Buying a Robot Vacuum That Mop
A robot vacuum can help you clean your floors more easily. This is particularly applicable if your home is made of hard floors and you want to reduce the number of Swiffer pads that you need to purchase or throw away.
Look for models that are simple to install and maintain. This includes charging the tank with water and emptying it and removing and replacing the pads for cleaning.
- Object Avoidance
Robot vacuums can detect large obstacles such as furniture legs, walls and pet toys. However, they could miss smaller items which are pushed around when cleaning. This is a concern that the majority of robots have and can cause a mess if they get sucked into something they shouldn't. Robots equipped with object-avoidance systems employ sensors (like lasers, cameras or LIDAR) to detect and avoid small objects that are on the ground.
Certain robots make use of cameras to create a virtual map and recognize the floor's layout. These maps allow you to create boundaries and mop zones, set up an agenda for cleaning, and control the flow of water through the mopping area for each space.
Mapping technology is among the most significant advantages of a robot that mop particularly if you live in an apartment with a lot of furniture or complex floor plans. Mapping allows a robot to memorize the arrangement of your rooms so that it can swiftly and efficiently clean them without running into or knocking over furniture or other objects that could be blocking the way.
In our tests, the iRobot Combo j7+ combined LIDAR with a front-facing video camera to eliminate obstacles 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.
When we test the robot it did a great job of avoiding obstacles that were large however it was not as adept at recognizing smaller things such as sock ball and USB cords on the floor. This is a problem that we encounter with a lot of robotic mop machines. The good news is there are a variety of alternatives available that do a much better job.
Some mops feature an wand with a special design that sprays clean water on the floor, while others employ an oscillating head to do the job using the gentle drip of water, not a strong jet. If you have wood floors, look for models that use the water at a low pressure to limit the damage.
- Water Reservoir
Most robot mops have a disclaimer that they're not designed to be used for stubborn, sticky, or set-in stains. However, the good news is that a mopping device is still far superior in eliminating the stains than a vacuum even if it can perform both.
We found that the Yeedi robot mop and vacuum could move around obstacles and adjust to objects such as furniture, toys, or pet hair, leaving floors looking shiny and polished. It was unable 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, meaning it may require emptying more often if you use it throughout your home. We recommend purchasing a model with self-emptying docks, which will deposit its cleaning pads into the empty container, avoiding many trips to the garbage can.
A mopping robot's ability to automatically return its dirty tanks to the dock to be washed and dried is an additional important feature. Most of the models we tested, and this saves you time in your cleaning routine. It is crucial to remember to manually empty the dirt and cleaning solutions tanks and wash the pads that are reusable in accordance with their manufacturer's instructions between mopping sessions. This will prevent mildew or other harmful bacteria from growing in the dark and damp space underneath the bot.
Many robot mop models have an app which lets you change their map of your home, customize cleaning areas, schedule and track the progress of the cleanliness of your home, and connect with other smart devices or voice assistants to provide hands-free control. The app can also be used to determine when your mopping robot requires maintenance, such 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
Robot vacuums that mop could be a great investment for those who spend much time and effort cleaning their floors. However, the majority of mops have a disclaimer stating that they're not intended to be used on a variety of stubborn or sticky spills or set-in stains. If you're searching for a mopping robot that can do more than just rid of dust and spills it's crucial to choose one that is able to alter the level of water and/or scrub intensity to tackle tough dirt.
It's also useful to choose an option that allows you to set up a schedule or manually begin and stop cleaning. You should also be able to check the status of your mop in real-time via the app. It's also helpful to choose a mop that automatically recharges when the battery runs low. The majority of models that have this feature are able to clean a large house in less than a half an hour.
It should be easy to use, and you should have the option to control your mop with voice commands. This is especially beneficial for those who wish to clean their floors as they do other chores or sit down to watch television. The majority of the mop models we tested have voice controls that are simple to use, but some require connecting the mop to Wi-Fi in order to access the app.
Another thing to consider when buying a mopping robot is whether it comes with disposable or reusable cleaning pads. They are more eco sustainable, but they can be difficult to store and may not function like the former. Some pads let you select which type of pad you use, but you'll need to ensure that you change them regularly or clean them after each cleaning.
If you have a lot of high-pile area rugs around your home, you should consider looking for a robot mop that can handle these. IRobot's J7 Combo can handle these better than the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra, however the latter does well on carpeted and non-carpeted floors. You can also get an ECOVACS DEEBOT model which includes mopping and vacuuming functions.
- Self-Mopping
Robotic mops are quieter than vacuums and could save you up to 35 hours of mopping per year. You'll still have to do some maintenance like refilling the reservoir or changing a dirty cleaning pad. Self-mopping makes this easier, as the mop returns to its dock automatically if it needs an additional pad.
This feature is particularly useful for floors that are difficult to clean, such as tile or granite. Some mop models employ an e-spinner that rotates to scrub floors, while others use a simple cleaning pad across the floor. Some mop models sweep and vacuum, as well as mop, providing more options.
If you are planning to use a robot mop often, think about getting one that has a built-in dust bin or a bin that is easy to empty. Some mops that also double as vacuums need you to empty your dust bin more often than mops that simply mop and go, and some even have separate bins for each use. 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 is full.
Some robot mop models are connected to smart homes, so you can use your smartphone or a voice assistant to control them. The Braava Jet M6 is an example a smart robot mop that connects to a hub, meaning you can schedule recurring cleanings with your schedule and other preferences using the app. Additionally, you can receive an update on the mop's life expectancy and water level, which can be beneficial if you're away from home to check on what's happening.
Keep in mind that no robot mop can be perfect. Even the best value robot vacuum mop won't be able to keep sticky, greasy messes clean as you can with manual mops, or a traditional sweeper. They're ideal to clean up quick or for preventing stains from setting however they're not an alternative to a thorough hand mop or a deep-cleaning vacuum cleaner.