Noah Pinsonnault works as a product analyst for good robot vacuum Housekeeping's Home Care and Cleaning Lab.
He evaluates and tests cleaning appliances, focusing on robot vacuums and mopping combos. These multitaskers are a great option for those looking to take mopping off their to-do list. They have impressive mapping capabilities and obstacles-avoiding capabilities, and some wash and refill their own mopping pads to give themselves a hands-off clean.
The Eufy S1 Pro
If you're looking for a robotic vacuum that also mop, this is the model to look for. It is smaller than other options which makes it easier to maneuver into tight corners or under furniture. It uses a 220 degree lidar, which when combined with its 3D Matrix camera system gives it the best automatic vacuum and mop navigation and object avoidance I've ever seen in a robot vacuum. It's powered by a 4600mAh battery which can last up to 170 mins when mopping and sucking is set to standard mode. (It can be more efficient when using turbo). It will even return to the dock to top up its battery midway through an efficient.
It's quick and does an excellent job of cleaning my two bedroom apartment. It cleans the carpeted rooms extremely quickly and the hardwood floors in the living room, and hallways in a single sweep. The motor's 8,000pa power allows it to clean dirt as well as pet hair and poop with ease. Carpet detection automatically increases power when it detects carpets, and the dual side brushes help to clean debris from corners.
The mopping efficiency is less impressive, though not by a lot. The mop rotates quickly and uses 2.2lbs to remove dirt and stain. I've noticed that the front arms protrude out a bit more than other robots, which can be helpful to get into tight corners and on baseboards. The front arms can also be used to pick up larger objects like books and broken toys.
Another nice feature is that the S1 Pro is one of the quietest robot vacuums and mops I've ever used. It doesn't make as loud of a sound when mopping or vacuuming, and is much quieter than the Narwal Freo X Ultra or RoboRock S7. The S1 Pro is only limited by the fact that it needs to use a mopping solution that is proprietary and is sold separately. It's simple to set up and performs well however this is something you'll need to keep an eye on in case you're purchasing this vacuum for the sole reason of mopping.
The Roborock Q Revo
The Q Revo is different from other robot vacuums in its class. It is a powerful cleaning machine with a wide range of features.
The device is equipped with a powerful cleaning system that integrates LiDAR sensor technology with an RGB camera. This allows it to map out the house and also identify furniture and other obstacles. It then uses this information to clean methodically and efficiently. This ensures an even and thorough clean, while also being relatively quick.
In terms of mopping, the Q Revo's DuoRoller mop pads can reach a wide range of surface areas. They can reach corners and baseboards as well as other hard-to-reach spots. They also have a flexible side brush that extends to reach the floor close to walls and other fixtures. The mop pads are washable and dry to remove odors and prevent buildup.
App-based customization is another notable feature. The Q Revo lets you alter the suction strength and select a back-and forth or slightly random pattern. You can also select the number of passes which determines how fast it can move around your home. You can also decide to turn off the side brush to avoid damaging rugs and carpets.
The device is costly, but it comes with a lot of smart features. It's important to note that it incurs regular expenses in the form of mopping supplies and maintenance. For example, a brushroll needs to be replaced every six to 12 months or after 300 hours. The filter should be cleaned after 150 hours, and the mop pad needs to be replaced every three to six months.
The robot vacuum that mops is rated highly on Amazon and includes a broad variety of physical automation features. The vacuum also has a power button which doubles as the 'Clean button' and a Home' button to send it back home after cleaning. It also comes with a multifunctional dock that automatically empty the dustbin, refills its water tank, and wash and dry its mop pads.
The Shark Matrix Plus
If you're a professional with a lot of work or just want an organized home that doesn't require hours doing chores, the Shark Matrix Plus is a good choice. It's a top-performing device, smart navigation, and a long battery life that allows you to keep your home clean with minimal effort.
The Matrix Plus is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop, that is, it can do both vacuuming and mopping. The robot is divided into two components, a dry bin and water tank that can be snapped in and out and a mopping module that has a microfiber pad. Separate modules for mopping and vacuuming may seem a bit old-fashioned however, they mean you don't have to think about changing bags for disposables or refilling the water tank.
The Matrix Plus performed well at vacuuming and mopping. Its best feature is its precise floorplan map, which it uses when cleaning. The Matrix Plus was able to navigate easily between rugs, furniture, and other obstacles. The app lets you create 'No-Go Zones' as well as virtual barriers that prevent certain areas from being cleaned by a mop.
We also discovered that the Matrix Plus did surprisingly well at picking up hair of pets. It was able to capture a lot of the hair that shed by our cats, and even got into some of the corners and crevices of our stairs where other robots struggled. The noise levels of the robot were low and there were nice jingles to signal that it was in the process of working towards its goal.
The biggest flaws were its simple app and the requirement to change out the modules when switching between mopping and vacuuming. The app can't contain multiple maps, which could be a pain when you live in a house that has a variety of floors. The Matrix Plus robot is a great choice for those who want a smart device that can mop and autonomous vacuum.
The Yiko X1 Omni
The X1 Omni robot vacuum is the most expensive in our review. It does however, have certain unique features that are worth a look. The X1 Omni is most well-known for its massive dock that doubles as an charging base for the robot, a cleaning sink and two 4-liter water tanks. It also houses the 2.5-liter dust bin and an 2.5 dust bin that is 2.5 liters.
The base also has a variety of buttons to control the system. These let you manually start a cleaning task and then recall the robot or start the dock's auto-emptying process. Hold down two buttons to toggle the child lock. This is a wonderful feature for parents who are worried about their children messing around with the vacuum.
The X1 Omni, like other robotic vacuums, utilizes its camera to spot obstacles and furniture in its path. It will steer clear of them. True Mapping 2.0 navigation maps your home up to four times faster than laser detection systems.
Unfortunately, this means that the X1 Omni could sometimes get so entangled with obstacles, like a power cord draped across a rug--that it becomes stuck and ceases to function until you remove it manually. This was a rare occurrence however it was frustrating since the X1 does not have an "stuck status" alert on its application.
The X1 Omni cannot automatically switch between mopping and vacuuming mode during cleaning. You'll need to manually switch between the two modes, which isn't a big deal aside from the fact that mopping pads haven't been cleaned and dried between uses and can cause mildew or mold.
On the positive side, the X1 Omni is a beautiful-looking robot thanks to the design team at Jacob Jensen (of Bang & Olufsen fame) who dreamed up its sleek, modern-looking base and mopping pad. It's a big change from the utilitarian all-black bases used by competitors like Roborock and iRobot and a pleasing sight in a space which is dominated by clunky, boxy units.
