Can a Robot Vacuum Come With a Mop?
The majority of robot vacuums we tested can mop, and the top 2-in-1 models cross post-mopping maintenance off your list by automatically washing their 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 cause it to lose its warranty.
Self-Emptying Bins
The majority of robot vacuums that come with a mop also have self-emptying bins that can be emptied, making cleaning simpler. The amount of time you'll spend emptying the dustbin or base station will depend on how often and how filthy your house is however, these models take a lot of manual labor out of the process and are great for busy households.
The top robot vacuums that can mop have a water tank that is filled with clean and dirty water, with a space for the floor-cleaning solution of the manufacturer to be mixed automatically and dispersed. When the cleaning is finished the onboard bin is filled and the dirt and dust are taken back to the base station for sealing in an even larger and more robust dust bag. The base stations can also be used to refill and wash the robot mops.
These "hands-free" robots, such as the S8 MaxV Ultra from Roborock are the newest class of robots that can do almost everything for you -- they vacuum, muck and clean, and can even refill their own water tanks as well as wash and dry mop pads. They use mapping and obstacle avoidance to get around the home, and also smart functions like room-specific and digital keep-away scheduling.
But, even though these new models of robots are extremely efficient in cleaning floors, they aren't the best option for mopping carpeted areas or getting into tight spaces such as between chairs or under furniture. That's why we also recommend a few robot mops that can both vacuum and mop, including the Roborock S7 and S8 and the Samsung Powerbot VR90.
The eufy Pro X10 omni comes with a built-in dust bin that can be emptied by hand, but also has an docking station that is capable of emptying the storage bag after two to three cleaning cycles. The only downside of this model is that you'll need to clean out the dust bin within the vacuum itself on occasion but we believe it's worth the extra expense to get the added convenience.
Self-Cleaning
Robot vacuums with self-emptying bins are a good choice for families or households with a large number of members who tend to produce a lot of dust and dirt. The models automatically place used pads into a waste drawer to be disposed of, which eliminates the necessity of manually emptying the dustbin and reduces how often you'll need to do it. It's also great to be able to connect your device to your smartphone via an app. This lets you organize cleaning schedules and alter settings even when you're away.
A quality robot mop comes with multiple modes to suit different types of floors, such as dry sweeping or deep mopping. It should also come with docks that can be recharged between cleanings. Check compatibility of the robotic mop with a smart assistant, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Some models have extra 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 adapts its pressure to match the type of surface (more for tile and less for hardwood) to avoid scratching floors.
Some of the best robot mop mops can save the map of your area and return to the same area for a repeat clean. This feature is crucial for homes with multiple levels or specific areas you want the robot to clean, like carpeted living areas and kitchen floor. We recommend models with this technology, as well as features such as multi-room smart maps, which creates a blueprint for flooring your home.
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. There are compatible cleaners in your local hardware store, or even online. But, it's best to stick to what the manufacturer suggests.
Self-Emptying Mop Pads
Robot vacuums that can mop are a cost-effective method to achieve that freshly mowed look without hiring someone. good robot vacuum of models that can mop also can be used to vacuum and be able to work on carpets and hard floors. However they do have certain limitations, especially if you have heavily-soiled or extremely long carpets. They can also be less efficient on certain flooring surfaces, 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 or longer before they need a replacement and recharge. The Noesis Florio is an exception in that it has disposable pads, but it's still a great choice because of the ease with which it can move around the home. It can maneuver across the chair's legs and over thresholds. It even can remember the threshold's location after crossing it a few times, which means it knows when to slow down there.
The X1 Omni robot vacuum is also able to mop, and it does not require an app. It works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant which means that you can operate it with voice commands. It's also cheaper than other robots, but it lacks some of the most advanced features.
One of the most impressive features it comes with is a self-emptying bin for dust that drops the contents into a bigger waste bin that has to be empty every 30 days or as often as. It also automatically fills its water tank and disposes of the pads for cleaning when they're dirty, making it very low maintenance.
While the technology of these mop-and-vacuum combos is improving they aren't yet enough to replace traditional vacuums and mop. If you have a lot of your home with carpet, think about buying a robotic mop and vacuum to keep those rooms clean and smelling fresh. There are a variety of options at ZDNET, including budget-friendly models that don't sacrifice quality for extra functions.
Simple to use
Robots that have mopping capabilities are often simple to operate. They typically have an app that lets you set schedules and adjust water and vacuum power, and view the condition of the pads or cloths. Many come with a built-in video camera that helps you identify pet hair or other debris that has stuck to your floor. Some allow you to connect to a home assistant such as Alexa or Google Assistant, and some include voice activation.
Some robots, like the elegant RoboVac L20 Ultra drop their dirty mopping pad into an empty bin that is automatically emptied via a dock that is powered by batteries at the base station. This is a hands-free method of operation, but can leave your floors a bit less clean than if they were washed and replaced manually. Other models, such as the eufy X10 Pro Omni, refill their mopping pad with separate reservoirs that are automatically emptied from the dock.
Smart navigation is a feature used by a variety of robots that vacuum and mop at the same time. This allows them to follow a pre-planned route and cover large areas quickly without missing anything. This feature is particularly helpful for rooms with furniture, as it helps them avoid getting hung up on tangled legs or other objects. They can also send notifications and status updates on their app, for instance, when their garbage bin is full or needs to be cleaned.
The eufy RoboVac L20 Ultimate we tested, for example, used its lidar mapping system as well as digital keep-out zones in order to navigate around chairs, couches and other obstacles. During our tests, it also did a great job of collecting pet hair and other small debris in hard-to-reach corners and on stairs.
If you want your robot to last and to function well, it is important to regularly clean it and only use cleaning solutions made specifically for it. Vinegar, for instance is acidic and can harm the robot's internal systems.
Robots that can vacuum and mop are a wonderful addition to any household particularly those with pets. By using a combination cleaner making sure the pads and rugs are washed properly and following the other recommendations for maintenance will ensure that your machine lasts longer and perform better. Investing in one of these hybrids may cost more than a standard vacuum but the time and effort they will save can make them worth the investment.