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

This top-of-the-line bot from Eufy is the most hands-free model we've seen so far. It vacuums, mop and self-empties and drys mop pads all without your involvement.

It's not equipped with the latest cleaning techniques and a larger docking station, but it delivers stellar performance for less than half the cost of high-end robotic vacuums. It is compact in design and can reach under furniture.

Vacuuming

Vacuuming with a robot hoover is a fast, simple method to keep your floors looking and feeling clean. A majority of the robots featured that we have selected are built to function without your input, so you can schedule them to run when you're away or initiate cleaning sessions from your phone. But, you should choose a model that has superior navigation and obstacle detection to ensure it will not get stuck on the stairs or under furniture.

It's important to select a robot vacuum that can effectively and efficiently clean all types of flooring. Look for a model with dust bins that can hold plenty of dirt between emptying and a nozzle that doesn't lose suction as it rotates to take debris.

The majority of robots require little or no maintenance other than removing tangled hair from the rotating brush (and wiping its cameras or sensors as needed) after every cleaning session, and then emptying the dustbin or using an auto-emptying base, if the robot has one. If you follow these easy maintenance steps, your robot vacuum should last as long as larger vacuums and will keep your home clean for longer.

While robot mops are generally less flexible than their vacuum counterparts Some have the capability of absorbing spills and puddles while they're at it. The iLife V3s Pro, a good example of this type of machine, is an excellent option for those who have carpets and rugs as well as wood floors. It is quiet and has good navigation capabilities, which helped it avoid obstacles during testing. The charging dock can also double as a trash bin.

Select a robotic vacuum cleaner that is able to mop at the same time. This is what the Karcher RCV 5 does and it comes with other handy features like a live camera that broadcasts a grainy image to your smartphone so you can check on your children or pets as well as a remote control that is easily programmed. The navigation might not be as efficient as some of the other models in this selection but its 500ml trash bin is big enough and doesn't require frequent emptying.

Mopping

Robots that vacuum and mops 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 with stains that are difficult to clean or pets.

Some of the best robots can clean floors and carpets as well as vacuuming. There are many brands that offer robots that can perform both tasks extremely effectively. The Combo J9+, as an example, is one of the top mopping robots we've tested. It has an impressively large dock that can hold up to 60 days of debris. This is an enormous improvement over the Qrevo Pro which ran out water after only mopping 30 days of dirt in our tests.

The Tapo RV30 plus from networking giant TP-Link is another very excellent two-in-one. It is compact and quiet, with an elegant, easy-to-use look. In our test rooms, it was able to clean the floors thoroughly and precisely and efficiently. It was particularly effective on rugs, however it took multiple runs to fully clean certain areas of soiled wood. Its LIDAR navigation works well, too. It is able to avoid 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 overcome obstacles. Its only downside is its mopping pad attachment which was difficult and didn't stay in its place during our tests. It is also not capable of dealing with dried-on dust which makes it more of a vacuum than a robot mop.

Despite these shortcomings, it's still a solid choice for those who want a hands-off cleaning experience that can take care of carpets that are bare or low-pile with equal ease. It has a decent amount of suction, which helped it remove fine dust from pet hair and carpets. One of the best features is its automatic carpet recognition which boosts the power of the vacuum to better tackle embedded dirt. It's also simple to use and comes with a convenient charging dock that automatically empties the dust bin once it's full, which is a great benefit for those who live in flats.

Cleaning Apps

Most robot vacuums mop, sweeper, and vacuum comes with an app that lets you customize cleaning routines, select rooms to clean, plan cleaning sessions, and adjust settings like suction, water level and scrubbing power. Some robots offer intelligent dirt detection that uses maps and previous cleaning data to identify dirty areas.

A smartphone app can also allow you to set up virtual barriers and no-go zones to keep your robot away from potentially hazardous items, such as cords and pet water bowls and sharp objects. Certain models let you create these virtual barriers with laser navigation sensors, and others have small physical boundaries or barriers you can place wherever you'd like to block off your floor vacuum robot area.

The most effective robot vacuums and mops are intelligent enough to detect obstacles and navigate around them However, there are certain dangers to be on the lookout for. The main brush of a robot could become stuck in long cords or curtains and stop it in its tracks. To prevent this from happening you should clear the area of cords and tie up any long curtains.

Certain robots automatically update their software that controls navigation and obstacle avoidance algorithm. This enhances performance and reduces wear and tear of the robot's internal components. It's recommended to check the firmware periodically to check the website of the manufacturer or your robot's app for updates to firmware.

If you have a huge home, look for models that have multiple cleaning modes. The iRobot Roomba 11S Max, for instance, can mop and vacuum carpeted floors as well as hard floor washing robot rooms that have different suction levels. It can also automatically switch the power setting to the highest level when cleaning carpets, and boost its scrubbing power by using SmartScrub.

If you're looking to be hands-off, a robot with an assistant that can be activated by voice is a great option. The iRobot Roomba 980, for instance, can be controlled using a simple voice command from Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant. It comes with a compact self-emptying docking system and a powerful cleaning motor that leaves your floors sparkling.