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

This high-end bot from Eufy is the best hands-off model we've tested to date. It vacuums, mops, and self-empties its bin and washes and dry mop pads without you having to do anything.

It doesn't feature advanced cleaning modes or a more powerful docking system, but it provides stellar performance at less than half the price of the most expensive robotic vacuums. It is compact in design and is able to reach under furniture.

Vacuuming

Vacuuming using a robot hoover is a quick, easy way to keep your floors looking and feeling clean. Many of the robots that we recommend are designed to operate without your input So you can schedule them to work while you're away or initiate cleaning sessions from your phone. But, you should choose a model that has superior navigation and obstacle detection so that 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 kinds of flooring. Choose a model with a large dustbin that will hold a large amount of dirt between emptying, and a nozzle which does not lose suction as it turns.

The majority of robots require little or any maintenance, other than cleaning the tangled fur off the rotating brush after each cleaning session (and wiping its camera or sensors as needed) and regularly emptying the bin, or using the robot's self-emptying base. If you follow these simple routine maintenance steps, your robotic vac should last just the same amount of time as a traditional vacuum and help keep your home looking cleaner for longer.

While robot mops are generally less versatile than their vacuuming counterparts, some have the added ability to suck up spills and puddles while doing their thing. The iLife V3s Pro, a excellent example of this kind of machine, is a fantastic choice for those with carpets and rugs as well as wood floors. It is quiet and has good navigation capabilities, which helped it overcome obstacles during tests. The charging dock can also double as a trash bin.

Select a robotic vacuum cleaner that can also mop at the same time. That's exactly what the Karcher RCV 5 can do and also comes with other useful features such as live cameras that send a grainy image to your app so that you can check on your pets or children, as well as an easily programmable remote control. Its navigation may not be as good as some of the other models on this list but its 500ml trash bin is large and doesn't require frequent emptying.

Mopping

robotic vacuum cleaners that mop and vacuum are relatively new to the market. They are more expensive than standalone robots and require a separate water tank, however, the additional cost could be worth it for some people, especially those who have difficult-to-clean stains or pets.

The best robots that mop and vacuum also do an excellent job cleaning floors with no carpets. Many manufacturers offer machines that can do both jobs very efficiently. The Combo J9+ is one of the most efficient mopping robots that we have test. It has docks that can hold up to 60 days' worth of debris. This is an enormous improvement over the Qrevo Pro which ran out water after mopping only 30 days 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 is clean and easy to maintain an appearance. In our test rooms, it cleaned the floors thoroughly and precisely - it was particularly good on rugs but it took multiple runs to fully clean certain areas of soiled wood. Its LIDAR navigation works well as well. It prevents hitting furniture and running over power cables.

It's a little slow on the stairs but that's to be expected from a compact robot that's designed to overcome obstacles. The only drawback is its mopping pad attachment which was a challenge to hold in its place during our tests. It also lacks the ability of dealing with dried-on dust, making it more like an ordinary vacuum cleaner than a robot mop.

It's a great option for those who prefer a hands-off experience and want to clean low pile or bare carpets equally well. It had a good amount of suction which helped it remove fine dust from pet hair and carpets. A good feature is its automatic carpet recognition, which enhances the effectiveness of the vacuuming to better tackle embedded dirt. It's also easy to use and comes with a convenient charging dock that automatically empty the dust bin once it's full. This is a great benefit for flat dwellers.

Cleaning apps


Most robot vacuums, mop and sweepers come with an application that lets you customize cleaning routines. You can also pick rooms to be cleaned, plan cleaning sessions, and alter settings such as suction, the amount of water and scrubbing power. Certain robots have intelligent dirt detection that uses maps and cleaning data to prioritize dirty areas.

Having an app also allows you to create virtual barriers and no-go zones to shield your robot from potentially hazardous items such as cords and pet water bowls and sharp objects. Some models allow you to create these virtual barriers with laser navigation sensors, while others feature small physical boundaries or barriers you can place wherever you'd like to block the floor space.

There are still risks to be aware of even though the most effective robot vacuums can detect and avoid obstacles. The principal brush of a robot can become stuck in long cords or curtains, and stop it from moving. To prevent this you should remove the cords and tie up any long curtains.

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

If you own a large home, look for a model with multiple cleaning modes. The iRobot Roomba 11S Max can sweep and vacuum hard and carpeted floors with different suction settings. It also has the ability to automatically change to the highest power setting on carpets and increase its scrubbing power by using SmartScrub.

If you're looking to be hands-off, a robot with a voice-activated assistant is a fantastic option. The iRobot Roomba 980 can be operated by Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant. It comes with a compact self-emptying docking system and a powerful cleaning motor that will leave your floors sparkling.