Best Robot Hoover: 11 Things You're Not Doing

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

This top-of-the-line Eufy bot is the top hands off model we have test so far. It vacuums, mops, self-empties its bin and washes and dry mop pads with no intervention from you.

It isn't equipped with advanced cleaning modes and a larger docking station but delivers a impressive performance at a fraction of the price of top-end robot vacuums. It also features the ability to reach under furniture.

Vacuuming

A budget robot vacuum vacuum is an easy and quick way to keep your floors tidy. The majority of the robots we've selected are designed to run on their own without the involvement of you, so you can set them up to sweep while you're away, or even trigger an appointment from your phone. You'll want to select a robot with excellent navigation and object detection to avoid getting stuck in furniture or on the stairs.

It's important to select the best robot vacuum that is able to effectively and efficiently clean all kinds of flooring. Choose a model that has a dust bins that can hold plenty of dirt in between emptying and the nozzle does not lose suction when it rotates to remove debris.

Most robots require little to no maintenance, other than removing tangled fur from the rotating brush after every cleaning session (and wiping its camera or sensors when required) and periodically emptying the bin or using the robot's self-emptying base. If you follow these simple steps to maintain your robot, the vacuum will last as long as regular vacuums and will keep your home clean for longer.

While robot mops tend to be less versatile than vacuums they do have the capability of absorbing spills and puddles while doing their thing. The iLife V3s Pro is an example of such a device, which is a solid option for those with wood floors or a combination of carpets and rugs. It's quiet and has excellent navigation capabilities that allowed it to overcome obstacles during testing, and the charging dock can also double as a trash bin.

Select a robotic vacuum cleaner that has the ability to mop simultaneously. This is what the Karcher RCV 5 can handle, and it also offers additional useful features, such as a live camera that broadcasts an unreliable image to your app so you can check on your children or pets, as well as a remote control that is easily programmed. Its navigation may not be as efficient as the other models in this selection but its 500ml trash bin is spacious and doesn't need frequent emptying.

Mopping

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

The best robot vacuum under 200 robots that vacuum and mop can also do a great job cleaning floors with no carpets. Many brands offer robots that can do both jobs exceptionally effectively. The Combo j9+, for example, is among the top mopping robots we've tested and uses an impressively large dock that can accommodate up to 60 days worth of debris. That's a big improvement on the Qrevo Pro, which ran out of water after mopping 30 days' worth of dirt in our tests.

The Tapo RV30 Plus from networking giant TP Link is a fantastic two-in-one. It's quiet and compact and has a clean, fuss-free appearance. In our test rooms, it scrubbed the floors thoroughly and accurately - it was particularly good on rugs, but it required multiple runs to fully remove soiled areas from wood. Its LIDAR navigation system works very well, avoiding bumps into furniture or tripping over power cords.

It's a bit slow on the stairs, but that's to be expected from a small robot that's designed to work around obstacles. The only drawback is its mopping pad attachment which was a challenge and wouldn't stay in its place during our tests. It is also not capable of dealing with dried-on dust which makes it more of an ordinary vacuum cleaner than a robot mop.

Despite these shortcomings however, it's a great choice for those who want an easy-to-clean experience. It can handle carpets that are bare or low-pile with equal ease. It has a decent amount of suction that allowed it to remove fine dust from pet hair and carpets. automatic vacuum cleaners recognition of carpets is a wonderful feature since it boosts the suction power to better tackle embedded dirt. It is simple to use and the charging dock automatically empty the dustbin when it is full. This is an excellent feature for those who live in apartments.

Cleaning Apps

The majority of robot vacuums, mops and sweepers have an application that lets you customize cleaning routines. You can also choose rooms to be cleaned, plan cleaning sessions, and alter settings such as suction levels, water levels and scrubbing strength. Some robots provide intelligent dirt detection that uses maps and previous cleaning data to prioritize dirty areas.

A smartphone app can also allow you to create virtual barriers and no-go zones to protect your robot from potentially dangerous objects, such as cords or pet water bowls and sharp objects. Some models allow you to create these virtual barriers with laser navigation sensors, while others have small physical barriers or boundary strips which you can put wherever you want to block the floor space.

There are still risks to be aware of, even though the best combo vacuum robot vacuums are able to detect and avoid obstacles. For instance, the main brush can become stuck on long cords or curtains and stop the machine from running. You can avoid this by clearing the area of any cords and tie up any curtains that are long before operating your robot.

Certain robots automatically update the software that controls their navigation and obstacle avoidance algorithms which improves performance and reduces wear and tear on the robot's internal components. It is a good idea to periodically check the manufacturer's website or the app of your robot for firmware updates.

If you live in a large house, choose a model with several cleaning modes. The iRobot Roomba 11S Max, for instance, can be used to vacuum and mop on both hard floors and carpeted rooms that have different suction levels. It also has the ability to automatically change to the highest power setting for carpets and increase its scrubbing capabilities with SmartScrub.

A robot with a voice assistant is a great choice if you want to be hands off. The iRobot Roomba 980 can be operated by Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant. It has a small, self-emptying docking station and powerful cleaning motor that makes your floors sparkling.