A robot vacuum that mop can take the stress out of keeping your floors tidy. This is particularly applicable if your home is made of hard flooring and you want to reduce the amount of Swiffer pads you have to purchase or dispose of.Look for models that are easy 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 are excellent in spotting obstacles large like furniture legs, walls, and pet toys, but they may overlook smaller objects that are pushed around when cleaning. This is a concern that many robots face and could cause a mess if they get sucked into something they should not. Robots with object avoidance systems make use of different sensors (like laser, camera and LIDAR) to identify small objects on the floor and avoid them during cleaning.
Most of the robots that we tested with this feature used the aid of a laser to guide the robot and avoid obstacles. However, some also utilize cameras to identify the floor's layout, and create a virtual map of the area. These maps allow you to create boundaries and mop zones, establish a cleaning schedule and regulate the flow of water through every space during mopping.
A mop with a robot that utilizes mapping technology could be a valuable asset, especially in homes with many furniture pieces and a complicated floor plan. Mapping allows a robot to memorize the layout of your rooms so it can swiftly and efficiently clean them without crashing into or knocking over furniture or other items that could be blocking the way.
In our tests, the iRobotCombo J7+ was able to combine LIDAR with a front-facing video camera to avoid obstacles in its path. This smart feature called PrecisionVision can be used in both sweeping and mopping mode and is an illustration of how robots are getting more adept at recognizing the objects they encounter on the floor.
When we test the robot, it did a good job of avoiding obstacles that were large, but it was less adept at recognizing smaller things such as sock ball and USB cords that were lying around. This is a problem we see with most robotic mop machines. The good news is there are a variety of options available to do a much better job.
Some of these mops have a special wand that sprays clean water on the floor, while others employ an oscillating head to do the job using the gentle drip of water and not a powerful jet. Look for a model with an air flow that is low-pressure to reduce damage.
2. Water Reservoir
Most robot mop models come with an instruction that they are not designed to be used to remove stubborn staining, sticky or set-in. The good news is that even the vacuum cleaner that is able to perform both tasks isn't as efficient at eliminating the stains as a robotic.
When we tried the Yeedi robot mop and vacuum we discovered that it was able to maneuver around obstacles and adjusted for objects like furniture, toys and pet hair to leave floors looking shiny and buffed. It wasn't able to reach the top of ledges, so it wasn't able to reach rooms on the other side. It also has a smaller dust bin than a typical robot vacuum, so it will need to be emptied more frequently if you are using it throughout your home. We recommend getting a model with self-emptying docks, which will deposit its cleaning pads in an empty container, saving you numerous trips to the trash can.
A mopping robot's ability to automatically return dirty tanks to its dock to be cleaned and dried is an additional important feature. The majority of the models we tested did be able to do this, which can save you time in your cleaning routine. However, it's important to note that you will need to manually empty the dirt and cleaning solution tanks and wash reusable pads in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions after each mopping session. This will prevent mildew and other harmful bacteria from forming in the dark, moist space beneath the bot.
Many robot mop models have an app that allows you to adjust the map of your home and customize your cleaning areas, schedule and track the progress of a clean, and connect with other smart devices or voice assistants to provide hands-free control. The app also offers a way to see when your mopping robot needs maintenance, like an adjustment to the filter. A few of the most popular models come with smart home integration. This lets you connect them to your smart lights, doorbells, and other devices.
3. Water Level Adjustment
Robot vacuums that mop could be a great investment for those who spend lots of time and effort cleaning their floors. However, most mops come with a disclaimer that states that they're not intended to be used on a variety of stubborn or sticky spills or set-in stains. If you're looking for a mopping machine that can do more that just remove dust and spills, look for one that has the capacity to adjust water level or the intensity of the scrub.
It's also beneficial to choose an option that allows you to schedule or manually start and end cleaning. The app will also let you monitor the status of the mop in real time. It is also beneficial to select a mop that automatically recharges when the battery gets depleted. The majority of models that have this feature are able to clean a large house in less than two hour.
The app should be easy to navigate and is a huge advantage if you can use voice commands to control your mop. This is especially useful for those who wish to clean their floors while doing other chores or watching television. The majority of the models we tested have voice controls that are simple to use, however some require that you connect the mop with your Wi-Fi to connect to the app.
When buying a mopping robotic, you should also consider whether the robot will come with disposable cleaning pads or one that is reusable. The latter are more environmentally friendly, but are difficult to keep stocked and may not perform like the former. Some models allow you to choose the kind of pad you want to use however, you'll need to remember to change them regularly or wash them after each cleaning.
If you have high-pile carpets in your home, it is worth looking for a robot that can handle the carpets. iRobot’s j7 Combo is better in cleaning these rugs than the Roborock S7 maxv ultra but it can also do an excellent job on non-carpeted surfaces. If you want to, you can purchase an ECOVACS DEEBOT series model that comes with both vacuuming and mopping functionality.
4. Self-Mopping
The majority of robot mops will save you 35 hours per year of exhausting mopping and are quieter than vacuum cleaners. However, you'll need to do some maintenance, like refilling the reservoir of water or changing out the dirty cleaning pad. Self-mopping features make this less of a hassle because the mop will return to its dock when it's time to get a new pad.
This feature is particularly helpful when your floors are difficult to clean, such as tile or granite. Some mop models scrub floors using a rotating, spinning bristle, while others use a pad for cleaning. You can also find some mops that can sweep or vacuum robot mop in addition to mopping, meaning you'll have more options for cleaning.
If you intend to use a robot mop often you should consider one that has an integrated dustbin or one that is easy to empty. Some mops that also vacuum require you to empty the bin more frequently than those that just mop. Some have a separate dustbin for each task. The Ecovacs Deebot X1 has an auto-emptying bin for its sweeping pads that's simpler to open than the other vacuums, and it automatically swaps out the disposable pads to fresh ones once they're full.
Some robot mops are connected to smart homes, meaning you can make use of your smartphone or a voice assistant to control them. The Braava Jet M6 is an example of smart robot mops that can connect to a hub, which means you can schedule regular cleaning schedules based on your schedule and other preferences via the app. You will also receive an update regarding the mop's battery and water levels, which is helpful even when you're not home.
Keep in mind that no robot mop can be perfect. Even the most effective ones won't get messy, greasy messes cleaned like you do with manual mops, or a traditional sweeper. They're great to clean up quick or for stopping stains from forming however they're not an alternative to a thorough hand mop or a deep-cleaning vacuum cleaner.
