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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 under furniture and into corners to clean up messes you can't see.
Jodhaira Rodriguez has tried a variety of floor-cleaning equipment in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab that included a wide range of mop and robotic vacuums. She has rounded up the best models to deal with pet hair.
1. Battery life
The size of your house and the amount of pets you have are important considerations when choosing a robot vacuum and mop combo. The bigger your home the more power a robot cleaner will need. Plus, more pets generally mean more hair. The flooring types in your home are crucial as certain models are better at cleaning hard floors than others.
A robotic vacuum and mop will be able clean pet hair off any floor surface, including hardwood, tile and carpet. If you have more than one pet, you may want to select one equipped with a high-efficiency hair comb. Some robot cleaners have water functions to help with sticky spills or stains. They also disinfect floors using water.
Robotic mops that vacuum as well as mop come with longer battery life. This is because you're utilizing two features in one, which reduces the amount of time the device needs to be charged and shut off. Some models even are able to automatically empty themselves from their charging station after each run, and dry the pads during the process, stopping bacteria from growing in wet pads.
Ecovacs Deebot X2 is the most effective robot mop and vacuum combination to keep up with pet hairs and prints from paws. The model was very good in our tests. It is equipped with a range of smarts like TrueMapping and TrueDetect 3D technologies to map your home and avoid bumping against furniture or other obstacles. It is equipped with a base that houses the clean and dirty tanks all in one place which makes maintenance easy.
2. App control
Many robot vacuums and mops can be used in conjunction with an app that lets you save maps of your home, set cleaning schedules and keep track of maintenance needs. Certain robots can be controlled remotely. But that's not a requirement and there are still models with an on-board power button that is located on the base station, or a charging docks or a remote that comes included.
Find models with cleaning modes that can mop, vacuum or both, and does not require you to press a manual switch to shut off. This will allow you to return the robot to its dock to empty its dirt bin, change a wet pad, wash a mop cloth or fill its water tank. It's also important to check whether the robot is compatible with your voice assistant so you can use a single command such as "OK Google" or "OK Alexa" to start cleaning or ask for assistance 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. For example, if you have low furniture or a large floor plan you might opt for a robot with a smaller vacuum and mop capacity. It is also important to keep in mind that some mopping robots have reoccurring expenses because they are expensive to purchase and then you'll have to purchase replacement pads or mop cloths in addition to the occasional need for new filters, side sweeping brushes, rollers and other components that may be suggested for maintenance on a regular basis. Don't forget to consider the cost of the cleaning product itself as well since some brands recommend that you purchase a cleaner to keep your floors looking clean.
3. Carpet recognition
The best robot vacuums and mop sets can tell the differences between hard and carpets. This means they don't saturate spills or stains. They can also recognize areas that have multiple types of flooring and plan cleaning schedules automatically based on the design of your home. These features are usually easy to use however, you'll need to install a separate app on your smartphone.
Most robot vacuum and mop combos utilize a reusable cleaning product that is purchased separately, but there are certain hybrid models that don't require any liquid at all. These machines usually empty into a dust bag kept in the base station. Some even come with a self-emptying feature that allows you to dump the contents into a trash bin.
Certain robots can be used on both dry and wet floors like tile or hardwood. The top robot vacuum and mop combination for pet hair are designed to work on both types of flooring which makes them a good option for those who have a mix of flooring in your home.
When selecting a robotic mop and vacuum, take into consideration the size of your home and the amount of people use it. You'll want to find the model that has enough power and battery life to keep up with regular cleaning of your floors, particularly in the case of children or pets.
The top two-in-one robots are equipped with top-quality features that are worth the price. For example the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni will mop and vacuum in one go with suction of 8,000-Pa and two mop heads that rotate. It is also able to scan and recognize your furniture and other items to avoid them when cleaning. Additionally, it can even talk to you via two-way audio. It can also take care of itself, and then return to its dock to clean when the time is right.
4. Water tank capacity
Robot vacuums lift dirt and deposit it in a bag or bin, while robot mop mops spread cleaning solutions across the floor and scrubs it off with pads. Some models combine the two functions, while others have specific capabilities for different types of floors. Note the type of flooring and foot traffic within your home to ensure you get the best quality clean.
The cleaning formula for the majority of robot vacuums and mop combos will vary from brand to brand. You can purchase third-party cleaners, but it is recommended to stick with the one recommended by the manufacturer. This will help prevent damage and keep your machine operating as efficiently as it can.
If your vacuum or mop has a dust bin, you will need to empty it regularly. Most vacuums come with an indicator that tells you when it's time to get a new bag. In the same way, you'll probably need to replace the filters or side sweeping brushes, rollers and other accessories from time time to ensure that they are operating at their best.
This procedure can be made easier by a self-emptying robot that allows you to dump the contents into a recycling bin or trash can.
best robot mop for pet hair of these machines don't automatically clean and dry their mopping pads or mopping cloths which can cause an increase in bacterial growth. If your machine doesn't come with this feature, take off the pad and wash it every use. You can lay it flat to dry in between runs if you do not 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 simplicity by removing this function.
5. Mop mode
The iRobot Roomba J7 is the best robot vacuum and mop combination to keep your floors clean when you're not there. It's not expensive, but its AI obstacle-avoidance is the best available in the industry. It can spot the poop, clean up Cheerios and even sift through the mess of socks and phone cords that tend to pile up on your flooring. This makes it an excellent option for homes that have pets or children and want to keep their floors clutter-free.
It's among the few robots we tested that can mop tile, hardwood 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 can take up to 6.5 hours to fully charge. In addition, while the majority of robots automatically empty the dust bin that is located in the base station, this one requires users to manually empty the dust bin after it's empty. This can be a hassle in large homes with high ceilings and stairwells.
If you're looking for a less traditional 2-in-1 device, consider the Ecovacs Deebot T10 Plus. It is equipped with 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 filters pods, allowing you to select the scent you prefer. It has a lower life battery than the best models we tested, and it needs to be recharged regularly.