A Robot Vacuum Cleaner That Also Mops

A robot vacuum cleaner that also mops and mops, this from German manufacturer Karcher is a stunning debut. Its innovative features, such as cliff detection and AI mapping enabled it to easily gobble up pet hair and biscuit crumbs however dust proved more difficult to clean.

The app is useful because it lets you set virtual walls that let the robot stay clear of furniture or stairs and schedule cleaning time. However, its sound levels aren't too great.

Self-emptying

You can save time and energy by using a robotic vacuum that automatically empty itself. The docking station houses an enormous storage bag that, when full, can be taken off and replaced. It takes away the need to empty the dust bin which is built into the robot and could reduce the risk of health and hygiene issues arising from contact with dust and pet hair. It also prevents the full bin from causing an absence of suction and the possibility of spitting debris into the living area.

A robotic vacuum that can be automatically emptied is recommended if you have family members who suffer from hay fever or allergies, as it can prevent the reintroduction of dirt into your home. It's also a great choice for those who live busy lives and would like to spend less time cleaning their home.

Most robot vacuums can be controlled by a mobile application and voice commands. You can begin, stop, or return them to their dock. Robot Vacuum Mops will inform you if they're tangled with furniture pieces or if the battery is not fully charged.

The higher-end models use cameras and laser sensors to scan their surroundings and figure out the most efficient route before taking on each room. This helps them avoid being tripped up by furniture or caught in a stray cable.

Modern robot cleaners are able to create detailed maps of your home which can be accessed via the app. It is common to save multiple maps, and you may also be able add 'exclusion zones' which the cleaner will avoid. Cleaners with more advanced mopping capabilities will allow you to define areas for cleaning and add specific pieces of furniture to the map to ensure that they get cleaned.

Smart apps

Many robot vacuums are compatible with smart home technology, meaning that you can utilize an app to control them. They may also be able to communicate with smart assistants such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant which means you can instruct them to clean. This is a great option if you do not want to keep pressing the vacuum button, or are worried that your children or pets could accidentally set it off.

The bins of most compact robot vacuums aren't big enough which means you'll have to empty them frequently. However some of the best models have auto-empty functionality. This means that they can bring themselves back to their docking station and have their onboard bin emptied automatically. This is a great feature for those with allergies or hay fever, since it reduces the amount of dust you come into contact with.

Another benefit of robot vacuums is the capability to sweep your floors. They are typically more expensive, but they can be useful for those who don't want to vacuum clean up messes from wet floors. Some robots that have a mopping feature will include an additional water tank, while others will combine the two functions to create one. They can therefore double as a mopping device and save you from having to swap out attachments.

A good robotic vacuum cleaner utilizes a map of your house to guide it. It creates a virtual floor plan for your space by combining sensors, cameras, and lasers before it starts to mop or vacuum. You can view the maps on your smartphone and add exclusion zones to prevent it from going near certain furniture or areas.

This feature isn’t available on all robot vacuums however, for those who don't have the time to clean every day or struggle with manual cleaning, it’s a great option. It's especially beneficial for those who have high-up, cluttered spaces. It can clean under tables as well as other areas that are difficult to reach. The nozzle of the robot is able to get close to furniture and walls without damaging them. The intelligent directional system ensures that the robot can reach hard-to-reach places.

Obstacle avoidance

Robots can stay clear of clutter and debris by using technology to avoid objects. It stops them from drinking anything that could cause jams or damage internal components, and it saves you the hassle of having to remove obstructions from their suction or under furniture. A lot of the latest models, like smart home appliances and robot vacuums, come with advanced obstacles avoidance technology that can operate in real-time.

If you're searching for the best robot vacuums, make sure you select one with the latest obstacle detection systems that operate in a variety of light conditions and can recognize many different objects. The top smart robots use multiple sensors to give a richer understanding of their surroundings. Furthermore, they're able to dodge obstacles even when the layout of the room changes. Examples of the most advanced obstacle avoidance technologies include crossed IR sensors and 3D structured light and ToF (time of flight) sensors.

Crossed IR sensor beams are focused beams of light that are reflected off objects, which aids the robot detect them. This type sensor is commonly used in robot vacuums and other cleaning robots, and it's especially efficient in dark spaces. Some of the more expensive robots feature 3D structured lights that emit light pulses in a pattern which are distorted by objects in the room. 3D structured light is typically paired with cameras and crossed IR sensors to create a more complete obstacle-avoidance system.


Cameras are a common technology for robots that mop and vacuum. These sensors can be either binocular or monocular and are able to capture images of the surrounding environment and use image processing to detect obstacles. The top robotic vacuums that have camera sensors provide an improved obstacle-avoiding solution and can be used in conjunction with other technologies to produce better results.

One of the most advanced obstacle-avoidance systems is offered by the iRobot Roomba J7+. It comes with a built-in camera that can recognize objects of various sizes as well as pet waste. iRobot is so confident in its technology that it offers a warranty called "Pet Poop Promise". If the robot is accidentally impacted by pet waste, iRobot will replace the device for free.

Cleaning

The top robot vacuum cleaners employ a combination of sensors and lasers to map out the area they're cleaning. This helps them avoid hitting furniture, stairs or other obstacles. They can also work out if an area needs to be cleaned and even return to their dock if they're low on power or their bin is full.

You can connect your robot vac to your smart assistant such as Alexa or Google Home, and control it via the app on your smartphone. This is particularly useful when you're away from home, and you need to schedule or begin cleaning your home thoroughly. A lot of models allow you to manually trigger a clean from the app if you need to tackle spills or stains.

While robot vacuums are the most common type of robotic cleaning machine however, you can also find ones that mop as well. These are usually available as separate robot mops or hybrid versions that include a mop attachment. Traditional robot mops consist of plates that clip onto the vacuum's back or underside and have an insignificant water reservoir. They also have mop pads. They're perfect for quick shine on freshly cleaned floors, but won't remove an abrasive stain, such as ketchup.

Robotic mops that are more sophisticated include tanks in them and are designed to clean while they move. They are better at dealing with stubborn stains however, they can take longer to clean a full room. Certain models also automatically return to their dock and refill their tanks when they're full, which can be useful if you suffer from allergies or hay fever.

The iRobot Scooba 450 is a top pick. It was the only robot vacuum that made our Best Buy list and it was able to perform well on carpets and hard floors. It is a bit pricey but its outstanding performance in our testing means you'll save money both on electricity and cleaning. It's also self-emptying so you don't need to empty it manually every time.