A Buyer’s Guide to Robot Mop and Robot Vacuum
Give your feet and back a rest from cleaning the floor with robotic cleaners. These robots are the best replacement for the conventional mop and bucket combo, which is both gross and unsanitary to look at. Designating the cleaning chore to a robot mop and vacuum will give you more time to relax while the bots are busy doing their job.
Most robotic cleaners can outlast traditional mop. They can last for two to three years, while the conventional mop tends to go dingy only after six months to one year. But this doesn’t mean you can pick just any robot you see in the store. You need to shop wisely and know what features to look for to make these tools a worthy investment.
This guide will help you choose a robot mop and vacuum that fit your needs. Collectively, we will refer to these tools as robot cleaners to avoid redundancy and confusion.
Quick Tips When Buying a Robot Cleaner:
Before discussing what features you need to look for, check out these quick tips for buying a robot cleaner:
Start by surveying your house. What kind of floor do you have? Hardwood, carpet, vinyl, or something else? How big is your home? Some robot mops work best on specific floor types. Also, if your house is big, consider buying a robot mop with extended battery life to enable it to clean the floor without a lot of disruptions.
Consider your lifestyle. Are you a home buddy? If yes, a bot with a voice command feature is all you need. However, if you’re always outside, choose a robot mop that allows you to create a programmable schedule even when you are not at home.
Kids and pets. These cuties are such a headache because they bring a lot of dirt and soil inside the house. Pet urine and poops are not the best things to see lying around the floor. They look ghastly and smell bad. Worse, they can ruin the floor if you don’t take it out right away.
Kids are no exception either. They can bring dirt and soil after playing outside and spill drinks on the floor. If you have kids and pets, search for robot cleaners that can remove pet hair, debris, and foul odor. Some brands are specially designed for homes with kids and pets.
Note: Some robots could help to find the lost things. If your kids keep bugging you for their missing Legos which always end up beneath the couch, there is another reason for you to buy a robot cleaner.
Stand-alone or hybrid? Another factor to consider is whether you need a stand-alone or a hybrid cleaner. A single-purpose cleaner only mops the floor, while a hybrid type does both mopping and vacuuming. If you’re looking for examples of hybrid robot mops, here are two in one models.
Tech features. Do you need apps or software to make the machine easier to manage? While many robots come with companion apps for easy control and scheduling, some models can do more than that. Some devices allow you to pair them with Google Nest (former Google Home) or Alexa. If you love using technology to enable the robot to work independently, choosing a brand with these features can really come in handy.
Budget: How much are you willing to spend on the gadget? The typical price range for robot cleaners is between $200 to $1,000. The rule of thumb is the more expensive the robot is, the more features it has. However, never assume that expensive tools are always better than the cheaper ones. That’s not always the case.
Read online reviews: How do you know if the brand is good? Simple, search for feedback from its users online. Or, see the pros and cons of each brand in tech review sites. For instance, some sites rank several brands’ performance, and this ranking of robot vacuum cleaners is updated weekly.
Buying Guide to Robot Mops
We test the robot mops by letting them clean our floor. We rate them based on the following criteria: battery life, ease of setting up and use, navigation, and performance.
The primary purpose of buying a robot mop is to let it work for you while you do something else. A robot mop that needs your constant intervention defeats this purpose. With this in mind, we also consider whether the robot can handle different floor types such as hardwood or tiles. We check if it can detect bumpers like rugs, toys, and cords or follow the limitations set by virtual walls.
Battery life dictates how long the robot can do the task. If you have a big house, a battery that lasts longer is a great help. The ideal robot can finish cleaning on one charge. Ideally, a robot that lasts for 90 minutes is good enough for small homes and apartments, while big houses need a machine that can run for up to 160 minutes. We fully charged the robot first before letting it run in cleaning mode. We leave it on until the battery runs down.
Nothing beats a user-friendly machine. A new bot must be ready to use after doing 2-3 steps. The usual operation involves charging the robot, setting up schedule and time, and filling up the water tank. These processes must be simple to execute because if not, then you have to keep looking.
For maximum independence, you want to go for a model that can be programmed using an app. In this case, we test the apps to see how intuitive they work and what benefits they offer.
Most importantly, we check how efficient each robot cleans the floor in a real-life condition. We consider the weather, cleaning solution, or the amount of water that the bot needs to work properly. We also pay attention to how the mop works on dry and wet floors and various surfaces. At the end of the cleaning time, we check the microfiber cloth to determine how well each robot works.
This is your chance to see some beautiful, restored, iconic wheeled treasures up close. The annual Vintage Wheels Show greets our area during the summer. Winthrop’s old boardwalks and historic character add to the appeal of this event as the historic cars and motorcycles take over all of Winthrop’s main street, the travel trailers will be showcased at the beautiful Pine Near RV Park and antique tractors will be displayed at the Shafer Museum, just 3 blocks from downtown. Antique bicycles will be displayed at the Rocking Horse Bakery. Spectators can easily walk to all the events from Winthrop’s downtown main street boardwalk. Owners of the vehicles are warmly welcomed to the Winthrop Inn each year. If you’re interested in having a sneak peek at all the vintage beauty, be sure to book a room with us. You surely won’t be disappointed.
A warm welcome and a smoke-free environment await you at The Winthrop. Located in the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains on the Methow River, four seasons of scenic beauty surround us.