Buying a Robot Vacuum That Mop
A robot vacuum that mops can take the hassle out of keeping your floors clean. This is particularly applicable if your home is made of hard floors and you want to reduce the number of Swiffer pads you have to purchase or dispose of.
Choose models that are easy to set up and maintain. This includes charging the tank with water and emptying it, as well as changing and removing the pads used for cleaning.
1. Object Avoidance
Robot vacuums are excellent in spotting large obstacles such as furniture legs, walls and pet toys, but they may overlook smaller objects that are moved around in the course of cleaning. This is a concern that the majority of robots have and can cause a mess when they are entangled in things they should not. Robots with object avoidance systems make use of a variety of sensors (like laser, camera and LIDAR) to detect small objects on the floor and avoid them during a cleaning session.
Most of the robots that we tested using this feature utilized a laser to help guide its way and avoid obstacles, however some also use cameras to detect the floor's layout and create a virtual map of the space. These maps allow you to create no-mop zones and boundaries and set a cleaning schedule and control the flow of water through each room when mopping.
Mapping technology is one of the biggest benefits of a machine that mops particularly if you live in an apartment with a lot of furniture or intricate floor plans. Mapping lets robots memorize the layout of your rooms, so it can swiftly and efficiently clean them without hitting or knocking over furniture or other items that may be in the way.
During our tests, the iRobotCombo j7+ combined LIDAR with front-facing video cameras to eliminate obstacles in its path. This feature, which is smart, is known as PrecisionVision works in both mopping and sweeping mode and is an illustration of how robots are getting better at understanding the objects they encounter on the floor.
When we tested this robot performed well, it did a decent job of avoiding large obstacles however it was not as adept at recognizing smaller things like sock balls or USB cords that were lying around. This is a common issue we encounter with a lot of robotic mop machines. The good news is that there are numerous options available to do a much better job.
Some of these mops come with a wand that is specially designed to spray clean water on the floor, while others use an oscillating head that does the job with a gentle drip of water and not a powerful spray. Look for a model with a low-pressure water flow to reduce the risk of damage.
2. Water Reservoir
The majority of robot mops come with an instruction that they aren't 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 efficient at getting rid of the stains as a robotic.
We discovered that the Yeedi robot mop and vacuum could navigate around obstacles and adjust for objects like toys, furniture or pet hair, leaving floors sparkling and buffed. The only issue was that it didn't reach the top of ledges to reach rooms on the opposite side. It's smaller than the majority of robot vacuums, which means you might need to empty it more frequently when it is used in your home. We suggest purchasing a model with an automatic emptying dock that will drop its cleaning pads in the empty container, avoiding numerous trips to the trash can.
A mopping robot's capability to automatically return its dirty tanks to the dock to be cleaned and dried is a further important feature. The majority of the models we tested did this, allowing you to skip one step in your cleaning routine. But, it's important to keep in mind that you'll have to manually empty the cleaning solution and dirt tanks and wash disposable pads according to their manufacturer instructions every time you mop. This helps prevent the growth of mildew as well as other undesirable bacteria from growing in the moist, dark space under the bot.
Many robot mops come with a dedicated app that allows you to adjust their map of your home, customize cleaning areas, schedules and monitor the status of cleaning, and connect with other smart devices or voice assistants to provide hands-free control. The app also offers the ability to determine when your mopping robot needs maintenance, for example, an adjustment to the filter. Some of the most well-known models include smart home integration, allowing you to connect them to smart light bulbs doorbells, lights, and other devices.
3. Water Level Adjustment
A robot vacuum that mop could be a great investment for those who frequently spend time and energy cleaning their floors. However, all mop models come with a disclaimer saying that they're not meant to be used for stubborn or sticky dirt or set-in staining. If you're searching for a mopping robot that does more than just rid of dust and spills, it's crucial to choose one that's able to alter the level of water or scrub intensity to take on tough mess.
It's also useful to find a model that lets you schedule or manually start and stop cleaning. You should also be able see the status of your mop in real-time on the app. Similarly, it's helpful to select a model that recharges automatically and resumes cleaning if the battery gets low mid-cleaning. We've found that most models that include this feature are able to clean a large area in less than two hours.
The app should be simple to use and use, and it's a major plus if you can use voice commands to control your mop. This is especially beneficial for those who would like to clean their floors as they go about their other chores or watch television. The majority of models we've tested have easy-to-use voice controls, but some require you to connect the mop to Wi-Fi network to access the app.
When buying a mopping robotic, you should also consider whether the machine will come with disposable cleaning pads or reusable ones. The latter are more environmentally sustainable, but they can be difficult to maintain and may not function like the former. Certain models let you select the type of pad you wish to use, but it's essential to remember to clean or change them after every cleaning.
If you have lots of area rugs with high pile in your house, it's worth searching for a robot mop that can manage these. IRobot's J7 Combo is better at handling these than the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra, but the latter can do an excellent job on both carpeted and non-carpeted flooring. You can also buy an ECOVACS DEEBOT model that includes mopping and vacuuming functionality.
4. Self-Mopping
Most robot mops can save you 35 hours a year of tiring mopping work, and they're quieter than vacuum cleaners. But mop robot vacuum 'll still need to take care of some maintenance tasks such as refilling the water reservoir or replacing the dirty cleaning pad. Self-mopping makes this easier, as the mop returns to its dock automatically if it requires new pads.
This feature is especially useful when your floors are difficult to clean, like granite or tile. Some mop models use a rotating, spinning brush to scrub floors, while others simply run a cleaning pad across the floor. You can also find some mops that can sweep or vacuum in addition to mopping, meaning you'll have more options for your cleaning needs.
If you intend to use a robot mop frequently, consider getting one with a built-in dustbin or an easy-to-empty bin. Some mops that also vacuum require you to empty the bin more frequently than those that just mop. Others have separate bins for each task. The Ecovacs Deebot X1 features a self-emptying bin for its sweeping pads, which is more accessible than other robot vacuums, and it also automatically replaces the cleaning pads that are reusable to fresh ones once they're full.
Some robot mop models are connected to smart homes, so you can make use of your smartphone or voice assistant to control them. The Braava Jet m6 is an example of a smart robot mop that can be connected to a hub, which means it is possible to schedule recurring cleanings with your schedule and other preferences using the app. You can also receive an update about the mop's battery and water levels, which is helpful even when you're not home.
Keep in mind that no robot mop is perfect, and even the best ones won't be able to get dirty and greasy messes as easily as you would with a manual mops or traditional Swiffer. They're ideal for quick cleanups or for stopping stains from forming, but they aren't a substitute for a thorough hand mop or deep-cleaning vacuum cleaner.