What's Next In Best Robot Vacuum Mop Combo For Pet Hair
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 can get to areas that are difficult to see by getting behind furniture and into corners.
Jodhaira Rodriguez has tested a myriad of floor-cleaning tools in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab which includes a variety of mop and robot vacuum combinations. She's rounded up her picks of the top models for pet hair.
1. Battery life
When shopping for a robot mop and vacuum, think about the size of your home and the number of pets you have. The bigger your house is, the more power a robot cleaner will need. And more pets usually means more hair. It's also important to take into consideration the flooring you have in your home, as some models are better suited for cleaning floors made of wood.
A robotic vacuum and mop will be able clean pet hair off any floor surface, including hardwood, tile and carpet. If you have pets, you may want an item that is particularly effective in removing hair. Certain robot cleaners come with water functions to help with sticky spills or staining. These units also disinfect floors using water.
Robotic mop vacuums and mop also have a longer battery life. It's because you are using two functions in one device, which reduces the time it takes to charge and shut down. Some models even have the ability to automatically empty themselves from their charging station after each run to dry the pads during the process, thus preventing bacteria from growing on wet pads.
For the best robot vacuum and mop combo that can handle pet hair and prints from paws, we recommend the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni. This model is a top performer in our tests and boasts numerous smart features that include TrueMapping 2.0 and TrueDetect 3D technology to map your home to create optimal cleaning patterns and avoid hitting furniture or other obstacles. It comes with bases that house the clean and dirty tanks in one place which makes maintenance easy.
2. App control
Many robot vacuums and mop combos come with an app which allows you to save maps of your home as well as organize cleaning schedules and monitor maintenance requirements. Some even let you control the robot remotely. But that's not a requirement and you can still find models that have a power button right on the base station or charging docks, or even an included remote.
Look for models that come with a cleaning mode, which can mop, vacuum or do both, and doesn't require you to press a manual switch to switch off. This way you can return the robot to its dock to empty its dirt bin, change the pad that is wet or mop cloth, wash it or refill its water tank. It is also important to determine whether the robot is compatible with your voice-activated assistant. This means that you can use simple commands like "OK Google" and "OK Alexa" to start a cleaning session or ask for help with a problem or more.
Consider how long you'd like to dedicate to your robot cleaner and how much use your floors get before you decide on a model. For example, if you have furniture that isn't as large or big floor plan, you may opt for a robot with smaller mop and vacuum capacity. It is also important to keep in mind that some mopping robots have reoccurring expenses since they can be costly to purchase. Then robot vacuum mop pet hair robotvacuummops 'll need to buy replacement pads or mop cloths, on top of the need to replace filters, rollers, side sweeping brushes and other components that might be recommended for periodic maintenance. Don't forget to consider the cost of the cleaning solution in the first place, as certain brands may suggest buying an additional cleaning product to keep your floors tidy.
3. Carpet recognition
The best robot vacuum and mop combination can distinguish between hard and carpet surfaces making sure they don't or scrub over spills or stains. They can also spot areas with more than one type of flooring and schedule cleanings automatically in accordance with the arrangement of your home. These features are usually easy to use, but you'll need to install a separate app on your smartphone.
Most robot vacuum and mop combos utilize a reusable cleaning product that needs to be purchased separately, but there are some hybrid models that don't need any liquid whatsoever. These machines typically empty into a dust bag kept in the base station. Certain robots come with an option that allows you to empty the contents of the robot into a trashcan.
Some robots have multiple types of mopping settings, whereas others are only suitable for dry floors like hardwood or tile. The most effective robot vacuums and mop combos for pet hair can be used on both kinds of flooring. This makes them a great option for homes with floors that are a mix of.
When selecting a robotic mop and vacuum, think about the size of your home and how much people use it. You'll need to choose a model with enough power and battery life to keep up with the daily cleaning of your floors, especially when you have children or pets.
The best two-in-1 robots have superior capabilities that make them worth the cost. Ecovacs' Deebot Omni, for instance it can mop and vacuum with 8,000-Pa suction and has dual rotating mop heads. It also has the ability to scan and recognize your furniture and other items to avoid them when cleaning. Additionally, it can even talk to you using two-way audio. It also takes care of itself, and will automatically return to its dock to wash when it is time.
4. Water tank capacity
Robot vacuums clean dirt off the floor and deposit it in a trash bin or bag. Robot mops spread cleaning solution on the floor, then scrubs off dirt using pads. Some models can do both and some offer specific capabilities for tackling different surfaces. To ensure that you get the appropriate type of cleaning for your home, take note of your floors' surface types and the amount of foot traffic they receive.
The cleaning formula used by the majority of mop and robot vacuums will vary from brand to brand. You can purchase third-party cleaners, however it is best to stick to the brand recommended by the manufacturer. This will protect your machine from damage and keep your machine running as efficient as it can.
If your vacuum or mop has a dust bin, you will need to empty it frequently. The majority of them come with an indicator that lets you know it's time to switch out the bag. Similar to that, you'll require replacing the filters or side sweeping brushes, rollers and other accessories from time to time to ensure optimal performance.
Self-emptying robots can make this process a lot easier, allowing you to simply dump the contents of the bin into a trash container or recycling bin. The majority of these machines do not automatically wash and air dry their mopping pads or cloths which could lead to bacterial growth. If your machine does not have this feature, remove the pad and wash it after each use. You can lay it flat to dry between runs if own a machine with this feature.
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 minimalistic design by removing this feature.
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 not expensive but its AI obstacle-avoidance system is among the top available in the industry. It can clean up Cheerios or spot poop and even cut through the tangled mess that socks and phone cables often leave on your floor. This makes it an excellent option for homes with pets or children and want to keep their floors clutter-free.
It's among the few robots we tested that could mop hardwood, tile, and linoleum. It did a good job cleaning sticky messes, wet spills, and pet hair off carpets.
The only downside is that it's not a 2-in-1 robot, and it can take up to 6.5 hours to fully charge. Additionally, while most robots automatically empty into a dust bag stored in the base station, this model requires you to empty the dust bin after it's full. That can be a hassle especially in larger houses with high ceilings or stairs.
If you're looking for a more traditional 2-in-1 device, consider the Ecovacs Deebot T10 Plus. It has a powerful suction capability that easily cleaned up pet hair from carpets, and it also has an automatic emptying dust bin. It also comes with scented air filters pods, allowing you to pick the scent that you like best. However it has a less battery life than the best models we looked at and has to be charged frequently.