Buying a Robot Vacuum That Mop
A robot vacuum can make cleaning your floors easier. This is especially true if have hardwood flooring throughout your home and wish to cut down on the Swiffer pads you have to purchase or dispose of.
Choose models that are simple to install and maintain. This includes charging the tank with water and emptying it as well as removing and replacing the pads for cleaning.
- Object Avoidance
Robot vacuums are great at detecting large obstacles like furniture legs, walls, and pet toys, but they may miss smaller objects that are carried around when cleaning. This is a common issue with most robots and can result in an unclean environment in the event that the robot is pulled up into an object that should not be. Robots with object avoidance systems use various sensors (like laser, camera and LIDAR) to detect small objects on the floor and avoid them during a cleaning session.
Some robots employ cameras to create a virtual map and recognize the floor layout. These maps let you create boundaries and mop zones, create a cleaning schedule and regulate the flow of water through each space during mopping.
Mapping technology is one of the main advantages of a robot that mops, especially if you have a home with lots of furniture or complex floor plans. Mapping allows a robot to learn the arrangement of your rooms so that it can swiftly and efficiently clean them without crashing into or knocking over furniture or other objects that are blocking the way.
During our testing, the iRobot Combo j7+ utilized a combination of LIDAR and a front-facing camera in order to avoid objects that were in its path. This clever feature, known as PrecisionVision is able to work in mopping and sweeping modes and is a good example of how some robots are getting better in recognizing what they encounter on the floor while they work.
This robot was good at avoiding large objects, but not so at detecting smaller items like USB cords and sockballs. This is a common issue we encounter with a lot of robotic mops. The good news is there are numerous options on the market which can do a better job.
Some of these mops come with a special wand that sprays clean water onto the floor while others utilize an oscillating head to do the job with a gentle drip of water, not a powerful spray. Choose a model that has an air flow that is low-pressure to minimize damage.
- Water Reservoir
The majority of robot mop models come with an instruction that they are not intended to be used for removing stubborn, sticky or set-in stains. But the good news is that a mopping device is still far more effective at eliminating these stains than a vacuum even if it can do both.
We discovered that the Yeedi robot mop and vacuum was able to maneuver around obstacles and adjust to objects like toys, furniture, or pet hair, leaving floors shiny and buffed. The only downside was that it didn't reach the top of ledges to reach rooms on the opposite side. It also has a smaller dust container than a typical robot vacuum, meaning it will need to be cleaned more frequently if you are using it in your entire home. We recommend getting a model with an automatic emptying dock that will place its cleaning pads in an empty container, saving you numerous trips to the trash can.
Another crucial aspect to consider is whether a mopping device will automatically take its water tanks that are dirty to the dock to be cleaned and dried. Most of the models we tested, and this saves you a step in your cleanup routine. But, it's important to keep in mind that you'll need to manually empty the dirt and cleaning solution tanks and wash reusable pads according to their manufacturer instructions between mopping sessions. This will prevent mildew or other undesirable bacteria from forming in the moist and dark space underneath the bot.
Many robot mop models have a dedicated app that allows you to adjust their map of your home and customize your cleaning areas, schedule and track the progress of cleaning and also connect to other smart devices or voice assistants to provide hands-free control. The app can also be used to determine whether your mopping device requires maintenance, such a a filter replacement. A few of the most popular models come with smart home integration. This allows you to connect them to your smart lights, doorbells and other gadgets.
- Water Level Adjustment
A robot vacuum that mops is a good purchase for those who regularly spend time and energy cleaning their floors. Many mops are accompanied by warnings that they are not designed to be used for stubborn or sticky messes, or for setting-in staining. If you're searching for a mopping robot that can do more than just get rid of spills and dust, it's crucial to choose one that is able to adjust its water level and/or scrub intensity to deal with difficult dirt.
It is helpful to discover models that allow you to plan or manually begin and finish cleaning. You will also be able to check the status of your mop in real-time on the app. It's also a good idea to choose a mop that automatically recharges and resumes cleaning when its battery starts running low during cleaning. We've found that most models that include this feature are able to clean a large area in less than two hours.
The app should be easy to navigate, and it's a big benefit if you are able to use voice commands to control your mop. This is especially useful for those who would like to sweep their floors while they work or sit down to watch TV. The majority of the mop models we tested come with voice controls that are simple to use, however some require connecting the mop to your Wi-Fi in order to connect to the app.
Another aspect to consider when purchasing a mopping machine is whether it comes with disposable or reusable cleaning pads. These are more environmentally friendly but can be difficult to maintain and may not perform as well as the first. Certain models let you select the type of pad you want to use, but it's vital to keep in mind to wash or change them every cleaning.
If you have high-pile carpets in your home, it is worthwhile to find a Best cheap robot vacuum mop that can handle these carpets. IRobot's J7 Combo can handle these better than the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra, however the latter does an excellent job on both carpeted and non-carpeted flooring. If you want to, you can purchase an ECOVACS DEEBOT series model that has mopping and vacuuming functions.
- Self-Mopping
Most robot mops can save you 35 hours per year of exhausting mopping, and they're quieter than vacuum cleaners. However, you'll need to perform some maintenance, like refilling the reservoir of water or replacing an old cleaning pad. Self-mopping can make this easier, as the mop returns to its dock automatically if it needs a new pad.
This feature is particularly helpful if your floors are hard to clean, like granite or tile. Some mop models scrub floors by using the rotating bristle spinning, while others use pads for cleaning. You can also find some mops that can sweep or vacuum in addition to mopping, so you'll have more options to clean your home.
If you intend to use a mop robot often, think about getting one with a built-in dustbin or a bin that is easy to empty. Certain mops that double as vacuums require you to empty your dust bin more frequently than mops that simply mop and go, and some have a separate bin for each function. Ecovacs' Deebot X1 features a bin that is opened with ease unlike other robot vacuums. It also replaces the reusable cleaning pad when it is full.
Some robot mops have smart home connectivity and you can control them with your smartphone or a voice assistant. The Braava Jet M6 is a smart machine that connects to hubs that allow you to set up recurring cleanings according to your schedule and preferences through the app. You can also get a status update on the mop's battery and water level, which can be beneficial if you're away from home to check what's going on.
Keep in mind that no robot mop is perfect and even the top mop will not be able to remove sticky grease messes as well as you can with manual mops or a traditional Swiffer. They're great for quick cleanups or for preventing stains from setting however they're not a substitute for a thorough hand mop or a deep-cleaning vacuum cleaner.