Buying a Robot Vacuum That Mop
A robot vacuum can make cleaning your floors easier. This is especially true if have hard floors throughout your home and want to reduce the amount of Swiffer pads you have to buy or dispose of.
Select models that are easy to install and maintain. This includes charging the water tank and emptying it as well as removing and replacing the pads for cleaning.
1. Object Avoidance
Robot vacuums are able to detect big obstacles, such as furniture legs, walls and pet toys. However, they may miss smaller objects that are pushed around when cleaning. This is a concern that many robots face and could cause chaos if they get sucked into things they should not. Robots equipped with object-avoidance systems employ sensors (like a laser, camera or LIDAR) to detect and avoid small objects that are on the ground.
The majority of the robots we tested using this feature utilized lasers to guide the robot and avoid obstacles. However, some also use cameras to detect the floor's layout, and create a virtual map of the space. These maps allow you to define boundaries and no-mop zones and set a cleaning schedule and regulate the flow of water in each room when mopping.
Mapping technology is one of the main advantages of a robot that mops especially if you live in a home with lots of furniture or complicated floor plans. A robot that maps can memorize your rooms' layout, allowing it to clean them efficiently and quickly without falling over or running into furniture or other items.
During our tests, the iRobot Combo J7+ was able to combine LIDAR with front-facing video cameras to avoid obstacles in its path. This feature, which is smart, is known as PrecisionVision works in both sweeping and mopping mode, and is a good example of how robots are becoming more adept at recognizing the objects they encounter on the floor.
The robot was effective in avoiding large objects, but not so at detecting smaller items such as USB cords and sockballs. This is a common issue we encounter in the majority of robotic mop machines however the good news is that there are plenty of options available which are better at this.
Some mops feature a special wand that sprays a stream of clean water onto the floor, while others use an oscillating head to do the job with an easy drip of water, not a powerful spray. Find a model with a water flow that is low pressure to minimize damage.
2. Water Reservoir
Most robot mop cleaners come with an instruction that they aren't designed to be used for stubborn, sticky or set-in stains. But the good news is that a mopping robot is still far more effective in removing these stains than a vacuum and even one that is able to do both.
When we tried the Yeedi robot vacuum and mop we discovered that it was able to maneuver well over obstacles and was able to adjust to objects like toys, furniture, and pet hair to leave floors looking shiny and polished. The only drawback was that it wasn't able to get to the top of ledges to access rooms on the other side. It also has a smaller dust bin than the average robot vacuum, so it might need to be emptied more often if you use it throughout your home. We suggest purchasing a model with an automatic emptying dock that will deposit its cleaning pads in the empty container, saving you numerous trips to the trash can.
Another aspect to think about is whether a mopping device will return its dirty water tanks to the dock to be cleaned and dried. The majority of models we tested did, saving you a step during your cleaning routine. It's important to remember to manually empty the dirt and cleaning solution tanks and wash the pads that are reusable in accordance with the instructions from the manufacturer between mopping sessions. This prevents the growth of mildew as well as other undesirable bacteria from growing in the dark, moist space beneath the bot.
Many robot mops come with an app that lets you adjust their map of your home, customize cleaning areas, schedule and track the progress of a clean and also connect to other smart devices or voice assistants to provide hands-free control. The app also gives you an opportunity to know the time when your mopping machine requires maintenance, for example, a filter change. A few of the most popular models have smart home integration. This lets you connect them to your smart lights, doorbells, and other devices.
3. Water Level Adjustment
A robot vacuum that mop can be a worthwhile investment for those who frequently spend time and energy cleaning their floors. However, automatic vacuum cleaner of mops come with a disclaimer saying that they're not intended to be used on a variety of stubborn or sticky messes or set-in stains. If you're looking for a mopping machine that does more than just remove dirt and spills, look for one that allows you to adjust water level or the intensity of the scrub.
It's useful to find models that allow you to schedule or manually start and end cleaning. You will also be able to monitor the condition of your mop in real-time on the app. It's also a good idea to choose a model that automatically recharges and resumes cleaning when its battery starts running low during cleaning. Most models with this feature can clean a large house in less than two hours.
It should be easy to use and be able to control your mop using voice commands. This is particularly useful for those who wish to sweep their floors while they work or sit down to watch television. The majority of the models we tested have voice controls that are simple to use, however some require connecting the mop with your Wi-Fi connection to access the app.
Another thing to think about when buying a mopping robot is whether it will come with disposable or reusable cleaning pads. Reusable pads are more environmentally-friendly, but they can be hard to stock and may not perform as well as disposable pads. Some models let you choose the type of pad you want to use, but it's important to keep in mind to wash or change them after every cleaning.
If you have lots of high-pile area rugs around your house, it's worth searching for a robot mop that can handle these. iRobot’s j7 Combo is superior at cleaning these than the Roborock s7 maxv ultra, but it also does excellent work on non-carpeted surfaces. If you want to, you can purchase an ECOVACS DEEBOT series model that includes mopping and vacuuming capabilities.
4. Self-Mopping
Most robot mops can save you 35 hours a year of exhausting mopping and are quieter than vacuum cleaners. But you'll still need to take care of some maintenance tasks like refilling the reservoir with water or replacing a dirty cleaning pad. Self-mopping makes this easier because the mop goes back to its dock automatically when it requires new pads.
This feature is especially helpful when you have floors that are difficult to clean, like tile or granite. Some mop models scrub floors with the rotating bristle spinning, while others use a cleaning pad. Some mop models can sweep and vacuum, as well as mop, giving you more options.
If you are planning to use a robot mop frequently, consider getting one with a built-in trash bin or an easy-to-empty bin. 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 function. Ecovacs Deebot X1 comes with a bin that can be opened with ease unlike other robot vacuums. It also automatically replaces the cleaning pad when it's full.
Some robot mop models have smart home connectivity which means you can control them using your smartphone or a voice assistant. The Braava Jet m6 is an example of a smart robot mop that connects to a hub, meaning it is possible to schedule regular cleaning schedules based on your schedule and other preferences using the app. You can also receive a status update about the mop's battery and water levels, which can be useful if you are not at home.
Be aware that no robot mop will be perfect. Even the most effective mop won't be able to keep dirty, greasy messes wiped clean like you do using manual mops or a traditional sweeper. They're excellent for quick clean-ups or keeping stains from getting set however they're not a substitute for a thorough hand mop or a thorough vacuum cleaner.