How to Choose a Robot Hoover and Mop

Some robot vacuum cleaner mops also double as vacuums, whereas others do both sweeping and mopping. Dustbins and sweeping pads must be emptied regularly on mops designed to only sweep.

Those that mop also need their water tank to be kept full and their mops cleaned (or replaced) frequently. Vacuum-proof your home and keep items like pet toys, cords and clothing out of reach.

How it works

The motor is the most important part of a robot vacuum, since it creates suction to draw dirt and other debris out of the vacuum bag. Some robot cleaners have a combination of roller brushes, a side brush and mops to agitate and raise particles into the suction. Some come with smart features, such as the ability to automatically return to the dock when it's full and recharge. Some models come with voice activation as well as smart home integration. You can control the machine using the app on your smartphone or your favorite assistant.

Sensors help robots navigate their surroundings by avoiding obstacles and tight corners. Common sensors include obstacle and cliff sensors that prevent the robot from falling off stairs or getting stuck under furniture. Some robots also have dirt sensors which alert you when they are dirty and require to be cleaned. Many modern robot vacuums include smart features such as intelligent mapping smart mops, smart mops and mop heads that differentiate between hard floors and carpets.

Some robot vacuums with mops come with a multi-function dock, that can automatically empty the bin and clean the mop pads, and replenish the water tank. They may also be able to complete dual tasks, combining vacuuming and mopping in the same session. You can also program them to clean a specific area or room within your home on regular basis. For example, you could program your robot vacuum cleaner to vacuum then mop the living room every day and at night for a week.

The majority of robot vacuum and mop combinations are still in development despite their sophisticated features. The top models like the Eufy Narwal and Roborock Revo, are smart enough to keep your hard-surface floors in pristine condition. They feature a lidar-powered map that divides rooms, labels them and also sets digital keep-out zones to prevent the bot from straying too far. Their apps are easy to use and provide many options for customization. For example, you can choose the cleaning options that your robot will use. They also have a unique onboard compression bin that eliminates self-emptying that is noisy and messy.

Cleaning time

The time needed to clean a space can also be affected by the amount of obstacles the robot encounters. The amount of time required to clean up a space could also be affected if the robot has to navigate around obstacles, such as shoes, furniture, socks, tassels, or cluttered rooms.

Some robotic vacuums and mop systems can detect carpets and adjust their power settings accordingly. However, they will still leave behind some dirt, especially on high-pile or shag rug. Certain models require more power to navigate through carpets that are very thick and drain batteries faster.

Other aspects can affect the performance of a robot, including the condition of its equipment and how often it needs to be serviced. A side brush that is tangled could stop the robot from performing its job, and a full or dirty filter can also cause it to overheat or be disconnected from the internet.

ECOVACS robots come with smart features that reduce the demand on their accessories and increase their life span. Self-emptying stations reduce the chance of overflows, while ZeroTangle prevents tangles in brushes. These technologies, when combined with intelligent sensors and smart mapping allow an ECOVACS robot to operate more efficiently.

All ECOVACS robots feature an automatic vacuum and mop refill mode, which automatically refills the wiper blades as well as the water tank when they are low. They also have docking that is automatic for time and energy savings. They can be programmed to return to dock after completing a cleaning session or enter sleep mode after 10 minutes of inactivity. If you would like the robot to skip a specific period you can set it as DND (Do Not Disturb) period, which prevents it from using the battery and going back to cleaning mode until you restart it.

We recommend giving the floor a thorough cleaning before you run your robot cleaner. This will ensure any sticky or difficult to remove spills are cleaned up before the robot arrives. It is also essential to wash up any small or tiniest items prior to mopping, so that the robot doesn't get tangled or swept into them.

Cleaning area

Contrary to vacuum-only models with mopping functions typically make use of cleaning detergent and water to soften stains on the floor. This means the brushes or pads that accumulate dirt must be cleaned regularly or machine-washed, and replacements may be needed at some moment. This means you'll have to include these costs in your budget.

A robot vacuum and mop can be a fantastic addition to your cleaning supplies despite these drawbacks. If you have carpets or hard floors, for instance the robot will vacuum them, then mop any spots that are filthy and can't be removed by sweeps. If you have tile floors and wood floors the robot will make sure that no stones are left behind during the mopping process and the tiles won't be damaged by the water or cleaning solution.

A good robot vacuum mopping machine has a system of navigation that automatically determines each room's location and where it needs to go to do a thorough job. It should also be able stay clear of obstacles, like furniture and wires. It's also a good idea to choose a model with intelligent features that allow you to monitor your cleaning robot, such as a real-time dashboard showing the progress of a mopping run and an app that lets you create "no-go zones" to prevent it from moving through those areas.

The top robots are programmable to clean at specific times. This can be done through the app, and you can even use your smartphone as an remote control to direct the robot to where to move on the floor. Depending on your needs you can also go for features such as smart track which allows the robot to follow you around your home and clean in the direction you're walking.

It is important to think about the option to determine the number of accessories that your cleaning robot has used. This will allow you to plan when you should replace them. This information can be accessed via the Home Robots App and is dependent on the amount of cleaning sessions that the devices have completed. The information is updated frequently and is a great tool to ensure that your home is prepared to clean.

Cleaning Results

Most robot vacuums and mops can be a breeze to operate and do an excellent job of cleaning, however certain models excel at one task or another. For example the iRobot Braava 450 robotic mop is one of the best rated robot vacuum mop models we have tested due to its remarkable scrubbing and cleaning performance on all floor types including wood floors. It is also excellent in removing pet hair (both long and short) and other debris from corners and crevices. Its ability to navigate around obstructions makes it a great choice for homes that have pets and children.

Some mops, such the Noesis Florio, use disposable pads that are washed automatically and refilled at the conclusion of each cleaning run. Others, like the L20 Ultra, use reusable pads that can be machine washed and can be reused for up to 20 times. Avoid putting other chemicals into the tank that holds the water of your robot mop unless it's the manufacturer that declares it safe. Doing so can damage the internal components and invalidate your warranty.

If you opt for a robotic mop with advanced features, you should look for one that can detect and avoid obstacles, such as furniture and wall edges. It should be able to tell the difference between low-pile carpeting and bare floors to ensure that it doesn't overflow the rug. Some models have sensors that detect spills or stains, which helps keep the floor looking nice. The most expensive models are able to return to the dock to dump dirty cleaning water, clean the brushes, and then refill the solution.

The Home Robots app is a useful tool to control your robot mop and vacuum and offers a variety of additional functions, including monitoring your cleaning results. You can view the amount of time and distance your robot covered, which rooms it has cleaned, and the exact time it was in each room. You can also set up "no-go areas" to stop your robot from entering certain areas, or adjust the level of water to accommodate different floors.

All robot vacuums and mops require regular maintenance, including emptying the bin, cleaning the filter, and replacing filters and bags. In addition, you'll have to clean the sensors regularly for better navigation and empty and clean the tank of water. You'll also need to occasionally get rid of tangles and clogs from the brush roll and other components, particularly on combo units that use vacuum cleaners.