If you've got shedding pets, a robot vacuum mop combo can keep your home in check between deep cleanings. These machines can get under furniture and into corners to get at dirt that you cannot see.
Jodhaira has tested dozens of floor cleaning devices in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab. This includes a variety of robot vacuums and mops. She's compiled her top picks for the top models for pet hair.
1. Battery life
When looking for a robotic mop and vacuum, you should think about the size of your house and the number of pets you own. The bigger your house is the more power you'll need from a robot cleaner and more pets generally mean more hair. The kind of flooring within your home are important because some models are better at cleaning hard floors than others.
A robotic vacuum and mop will be able get rid of pet hair from any floor surface, including hardwood, tile and carpet. If you have more than one pet you might want to consider one equipped with a high-efficiency hair comb. The majority of robot cleaners utilize suction to get rid of dirt and debris, however some models have an additional water feature that assists with sticky spills and stains. These units also disinfect floors using water.
Robot mop mops that vacuum as well as mop come with a longer battery life. This is due to the fact that you're using two features in one, reducing the amount of time the device needs to charge and then shut off. Some models even empty themselves into the charging station automatically after each run, drying the pads while doing so. This prevents bacteria from growing on wet pads.
For the best robot vacuum and mop that can cope with pet hair and footprints we recommend the Ecovacs DeebotX2 Omni. This model is a strong performer in our tests and comes with numerous smart features, including TrueMapping 2.0 and TrueDetect 3D technology to map your home for ideal cleaning patterns and avoid hitting furniture or other obstacles. It is equipped with base that houses the clean and dirty tanks in one place, making maintenance easy.
2. App control
Many robot vacuums and mops have an app that allows you to save your house's maps, organize cleaning schedules and track maintenance requirements. Some models let you control the robot remotely. But that's not a requirement and you can still find models with the power button on the base station or charging dock or a remote that comes included.
In general, you should look for a model with a clean up mode that vacuums, mops or does both, and doesn't require the user to press an individual button to switch it off. This will allow you to send the robot back to its dock to empty its dirt bin and change the pad that is wet, wash a mop cloth or refill its water tank. Also, you should check if the robot is compatible with your voice-activated assistant. This way, you can use simple commands such as "OK Google" and "OK Alexa" to begin a cleaning process, ask for assistance with a problem or more.
Consider how long you'd like to dedicate to your robotic cleaner and how much use your floors get before deciding on a specific model. For example, if you have low furniture or a large floor plan you might opt for a robot with smaller mop and vacuum capacity. Also, you should be aware that certain mopping robots come with recurring expenses because they are expensive to purchase. You'll have to purchase replacement pads or mop cloths, on top of the occasional requirement for new filters, side sweeping brushes and other components that may be recommended for periodic maintenance. Lastly, don't forget about the price of the cleaning product in general, as some brands recommend that you purchase a second cleaning solution to keep your floors looking new.
3. Carpet Recognition
The most effective robot vacuum and mop combination can tell the difference between hard and carpet making sure they don't or scrub stains or spills. They can also spot areas that have multiple types of flooring and plan cleaning schedules automatically based on the layout of your home. You'll need to install a separate app on your smartphone to manage these features, but they're generally quite simple to use.
Some hybrid models don't use any liquid. These machines typically empty into a bag that is kept inside the base. Some robots come with the ability to empty the contents of the robot into a trashcan.
Some robots are able to be used on both wet and dry floors, like tile or hardwood. The best robot vacuum and mop combinations for pet hair are specifically designed to work on both types of flooring, making them an excellent option for those who have a mix of flooring in your home.
Think about the size of your home and the amount of foot traffic you'll encounter when choosing a robot mop and vacuum. You'll need to choose the model that has enough power and battery life to keep up with the daily cleaning of your floors, particularly in the case of children or pets.
The best two-in-one robots have superior capabilities that make them worth the price. For instance, the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni is able to vacuum and mop in one sweep featuring 8,000-Pa suction and dual mop heads that rotate. It can also scan your furniture and other items to keep them from getting damaged while cleaning, and even communicate with using two-way sound. It also takes care of its own dirt so it will automatically go back to its dock when it's time for washing.
4. Water tank capacity
Robot vacuums lift dirt and deposit it into a dust bag or bin, whereas robot mops scatter cleaning solutions across the floor and scrub it off using pads. Certain models combine the two functions, while others have specific capabilities to tackle different surfaces. To ensure you get the best kind of cleaning for your home, take note of your floors' surfaces and how much people use them.
Most robot vacuums and mop combos require the use of a cleaning formula that differs between brands. It is possible to buy cleaners from third parties, but it's best to stick to the recommended brand by the manufacturer. This will prevent the possibility of damage and keep your machine performing as well as it can.
If your vacuum or mop has a dust bin, you will need to empty it regularly. The majority of them come with a handy indicator that lets you know when it's time change out the bin. In the same way, you'll probably require replacing the filters and rollers, side sweeping brushes and other accessories from time to time to ensure optimal performance.
This process can be made easier by a self-emptying robot that allows you to empty the contents into a recycling bin or trash can. However, the majority of these machines do not automatically wash and dry their mopping pads and cloths which could lead to bacterial growth and mildew. If your machine isn't equipped with this capability, make sure to wash and remove the pad after each use, or place it on a flat surface to dry between runs.
The iRobot Combo i5+, the Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 and the Eureka E10S all have this feature. The budget-friendly iLife V5s Pro, on the other hand, focuses on minimalism and Www.Robotvacuummops.Com removes this feature.
5. Mop mode
If you're looking for a robot vacuum and mop combo that can clean your floors while you're away, the best option is the IRobot Roomba j7. It's not inexpensive, but its AI obstacle-avoidance is the best available in the marketplace. It can clean up Cheerios and spot poop, and even cut through the mess that phone cables usually pile up on your floor. This makes it an excellent option for homes with children or pets and want to keep their floors clean.
It's one of the few robots we tested that can mop tile, hardwood and Linoleum. In our tests it did a fantastic job at cleaning sticky and wet dirt and remove pet hair from carpets, too.
The only drawback is that it's not a 2-in-1 robot, and can take up to 6 hours to charge. Additionally, while most robots automatically empty into a dust bag stored in the base station, this model requires you to empty the dust bin after it's full. This can be a problem in large homes with stairs and high ceilings.
If you're looking for a more traditional 2-in-1, try the Ecovacs Deebot T10 Plus. It has excellent suction power that easily cleaned up pet hair on carpets and also self-emptying dustbin. It also comes with scented air filter pods so you can pick the scent that you like best. It has a lower life battery than the best models we tested, and it needs to be recharged frequently.
