The Best Robot Vacuum Mop Combo For Pet Hair
If you've got shedding pets, a robot vacuum mop combo can keep your home in check between deep cleanings. These machines get underneath furniture and into corners to remove the mess you can't see.
Jodhaira has tried a variety of floor-cleaning devices in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab. This includes many robot vacuums and mops. She's put together her top choices for the best models for pet hair.
1. Battery life
When you are looking for a robot mop and vacuum, think about the size of your home and the number of pets you own. The bigger your house is, the more power a robot cleaner will need. And more pets usually means more hair. The kind of flooring in your home are also important as some models are better in cleaning hard floors than others.
A robotic vacuum and mop will remove pet hair from any floor surface, including hardwood, tile and carpet. If you have more than one pet, you may want to choose a model with a high-efficiency hair picker. Some robot cleaners come with water functions to help with sticky spills or staining. These units also disinfect floors using water.
Robotic mop mops that vacuum and mop also have a longer battery life. This is because you're using two features together, reducing the amount of time that the device has to charge and then shut off. Some models even empty themselves into the charging station automatically after each run, drying the pads while doing so. This stops bacteria from forming on wet pads.
For the most efficient robot vacuum and mop combination that can handle pet hair and prints from paws we recommend the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni. It was a great performer in our tests. It comes with a variety of smarts including TrueMapping and TrueDetect 3D technologies to map your home and avoid bumping against furniture or other obstacles. It also comes with an all-in-one base that houses both the clean and dirty water tanks, which makes it easy to maintain.
2. App control
Many robot vacuum and mop combos can be paired with an app that lets you save maps of your home, create cleaning schedules and monitor maintenance needs. Some robots can be controlled remotely. But that's not a requirement and there are still models that have the power button on the base station or charging dock or an included remote.
In general, look for a model that has a clean-up mode that vacuums, mops, or does both and doesn't need the user to press an individual button to switch off. Then, you can send the robot to its dock to empty its trash bin, replace a damp mop pad, wash its mop cloth or fill up its reservoir of water. It's also good to see whether the model is compatible with your voice assistant. If it is, you can simply use a voice command such as "OK Google" or "OK Alexa" to start cleaning or ask for assistance with problems and more.
Consider how much time you'd like to dedicate to your robot vacuum and how much traffic your floors receive before settling on a model. For example, if you have low furniture or a large floor plan you might opt for a robot with a smaller vacuum and mop capacity. You should also be aware that certain mopping robots can be expensive and require ongoing costs. They are usually expensive to buy and you will need to purchase replacement pads or cloths. Make sure to think about the price of the cleaning product itself, as some brands might suggest purchasing an additional cleaning product to keep your floors neat.
3. Carpet recognition
The most effective robot vacuum and mop combos can differentiate between hard and carpet making sure they don't or scrub over stains or spills. They can also spot areas with more than one type flooring and schedule cleanings automatically based on the design of your home. These tools are generally simple to use however you'll need download a separate app to your smartphone.
Some hybrid models do not use any liquid. These machines usually empty into a bag which is stored in the base. Some have a self-emptying feature which allows you to dispose of the contents in the trash can.
best robot vacuum for dog hair can be used on both wet and dry floors, like tile or hardwood. The top robot vacuum and mop combos for pet hair are made to work on both types of surfaces which makes them a good option for those who have different flooring options in your home.
When selecting a robotic vacuum and mop, consider the size of your home and how much the amount of foot traffic it receives. If you have children or pets, you'll need a model that is powerful enough and has a battery to cope with the daily cleaning of your floors.
The best two-in one robots have premium features that make them well worth the price. For example, the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni can vacuum and mop in one go with suction of 8,000-Pa and dual mop heads that rotate. It also has the ability to identify and scan your furniture and other items to avoid them during cleaning, and it can even communicate with you via two-way audio. It also takes care of its own dirt and automatically goes back to its dock when it's time to take a wash.
4. Water tank capacity
Robot vacuums lift dirt and deposit it in a bag or bin, while robot mop mops spread cleaning solutions across the floor and scrub it off with pads. Some models combine the two functions and others have distinct abilities to deal with different types of surfaces. Be aware of the type of flooring and foot traffic in your home to ensure that you get the best quality clean.
The cleaning formula of most mop and robot vacuums will differ from one brand to the next brand. You can purchase cleaners from third parties, but it's best to stick to the brand recommended by the manufacturer. This will ensure that there is no damage and keep your robot functioning as efficiently as it can.
If your robot vacuum and mop combo includes a dust bin you'll need to empty it periodically. Most have a handy indicator that lets you know it's time to remove the bag. You'll also have to replace filters, rollers and side sweepers from time to time in order to maintain the best performance.
Self-emptying robots can make this process a lot easier, allowing you to simply empty the contents of your dust bin into a trash can or recycling bin. The majority of these robots don't automatically clean and air dry their mopping cloths or pads, which can lead the growth of bacteria. If your machine does not have this capability, make sure to remove and wash the pad after each use or set it somewhere flat to dry between runs.
This feature is available on the iRobot Combo i5+ as well as the Shark Matrix Plus 2 in 1 and the Eureka E10S. The budget-friendly iLife V5s Pro, on the other hand, focuses on minimalism and eliminates this function.
5. Mop mode
The iRobot Roomba J7 is the most effective robot vacuum and mop to clean your floors when you're not there. It's a little pricey, but its AI obstacle avoidance is among the best in the business. It can spot urine, sweep up Cheerios and even navigate the tangled mess of phone cords and socks that tend to accumulate on your flooring. This makes it a great option for homes that have pets or children and wish to keep their floors clutter-free.
It's among the few robots that we tested that can mop hardwood, tile, and Linoleum. It did a good job cleaning sticky messes, wet spills, and pet hair from carpets.
The only drawback is that it's not a 2-in-1 robot, and can take up to 6 hours to charge. The model also requires manual emptying of the dust bin, unlike other robots that automatically empty into the dust bin at the base station. That can be a hassle, especially in larger homes with high ceilings or stairs.
If you want a more traditional 2-in-1 device, consider the Ecovacs Deebot T10 Plus. It is equipped with powerful suction that is able to easily remove pet hair from carpets. It also has an automatic emptying bin. It has scented pods, which allows you to pick your favorite scent. It has a lower life battery than the top models we tested and must be recharged often.