Vacuuming With a Robot Hoover is the Best Hands-Off Model We've Tested

This high-end bot from Eufy is the best hands-off model we've tested so far. It vacuums, mop, self-empties, and washes and drys mop pads all without your involvement.

It lacks advanced cleaning modes and a larger docking station, but provides outstanding performance at a fraction of the cost of high-end robotic vacuum cleaner commercial vacuums. It also has the ability to be able to reach under furniture.

Vacuuming

Vacuuming with a robot is a quick, easy method to keep your floors looking and feeling clean. The majority of the robots we've included that we recommend are built to function without your intervention, so you can schedule them to work while you're out or trigger cleaning sessions using your phone. You'll need to choose a robot with excellent navigation and object detection to avoid getting stuck under furniture or falling down the stairs.

Some models are better at picking up pet hairs from rugs than others, which is why it's crucial to select a robot that can effectively and efficiently clean all flooring types. Find a robot that has an enormous dust bin that can hold a large amount of dirt in between emptyings and a nozzle that does not lose suction as it turns.

Most robots require little to any maintenance, other than taking out tangled fur from the rotating brush after every cleaning session (and wiping its camera or sensors as needed) and then periodically emptying the bin or using a robot's self-emptying base. If you follow these easy steps to maintain your robot, the vacuum should last as long as full-size vacuums and help keep your home tidy for longer.

Robot mops are less versatile than vacuums, however some also pick up spills and puddles. The iLife V3s Pro, a good example of this type of machine, is a great choice for those with carpets, rugs, or wood floors. It is quiet and has good navigation capabilities, which allowed it to avoid obstacles when tested. The charging dock also doubles as trash bin.

To get the best results, select a robot that can handle both vacuuming and mopping at the same time. Karcher's RCV 5 is able to do this, and it also comes with other features that are beneficial like live cameras that sends a blurry image to your app so you can keep an eye on your pet or children as well as a remote control that's easily programmed. The navigation might not be as efficient as the other models in this collection however, its 500ml dustbin is big enough and doesn't require frequent emptying.

Mopping

Robots that vacuum and mop are relatively new to the market. These robots are more expensive and require a separate tank of water, unlike standalone robots. However, they could be worth the extra cost for those who have staining that is difficult to clean or pets.

Some of the top robots can clean carpets and floors as well as vacuum bot. Many brands are now offering all-in-one robotics that perform both tasks extremely well. The Combo J9+, as an example, is among the best mopping robots we've tested and uses an impressively large dock that can accommodate up to 60 days worth of dirt. This is a significant improvement over the Qrevo Pro which ran out water after just mopping 30 days of dirt during our tests.

The Tapo RV30 plus from networking giant TP-Link is a good two-in-one. It's compact quiet and has an elegant, easy-to-use look. In our test rooms, it cleans the floors quickly and thoroughly - it was particularly good at cleaning rugs, but it required several runs to clean certain areas of soiled wooden. Its LIDAR navigation works well as well. It prevents hitting furniture or running over power cables.

It's a bit sluggish on the stairs however, that's to be expected in a compact robot designed to work around obstacles. The only issue is that its mopping pads are fiddly to attach and didn't stay in place during our tests. Additionally, it does not have the capability to deal with dried-on dirt, which makes it more like a vacuum cleaner rather than a full-fledged robot mop.

It's still an excellent choice for those who prefer a hands-off experience and want to clean low-pile or bare carpets equally well. It has decent suction, which helped it to clean fine dust and pet hair from carpets. One of the best features is its automatic carpet recognition, which enhances the effectiveness of the vacuum to take on dirt that is embedded. It's also user-friendly and has a handy charging dock that automatically empties the dust bin once it's filled, which is a huge benefit for those who live in flats.

Cleaning apps

The majority of robot vacuums, mops, and sweepers come with an application that allows you to customize cleaning routines. You can also choose rooms to be cleaned, plan cleaning sessions, and alter settings like suction as well as water levels and scrubbing strength. Some robots offer intelligent dirt detection, which uses maps and previous cleaning data to identify dirty areas.

You can also utilize an app to design virtual barriers and no go zones to protect your self-cleaning robot vacuums safe from potentially dangerous objects, such as cords and pet water bowls. Certain models have laser navigation sensors that permit 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 washing robot area.

The best robot vacuums and mops have the capability of being smart enough to detect obstacles and maneuver around them however there are certain dangers to be on the lookout for. For instance, the main brush can get stuck in long cords or curtains and stop the machine from running. To avoid this it is possible to clear the area of cords and tie up any curtains that are long.

Some robots will automatically update the software that controls their navigation and obstacle avoidance techniques, which enhances performance and reduces wear and wear on the robot's internal components. It is a good idea to periodically to check the site of the manufacturer or your robot's app for updates to firmware.

If you own a large home, you should consider models that have multiple cleaning modes. The iRobot Roomba 11S Max, for instance, can vacuum and mop on carpeted and hard flooring rooms with different suction levels. It can also automatically switch to the highest power setting on carpets and increase its scrubbing power by using SmartScrub.

If you want to be hands-off, a robot with an assistant that can be activated by voice is a fantastic option. The iRobot Roomba 980 can be controlled by Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant. It has a compact, self-emptying docking station and an efficient cleaning engine that leaves your floors sparkling.