Vacuuming With a Robot Hoover is the best smart vacuum Hands-Off Model We've Tested

This top-of-the-line bot from Eufy is the best hands-off model we've tested 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 more powerful docking system, but it delivers amazing performance for less than half the cost of top-end robotic vacuums. It is compact in design and can reach under furniture.

Vacuuming

A robot vacuum is a convenient and quick method of keeping your floors clean. A majority of the robots featured that we recommend are built to function without your intervention, so you can schedule them to run when you're away or initiate a cleaning session from your phone. But, you should select a model that has excellent navigation and obstacle detection to ensure it won't get stuck down the stairs or underneath furniture.

It's important to select the right robot vacuum to effectively and efficiently clean all types of flooring. Look for a robot vacuum hoover with a large dust bin that will hold a large amount of dirt between emptyings and a nozzle that does not lose suction as it rotates.

Most robots need little to no maintenance besides taking hair that has become tangled off the rotating brush (and wiping its cameras or sensors, as needed) after each cleaning session and periodically emptying the dust bin or an Automatic Floor Cleaners emptying base if the robot has one. If you follow these easy maintenance steps, your robot vacuum should last as long as a regular vacuum cleaner and keep your home cleaner for longer.

Robot mops aren't as flexible than vacuums, however some also clean up puddles and spills. The iLife V3s Pro, a excellent example of this kind of machine, is a fantastic choice for those with carpets and rugs or wood flooring. It is quiet and has good navigation capabilities, which allowed it to avoid obstacles during testing. The charging dock can also function as a trash bin.

For the best results, pick the robot that is capable of mopping and vacuuming at the same time. Karcher's RCV 5 can do that, and also has other useful features, such as live cameras, which broadcasts a grainy picture to your app so you can monitor your pet or kids as well as a remote control that's easily programmed. Its navigation isn't as reliable as the other models we've reviewed however it is able to lift it over low thresholds and has a generous 500ml dustbin that doesn't have to be emptying often.

Mopping

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

Some of the top robots that vacuum and mop can also do a great job cleaning floors with no carpets. There are a number of brands that offer all-in-one robots that do both tasks extremely well. The Combo J9+ is among the most effective mopping robots that we have test. It has docks that can hold up to 60 days worth of dirt. This is a significant improvement over the Qrevo Pro which ran out water after mopping only 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 compact quiet and has an attractive, clutter-free appearance. In our test rooms, it cleans the floors quickly and thoroughly - it was particularly adept at cleaning rugs, but it required several runs to clean certain areas of wood that were stained. Its LIDAR navigation works well as well. It prevents hitting furniture or running over power cables.

It's a little slow on the stairs however that's to expected from a compact robot that's designed to overcome obstacles. The only issue is the mopping pad attachment, which was a challenge to hold in its place during our tests. It also lacks the ability of dealing with dust that has dried on, making it more like an ordinary vacuum cleaner than a robot mop.

It's still a great choice for people who prefer a hands-off experience and want to clean low-pile or plain carpets equally. It had a good amount of suction, which helped it remove fine dust from pet hair and carpets. A good feature is its automatic carpet recognition, which increases the strength of the vacuuming to better tackle embedded dirt. It is easy to use and the charging dock automatically emptyes the dustbin when it is full. This is an excellent feature for those who live in apartments.

Cleaning apps

Most robot vacuums, mop and sweepers have an application that lets you modify cleaning routines. You can also select rooms to be cleaned, schedule cleaning sessions and change settings like suction, water levels and scrubbing strength. Some robots also have intelligent dirt detection, which uses past cleaning data and map data to identify areas that are dirty and optimize cleaning mode.

Having an app also allows you to set up virtual barriers and no-go zones to keep your robot away from potentially dangerous objects such as cords, pet water bowls, and sharp objects. Some models have laser navigation sensors that permit you to create virtual barriers while others have small physical barriers and boundary strips that can be placed wherever you want to block the floor area.

There are still dangers to be aware of, even though the top robot vacuums can recognize and navigate around obstacles. The primary brush of a robot may get stuck in long cords or curtains, and stop it in its tracks. You can prevent this from happening by clearing the area of all cords and tie up any curtains that are long prior to running your robot.

Certain robots automatically update the software that controls their navigation and obstacle avoidance algorithms which improves performance and reduces wear and tear on the robot's internal components. It's recommended to check the firmware regularly to check the manufacturer's site or your robot's app for updates to firmware.

If you live in a large home, select a model with several cleaning modes. The iRobot Roomba 11S Max can sweep and vacuum hard and carpeted floors using different suction settings. It can also automatically switch the power setting to the highest level when cleaning carpets, and boost its scrubbing power with SmartScrub.

If you're looking to remain hands-off, a robot with an assistant that can be activated by voice is a great option. The iRobot Roomba 980, for instance, can be controlled using a simple voice command from Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant. It has a small self-emptying docking system as well as a powerful cleaning robots for home motor that makes your floors sparkling.