Best Robot Hoover: It's Not As Difficult As You Think

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

This top-quality bot from Eufy is the most hands-free model we've seen so far. It vacuums, mops, self-empties, and washes and drys mop pads all without you having to do anything.

It doesn't come with advanced cleaning modes or a more powerful docking system, but it offers outstanding performance for less than half the cost of the top robotic vacuums. It also has the ability to reach under furniture.

Vacuuming

Vacuuming using a robot hoover is a fast, simple method to keep your floors looking and feeling clean. A majority of the robots featured in our top picks are built to function without your input You can set them to work while you're out or trigger cleaning sessions using your phone. You'll need to select an excellent robot that can navigate and object detection to avoid it getting stuck in furniture or on the staircase.

It is essential to choose the right robot vacuum to effectively and efficiently clean all types of flooring. Look for a model with an empty bin that can hold plenty of dirt between emptyings and a nozzle that does not lose suction when it rotates to remove debris.

Most robots require little to any maintenance, other than removing tangled fur from the rotating brush after each cleaning session (and wiping its sensors or camera as needed) and periodically emptying the bin or using a robot's self-emptying base. If you follow these simple routine maintenance steps, your robotic vac should last just as long as a full-size vacuum, and will help keep your home clean for longer.

While robot mops are generally less flexible than their vacuum counterparts they do have the ability to clean up spills and puddles while they're doing their thing. The iLife V3s Pro, a great example of machine, is a great choice for those with carpets, rugs, or wood flooring. It's quiet and has excellent navigation capabilities that allowed it to overcome obstacles during testing, and the charging dock doubles as a trash can.

Pick a robot vacuum cleaner that is able to mop at the same time. Karcher's RCV 5 does that, and also has other features that are beneficial including live cameras that transmits a blurry picture to your app so you can monitor your kids or pet, as well as a remote control that's easily programable. The navigation might not be as efficient as some of the other models in this collection however, its 500ml dustbin is spacious and doesn't need frequent emptying.

Mopping

Robots that vacuum and mop are relatively new to the market. These machines are more expensive and require a separate tank of water than standalone robots. However, they might be worth the extra cost for those with hard-to-clean stains clean or pets.

Some of the top robots can clean carpets and floors as well as vacuuming. Many manufacturers offer machines capable of doing both exceptionally effectively. The Combo J9+, for example, is one of the top mopping machines we've tested. It has an impressively large dock that can hold up to 60 days worth of dirt. This is a huge improvement over the Qrevo Pro, which ran out of water after mopping only 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 compact and quiet, with an attractive, clutter-free appearance. In our test rooms it cleans the floors quickly and thoroughly - it was particularly adept at cleaning rugs, but it took several runs to clean some areas of stained wood. Its LIDAR navigation system works very well, avoiding crashing into furniture or running over power cords.

It's a bit slow on the stairs however that's to expected from a compact robot designed to tackle obstacles. Its only downside is its mopping pad attachment, which was difficult and wouldn't stay in the right position during our tests. It also has a problem dealing with dust that has dried on, making it more like a vacuum than a robot mop.

It's still an excellent choice for those who prefer a hands-free experience and want to clean low pile or plain carpets equally. It has a decent amount of suction, which helped it to remove dust and pet hair from carpets. Automatic recognition of carpets is a fantastic feature since it boosts the power of vacuuming to take on dirt that is embedded. It's also easy to use and has a handy charging dock that automatically empty the dust bin when it's full, which is a great benefit for flat dwellers.

Cleaning apps

Nearly every robot vacuum, mop, and sweeper comes with an application that lets you modify cleaning routines, pick rooms to clean, schedule cleaning sessions, and adjust settings such as suction, water level and scrub power. Some robots also offer intelligent dirt detection, which uses past cleaning data and map data to prioritize dirty areas and optimize cleaning mode.

You can also make use of an app to create virtual barriers and no-go zones to protect your robot safe from potentially dangerous objects, like cords and pet water bowls. Certain models have laser navigation sensors that permit you to create virtual barriers, while others feature small physical barriers and boundary strips can be put anywhere you want to block your floor space.

There are still dangers to be aware of, even though the best robot vacuums can detect and avoid obstacles. The principal brush of a robot can get stuck in long cords or curtains, and stop it in its tracks.  best robot floor cleaner  can avoid this by clearing the area of any cords and tying up any curtains that are long prior to running your robot.

Certain robots automatically update their software which manages the algorithm for navigation and obstacle avoidance. This enhances performance and reduces wear and tear on the robot's internal parts. It is a good idea to regularly check the manufacturer's website or your robot's app for firmware updates.

If you have a huge home, you should consider models that offer multiple cleaning modes. The iRobot Roomba 11S Max can clean and mop hard and carpeted floors with different suction settings. It can also switch automatically to the highest power setting when cleaning carpets, and also boost its scrubbing power by using SmartScrub.

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