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

This high-end bot from Eufy is the most hands-free model we've tested so far. It vacuums, mops and self-empties and dry mop pads without you having to do anything.

It's not equipped with the latest cleaning techniques and a bigger docking station, but it delivers outstanding performance for less than half the cost of premium robot vacuums. It also features the ability to be able to reach under furniture.

Vacuuming

Vacuuming with a robot hoover is a fast, simple method to keep your floors looking and feeling clean. The majority of the robots we've included that we recommend are designed to work without your input, so you can schedule them to run while you're out or trigger a cleaning session from your smartphone. You'll need to choose an excellent robot that can navigate and object detection to avoid getting stuck under furniture or falling down the staircase.

It is essential to choose the best robot vacuum that is able to effectively and efficiently clean all types of flooring. Look for a model with an empty bin that is able to hold plenty of dirt in between emptying and the nozzle doesn't lose suction as it rotates to take debris.

The majority of robots require little or no maintenance besides removing tangled hair from the rotating brush (and wiping down its cameras or sensors, as needed) after each cleaning session and regularly emptying the trash bin or an automatic emptying base in the event that the robot has one. If you follow these easy maintenance steps, your robot vac should last just the same amount of time as a traditional vacuum, and will help keep your home clean for longer.

Robot mops are less versatile than vacuums, but they can also clean up spills and puddles. The iLife V3s Pro is an example of a machine which is a great option for those who have wood floors or a mix of carpets and rugs. It is quiet and has excellent navigation capabilities, which helped it avoid obstacles when tested. The charging dock can also double as a trash bin.

To get the best results, pick the robot that is capable of both vacuuming and mopping at the same time. Karcher's RCV 5 can do this, and it also comes with other features that are useful like live cameras that transmits a blurry picture to your app so you can monitor your pet or children, as well as a remote control that is easily programmable. Its navigation may not be as good as some of the other models on this list, but its 500ml dustbin is large and doesn't require frequent emptying.

Mopping

Robots that mop and vacuum are a fairly new addition to the market. These robots are more expensive and require a separate tank of water than standalone robots. However, they may be worth the extra expense for those who have staining that is difficult to clean or pets.

Some of the best robots can clean carpets and floors and also vacuum. There are many brands that offer robots that can perform both tasks extremely efficiently. The Combo J9+ is among the most effective mopping robots that we've test. It uses a dock that can store up to 60 days worth of dirt. This is a significant improvement over the Qrevo Pro which ran out water after only mopping 30 days of dirt in our tests.

The Tapo RV30 plus from networking giant TP-Link is another very good two-in-one. It is compact quiet and has a neat, fuss-free look. In our test rooms, it cleaned the floors efficiently and thoroughly - it was particularly effective in cleaning rugs. However, it required several runs to scrub some areas of stained wood. Its LIDAR navigation works well 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 downside is that its mopping pads can be difficult to attach and didn't stay put during our tests. Additionally, it does not have the capability to deal with dirt that has dried and makes it more like a vacuum cleaner rather instead of a full-fledged mop.

It's a great option for those who prefer a hands-off experience and want to clean low pile or unfinished carpets equally. It has a decent amount of suction, which allowed it to remove dust and pet hair from carpets. Automatic recognition of carpets is a great feature, since it boosts the suction power to better tackle embedded dirt. It's also simple to use and has a handy charging dock that automatically empty the bin once it's full. This is a great benefit for flat dwellers.

Cleaning Apps

Almost every robot vacuum mop, sweeper, or mop comes with an app that lets you customize cleaning routines, choose rooms to clean, schedule cleaning sessions, and change settings such as suction, water level and scrub power. Some robots provide intelligent dirt detection that uses maps and cleaning data to identify dirty areas.

You can also make use of an app to create virtual barriers and no go zones to protect your robot from dangerous objects, like cords and pet water bowls. Certain models let you create these virtual barriers with laser navigation sensors, whereas others feature small physical barriers or boundary strips you can place wherever you'd like to keep off your floor area.

The best robot vacuums and mops have the capability of being smart enough to recognize obstacles and avoid them however there are certain dangers to be on the lookout for. The main brush of a robot may become stuck in long cords or curtains, and stop it in its tracks. To prevent this you should remove the cords and tie up any long curtains.

Some robots will automatically update the software that governs their navigation and obstacle avoidance algorithms, which improves performance and reduces wear and tear on the robot's internal components. It is recommended to check regularly the manufacturer's website or your robot's app for updates to the firmware.

If you own a large house, consider models that have multiple cleaning modes. The iRobot Roomba 11S Max, for instance, can be used to vacuum and mop on carpeted floors as well as hard floor rooms with different suction levels. It can also automatically switch the power setting to the highest level when cleaning carpets, and boost its scrubbing power with SmartScrub.

If you're looking to remain hands-off, a robot with a voice-activated assistant is a great option. The iRobot Roomba 980 can be controlled by Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant. It has a small self-emptying docking system and a powerful cleaning motor that will leave your floors sparkling.