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 get underneath furniture and into corners to clean up the mess you can't see.

Jodhaira Rodriguez has tested dozens of floor-cleaning equipment in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab that included a wide range of robot vacuum and mop combinations. She has rounded up the top models to deal with pet hair.

1. Battery life

When shopping for a robot mop and vacuum, take into consideration the size of your house and how many pets you have. The bigger your house is the more power you'll require for a robot vacuum, and more pets will typically mean more hair. The kind of flooring in your home are also important because some models are better in cleaning hard floors than others.

A robotic vacuum and mop will be able get rid of pet hair from any floor surface, including hardwood, tile and carpet. If you have more than one pet, you may want to select an option equipped with a high-efficiency hair comb. Certain robot cleaners come with a water feature to help with sticky spills or staining. They also disinfect floors using water.

Robotic mops with integrated vacuuming are more likely to have longer battery life than those that simply mop. This is due to the fact that you're using two functions together, reducing the amount of time the device needs to charge and then shut off. Some models have the ability to automatically empty themselves into their charging station after each run, and dry the pads in the process, stopping bacteria from growing in wet pads.

For the best robot vacuum and mop combination that can handle pet hair and prints from paws We recommend the Ecovacs DeebotX2 Omni. This model is a strong performer in our tests and boasts plenty of smarts that include TrueMapping 2.0 and TrueDetect 3D technology to map your home for ideal cleaning patterns and avoid hitting furniture or other obstacles. It comes with base that houses the clean and dirty tanks all in one place and makes maintenance simple.

2. App control

Many robot vacuums and mop sets come with an app which lets you save maps of your home as well as create cleaning schedules, and monitor maintenance requirements. Some robots can be controlled remotely. However, this isn't a requirement and you can still find models that have an on-board power button that is located on the base station or charging dock or the remote that is included.

Look for models that have a cleaning mode that can vacuum, mop or both, and doesn't require an on-demand switch to switch off. Then, you can send the robot to its dock in order to empty its bin, change a wet mop pad or mop cloth, wash it, or refill its reservoir of water. It's also important to check whether the robot is compatible with your voice assistant, so you can use a simple command such as "OK Google" or "OK Alexa" to initiate cleaning or ask for assistance with an issue and much more.

Before choosing a robot cleaner take into consideration how long it will take to maintain the machine and also how much traffic you have on your floors. If you have furniture that isn't as large or a lot of space, you may want to choose a robot that has a smaller capacity for vacuuming and mopping. It is also important to be aware that some mopping machines have recurring costs because they are expensive to purchase. You'll need to buy replacement pads or mop cloths, on top of the occasional need for new filters, side sweeping brushes and other components that may be recommended for regular maintenance. Don't forget to consider the price of the cleaning product in general, as certain brands suggest you purchase a cleaner to keep your floors looking clean.

3. Carpet Recognition

The most effective robot vacuums and mop combos can tell the differences between hard and carpets. This means they don't vacuum over spills or staining. They can also recognize areas that have multiple types of flooring and schedule cleanings automatically in accordance with the design of your home. You'll have to install an additional application on your phone to manage these features, however they're generally easy to use.

Some hybrid models don't use any liquid. These machines usually empty into a bag which is kept in the base. Some robots come with an option that allows you to dispose of the contents of the robot into the trashcan.

Certain robots can be used on dry and wet floors, like tile or hardwood. The most effective robot vacuums and mop combos for pet hair can be used on both kinds of flooring. This makes them an ideal choice for homes with floors that are a mix of.

Take into consideration the size of your home and the amount of foot traffic you'll encounter when choosing a robot mop and vacuum. You'll want to select an option that has enough power and battery longevity to cope with the daily cleaning of your floors, particularly in the case of children or pets.

The top two-in-one robots have premium features that make them worth the price. For instance the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni will vacuum and mop in one go with suction of 8,000-Pa and dual mop heads that rotate. It can also scan and recognize your furniture and other objects to stay clear of them during a clean, and it can even communicate with you using two-way audio. It also takes charge of its own scrubbing so it will automatically go back to its dock when it's time for a wash.

4. Water tank capacity

Robot vacuums take dirt off the floor, depositing it in a bin or bag. Robots spread cleaning solution on the floor and scrubs off the dirt with pads. Certain models combine the two functions while others have special capabilities for different surfaces. To ensure that you get the appropriate type of cleaning for your home, take stock of your floors' surfaces and how much people use them.

The majority of robot vacuum and mop combos need a cleaning formula that'll vary between brands. While it's possible to purchase third-party cleaners to use with these machines but it's best to stick to the brand that is recommended by the manufacturer. This will prevent damage and keep your robot running as efficiently as possible.

If your mop/robot vacuum combo 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 buy the replacement of the bag. Similarly, you'll likely have to replace the filters, side sweeping brushes, rollers and other accessories from time time to ensure the best robot vacuum and mop combo for pet hair performance.

A self-emptying robot can make this process easier, allowing you to simply empty the contents of the dustbin into a trash can or recycling bin. The majority of these robots don't automatically clean and dry their mopping pads or cloths which could lead to an increase in bacterial growth. If your machine does not have this capability, make sure to wash and remove the pad after each use, clean or set it somewhere flat to dry between runs.

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 minimalism by removing this functionality.

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 choice is the iRobot Roomba J7. It's not inexpensive but its AI obstacle-avoidance system is among the top available in the marketplace. It can vacuum up Cheerios and spot poop, and even navigate the tangled mess that phone cables usually pile up on your floor. This makes it a good choice for homes with children or pets that like to keep their floors clear of clutter.

It's also one of the few robots that we tested to mop hard floors, including tiles, hardwood and Linoleum. In our tests it did an excellent job at cleaning sticky spills and wet messes and was able to remove pet hair from carpets, too.

The only downside is that it's not a 2-in-1 robot, and can take up to 6.5 hours to fully charge. Also, while most robots automatically empty the dust bin that is located in the base station, this model requires you to manually empty the dust bin when full. This can be a problem in large homes with high ceilings and stairs.

If you prefer a 2-in-1 that is more traditional, then try the Ecovacs T10 Plus. It is a suction machine that can easily clean pet hair on carpets and it also has self-emptying dustbin. It comes with scented pods, so you can pick your preferred scent. It has a shorter life battery than the best models we have reviewed and needs to be recharged often.