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

This premium Eufy bot is the top hands-off model we've tested so far. It vacuums, mops and self-empties and dry mop pads without you having to do anything.

It doesn't come with advanced cleaning options or a larger docking system, but it offers amazing performance for less than half the price of the most expensive robotic vacuums. It is compact in design and can be positioned to reach under furniture.


Vacuuming

A robot vacuum is an easy and quick way to keep your floors clean. The majority of the robots we've included in our top picks are designed to work without your input You can set them to work while you're out or start cleaning sessions from your smartphone. You'll need to choose a robot with excellent navigation and object detection to avoid getting stuck under furniture or down the staircase.

Certain models are better at picking up pet hair from rugs than others, so it's crucial to select a robot that can efficiently and effectively vacuum all types of flooring. Choose a model that has a an empty bin that can hold plenty of dirt between emptying and the nozzle doesn't lose suction as it rotates to remove debris.

The majority of robots require little or no maintenance, aside from taking out tangled fur from the rotating brush after every cleaning session (and wiping its camera or sensors when required) and regularly emptying the bin, or using the robot's self-emptying base. If you follow these easy maintenance steps, your robot vac should last just as long as a regular vacuum and help keep your home looking cleaner for longer.

Robotic mops aren't as versatile than vacuums but some can also pick up puddles and spills. The iLife V3s Pro is an example of such a machine, which is a good option for those with hardwood floors or a combination of rugs and carpets. It is quiet and has excellent navigation capabilities, which allowed it to overcome obstacles during tests. The charging dock also doubles as trash bin.

Choose a robot vacuum cleaner that has the ability to mop simultaneously. Karcher's RCV 5 is able to do this, and it also comes with other features that are useful, such as a live camera, which transmits a blurry picture to your app so you can monitor your pet or children, as well as a remote control that's easily programmable. Its navigation isn't as reliable as other models in our selection, but it can lift it over low thresholds and comes with a large 500ml dustbin that doesn't have to be emptying often.

Mopping

Robots that vacuum and mop are relatively new to the market. These machines are more expensive and require an additional tank of water compared to standalone robots. However, they may be worth the cost for those with staining that is difficult to clean or pets.

Some of the top robots can clean carpets and floors as well as vacuuming. Several brands now offer all-in-one robotics that perform both tasks with ease. The Combo J9+, as an instance, is among the top mopping robots we've tested and uses an impressively large dock that can accommodate up to 60 days worth of dirt. This is an enormous improvement over the Qrevo Pro which ran out water after just 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, compact and has a clean, fuss-free appearance. In our test rooms it cleaned the floors efficiently and thoroughly - it was particularly adept at cleaning rugs, however it took several runs to scrub certain areas of wood that were stained. Its LIDAR navigation system performs well too, avoiding bumping into furniture or tripping over power cords.

It's a little slow on the stairs but that's expected from a compact robot designed to work around obstacles. Its only downside is its mopping pad attachment that was difficult to use and didn't stay in the right position during our tests. It also has a problem handling dust that has dried, making it more like the vacuum rather than a mop.

Despite these shortcomings however, it's a great choice for those who want an effortless cleaning experience that can take care of carpets that are bare or low-pile with equal ease. It offers a decent amount of suction, which has helped to pick up fine dust and pet hair from carpets. One of the most appealing features is its automatic carpet recognition which increases the strength of the vacuuming to tackle dirt that has been embedded. It is simple to use and the charging dock automatically emptyes the trash bin when it's full. This is an excellent feature for those who live in apartments.

Cleaning apps

Most robot vacuums, mop and sweepers come with an application that allows you to modify cleaning routines. You can also select rooms to be cleaned, plan cleaning sessions, and alter settings like suction, water levels and scrubbing strength. Some robots provide intelligent dirt detection, which uses maps and previous cleaning data to determine the most soiled areas.

You can also make use of an app to create virtual barriers and no go zones to protect your robot from dangerous objects, like cords and pet water bowls. Some models allow you to create these virtual barriers with laser navigation sensors, whereas others come with small physical boundaries or barriers you can place wherever you want to block off your floor area.

There are still dangers to be aware of, even though the most effective robot vacuums can recognize and navigate around obstacles. good robot vacuum of a robot could become stuck in long cords or curtains, and stop it in its tracks. To prevent this you should clear the area of cords and tie up any curtains that are long.

Some 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's recommended to check the firmware periodically to check the website of the manufacturer or your robot's app for firmware updates.

If you own a large house, consider models that offer multiple cleaning modes. The iRobot Roomba 11S Max, for instance, can mop and vacuum on both hard floors and carpeted rooms with different suction levels. It can also switch automatically to the highest power setting when cleaning carpets and increase its scrubbing power with SmartScrub.

A robot with the ability to speak is a fantastic option if you want to be hands-free. The iRobot Roomba 980 can be operated by Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant. It comes with a compact self-emptying docking station, as well as powerful cleaning motor that will leave your floors sparkling.