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 the messes you can't see by getting under furniture and into corners.

Jodhaira Rodriguez has tried a variety of floor-cleaning tools in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab that included a wide range of robot vacuum and mop combinations. She has compiled the best models to deal with pet hair.

1. Battery life

The size of your house and the amount of pets you have are crucial considerations when choosing a robot mop and vacuum. The bigger your house, the more power the robot cleaner will require. Plus, more pets generally mean more hair. The flooring types in your home are also important because some models are better at cleaning hard floors than others.

A robotic vacuum and mop must be able to get rid of pet hair from any floor surface--hardwood tiles, carpet, and tile. If you have more than one pet you may want to select one with a high-efficiency hair picker. Some robot cleaners come with water features to assist with sticky spills or Best Robot Vacuum Mop Combo For Pet Hair stains. These units also disinfect floors using water.

Robot mops with integrated vacuuming typically have longer battery lives than those that simply mop. This is due to the fact that you're combining two functions in one device, which decreases the time required to charge and shut down. Some models even are able to automatically empty themselves into their charging station after each run to dry the pads in the process, thus preventing bacteria from growing on wet pads.

Ecovacs Deebot X2 is the most effective robot mop and vacuum combination to keep up with pet hairs and footprints. This model is a strong performer in our tests and has plenty of smarts, including TrueMapping 2.0 and TrueDetect 3D technology to map your home to create optimal cleaning patterns and avoid bumping into furniture or other obstacles. It also has an all-in-one base that houses both clean and dirty water tanks, allowing an easy task of maintaining them.

2. App control

Many robot vacuums and mop sets have an app that lets you save maps of your house, organize cleaning schedules and track maintenance requirements. Certain robots can be controlled remotely. However, this isn't a requirement and you can still find models that have the power button on the base station, or a charging dock or an included remote.

In general, look for a model that has a clean up mode that vacuums, mops or performs both, and doesn't require you to push an individual button to turn it off. You can then send the robot to its dock in order to empty its dirty bin, change a wet mop pad and wash the mop cloth, or refill its water reservoir. You should also check if the robot is compatible with your voice-activated assistant. This means that you can use simple commands such as "OK Google" and "OK Alexa" in order to begin a cleaning session or request assistance with a problem or more.

Think about how much time you'd like to dedicate to your robot vacuum and how often your floors experience before deciding on a specific model. For example, if you have a small furniture space or a large floor plan you might prefer a cleaner with smaller mop and vacuum capacity. You should also be aware that certain mopping robots are expensive and require ongoing costs. They are usually expensive to buy and you will require new pads or even cloths. Don't forget to consider the price of the cleaning solution itself as well since certain brands suggest you purchase a second cleaning solution to keep your floors looking new.

3. Carpet recognition

The most effective robot vacuums and mop combinations can differentiate between carpets and hard surfaces. This ensures that they don't vacuum over spills or staining. They can also spot areas that have more than one type of flooring and plan cleaning schedules automatically based on the layout of your home. You'll have to install a separate app on your smartphone to manage these features, however they're generally easy to use.

Some hybrid models don't require any liquid. These robots typically empty into a dust bag that's stored inside the base station. Certain robots come with an option that allows you to dispose of the contents of the robot into the trashcan.

Some robots have a variety of mopping settings, while others are designed for dry floors like tile or hardwood. The most effective robot vacuums and mop combinations for pet hair can be used on all types of surfaces. This makes them a great option when your home is floors that are a mix of.

Think about the size of your house and the amount of foot traffic when choosing a robot mop and vacuum. If you have pets or children You'll need a machine with enough power and battery to cope with the regular cleaning of your floors.

The best two-in one robots have premium features that make them worth the price. For example, the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni is able to vacuum and mop in one go, with 8,000-Pa suction and dual rotating mop heads. It also scans your furniture and other items to stay clear of them while cleaning, and even communicate using two-way sound. It also takes care of itself, and will return to its dock for a wash when it is time.

4. Water tank capacity

Robot vacuums lift dirt, then deposit it into a dust bin or bag, while robot mops disperse cleaning solutions across the floor and scrub it off with pads. Some models are able to combine both, while others offer specific capabilities to tackle various surfaces. To ensure that you get the right kind of clean for your home, take note of your floors' surfaces and how much foot traffic they receive.

Most robot vacuum and mop combinations require an ingredient for cleaning that will vary between brands. It is possible to purchase third-party cleaners, however it's best to stick to the brand recommended by the manufacturer. This will prevent the possibility of damage and keep your machine functioning as efficiently as it can.

If your mop/robot vacuum combo has a dust bin, you will need to empty it frequently. Most come with an indicator that lets you know when it's time to change out the bag. Similarly, you'll likely need to replace the filters, side sweeping brushes, rollers and other accessories from time to time to ensure that they are operating at their best.

A self-emptying robot can make this process a lot simpler, allowing you to simply empty the contents of the dustbin into a trash can or recycling bin. The majority of these machines do not automatically wash and air dry their mopping pads or mopping cloths which could lead to an increase in bacterial growth. If your machine doesn't include this feature, you must remove the pad and wash it following each use. You can also lay it flat to dry in between runs if have a machine that has this feature.

The iRobot Combo i5+, the Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 as well as the Eureka E10S all have this feature. The budget-friendly iLife V5s Pro, on the other hand, focuses on minimalism, and does not have this feature.

5. Mop mode

The iRobot Roomba J7 is the top robot vacuum and mop to keep your floors clean when you're not there. It's not cheap but its AI obstacle-avoidance technology is among the best smart vacuum for pet hair available in the marketplace. It can vacuum up Cheerios or spot poop and even navigate the tangled mess that phone cables often leave on your floor. This makes it a great choice for homes with children and pets who like to keep the floor free of clutter.

It's also among the few robots we tested that can mop hard floors, including tile, hardwood and linoleum. It was successful in cleaning sticky spills, messes, and pet hair from carpets.

The only drawback is that it's not 2-in-1 robot and can take up to 6 hours to charge. It also requires the manual emptying of the dust bin unlike the majority of robots that automatically empty the dust bin at the base station. That can be a hassle particularly in larger homes with stairs or high ceilings.

If you're looking for a less traditional 2-in-1, try the Ecovacs Deebot T10 Plus. It is a suction machine that easily cleaned up pet hair from carpets, as well as a self-emptying dustbin. It also comes with scented air filter pods that let you choose your favorite scent. However it has a less battery life than the best models we tested and requires to be charged regularly.