Can a Robot Vacuum Come With a Mop?
The majority of robot vacuums we tested can mop, and the best 2-in-1 models cross post-mopping maintenance off your list by washing their own mop pads, which are reused in their docks. Avoid using any other cleaning product than that recommended by the manufacturer. This could cause damage to the robot and invalidate the warranty.
Self-Emptying Bins
Most robot vacuums with a mop also include self-emptying bins which makes cleaning much easy. The time it takes to empty the dustbin or base station will depend on how dirty and frequent your home is. These models are great for families with busy schedules because they take out a lot of manual work.
The top robot vacuums that mop come with a tank that has clean and dirty water, with a compartment for the brand's floor-cleaning product to be automatically mixed and dispensed. After a cleaning session is completed, the bin on board will be filled and dirt and debris will be taken back to the base station to be resealed into a larger dust bag that is more durable and long-lasting. The base stations can also be used to refill or wash and dry the robot mop.
These "hands free" robots like the S8 MaxV Ultra by Roborock are the most recent category of robots. They vacuum clean, muck, and mop and even refill their water tanks, wash, and dry their mop pads. They use the concept of mapping and obstacle avoidance to move around the house, as well as smart functions like room-specific and digital keep-away scheduling.
The new robots are excellent for cleaning floors that aren't clean, but they're not able to get into tight spaces, such as between chairs or under furniture. We also recommend robot mops which can vacuum and mop. These include the Roborock S7, S8 and Samsung Powerbot VR90.
The Eufy X10 Pro Omni features an onboard bin for dirt and debris that can be emptied manually, but it also comes with a self-emptying docking station that's capable of removing the storage bag in two or three cleaning cycles. The only downside of this model is that you'll still have to clear out the dust bin inside the vacuum at times, but we think it's worth the extra cost to get the added convenience.
Self-Cleaning
A robotic vacuum with a self-emptying bin is an ideal choice for large families or homes who produce a lot of dust and dirt. These models will automatically put used pads in the trash bin to be disposed of. This eliminates the need to empty the bin manually and reduces the frequency of doing it. Being able to connect to your smartphone via an app is also a nice feature as it allows you to create cleaning schedules and change settings even when away from home.
A good robot mop will have multiple modes to suit different types of floors, including dry sweeping or deep mopping. It will also have an electric dock that is able to recharge between cleanings. If you're looking for a robotic mop that you can control by voice, make sure to check for compatibility with a smart voice assistant like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Certain models include additional features, like "dirt sense" that detects the amount of dirt that has been left on the pad and causes it to remop and a system that adjusts its pressure to the type of surface (more for tile, less for hardwood) to prevent scratching floors.
Certain robot mops can be capable of saving a map of the area and returning to it for a repeat cleaning. This feature is crucial for homes with multiple levels or certain areas you would like the robot to clean, such as a carpeted living area and a kitchen floor. Our top recommendations are models with this technology, along with features like a multi-room smart maps that creates a plan for your home flooring.
Use only the cleaning products recommended for your robot. By doing this, your robot receives an efficient and thorough clean without damaging your floors or voiding your warranty. You might be able find compatible cleaners at your local hardware store or on the internet however, it's recommended to stick to the recommendations given by the manufacturer.
Self-Emptying Mops
Robot vacuums that can mop are a cost-effective method to achieve that freshly mowed and waxed look without hiring someone. Most of the models that mop can vacuum and will be able to work on hard floors and carpets. However, they do have certain limitations, especially if you have heavily-soiled or extremely long carpets. They also can be less effective on certain flooring materials, such as laminate and linoleum.
A lot of the robots that mop use disposable pads that are washed and dried by the base after every cleaning. They can last up to 50 minutes before they need to be recharged and replaced. The Noesis Florio is an exception in that it has disposable pads, but it's still a great option because of the ease with which it can move around the home. It can maneuver around chair legs, over thresholds, and even remembers the threshold after a few trips.
The X1 Omni is another good option for robot vacuums that can mop because it doesn't require an app in order to function. It's compatible with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This means that you can control the robot with voice commands. It's also a bit cheaper than some of the other robots that mop and vacuum, but it lacks some of their more advanced features.
It has a self-emptying bin that dumps the contents into a larger container that has to be emptyed only every 30 days. It also automatically replenishes its water tank, and then disposes of the cleaning pads once they're dirty, which makes it extremely low maintenance.
While the technology of these mop and vacuum combination is improving, they are not yet good enough to replace traditional vacuums and mop. That said, if you have a lot of your home that are carpeted, you should consider purchasing a robot mop and vacuum to keep your rooms tidy and fresh. There are robot vacuum cleaner of options on ZDNET with budget-friendly models that don't compromise quality for additional functions.
Simple to use
Robots that mop can be simple to use. Most have a user-friendly app that lets you set schedules, adjust water and vacuum power, and check the condition of the cloths or pads. A lot of them have an onboard video camera that will help you identify pet hair or other particles stuck on your floor. Some even let you connect to a home assistant such as Alexa or Google Assistant, and some include voice activation.
Some robots, like the sleek RoboVac L20 Ultra, discard their mopping pads with no effort and place them in an empty trash bin that is automatically empty from a dock powered by batteries at the base station. This is a less hands-on method of controlling the machine, but it can leave your floors a bit less clean as compared to washing manually and replace the pads. Other models, like the eufy X10 Pro Omni, refill their mopping pad with a separate reservoir that is auto-emptied from the dock.
Smart navigation features are utilized by a variety of robots that vacuum and mop at the same time. This lets them follow a pre-planned route and cover large areas quickly without snagging anything. This feature is especially useful in rooms with furniture because it prevents them from getting tangled up with legs or other objects. Users of the app can also receive alerts and status updates, like when their trash bins are full or require to be cleaned.
The ultra-slim RoboVac L20 Ultimate that we tested, used its digital keep-out zone as well as lidar mapping system to navigate couches, chairs, and other obstacles. During our testing, it did a great job of picking up pet fur and other small particles from the stairs and in corners that are difficult to reach.
Cleaning your robot regularly and using only cleaning solutions designed specifically for it will ensure it will last and continue to function properly. Vinegar is acidic, and can harm the robot's internal systems.
Robots that can mop and vacuum are a great addition to any household that has pets. Using a combination cleaner, making sure the pads and rugs are washed properly and following the other maintenance recommendations will help your machine last longer and perform better. Investing in one of these hybrids may cost more than a traditional vacuum but the time and effort they save can be worth the investment.