Buying a Robot Vacuum That Mop
A robot vacuum that mop can take the stress out of keeping your floors spotless. This is especially relevant if you live in a home with hard flooring and you want to reduce the amount of Swiffer pads you have to purchase or dispose of.
Find models that are simple to set up and maintain. This includes charging and emptying the tank of water, taking out and replacing pads for cleaning.
1. Object Avoidance
Robot vacuums can spot big obstacles, such as furniture legs, walls and pet toys. However, they may miss smaller items which are moved around during cleaning. This is a concern that many robots face and could cause chaos when they are entangled in things they should not. Robots equipped with object-avoidance systems employ sensors (like cameras, lasers or LIDAR) to detect and avoid small objects that are on the ground.
The majority of the robots we tested with this feature employed a laser to help guide the robot and avoid obstacles. However, certain models also employ cameras to recognize the floor’s layout and draw an imaginary map of the area. These maps allow you to create boundaries and no-mop zones and set a cleaning schedule and control the flow of water through every room during mopping.
Mapping technology is one of the main advantages of a robot that mops especially if you live in an apartment with a lot of furniture or intricate floor plans. A robot that maps can learn your room’s layout, allowing it to clean them quickly and efficiently without falling over or running into furniture or other objects.
During our tests, the iRobotCombo J7+ was able to combine LIDAR with an in-front video camera to avoid obstacles in its path. This smart feature, called PrecisionVision works in both sweeping and mopping modes and is a good illustration of how some robots are getting better at understanding what they’re encountering on the floor as they work.
This robot was good at avoiding large objects, but less than that at detecting smaller objects like sockballs and USB cords. This is a common issue we see with most robotic mop machines. The good news is there are many options available to perform better.
Some mop models have a wand that is specially designed to spray water on floors, while others feature an oscillating mop head that performs the task with more of a gentle drip, and not as powerful streams of water. Choose a model that has a water flow that is low pressure to minimize the risk of damage.
2. Water Reservoir
Most robot mop cleaners come with an instruction that they are not intended to be used for removing stubborn sticky or set-in stains. The good news is that a vacuum cleaner that can do both is not as efficient in eliminating these stains as a mopping robotic.
We found that the Yeedi robot mop and vacuum was able to maneuver around obstacles and adjust for objects such as furniture, toys or pet hair, leaving floors sparkling and buffed. The only issue was that it didn’t reach the top of ledges in order to access rooms on the other side. It also has a smaller dust container than a typical robot vacuum, so it will need to be cleaned more often if you utilize it throughout your home. We recommend buying a model that has a self-emptying dock, which will deposit its cleaning pads into the empty container, avoiding numerous trips to the trash can.
Another important feature to consider is whether a mopping device will automatically take its water tanks that are dirty to the dock for drying and washing. The majority of the models we tested did this, allowing you to skip a step during your cleaning routine. But, it’s important to keep in mind that you’ll need to manually empty the dirt and cleaning solution tanks and wash the pads according to their manufacturer instructions between mopping sessions. This helps prevent mildew and other unwanted bacteria from developing in the moist, dark area under the bot.
Many robot mops have an application that lets you alter the map of your home and customize cleaning areas as well as schedules, view the progress of cleaning and connect to other smart devices or voice-activated assistants for hands free control. The app also provides an opportunity to know the time when your mopping machine requires maintenance, such as a filter change. Some of the top models have smart home integration. This allows you to connect them to smart lights, Robot Vacuum Mops doorbells, and other gadgets.
3. Water Level Adjustment
Robot vacuums that mop can be an excellent investment for people who spend a lot of time and effort cleaning their floors. However, most mops come with a disclaimer saying that they’re not intended to be used on stubborn or sticky dirt or set-in staining. If you’re looking for a cleaning robot that can do more than just clean up of dust and spills, it’s important to look for one that is able to alter the level of water or scrub intensity to take on tough mess.
It’s also helpful to choose a model that lets you set up a schedule or manually begin and end cleaning. The app will also let you monitor the status of the mop in real time. It’s also a good idea to choose a mop that recharges automatically and resumes cleaning when the battery gets low in mid-cleaning. Most models with this feature can clean a large house in less than two hours.
The app should be simple to use, and it’s a big benefit if you are able to 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 sit down to watch television. Most of the models we’ve tested provide easy-to-use voice controls, but some require you to connect the mop to Wi-Fi to connect to the app.
If you are considering buying a mopping robot, you should also consider whether the robot will come with disposable cleaning pads or reusable ones. The reusable pads are more eco-friendly, but they can be difficult to stock and might not perform quite as well as disposable pads. Some pads let you choose the type of pad you use however you’ll need ensure that you change them regularly or wash them after every cleaning.
If you have a lot of high-pile area rugs around your house, it’s worth seeking out a robot mop that can manage these. The j7 model from iRobot’s Combo is better in cleaning these than the Roborock S7 Maxv Ultra, however, it also does a great job on non-carpeted surfaces. You can also purchase an ECOVACS DEEBOT series model that has mopping and vacuuming capabilities.
4. Self-Mopping
Robot mops are quieter than vacuums and can help you save up to 35 hours of mopping each year. There’s still some maintenance like refilling the reservoir or changing dirty cleaning pads. Self-mopping makes this easier because the mop goes back to its dock automatically if it needs an additional pad.
This feature is particularly useful when you have floors that are difficult to clean such as granite or tile. Some mop models use the rotating, spinning brush to scrub floors, whereas others simply run a 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 more options for your cleaning needs.
If you are planning to use a mop robot frequently look for one that has a built-in dust bin or one that is easy to empty. Some mops that double as vacuums require you to empty the bin more frequently than those that mop and go, and some even have separate bins for each function. Ecovacs Deebot X1 has a bin that is opened easily unlike other Robot Vacuum Mops vacuums. It also automatically replaces the reusable cleaning pad once it’s full.
Some robot mop models are connected to smart homes, meaning you can utilize your phone 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, meaning it is possible to schedule regular cleaning schedules based on your schedule and other preferences via the app. You can also receive an update about the mop’s water and battery levels, which can be useful even when you’re not home.
Be aware that no robot mop is perfect and even the top ones will probably not get dirty, greasy messes as clean as you would with a manual mops or traditional Swiffer. They are ideal for quick cleaning or preventing stains, however, they aren’t a substitute for the need for a thorough vacuum or hand mop.