Robot Vacuums That Mop
Robot vacuums are popular for their ease with which they can be used to tidy your home. Time is money as the old saying goes.
If you're looking to go one step further, consider getting an automated mop. These 2-in-1 models are equally effective in keeping floors spotless.
1. They are more efficient
Robot vacuums that mop can be more effective at cleaning floors than robot vacuum cleaners on their own. They are equipped with sensors to recognize the time when the floor is dirty and adjust cleaning settings accordingly. They also detect objects that could get caught in the brush and are specifically designed to keep out stairs and other obstacles. This double-duty functionality makes them a smart option for homes with floors that are hard and are difficult to keep clean.
In CHOICE’s lab tests robot vacuums with mopping functioned well in cleaning hard floors. They spray water on the floor and scrub it with microfibres which are soaked in a tank of water at their base. The pads can be easily replaced and are reusable. They also work well on various floor surfaces such as hardwood, laminate and tiled kitchens. They're low maintenance, which means you only have to charge them with water or a cleaning solution to their tanks and remove and change their mop pads regularly.
The best robotic mops also include smart home integration and voice activation, making them easier to use. They can be programmed to clean at a specific time, and most of them come with docking stations that will automatically return them for charging when they're finished.
However, robot vacuums that are programmed to run even when you're not there could still be in trouble. As with a robot vacuum that can run wild, even small objects like shoelaces pet toy and phone chargers can stop it in its tracks. You'll still need to secure your home and perform periodic checks of the robots' dust bins to pick up any odd objects they may have missed.
2. They are more affordable
Robot vacuums are fantastic for automated, general cleaning. They aren't able to reach all corners and nooks. It is still necessary to clean your home regularly to get rid of stubborn dust and dirt from hard-to-reach areas. Robot vacuums with mopping capabilities are a great option. They can also spray water and scrub the floor to complete an excellent job. They can be programmed to clean the floors when you're away or busy.
The good news is, most robot vacuums with mopping capabilities are cheaper than traditional mop. However, you'll need to purchase a set of special cleaning pads or mop cloths (or a refill package) to ensure that the machine stays running smoothly. Check the manufacturer's instructions and make sure that you don't leave your cloths or pads wet for too long. Mildew can grow on them.
It is also important to check the robot's compatibility with the kind of flooring you have in your home. Different robots perform better on different types flooring, so you'll be sure yours is compatible before making a purchase.
The majority of robot mops have an app that allows you to save maps of your home as well as set schedules and select cleaning modes. Some robot mops have an image wall that can be used to stop certain areas in the house from being cleaned. This will help protect your floors from damage. Some models have an auto-emptying base that eliminates dust and other debris when the device is docked to a charging station. This could save you a lot of time and eliminate the need to empty a dustbin after every cleaning session.
3. It is more practical
A robot vacuum that also mop is a great addition to any Smart Home device collection, particularly for those who have multiple floors and don't want spend as much time on their household chores. These cleaning machines can save up to 35 hours per year for their owners, who would otherwise have spent sweeping and mopping each day.
In our lab tests we discovered that the majority of robot mops had some sort of dry cleaning feature that either employed dry pads to sweep or suction to remove dust from tight places. Some models can even be used on mixed flooring like rugs and hardwood, allowing them to keep your home clean and free of allergens.
Some robotic vacuums are equipped with sensors that detect the type of floor they are on and adjust their cleaning mode in accordance with the floor. Other models are able to detect obstacles and change cleaning modes. They're usually simple to install and maintain, requiring just charging and emptying the tank of water and replacing or removing the cleaning pads (or reused ones). Find models that have an app integration. This allows you to save maps of your home as well as customize areas for cleaning and schedule cleaning at any time.
But, remember that even though these devices are excellent at automated cleaning, they're not a replacement for standard vacuums and can leave nooks and corners that need to be swept up with a broom or a dustpan. You will still need to use a vacuum cleaner frequently, particularly if your carpets are very high-pile or there is a lot of furniture. And be sure to regularly wash mopping pads or cloths and let them dry out between mopping sessions as bacteria love moist environments.
4. The products are more eco friendly
Robot vacuums are great for cleaning dry debris, but not so much for liquid spills or staining. That's why mopping is essential and robots that clean up spills and vacuum are more effective than separate devices. They can also be used on various flooring types, which is important in a home with floors that are mixed. In my testing, the Bissell SpinWave Dry and Wet Robotic Vacuuming and Mopping Machine was able to pick up all kinds of messes and stains, including cereal spills on hardwood floors and dog vomit on low-pile carpeting.
The iRobot Combo j7+ is another example of a robotic that can do both vacuuming and mop. Its mapping feature allows the robot to keep track of the layout and avoid walls and stairs from one cleaning session to the next. It can also create virtual boundaries and barriers that block off rooms to stop it from running into furniture or obstacles.
While it doesn't have the advanced mapping capabilities of other models, this Yeedi robot was still awe-inspiring in home testing. It's user-friendly and excels at moving through a pre-mapped area while staying clear of obstacles. You can even edit the map within the app to make modifications such as blocking off areas that don't require to be cleaned.
top robot vacuum can create your own cleaning solution using the robot vacuum. But, it's preferential to stick to the brand-specific products offered by most brands. Trying to use an off-brand product could damage the internal hardware and end your warranty. You should also clean the sensor brushes and replace the filter on a regular basis to prevent hair, dirt or other debris getting trapped within them.
5. They are more versatile
Robot vacuums are excellent in removing dirt and debris from hard-to-reach areas of your floors, but there are corners and nooks that they can't reach. A robot mop can also be used to vacuum. The top robot mops and vacuum/mop combos can detect the kind of flooring they're cleaning and adjust their settings accordingly. automatically swap out dirty pads with clean ones, and self-empty their trash bins or water tanks, saving you a trip to the garbage bin.
The majority of the new generation robot mops available on the market can be used with an app that gives you the ability to save the map of your home's floor plan, set up automated cleaning schedules and track when your robot needs maintenance such as a filter replacement. It is important to choose models with user-friendly software that's free of confusing menus and icons.
The majority of models CHOICE tested could last for as long as three hours before returning to their charging docks however, if you'd like to have your cleaning machine to run while you're away, it's worth checking out a hybrid robot mop with a long battery life. If you're concerned about furniture being scratched by a robotic cleaner, consider a model that has virtual walls to prevent it from hitting furniture or other items.
Robot mops can use either disposable or reusable mopping pads which you'll need to change frequently. If you select a model with pads that are reusable it's a good idea to wash them regularly (as according to the manufacturer's instructions) and leave them to dry between uses. They could become infected or start to smell mildewed if you don't wash them often.