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 appliances in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab that included a wide range of mop and robotic vacuums. She's compiled her top picks for the top models for pet hair.

1. Battery life

The size of your house and the number of pets you have are crucial considerations when you're looking for a robotic vacuum and mop combo. The bigger your house, the more power the robot cleaner will require. And more pets usually result in 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 clean up pet hair from any floor surface, including hardwood tiles, carpet, and tile. If you have pets, you might want a model that's especially efficient in removing hair. Certain robot cleaners come with a water feature to help with sticky spills or stains. The water used in these units can also be used to disinfect floors.

Robotic mops with integrated vacuuming typically have longer battery life than those that just mop. This is because you're using two functions in one device, which decreases the time it takes to charge and shut down. Some models can even empty themselves into the charging station automatically after each run, drying the pads as they do so. This stops bacteria from forming on wet pads.

For the most efficient robot vacuum and mop that can cope with pet hair and footprints we recommend the Ecovacs DeebotX2 Omni. This model is a strong performer in our tests and boasts numerous smart features, including TrueMapping 2.0 and TrueDetect 3D technology to map your home to create optimal cleaning patterns and avoid hitting furniture or other obstacles. It comes with a base that houses the tanks that are clean and dirty in one place which makes maintenance easy.

2. App control

Many robot vacuums and mops can be paired with an app that lets you save maps of your house, set cleaning schedules and keep track of maintenance needs. Some allow you to control the robot remotely. However, this isn't a requirement and there are still models that have a power button right on the base station, or a charging dock or the remote that is included.

In general, you should look for a model that has a clean up mode that vacuums, mops or performs both and doesn't require the user to press an on-demand button to shut off. This way, you can send the robot back to its dock to empty its dirt bin or change the pad that is wet or wash a mop cloth or fill up its water tank. It's also good to see if the model is compatible with your voice assistant. If it is, you can use a single command like "OK Google" or "OK Alexa" to begin a cleaning cycle or request assistance for problems and more.

Think about how much time you'd like to devote to your robot cleaner and how much use your floors receive before settling on a model. For example, if you have furniture that isn't as large or large floor space, you may prefer a cleaner with a smaller vacuum and mop capacity. It is also important to be aware that certain mopping robots have reoccurring expenses as they can be expensive to purchase. Then you'll need to buy mop pads or replacement cloths in addition to the occasional requirement for new filters, side sweeping brushes and other parts that could be recommended for regular maintenance. Also, don't forget to think about the cost of the cleaning solution itself as well since some brands recommend that you purchase a cleaner to keep your floors looking new.

3. Carpet Recognition

The most effective robot vacuum and mop combination can tell the difference between carpet and hard surfaces, ensuring they don't vacuum or scrub over stains or spills. They can also recognize areas that have multiple types of flooring and plan cleaning schedules automatically according to the layout of your home. You'll have to install a separate app on your phone to manage these features, however they're usually pretty easy to use.

Most robot vacuums and mops utilize a reusable cleaning product that must be purchased separately. However, there are certain hybrid models that don't need any liquid whatsoever. These robots usually empty into a dust bag that's kept inside the base station. Some have a self-emptying feature that allows you to empty the contents into the trash can.

Some robots can be used on both dry and wet floors such as tile or hardwood. The most effective robot vacuums and mop combinations for pet hair can be used on both kinds of flooring. This makes them an ideal choice when your home is floors that are a mix of.

Take into consideration the size of your house and the amount of foot traffic you'll encounter when selecting a robot mop or vacuum. You'll need to choose an option that has enough power and battery longevity to cope with the daily cleaning of your floors, particularly if you have kids or pets.

The best two-in-1 robots come with premium capabilities that are worth the price. For example, the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni is able to vacuum and mop in a single run featuring 8,000-Pa suction and dual mop heads that rotate. It can also scan your furniture and other objects to keep them from getting damaged while cleaning, and can even communicate with you via two-way audio. It also takes care of its own dirt, so it automatically heads back to its dock when it's ready for a wash.

4. Water tank capacity

Robot vacuums lift dirt and place it into a dust bag or bin, whereas robot mops disperse cleaning solution over the floor and scrub it off with pads. Some models can do both and some offer specific capabilities for dealing with different types of surfaces. Take note of the type of flooring and foot traffic in your home to ensure that you have the best cleaning.

The majority of EICOBOT Robot Vacuum Cleaner: Superior Suction - Auto-Charge! vacuum and mop combos need the use of a cleaning formula that differs between brands. While it's possible to purchase third-party cleaners to use with these machines however, it's recommended to stick with the brand suggested by the manufacturer. This will ensure that there is no any damage and ensure that your robot is running as well as it can.

If your robot vacuum and mop combo has a dust bin, you'll need to empty it periodically. The majority of them have an indicator that lets you know it's time to remove the bag. You'll also have to change filters, rollers and side brush sweeping from time the time to ensure optimal performance.

Self-emptying robots can make this process a lot easier, allowing you simply dump the contents of the bin into a trash can or recycling bin. However, many of these machines don't automatically wash and dry their mopping pads and cloths which could lead to bacterial growth and mildew. If your machine doesn't have this feature, make sure to remove and wash the pad after each use or place it on a flat surface to dry between runs.

The iRobot Combo i5+, the Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1, and the Eureka E10S all have this feature. Contrastingly, Best Robot Vacuum Mop Combo For Pet Hair the budget-friendly iLife V5s Pro focuses on minimalism by removing this functionality.

5. Mop mode

The iRobot Roomba J7 is the best robot vacuum and mop to clean your floors when you're away. It's not inexpensive however its AI obstacle-avoidance is the best available in the market. It can spot the poop, clean up Cheerios and even sift through the mess of phone cords and socks that usually accumulate on your flooring. This makes it an excellent option for homes with pets or children and want to keep their floors tidy.

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

It's only flaw is that it's not 2-in-1 robot and can take up to 6 hours to charge. The model also requires the manual emptying of the dust bin, unlike other robots that automatically empty into the dust bag at the base station. This can be a problem in large homes with stairs and high ceilings.

If you want a more traditional 2-in-1 device, consider the Ecovacs Deebot T10 Plus. It has an impressive suction system that easily eliminate pet hair from carpets. It also comes with self-emptying bin. It comes with scented pods, so you can select the scent you prefer. However it has a less battery life than other models we looked at and has to be charged regularly.