Robot Vacuums That Mop: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

· 6 min read
Robot Vacuums That Mop: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

Robot Vacuums That Mop

Robot vacuums can do a great job of general cleaning that is automated however they're not great for navigating those tight spaces and nooks. Robots that mop may help fill in the gaps and provide an overall clean.

Robotic mops that are intelligent require maintenance. They have bins for dirt that need to be regularly emptied, and pads for cleaning that must be cleaned or replaced. They also have water reservoirs that require to be filled with water.

Improves Indoor Air Quality

Robot vacuums that can mop eliminate the need for separate machines and will save you time and space. They can clean your floors while you're at work or running errands, and work according to pre-set schedules, meaning you don't have to be at home. The best models use intelligent navigation systems that map your home and avoid obstacles such as wires and toys while efficiently cleaning your floors. Some models even save the maps of your home for future cleaning sessions. Advanced filtration systems, such as HEPA capture fine particles and allergens, making it easier to maintain healthier living environments. Certain models have large dust bins that reduce the frequency of emptying and make it easier to keep your home clean.

The mopping function of these robots makes use of water to remove sticky, wet spots as well as smells. This is particularly helpful in eliminating organic odors and spills that aren't removed by dry vacuuming or spot treatment with chemical cleaners. For most robot mops, you'll need mop pads or pads which you can wash and dry in between cleaning sessions. Make sure they can be washed in the machine and dry quickly to avoid the growth of bacteria and smells.

Some models allow you to control the robot with an app or voice commands, whereas others have physical buttons on the dock that initiates cleaning without the use of an app. App integration provides additional features like scheduling, map tracking and smart home integration. Some robots let you track their progress via your tablet or smartphone. These features are convenient and make it easier to use the robot and to monitor its progress. Consider features like these and a longer battery lifespan to get the most use of your investment.

Cleans tile or hardwood floors

Most robot vacuums and mop combinations are better suited to hardwood floors than carpeted surfaces however, it's essential to read the specifications of each model. In general, robots are capable of collecting dirt, debris and dust from hard floors with ease. Special features can be added to robots that help them clean up sticky spills and messes, without damaging delicate surfaces. Find models with soft wheels, multisurface adjustment options, and soft sweeper brushes.

Many robot vacuums that come with mop heads that sense and prevent carpets or area rugs wet, which can cause damage and leave behind a sour residue. Some robot vacuums equipped with mop features have a feature where you can set up zones that block the robot from cleaning certain areas. You can also select a mopping mode specific to the floors you want to mop. Lastly there are some top-of-the-line robot vacuums that have mops can also be manually switched between mopping and sweeping for more challenging tasks.

For the best results, make use of a cleaning solution that is designed specifically for your mop or robot vacuum. Avoid using DIY cleaning solutions or regular floor cleansers that claim to work with all robot cleaners as they may damage the machine or even void your guarantee. Eufy's multisurface cleaning solutions, for example, are specifically designed to work with all RoboVac models.

Select a robot that comes with an app for the most user-friendly experience. This will let you save your home's map and set cleaning schedules, as well as choose different sweeping and mopping modes. It is also recommended to select a robot which can be operated remotely or by pressing the dock's button.

Cleans Carpets

Choose a machine that can vacuum and mop carpets. These machines work better with carpets than vacuum-only robots. However, there are exceptions. The top robot vacuum-mop combinations have a robust suction motor, rotating brushes and advanced sensors that are able to detect carpet fibers that are tangled and have a high pile. They also come with an invisible barrier feature to prevent the machine from damaging your carpet, and an automatic lift-mopping feature to prevent the carpet from getting wet.

Some models also come with mopping solutions that blends surfactants (a detergent that breaks up dirt and grime) and enzymes (which dissolve organic spots and odors) and water. Some of these solutions can be applied to wool rugs or silks. Certain solutions contain scents that make your home smell clean and fresh. Others have preservatives to stop mold and bacteria from growing in the mop tanks or brush rolls.

The majority of the robot vacuum/mop combination that we've tested have self-emptying containers, which automatically emptys when it is it is full and can be emptied into a trash bin or trash can. These combos of  robot vacuum cleaners  are easy to use and set up, and offer outstanding cleaning performance with minimal maintenance. Some have docks that can wash and dry the mop pads in order to cut down on the expense of replacing them.

In our tests of ease of use, we found that a number of robotic vacuums performed well on all surfaces in our house including tile, hardwood low-pile, shag-style carpeting. However, many of these models have trouble finding their way under furniture and into tight spaces like the space between the bathtub and toilet and the space underneath the chair's leg. Choose a smaller, round model that is at maneuvering these narrow spaces.

Time to save

Robot vacuums are a lifesaver for people with busy schedules. They run on pre-set times and can move around rooms without supervision. Models with HEPA filters capture dust particles and allergens that are fine and help create a healthier home environment. Some models can also mop your floor, removing staining and sticky spills. A robot vacuum that includes mop attachments can further simplify your cleaning process by removing the need to switch between appliances and saving you from the headache of emptying and refilling multiple tanks.

Robotic mops require more maintenance than their vacuuming only counterparts. If your model uses reusable pads, you will be required to wash them frequently or replace them. Similar to that, you'll need keep the dock that holds them clean. To prevent the spread of bacteria cleaning, you should clean the area as well as the mop pad holder. This is particularly true if your robot uses an extremely powerful suction.

Many robot vacuums and mop models are limited in battery life. This can affect the amount of time they can run between charges. This can affect your routine of cleaning and make it hard to cover a large space in a single session. However, some models have extended runtime and auto-return charging which allows them to continue the place they left off with no interruption.

Some models have intelligent features that enhance the cleaning experience. These include obstacle-avoidance and mapping capabilities. Certain models let you control your robot remotely through an app. You can create cleaning schedules, and guide it to specific areas within the room. You can also control your robot with voice commands, and monitor its battery level and other important details.

Minimal Maintenance

Robot vacuums with mop technology can cut down on the number of chores but still require regular maintenance. This includes charging and refilling the cleaning tanks, as well as removing or changing mopping pads. Many models come with features that can help cut down on these maintenance requirements, such as auto-refilling and self-emptying features that make it easier to keep the robot working at its peak and extend its lifespan.

For instance, if you select one with disposable pads that aren't washed they will remain clean and fresh for up to 20 times or more. If you decide to reuse your pads, it is best to wash them and let dry air between cleaning sessions. This will stop the growth of bacteria.


You should also consider whether you want your smart robot vacuum to work with home assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Some of the latest models allow you control your robot using voice commands, for a more hands-free experience.

If you suffer from allergies, choose a robot equipped with a HEPA-filter to capture allergens and dust so they are not blown out into the air while vacuuming. You may want to choose one that schedules mopping and vacuuming times in advance, or lets you to set up virtual boundaries and no-go zones in areas that you don't wish the robot to enter.

Another thing to consider is how well a robot mop and vacuum combination can handle different kinds of debris, particularly in tight corners. Our tests test the robot's ability to gather small pieces of debris like coffee grounds as well as larger pieces of cereal as also sticky residues and dried-on messes. We also test its ability to move around obstacles like furniture wires, toys, or even wires.