV 5 does, and it also offers other useful features such as live cameras that send an image that is grainy to your smartphone so you can monitor your pet or kids and also an easily-programmable remote control. The navigation isn't as robust as the other models in our selection, but it can lift its own thresholds to a certain level and has an ample 500ml dustbin that doesn't need to be emptied often.
Mopping
Robots that vacuum and mop are relatively new to the market. These robots are more expensive and require an additional tank of water compared to standalone robots. However, they might be worth the extra cost for those with stains that are difficult to clean or pets.
Some of the top robots can clean carpets and floors as well as vacuuming. Many brands offer robots capable of doing both very well. The Combo J9+ is one of the most effective mopping robots that we've tested. It comes with docks that can hold up to 60 days worth of dirt. This is a significant improvement over the Qrevo Pro, which ran out of water after mopping just 30 days of dirt during our tests.
The Tapo RV30 Plus from networking giant TP Link is a fantastic two-in-one. It's quiet, compact and has a clean, fuss-free appearance. In our test rooms, it cleaned the floors thoroughly and accurately and efficiently. robot floor cleaner was particularly effective on rugs but it took several runs to thoroughly clean certain areas of soiled wood. Its LIDAR navigation works well, too. It is able to avoid hitting furniture or running over power cables.
It's a bit slow on the stairs, but that's to be expected from a compact robot that is designed to work around obstacles. The only downside is that its mopping pads are difficult to attach and didn't remain in place during our tests, and it lacks the ability to deal with dried-on dirt and makes it more of a vacuum cleaner than a full-fledged robot mop.
Despite these issues, it's still a solid choice for those who want an effortless cleaning experience. It can handle bare and low-pile carpets with equal competence. It has a decent amount of suction, which allowed it to pick up fine dust and pet hair from carpets. Automatic recognition of carpets is a wonderful feature because it boosts the vacuuming power to tackle dirt that has been embedded. It's also easy to use and has a handy charging dock that automatically empties the bin once it's full, which is a great benefit for those who live in flats.
Cleaning apps
Most robot vacuums, mop and sweepers come with an app that allows you to modify cleaning routines. You can also pick rooms to be cleaned, schedule cleaning sessions and adjust settings like suction levels, water levels and scrubbing strength. Certain robots have intelligent dirt detection, which uses map data and past cleaning data to identify dirty areas.
You can also make use of an app to create virtual barriers and no go zones to keep your robot safe from potentially dangerous objects, such as cords and pet water bowls. Some models let you create these virtual barriers using laser navigation sensors, and others have small physical boundaries or barriers to place wherever you'd like to keep off your floor area.
There are still hazards to be aware of even though the best robot vacuums can detect and avoid obstacles. The principal brush of a robot could become stuck in long cords or curtains, and stop it in its tracks. To prevent this it is possible to rid the area of cords and tie up any curtains that are long.
Certain robots automatically update their software that controls navigation and obstacle avoidance algorithm. This enhances performance and reduces wear and tear on the robot's internal parts. It is recommended to check regularly the manufacturer's website or the app on your robot for updates to the firmware.
If you live in a huge home, select one that comes with different cleaning modes. The iRobot Roomba 11S Max, for example, can mop and vacuum on both hard floors and carpeted rooms with different suction levels. It can also automatically switch the power setting to the highest level when cleaning carpets, and also boost its scrubbing power with SmartScrub.
If you're looking to remain hands-free, a robot that has an assistant that can be activated by voice is a fantastic option. The iRobot Roomba 980, for example, can be operated by a single command from Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant. It has a small self-emptying docking system and a powerful cleaning motor that will leave your floors sparkling.