The 10 Scariest Things About Best Robot Hoover

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

This top-of-the-line 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 your involvement.

It doesn't have advanced cleaning functions or a more powerful docking system, but it provides amazing performance for less than half the cost of top-end robotic hoovers vacuums. It has a compact design and can reach under furniture.

Vacuuming

Vacuuming using a robot hoover is a simple, quick method to keep your floors clean and tidy. The majority of the robots we've included that we recommend are designed to operate without your input, so you can schedule them to run when you're out or start cleaning sessions using your phone. But, you must select a model that has superior navigation and obstacle detection to ensure that it will not get stuck on the stairs or beneath furniture.

Certain models are better at removing pet hair from rugs than others, which is why it's crucial to select the right model that will efficiently and effectively clean all flooring types. Look for a robot with an enormous dust bin that can hold a lot of dirt in between emptyings, and a nozzle which doesn't lose suction when it rotates.

Most robots require little to no maintenance, other than removing tangled fur from the rotating brush after each cleaning session (and wiping its camera or sensors as required) and then periodically emptying the bin or using a robot's self cleaning vacuum cleaner-emptying base. If you follow these simple maintenance tips, 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, however some also pick up puddles and spills. The iLife V3s Pro is an example of such a machine, which is a great option for those with wood floors or a combination of carpets and rugs. It's quiet and has excellent navigation capabilities that allowed it to avoid obstacles during testing and the charging dock doubles as a trash can.

To get the best results, select a robot that can handle mopping and vacuuming at the same time. This is what the Karcher RCV 5 does and also comes with other useful features such as a live camera that broadcasts an unreliable image to your smartphone so you can check on your pets or children, as well as an easily-programmable remote control. Its navigation isn't as reliable as other models in our collection however, it can elevate itself over low thresholds and has an ample 500ml dustbin that doesn't have to be emptying often.

Mopping

Robots that vacuum and mop are a fairly new addition to the market. They're more expensive than standalone robots and require an additional water tank, but the extra cost may be worth it for many people, particularly those who have difficult-to-clean stains or pets.

Some of the best self cleaning vacuum robots can clean carpets and floors as well as vacuuming. Many brands are now offering all-in-one robots that do both jobs extremely well. The Combo j9+, for instance, is among the top mopping robots we've tested. It has an impressively large dock that can hold up to 60 days of debris. This is an enormous improvement over the Qrevo Pro which ran out water after only mopping 30 days worth of dirt in our tests.

The Tapo RV30 Plus from networking giant TP Link is another excellent two-in-one. It's quiet, compact, and has a clean, fuss-free appearance. In our test rooms, it was able to clean the floors thoroughly and precisely and efficiently. It was particularly effective on rugs but it took several runs to completely clean certain areas of soiled wood. Its LIDAR navigation system performs well, avoiding bumps into furniture or running over power cords.

It's a bit sluggish on the stairs, but that's to be expected from a small robot that's designed to work around obstacles. The only drawback is that its mopping pads are difficult to attach and didn't stay in place during our tests, and it lacks the ability to handle dried-on dirt and makes it more of a vacuum cleaner instead of a full-fledged mop.

Despite these issues, it's still a solid choice for those who want a hands-off cleaning experience that can handle carpets that are bare or low-pile with equal ease. It was able to provide a lot of suction that helped it remove fine dust from carpets and pet hair. One of the most appealing features is its automatic carpet recognition, which increases the strength of the vacuum 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 a great feature for apartment dwellers.

Cleaning apps

Most robot vacuums, mop and sweepers come with an application that allows you to modify cleaning routines. You can also pick rooms to be cleaned, schedule cleaning sessions and adjust settings like suction levels, water levels and scrubbing strength. Certain robots also provide intelligent dirt detection, which makes use of past cleaning data and map data to identify areas that are dirty and optimize cleaning mode.

You can also utilize an app to design virtual barriers and no-go zones to keep your robot away from dangerous objects, like cords and pet water bowls. Some models allow you to create these virtual barriers with laser navigation sensors, while others have small physical barriers or boundary strips to place wherever you'd like to keep the floor space.

The top robot vacuums and mops are smart enough to detect obstacles and avoid them, but there are still certain risks to be aware for. For instance, the main brush can become stuck on long cords or curtains, which can stop the machine dead in its tracks. You can prevent this by clearing the area of all cords and tie up any curtains that are long before operating your robot.

Certain robots automatically update their software which controls navigation and obstacle avoidance algorithm. This enhances performance and reduces wear and tear on the robot's internal parts. It is a good idea to periodically to check the manufacturer's site or your robot's app for updates to firmware.

If you have a large home, look for models that have multiple cleaning modes. The iRobot Roomba 11S Max, for example, can vacuum and mop on both hard floors and carpeted rooms with different suction levels. It can also automatically switch the highest power setting when cleaning carpets, and boost its scrubbing strength with SmartScrub.

A robot with an integrated voice assistant is a great option for those who want to be hands off. The iRobot Roomba 980, for instance, is able to be operated with a simple command from Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant. It comes with a compact self-emptying docking system and a powerful cleaning motor that makes your floors sparkling.