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 get at messes 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 has compiled a list of the top models to deal with pet hair.
1. Battery life
The size of your home and the number of pets you own are crucial considerations when you're looking for a robotic mop and vacuum. The bigger your home the more power a robot cleaner will need. Plus, more pets generally means more hair. The kind of flooring within your home are crucial as certain models are better in cleaning hard floors than others.
A robotic vacuum and mop should be able to remove pet hair from any floor surface--hardwood tiles, carpet, and tile. If you have pets, you may need one that is especially effective in picking up hair. Most robot cleaners employ suction to clean up dirt and debris, however some models have an additional water feature that assists with sticky spills and staining. The water in these units can also be used to disinfect floors.
Robotic mop vacuums as well as mop have longer battery life. This is because you're using two functions in one device, which decreases the time required to charge and then shut down. Some models even can automatically empty themselves into their charging station after each run to dry the pads during the process, preventing bacteria from growing in wet pads.
Ecovacs Deebot X2 is a top robot mop and vacuum combo to keep up with pet hairs and prints from paws. This model is a solid performer in our tests and comes with many smart features, including TrueMapping 2.0 and TrueDetect 3D technology to map your home's ideal cleaning patterns and avoid bumping into furniture or other obstacles. It is equipped with a base that houses the tanks that are clean and dirty in one location and makes maintenance simple.
2. App control
Many robot vacuum and mop combos can be used in conjunction with an app that allows you to save maps of your home, create cleaning schedules and monitor maintenance needs. Some robots can be controlled remotely. You can still find models with buttons for power on the charging dock, base station, or remote included.
Look for models that have the cleaning mode, which can vacuum, mop or both, and does not require you to press a button manually to turn it off. You can then take the robot to its dock in order to empty its trash bin, replace a wet mop pad and wash the mop cloth, or refill its water reservoir. It is also important to determine if the robot is compatible with your voice-activated assistant. This allows you to use simple commands such as "OK Google" and "OK Alexa" in order to begin a cleaning session or ask for help in a situation or other.
Consider how much time you'd like to devote to your robot cleaner and how much traffic your floors receive before deciding on a specific model. For instance, if you have a small furniture space or a big floor plan, you may prefer a cleaner with smaller mop and vacuum capacity. It is also important to be aware that some mopping machines have recurring costs because they are expensive to purchase and then you'll have to purchase replacement pads or mop cloths in addition to the need to replace filters, side sweeping brushes and other components that may be suggested for maintenance on a regular basis. Make best robot vacuum for hair to think about the cost of the cleaning product that you purchase, as some brands may recommend purchasing an additional cleaning agent to keep your floors neat.
3. Carpet recognition
The best robot vacuum and mop combination can tell the difference between carpet and hard surfaces and ensure that they don't sweep or scrub over stains or spills. They can also recognize areas with more than one kind of flooring and automatically schedule cleanings based on your home's layout. You'll need to install an additional app on your smartphone to manage these features, though they're generally easy to use.
Some hybrid models don't use any liquid. They usually empty into a dust bag kept in the base station. Some models even have a self-emptying feature which allows you to dump the contents into a trash bin.
Some robots can be used on both dry and wet floors like tile or hardwood. The most effective robot vacuums and mop sets for pet hair can be used on both types of surfaces. This is why they are a great choice if your home has floors that are a mix of.
When you are choosing a robot mop and vacuum, think about the size of your home and how much the amount of foot traffic it receives. If you have pets or children, you'll need a model with enough power and battery to cope with the daily cleaning of your floors.
The top two-in-one robots are equipped with premium features that make them well worth the price. Ecovacs Deebot Omni, for example, can vacuum and mop with 8,000-Pa of suction, and has dual rotating mop heads. It also scans your furniture and other objects to keep them from getting damaged when cleaning, and even communicate using two-way audio. It also takes care of its own dirtying and automatically goes back to its dock when it's ready for a wash.
4. Water tank capacity
Robot vacuums take dirt off the floor, depositing it in a bin or bag. Robots mops the cleaning solution on the floor and scrubs off the dirt with pads. Certain models combine the two functions, while others have specific capabilities to tackle different surfaces. Take note of the type of flooring and foot traffic you have in your home to ensure that you get the best quality clean.
The cleaning formula of most robot vacuums and mop combos will vary from brand to brand. You can purchase cleaners from third parties, but it's recommended to stick with the recommended brand by the manufacturer. This will prevent damage and keep your robot functioning as efficiently as it can.
If your vacuum or mop has a dustbin, you will need to empty it frequently. Many come with an indicator that lets you know when it's time to switch out the bag. You'll also have to change the filters, rollers, and side sweepers from time to time in order to maintain optimal performance.
This process can be made easier by a self-emptying robot, which allows you to dispose of the contents in recycle bins or a trash can. However, the majority of these devices do not automatically wash and dry their mopping pads and cloths, which can lead to bacterial growth and mildew. If your machine doesn't have this feature, remove the pad and wash it following each use. You can lay it flat to dry between runs if you don't have a machine that has 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. Contrastingly, the budget-friendly iLife V5s Pro focuses on minimalistic design by removing this feature.
5. Mop mode
If you're looking for a robot mop and vacuum combo that can clean your floors while you're away the best option is the IRobot Roomba j7. It's a little pricey but its AI obstacle avoidance is among the best in the business. It can detect the poop, clean 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 a great choice for homes that have children or pets and want to keep their floors clutter-free.
It's also among the few robots we tested that can clean hard floors, such as tile, hardwood and linoleum. It did a good job cleaning sticky mess, wet spills and pet hair off carpets.
The only drawback is that it's not a 2-in-1 robot, and it can take up to 6.5 hours to fully charge. In addition, while the majority of robots automatically empty into the dust bin that is located in the base station, this model requires users to manually empty the dust bin after it's full. This can be a problem in large homes with high ceilings and stairs.
If you're looking for a more traditional 2-in-1, try the Ecovacs Deebot T10 Plus. It is a suction machine that easily cleaned up pet hair on carpets, as well as a self-emptying dustbin. It also comes with scented air filter pods that let you choose your favorite scent. It has a shorter life battery than the best models we have reviewed and must be recharged often.