Robot Mop and Robot Vacuum: What You Need to Know

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.

Best Robot Mops of 2021

Judging from the criteria mentioned above, the best robot mops this year are the following:

Roborock S6 MaxV Robot

Has reactive twin cameras for a better navigation system.
25% more suction power than predecessor which means deeper cleaning.
Genius level mopping with its true vision room-detection features.
Precise navigation using LiDAR navigation and advanced algorithms for accurate room detection.
Multi-level mapping system with up to 10 No-Go Zones and 10 No-Mop Zones.

iRobot Braava Jet M6

iRobot is known for creating automatic cleaners with different types of navigation technology. This particular model uses vSLAM navigation technology to expertly clean and navigate the room. Navigates seamlessly around objects and under furniture.
Cleans different types of floor, including hardwood, tile, and stone.
Can target specific areas in the room that need more cleaning.
Has “Keep Out Zone” features to prevent the robot from going to restricted areas.

Coredy R750 Robot Vacuum Cleaner

Use both Alexa and Google Assistant to command the robot when to start, pause, and stop cleaning.
Has a smart app that monitors real-time cleaning, battery power, schedule, cleaning modes, and so much more.
Will automatically increase suction power in seconds once it runs through and off the carpet.
Electronically controlled water pump that automatically monitors and controls the water level.
Detects Boundary Strip to tell the robot not to go beyond that point.

Samsung Jetbot

Has a simple design but can expertly navigate your home, avoiding obstacles in the process. It can remove dust and hair even from hard-to-reach areas.
Uses two spinning pads to move, turn, and clean simultaneously for best results.
Double water tanks to keep the cleaning pad wet.

Buying Guide to Robot Vacuums

A robot vacuum (robovac) differs from upright vacuums in many ways. The essential element of a robot vacuum that makes it nth times better than an ordinary vacuum is its intelligence. Most vacuums today have lasers, motherboards, sensors, Bluetooth, and even Wi-Fi. These elements are not present in the traditional canister or stick model.

Modern robovacs come with a charging dock and can charge themselves without needing your help. The bot returns to the dock before the battery entirely runs down. It will remain in the dock until charging is complete. After charging, it goes back to the same spot it left off to continue cleaning.

Unlike traditional vacuums, all robots are no longer using a bag to store the dirt. Instead, they have a dustbin that can be ejected into the garbage can when full. They are also equipped with a HEPA filter to prevent dust from spreading through the air.

A robot vacuum is usually priced higher than a traditional vacuum, but not always. The price range for a bot is between $400-$1,000.

Just like the robot mop, a robot vacuum can also be a stand-alone or hybrid. A good bot has filters, side and center brushes, and a cleaning mouth. These parts work together with other accessories and go work efficiently, almost as good as the traditional vacuum but less the hassles.

We test the robovac the same way as the robot mop. We also check similar characteristics: battery life, navigation, setup, apps, connectivity, and performance.

Best Robot Vacuums of 2021

Based on the results of the tests, the best robovacs in the market today are the following:

iRobot Roomba s9+ (9550)

Has a Clean Base Disposal System that empties itself for up to 60 days.
Traps 99% of allergens such as dust, pet hairs, and pollen.
Increases suction automatically to remove deep-seated dirt.
Comes with an app and voice command for autonomous performance.

Shark IQ Robot Self-Empty

Self-emptying bin that can hold the dirt for up to 30 days.
Self-cleaning brushes that remove hair tangles – no more unsightly hair wrap!
Use the SharkClean app or voice control with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to schedule cleaning or set up the boundaries to limit the bot’s movement.
Cleans the floor by row and charts every room for complete home coverage.
Self-charging and returns to the spot where it left off to continue cleaning.

iRobot Roomba i7 (7150)

One of the best robot vacuums from iRobot, Roomba i7 has a 3-Stage Cleaning System and 10X the Power-Lifting Suction.
Remembers the layout of the house, allowing it to navigate the floor seamlessly.
Using voice command or the iRobot app, you can tell the bot to clean right when or where you need it.
With Keep Out Zone, you can limit the areas where it should clean.
High-efficiency filter that traps allergens, including cat and dog hairs.

RoboVac 30C MAX

Powerful suction power (2000Pa max.) without getting too noisy.
Super slim design (2.85″) allows it to clean spaces beneath low-lying furniture and appliances.
Can connect to the Wi-Fi to let you control it using the EufyHome app, Alexa, and the Google Assistant voice command.
Automatically increases suction power within 1.5 seconds when extra vacuuming strength is needed — so you get the best clean.
Uses dual Hall sensors to detect the Boundary Strips you set, preventing it from going beyond the line.

Coredy R750

Can be controlled using Alexa, Google Assistant, or its smart app.
Automatically increase suction power within seconds when a carpet is detected, moving effortlessly from hard-surface floor to carpet.
It has an electronically controlled water pump to maintain the water level according to the floor’s dryness and humidity without spillage.
Sensors detect Boundary Strips to ensure your robot only cleans the areas you want.
Upgrade vacuums up to 2000pa max. pure power suction strength for an impressive clean.

Robotic cleaners have gotten so much better over the last few years that we’ve had to up the ante during the testing phase. The brands mentioned above have something in common — consistency. They perform the same way every time we test them. That’s the biggest reason why they made our cut.