Buying a Robot Vacuum That Mop
A robot vacuum can help you clean your floors more easily. This is especially true if have hard flooring throughout your home and want to reduce the number of Swiffer pads you have to purchase or get rid of.
Find models that are simple to set up and maintain. This includes charging and emptying the water tank, removing and replacing the pads for cleaning.
- Object Avoidance
Robot vacuums are great at detecting large obstacles like furniture legs, walls, and pet toys, but they also miss smaller items that get carried around when cleaning. This is a common issue for all robots and could lead to a messy clean up when the robot is sucked into an object should not be. Robots with object-avoidance systems use sensors (like cameras, lasers or LIDAR) to detect and avoid small objects that are on the ground.
The majority of the robots we tested using this feature utilized the aid of a laser to navigate its way and avoid obstacles, but some also use cameras to detect the floor's layout and create an imaginary map of the space. These maps allow you to create boundaries and no mop zones, set up a cleaning schedule and regulate the flow of water in each space during mopping.
A mop with a robot that utilizes mapping technology could be a valuable asset, particularly if your home has many furniture pieces and a complicated floor plan. A robot that uses mapping can memorize your rooms' layout, allowing it to clean them efficiently and quickly without knocking over or running into furniture or other items.
In our tests, the iRobot Combo j7+ utilized a combination of LIDAR and a front-facing camera to avoid objects that were in its path. This smart feature, called PrecisionVision, works during both sweeping and mopping modes, and is a great illustration of how some robots are getting better in understanding what they're seeing on the floor as they work.
This robot was great at getting rid of large objects, but not than that at detecting smaller objects like USB cords and sockballs. This is a common issue that we see in all robotic mops but the good thing is that there are plenty of options on the market that are much better at this.
Some mop heads use a special wand to spray water onto floors, whereas others feature an oscillating mop head that performs the task with a gentle drip, and not as powerful sprays of water. If you have hardwood floors, you should look for a model that uses the water at a low pressure to limit damage.
- Water Reservoir
Most robot mops include an explanation that they're not intended to be used on stubborn sticky, sticky, or set-in stains. The good news is that even the vacuum cleaner that is able to be both efficient at eliminating these stains as a robotic.
When we tested the Yeedi robot vacuum and mop, we found that it was able to maneuver well around obstacles and adjusted for objects like toys, furniture, and pet hair to leave floors looking shiny and polished. It was unable to reach the top of ledges, so it was unable to reach the rooms to the opposite side. It has a smaller bin than other robot vacuums, so you might need to empty it more frequently when it is used throughout your home. We recommend purchasing a model with a self-emptying dock, which will deposit its cleaning pads in an empty container, avoiding many trips to the garbage can.
Mopping robots' ability to return its dirty tanks to the dock to be washed and dried is an additional important feature. The majority of the models that we tested do this, allowing you to skip one step in your cleaning routine. It's important to remember to manually empty the cleaning and dirt tanks and wash the reusable pads in accordance with their manufacturer's instructions between mopping sessions. This prevents mildew and other unwanted bacteria from growing in the moist, dark space beneath the bot.
Many robot mop models come with an app that lets you customize the map of your house, customize cleaning areas and schedules, view the status of cleans and connect to other smart devices or voice-activated assistants to allow hands-free control. The app also gives you a way to see the time when your mopping machine requires maintenance, such as changing the filter. Some of the most well-known models feature smart home integration that allows users to connect them to smart light bulbs, doorbells, and other gadgets.
- Water Level Adjustment
A robot vacuum that mop can be a worthwhile investment for people who often spend time and energy cleaning their floors. However, most mop cleaners come with a disclaimer that states that they're not intended to be used for stubborn or sticky messes or set-in stains. If you're looking for a mopping machine that can do more than just remove dust and spills, look for one with the ability to adjust water level or the intensity of the scrub.
It's useful to discover models that let you program or manually start and finish cleaning. You should also be able check the status of your mop in real-time via the app. It's also beneficial to select mops that automatically charge when the battery is low. The majority of models that have this feature are able to clean a large house in less than two hours.
It should be simple to use and be able to control your mop via voice commands. This is particularly beneficial for those who want to clean their floors while doing other chores or watching TV. The majority of the mop models we tested have voice controls that are easy to use, however some require you to connect the mop with your Wi-Fi in order to connect to the app.
If you are considering buying a mopping robot, 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 keep stocked and may not perform as well as the former. Some pads let you select the type of pad you use however, you'll need to remember to change them regularly or wash them after each cleaning.
If you have a lot of high-pile area rugs around your house, it's worth looking for a robotic mop that is able to manage these. IRobot's J7 Combo is superior in cleaning these rugs than the Roborock s7 maxv ultra, but it also does an excellent job on non-carpeted surfaces. You can also purchase an ECOVACS DEEBOT model that includes mopping and vacuuming capabilities.
- Self-Mopping
Most robot mops can save you 35 hours per year of tiring mopping work, and they're quieter than vacuum cleaners. You'll still have to do some maintenance, like refilling the reservoir or changing dirty cleaning pads. Self-mopping makes this simpler, as the mop returns to its dock automatically if it needs a new pad.
This feature is especially helpful if you have hard-to-clean floors, like tile or granite. Some mop models employ a rotating, spinning brush to scrub floors, whereas others use a simple cleaning pad across the floor. You can also find some mop models that sweep or vacuum in addition to mopping, which means you'll have a variety of options for cleaning.
If you are planning to use a robot mop often, you should consider purchasing one that has a built-in dust 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 only mop. Some have separate bins for each function. Ecovacs Deebot X1 has a bin that can be opened easily unlike other robot vacuums. It also replaces the reusable cleaning pad when it's full.
Some robot mops are connected to smart homes, so you can use your smartphone or a voice assistant to control them. The Braava Jet M6 is a smart robotic that connects to hubs and allow you to set up regular cleaning according to your schedule and preferences using the app. You will also receive an update regarding the mop's water and battery levels, which is useful when you're not at home.
Keep in mind that no robot mop can be perfect. Even the best affordable robot vacuum mop mop won't be able to keep sticky, greasy messes clean like you do with manual mops, or a traditional sweeper. They are great for quick cleaning or preventing stains but they're not a replacement for the need for a thorough hand mop or vacuum.