Best Robot Hoover: 11 Things You've Forgotten To Do

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

This high-end Eufy bot is the most hands-off model that we have test so far. It vacuums, mops, self-empties, and washes and drys mop pads all without your intervention.

It isn't equipped with advanced cleaning modes and a larger docking station, but it delivers outstanding performance at a fraction of the cost of high-end robotic vacuums. It also features a compact design that can reach under furniture.

Vacuuming

A robot vacuum is an easy and quick method of keeping your floors clean. The majority of the robots we've included that we recommend are designed to operate without your input So you can schedule them to run while you're out or trigger a cleaning session from your phone. You'll want to select one that has excellent navigation and object detection to avoid getting stuck under furniture or down the stairs.

self cleaning vacuum  is crucial to select a robot vacuum that can effectively and efficiently clean all types of flooring. Choose a model with a large dust bin that will hold a lot of dirt between emptying and a nozzle that does not lose suction when it rotates.

The majority of robots require little or no maintenance, aside from cleaning the tangled fur off the rotating brush after every cleaning session (and wiping its camera or sensors when needed) and regularly emptying the bin or using the robot's self-emptying base. If you follow these simple maintenance steps, your robot vacuum will last as long as regular vacuums and keep your home cleaner for longer.

While robot mops tend to be less versatile than their vacuuming counterparts they do have the ability to suck up spills and puddles while they're doing their thing. The iLife V3s Pro is an example of such a device, which is a solid option for those who have wood floors or a mix of rugs and carpets. It's quiet and has excellent navigation capabilities that helped it avoid obstacles during testing and the charging dock doubles as a trash can.

For the best results, pick a robot that can handle mopping and vacuuming simultaneously. That's what the Karcher RCV 5 does and it comes with additional useful features, such as live cameras that send a grainy image to your app so you can monitor your pets or children, as well as an easily programmable remote control. Its navigation may not be as precise as some of the other models in this collection but its 500ml trash bin is large and doesn't require 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, unlike standalone robots. However, they may be worth the extra expense for those with staining that is difficult to clean or pets.

The best robots can clean floors and carpets and also vacuum. Many brands offer robots capable of doing both very efficiently. The Combo J9+ is one of the most efficient mopping robots that we've test. It has a dock that can store up to 60 days' worth of debris. This is an enormous improvement over the Qrevo Pro which ran out water after just mopping 30 days of dirt during our tests.

The Tapo RV30 Plus from networking giant TP Link is another excellent two-in-one. It's small, quiet and has a neat, fuss-free look. In our test rooms, it cleaned the floors thoroughly and precisely - it did particularly well on rugs, however it took several runs to thoroughly clean some areas of soiled wood. Its LIDAR navigation is very effective, too. It avoids bumping into furniture and running over power cables.

It's a little slow on the stairs but that's expected from a compact robot that is designed to work around obstacles. The only issue is that its mopping pads are fiddly to attach and didn't remain in place during our tests. It also lacks the ability to deal with dried-on dirt and makes it more like a vacuum cleaner rather than a full-fledged mop.

It's still a great choice for those who prefer a hands-free experience and want to clean low pile or bare carpets equally well. It has decent suction, which helped it to pick up fine dust and pet hair from carpets. Automatic recognition of carpets is a great feature, since it boosts the suction power to tackle dirt that has been embedded. It is simple to use, and the charging dock automatically emptyes the bin when it's full. This is a great feature for those who live in apartments.

Cleaning Apps

Most robot vacuums mop, sweeper, or mop comes with an application that lets you personalize cleaning routines, select rooms to clean, schedule cleaning sessions, and adjust settings like suction, water level and scrubbing power. Some robots offer intelligent dirt detection that utilizes maps and cleaning data to determine the most soiled areas.

You can also use an app to create virtual barriers and no go zones to keep your robot safe from potentially dangersome objects, such as cords and pet water bowls. Some models allow you to create these virtual barriers with laser navigation sensors, and others come with small physical boundaries or barriers that you can place wherever you'd like to keep your floor.

There are still dangers to be aware of, even though the most effective robot vacuums are able to detect and navigate around obstacles. For instance, the main brush can become stuck in long cords or curtains, which can stop the machine from moving. You can prevent this from happening by clearing the area of any cords and tie up any curtains that are long prior to running your robot.

Some robots automatically update their software that regulates the algorithm for navigation and obstacle avoidance. This enhances performance and reduces wear and tear of the robot's internal components. It's a good idea regularly to check the website of the manufacturer or the app for updates to firmware.

If you have a large home, you should consider models that have multiple cleaning modes. The iRobot Roomba 11S Max, for instance, can be used to vacuum and mop on carpeted and hard flooring rooms with different suction levels. It also has the ability to automatically switch to the highest power setting for carpets and boost its scrubbing capabilities with SmartScrub.

If you're looking to remain completely hands-free, a robotic device with the ability to speak to a voice-activated assistant is a fantastic 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 system and a powerful cleaning motor that makes your floors sparkling.