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

This high-end Eufy bot is the best robot vacuum for vinyl plank floors hands-off model that we have test so far. It vacuums, mops, and self-empties its bin, washes and dry mop pads with no intervention from you.

It doesn't have advanced cleaning modes or a larger docking system, but it offers stellar performance at less than half the cost of top-end robotic vacuums. It also features the ability to reach under furniture.

Vacuuming

Vacuuming with a robot is a quick, easy method to keep your floors clean and tidy. Many of the robots that we recommend are built to function without your input So you can schedule them to work while you're away or initiate a cleaning session from your smartphone. You'll need to select an excellent robot sweeper that can navigate and object detection in order to avoid getting stuck under furniture or falling down the stairs.

Certain models are better at removing pet hairs from rugs than others, which is why it's also important to choose the right model that will efficiently and effectively clean all types of flooring. Find a model with a dust bins that can hold plenty of dirt in between emptying and an nozzle that does not lose suction as it rotates to take debris.

Most robots require little to no maintenance besides getting rid of hair that is tangled from the rotating brush (and wiping its sensors or cameras, as required) after each cleaning session and regularly emptying the dust bin or using an auto-emptying base, if the robot has one. If you follow these easy routine maintenance steps, your robotic vac should last just as long as a regular vacuum and help keep your home cleaner for longer.

Robotic mops aren't as versatile than vacuums but some can also pick up spills and puddles. The iLife V3s Pro is an example of such a device, which is a good option for those who have wood floors or a mix of rugs and carpets. It is quiet and has good navigation capabilities, which allowed it to avoid obstacles when tested. The charging dock also doubles as trash bin.

Choose a robot vacuum cleaner that is able to mop at the same time. Karcher's RCV 5 can do this, and it also comes with other features that are useful like a live camera, which transmits a blurry picture to your app, so you can monitor your kids or pet as well as remote controls that are easily programmed. Its navigation may not be as good as some of the other models on this list however, its 500ml dustbin is spacious and doesn't need frequent emptying.

Mopping

Robots that vacuum and mop are relatively new to the market. They are more expensive and require a separate tank of water, unlike standalone robots. However, they could be worth the extra expense for those with hard-to-clean stains clean or pets.

Some of the best self cleaning vacuum robots can clean carpets and floors and also vacuum. Many brands offer robots that can perform both tasks exceptionally well. The Combo J9+ is one of the most effective mopping robots that we've test. It comes with a dock that can store up to 60 days' worth of dirt. This is a huge improvement over the Qrevo Pro, which ran out of water after mopping 30 days worth of dirt during our tests.

The Tapo RV30 plus from networking giant TP-Link is a excellent two-in-one. It's quiet, compact and has a neat, easy-to-clean appearance. In our test rooms, it cleaned the floors thoroughly and precisely - it was particularly good on rugs, however it took multiple runs to fully clean certain areas of soiled wood. Its LIDAR navigation system functions well, avoiding crashing into furniture or tripping over power cords.

It's a little slow on the stairs, but that's to be expected from a compact robot that's designed to overcome obstacles. The only downside is that the mopping pads are difficult to attach and didn't remain in place during our tests, and it lacks the ability to deal with dried-on dirt, which makes it more of a vacuum cleaner than a full-fledged robot mop.

It's a great option for those who prefer a hands-off experience and want to clean low-pile or bare carpets equally well. It was able to provide a lot of suction, which helped it pick up fine dust from carpets and pet hair. Automatic carpet recognition is a wonderful feature as it increases the suction power to tackle dirt that has been embedded. It's also user-friendly and comes with a convenient charging dock that automatically empties the dust bin once it's filled, which is a real boon for flat dwellers.

Cleaning apps

The majority of robot vacuums, mops and sweepers have an app that allows you to alter the cleaning routines. You can also choose rooms to be cleaned, plan cleaning sessions and change settings like suction as well as scrub strength and water levels. Some robots also offer intelligent dirt detection, which makes use of past automated cleaning data and map data to identify areas that are dirty and optimize cleaning mode.

The app allows you to create virtual barriers and no-go zones to protect your robot from potentially dangerous objects like cords and pet water bowls and sharp objects. Certain models have laser navigation sensors that allow you to create virtual barriers while others have small physical boundaries and barriers that can be placed wherever you want to block the floor area.

There are still hazards to be aware of, even though the most effective robot vacuums can recognize and navigate around obstacles. For instance, the main brush can become stuck in long cords or curtains and stop the machine from running. You can prevent this by clearing the area of any cords and tie up any curtains that are long before operating your robot.

Certain robots automatically update the software that controls their navigation and obstacle avoidance techniques, which enhances performance and reduces wear and tear on the robot's internal components. It is a good idea to check regularly the manufacturer's website or your robot's app for firmware updates.

If you have a huge house, consider models that offer multiple cleaning modes. The iRobot Roomba 11S Max can mop and vacuum on hard and carpeted floors using different suction settings. It also has the ability to automatically switch the highest power setting when cleaning carpets, and boost its scrubbing strength with SmartScrub.

If you want to be hands-off, a robot with a voice-activated assistant is an excellent choice. The iRobot Roomba 980 can be controlled by Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant. It comes with a compact self-emptying docking system and a powerful cleaning motor that makes your floors sparkling.