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 reach under furniture and into corners to clean up messes you can't see.
Jodhaira Rodriguez has tried a variety of floor-cleaning tools in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab that included a wide range of mop and robot vacuum combinations. She's put together her top choices of the top models for pet hair.
1. Battery life
When looking for a robotic mop and vacuum, you should consider the size of your house and the number of pets you have. The bigger your house, the more power the robot cleaner will require. Plus, more pets generally mean more hair. The type of floor surfaces within your home are important as some models are better in cleaning hard floors than others.
A robotic vacuum and mop ought to be able to get rid of 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. The majority of robot cleaners utilize suction to get rid of dirt and debris, however certain models include a water feature that helps with sticky spills and staining. They also disinfect floors with the water.
Robot mops that vacuum as well as mop have longer battery lives. This is because you're using two functions in one, which reduces the amount of time the device needs to be charged and shut off. Some models can even empty themselves into the charging station at the end of each run, drying the pads as they do so. This stops bacteria from forming on wet pads.
Ecovacs Deebot X2 is the best robot mop and vacuum to keep up with pet hairs and footprints. This model performed well 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 is equipped with base that houses the tanks that are clean and dirty in one location and makes maintenance simple.
2. App control
Many robot vacuums and mops can be combined with an app that allows you to save maps of your house, set cleaning schedules and keep track of maintenance requirements. Some even let you control the robot remotely. However, this isn't a requirement and you can still find models that have an on-board power button that is located on the base station or charging docks or a remote that comes included.
In general, search for a model with a clean-up mode that vacuums, mops, or does both and doesn't require the user to press an on-demand button to switch off. This way you can send the robot back to its dock to empty its dirt bin and change the pad that is wet or mop cloth, wash it or refill its water tank. It is also important to determine if the model is compatible with your voice assistant so you can simply use a voice command such as "OK Google" or "OK Alexa" to initiate a cleaning cycle, ask for help with a problem and more.
Before you pick a robot cleaner, consider how much time it will take to maintain the machine and how much traffic you have on your floors. If you have furniture with a low density or a lot of space, you may want to pick a cleaner that is smaller in capacity for mopping and vacuuming. It is also important to keep in mind that some mopping robots have reoccurring expenses because they are expensive to purchase. Then you'll require mop pads or replacement cloths, on top of the occasional requirement for new filters, side sweeping brushes and other parts that could be suggested for maintenance on a regular basis. Also, don't forget to think about the cost of the cleaning solution in general, as some brands recommend that you purchase a cleaner to keep your floors looking fresh.
3. Carpet recognition
The most effective robot vacuum and mop combos can distinguish between hard and carpet making sure they don't or scrub over stains or spills. They can also identify areas with more than one type flooring and schedule cleanings automatically according to the design of your home. You'll require a separate application on your phone to manage these features, though they're generally easy to use.
Some hybrid models don't require any liquid. They typically empty into a bag which is kept in the base. Some even have a self-emptying feature that allows you to empty the contents into a trash bin.
Some robots have multiple types of mopping settings, while others can only be used for floors that are dry, such as tile or hardwood. The best robot vacuums and mop sets for pet hair can be used on all types of surfaces. This is why they are a great choice for homes with different flooring.
Take into consideration the size of your home and the amount of foot traffic before selecting a robot mop and vacuum. If you have pets or children you'll require a model with enough power and battery to cope with the regular cleaning of your floors.
The best two-in-1 robots are equipped with top-quality features that make them worth the cost. Ecovacs' Deebot Omni, for example it can mop and vacuum with suction of 8,000-Pa, and has dual rotating mop head. It also has the ability to identify and scan your furniture and other objects to avoid them when cleaning. Additionally, it can even talk to you via two-way audio. It also takes care of its own dirtying so it will automatically go back to its dock when it's time for cleaning.
4. Water tank capacity
Robot vacuums take dirt off the floor, and then deposit it in a dustbin or bag. Robots spread cleaning solution on the floor, then scrubs off the dirt with pads. Some models combine both functions while others have special capabilities for different surfaces. Note the type of flooring and foot traffic you have in your home to ensure that you have the best cleaning.
The cleaning formula used by the majority of robot vacuums and mop combos will vary from brand to brand. It is possible to buy third-party cleaners, however it is best to stick to the one recommended by the manufacturer. This will help prevent damage and keep your machine running as efficient as it can.
If your robot vacuum/mop combo has a dustbin, you will need to empty it frequently. Most vacuums come with an indicator that informs you when it's time for a new bag. Similarly, you'll likely need to replace the filters, side sweeping brushes, rollers and other accessories from time time to ensure that they are operating at their best.
This process can be made easier by a self-emptying robot that lets you dispose of the contents in a recycling bin or trash can. However, many of these machines don't automatically wash and dry their mopping pads or cloths, which can lead to bacterial growth and mildew. If your machine isn't equipped with 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. In contrast, the budget-friendly iLife V5s Pro focuses on minimalism by removing this functionality.
5. Mop mode
The iRobot Roomba J7 is the most effective robot vacuum and mop combination to clean your floors while you are away. It's not cheap but its AI obstacle-avoidance system is among the top available in the market. It can spot poop, vacuum up Cheerios and even cut through the tangled mess of socks and phone cords that tend to build up on your flooring. This makes it an excellent option for homes with pets or children and want to keep their floors clutter-free.
It's also among the few robots that we tested to clean hard floors, such as hardwood, tile and Linoleum. In our tests it did a fantastic job of cleaning sticky and wet messes and was able to pick up pet hair on carpets, too.
It's only flaw is that it's not a 2-in-1 model and can take up to 6 hours to charge. The model also requires the manual emptying of the dust bin, unlike other robots that automatically empty the dust bag at the base station. best robot vacuum for pet hair can be a hassle in large homes with stairs and high ceilings.
If you're looking for a more traditional 2-in-1 device, consider the Ecovacs Deebot T10 Plus. It has an impressive suction system that is able to easily remove pet hair from carpets. It also comes with an automatic emptying bin. It also comes with scented air filter pods that let you choose your favorite scent. It has a lower life battery than the top models we have reviewed, and it needs to be recharged regularly.