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, and self-empties its bin, washes and dries mop pads without you having to do anything.

It lacks advanced cleaning modes and a larger docking station, but it delivers impressive performance at a fraction of the cost of high-end robotic vacuums. It is compact in design and is able to reach under furniture.

Vacuuming

A robot vacuum is an easy and quick method of keeping your floors tidy. The majority of the robots we've included that we have selected are built to function without your input You can set them to run when you're out or trigger cleaning sessions from your smartphone. But, you must select a model that has superior navigation and obstacle detection so that it won't get stuck down the stairs or beneath furniture.

It is crucial to select a robot vacuum that can effectively and efficiently clean all kinds of flooring. Look for a model with a dustbin that is able to hold plenty of dirt between emptyings and a nozzle that does not lose suction when it rotates to get rid of debris.

Most robots require little to no maintenance besides removing tangled hair from the rotating brush (and wiping its cameras or sensors as required) after each cleaning session and regularly emptying the trash bin or an automatic emptying base if the robot has one. If you follow these simple maintenance steps, your robot vacuum will last as long as larger vacuums and will keep your home clean for longer.

Robot mops are less versatile than vacuums, but they can also remove puddles and spills. The iLife V3s Pro, a excellent example of this kind of machine, is a fantastic choice for people with carpets, rugs, or wood flooring. It's quiet and has solid navigation capabilities that have helped it avoid obstacles during testing, and the charging dock doubles as a trash can.

Pick a robot vacuum cleaner that can also mop at the same time. Karcher's RCV 5 can do that, and also has other useful features like live cameras, which sends a blurry image to your app, so that you can monitor your pet or kids, as well as a remote control that is easily programable. Its navigation may not be as efficient as some of the other models on this list but its 500ml trash bin is spacious and doesn't need frequent emptying.

Mopping

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

Some of the top robots can clean carpets and floors as well as vacuuming. Many brands are now offering all-in-one robots that do both tasks with ease. The Combo J9+, for example, is among the best mopping robots we've tested and uses an impressively large dock that can hold up to 60 days of debris. This is a huge improvement over the Qrevo Pro, which ran out of water after mopping 30 days of dirt in our tests.

The Tapo RV30 Plus from networking giant TP Link is a great two-in-one. It's quiet and compact and has a clean, fuss-free appearance. In our test rooms, it cleaned the floors thoroughly and accurately - it did particularly well on rugs, but it required several runs to thoroughly remove soiled areas from wood. Its LIDAR navigation is very effective as well. It is able to avoid hitting furniture and running over power cables.

It's a bit slow on the stairs, but that's expected from a compact robot designed to work around obstacles. The only drawback is that its mopping pads are difficult to attach and didn't remain in place during our tests, and it does not have the capability to deal with dirt that has dried that makes it more like a vacuum cleaner rather instead of a full-fledged mop.

Despite these issues however, it's a great option for those seeking an easy-to-clean experience. It can handle bare and low-pile carpets with equal ease. It was able to provide a lot of suction that helped it pick up fine dust from carpets and pet hair. One of the most appealing features is its automatic recognition of carpets, which enhances the effectiveness of the vacuuming 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 an excellent feature for apartment dwellers.

Cleaning Apps

Almost every robot vacuum mop, sweeper, and vacuum has an application that lets you personalize cleaning routines, pick rooms to clean, plan cleaning sessions, and alter settings such as suction, water level, and the power of scrubbing. Some robots provide intelligent dirt detection, which uses maps and previous cleaning data to prioritize dirty areas.

The app allows you to create virtual barriers and no-go zones to protect your robot from dangerous items such as cords and pet water bowls and sharp objects. Some models allow you to create these virtual barriers using laser navigation sensors, whereas others feature small physical boundaries or barriers that you can place wherever you want to block off your floor area.

The top robot vacuums and mops have the capability of being smart enough to spot obstacles and maneuver around them however there are some hazards to watch out for. For instance, a robot's main brush could get stuck on long cords or curtains and stop the machine from running. You can avoid this by clearing the area of any cords and tying off any curtains that are long before operating your robot.

Certain robots automatically update their software which regulates the algorithm for navigation and obstacle avoidance. This improves performance and decreases the wear and tear on the robot vac's internal components. It is a good idea to periodically check the manufacturer's website or your robot's app for firmware updates.

If you have a large house, consider models that offer multiple cleaning modes. The iRobot Roomba 11S Max can mop and vacuum on hard and carpeted floors with different suction settings. It can also automatically switch the power setting to the highest level when cleaning carpets and increase its scrubbing strength 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 an excellent choice. 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 leaves your floors sparkling.