Vacuuming With a Robot Hoover is the Best Hands-Off Model We've Tested
This top-of-the-line Eufy bot is the top hands-off model we've tested so far. It vacuums, mops, self-empties its bin, washes and dry mop pads with no intervention from you.
It isn't equipped with advanced cleaning modes and a larger docking station but delivers a outstanding performance at a fraction of the cost of high-end robotic vacuums. It also features a compact design that can reach under furniture.
Vacuuming
A robot vacuum is a simple and quick way to keep your floors tidy. A majority of the robots featured that we have selected are designed to work without your involvement You can set them to work while you're out or start a cleaning session from your smartphone. You'll need to choose a robot with excellent navigation and object detection in order to avoid getting stuck under furniture or falling down the staircase.
It is essential to choose the best robot vacuum that is able to effectively and efficiently clean all types of flooring. Look for a model with an empty bin that can hold plenty of dirt in between emptying and a nozzle that doesn't lose suction as it rotates to remove debris.
The majority of robots require little or no maintenance, aside from taking out tangled fur from the rotating brush after each cleaning session (and wiping its sensors or camera as needed) and periodically emptying the bin, or using a robot's self-emptying base. If you follow these simple maintenance tips, your robot vacuum will last as long as larger vacuums and will keep your home clean for longer.
While robot mops are generally less versatile than vacuums they do have the ability to suck up the puddles and spills while they're doing their thing. The iLife V3s Pro, a great example of machine, is a great option for those who have carpets and rugs or wood floors. It's quiet and has solid navigation capabilities that allowed it to avoid obstacles during testing, and the charging dock doubles as a trash can.
Pick a robot vacuum cleaner that has the ability to mop simultaneously. Karcher's RCV 5 is able to do that, and has other features that are beneficial including live cameras that transmits a blurry picture to your app so you can monitor your kids or pet and a remote control that's easily programable. Its navigation isn't as solid as the other models we've reviewed however it is able to lift its own thresholds to a certain level and has a generous 500ml trash bin that doesn't have to be emptied often.
Mopping
Robots that vacuum and mop are relatively new to the market. They are more expensive than standalone robots and require an additional water tank, however, the additional cost could be worth it for a lot of people, particularly those with hard-to-clean stains or lots of pets.
Some of the top robots can clean floors and carpets as well as vacuum. Several brands now offer all-in-one machines that can do both tasks extremely well. The Combo J9+, as an example, is one of the top mopping machines we've tested. It has an impressively large dock that can accommodate up to 60 days worth of debris. This is a significant improvement over the Qrevo Pro, which ran out of water after mopping only 30 days' worth of dirt during our tests.
The Tapo RV30 Plus from networking giant TP Link is another excellent two-in-one. It's quiet, compact and has a clean, fuss-free appearance. In robot vacuum cleaners cleaned the floors accurately and thoroughly. It was particularly good at cleaning rugs, however it required several runs to clean some areas of stained wood. Its LIDAR navigation works well as well. It is able to avoid hitting furniture or running over power cables.
It's a bit slow on the stairs however that's to expected from a small robot designed to overcome obstacles. Its only downside is the mopping pad attachment, that was difficult to use to hold in place during our tests. It also lacks the ability of dealing with dust that has dried on, making it more like a vacuum than a robot mop.
Despite these issues however, it's a great option for those looking for an effortless cleaning experience that can handle carpets that are bare or low-pile with equal competence. It has a decent amount of suction which helped it pick up fine dust from carpets and pet hair. One of the best features is its automatic recognition of carpets, which enhances the effectiveness of the vacuuming to tackle dirt that has been embedded. It's also simple to use and comes with a convenient charging dock that automatically empty the bin once it's full. This is a huge benefit for flat dwellers.
Cleaning apps
Most robot vacuums, mops, and sweepers come with an application that allows you to modify cleaning routines. You can also select rooms to be cleaned, plan cleaning sessions and change settings like suction levels, water levels and scrubbing strength. Some robots also have intelligent dirt detection, which utilizes past cleaning data and map information to prioritize areas of dirt and optimize cleaning mode.
Having an app also allows you to set up virtual barriers and no-go zones to shield your robot from dangerous items, such as cords and pet water bowls and sharp objects. Some models have laser navigation sensors that allow you to create virtual barriers while others come with small physical barriers and boundary strips that can be put anywhere you wish to restrict your floor area.
There are still hazards to be aware of even though the most effective robot vacuums can detect and navigate around obstacles. The main brush of a robot may become stuck in long cords or curtains, and stop it from moving. You can prevent this from happening by clearing the area of any cords and tying off any curtains that are long before operating your robot.
Certain robots automatically update the software that governs their navigation and obstacle avoidance algorithms, which improves performance and reduces wear and tear on the robot's internal components. It is a good idea to periodically to check the website of the manufacturer or your robot app for firmware updates.
If you live in a large home, select a model that has several cleaning modes. The iRobot Roomba 11S Max can sweep and vacuum carpeted and hard floors with different suction settings. It also has the ability to automatically change to the highest power setting on carpets and increase its scrubbing power by using SmartScrub.
A robot with an integrated voice assistant is a great option for those who want to be hands-free. The iRobot Roomba 980 can be operated by Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant. It has a compact, self-emptying docking station and an efficient cleaning engine that makes your floors sparkling.