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

Jodhaira has tested dozens floor-cleaning devices in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab. This includes a wide range of robotic vacuums and mops. She's rounded up her picks for the top models for pet hair.

1. Battery life

The size of your home and the number of pets you have are crucial considerations when you're looking for a robotic vacuum and mop combo. The larger your home, the more power a robot cleaner will need. More pets typically means more hair. The flooring types in your home are also crucial as certain models are better at cleaning hard floors than others.

A robotic vacuum and mop must be able to remove pet hair from any floor surface - 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. Most robot cleaners employ suction to get rid of dirt and debris. However, some models have an additional water feature that assists with sticky spills and staining. These units also disinfect floors with the water.

Robot mop mops that vacuum as well as mop have longer battery lives. This is because you're using two functions together, reducing the amount of time that the device has to charge and shut off. Some models can even empty themselves into the charging station at the end of each run drying the pads as they do so. This stops bacteria from forming on wet pads.

Ecovacs Deebot X2 is the most effective robot mop and vacuum combo to keep up with pet hairs and prints from paws. This model is a top 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 a base that houses the dirty and clean tanks in one location and makes maintenance simple.

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 monitor maintenance requirements. Some allow you to control the robot remotely. You can still find models with the power button on the charging dock, base station or remote included.

Look for models that have cleaning modes that can mop, vacuum or both, and doesn't require a button manually to shut it off. It is then possible to 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. It is also important to determine if the robot is compatible with your voice-activated assistant. This allows you to use simple commands like "OK Google" and "OK Alexa" in order to start a cleaning session or request assistance in a situation or other.

Before choosing a robot cleaner take into consideration how long it will take you to maintain the machine and also how much traffic is on your floors. For example, if you have low furniture or a large floor plan you might opt for a robot with smaller mop and vacuum capacity. It is also important to keep in mind that some mopping robots come with recurring expenses because they are expensive to purchase. You'll have to purchase replacement pads or mop cloths, on top of the occasional need for new filters rollers, side sweeping brushes and other components that might be recommended for regular maintenance. Be sure to take into consideration the cost of the cleaning solution that you purchase, as some brands might suggest purchasing an additional cleaning product to keep your floors tidy.

3. Carpet recognition

The best robot vacuum and mop combos can differentiate between hard and carpet making sure they don't or scrub over spills or stains. They can also recognize areas that have more than one type of flooring and automate cleaning in accordance with the design of your home. These features are usually easy to use, but you'll need to install an additional app on your smartphone.

Some hybrid models don't require any liquid. These machines typically empty into a bag that is stored in the base. Some have a self-emptying feature that lets you dispose of the contents in the trash can.

Some robots have a variety of mopping options, while others are only suitable for floors that are dry, such as hardwood or tile. The best robot vacuum and mop combination for pet hair are made to work on both kinds of surfaces which makes them a good option for those who have different flooring options in your home.

When selecting a robotic mop and vacuum, think about the size of your home and the amount of foot traffic it gets. If you have children or pets, you'll need a model with enough power and battery to handle the daily cleaning of your floors.

The best robot vacuum and mop pet hair two-in-1 robots have superior capabilities that make them worth the cost. For instance the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni can vacuum and mop in one go with suction of 8,000-Pa and dual rotating mop heads. It can also detect and identify your furniture and other objects to keep them out of the way during a clean, and it can even talk to you using two-way audio. It also takes care of itself and will automatically return to its dock for a clean when the time is right.

4. Water tank capacity

Robot vacuums lift dirt and deposit it in a dust bag or bin, while robot mop mops spread cleaning solution over the floor and scrubs it off with pads. Some models combine the two functions and others have distinct capabilities for different types of floors. Take note of the flooring type and foot traffic you have in your home to ensure that you get the best clean.

The majority of robot vacuum and mop combos require the use of a cleaning formula that differs between brands. While it's possible to purchase third-party cleaners to use with these machines, it's best to stick to the brand that is recommended by the manufacturer. This will protect your machine from the possibility of damage and keep your robot operating as efficiently as it can.

If your vacuum or mop has a dust bin that you can use, you'll need to empty it frequently. Most vacuums have an indicator that will tell you when it's time to buy a new bag. It is also necessary to change the filters, rollers, and side sweeping brushes from time to time in order to maintain optimal performance.

This process can be made much simpler with a self-emptying machine that allows you to dump the contents into a recycling bin or trash can. However, many of these machines don't automatically wash and dry their mopping pads and cloths which could lead to mildew and bacterial growth. If your machine does not include this feature, you must remove the pad and wash it after each use. You can lay it flat to dry in between runs if you do not own a machine equipped with 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 eliminates this functionality.

5. Mop mode

The iRobot Roomba J7 is the top robot vacuum and mop to clean your floors when you are away. It's not cheap but its AI obstacle-avoidance technology is among the best robot mop for pet hair available in the market. It can sweep up Cheerios and spot poop, and even navigate the tangled mess that phone cables typically create on your floor. This makes it a great option for homes that have pets or children and want to keep their floors clutter-free.

It's also one of the few robots that we tested to mop hard floors, including hardwood, tile and linoleum. In our tests it did a fantastic job cleaning sticky and wet mess and was able to pick up pet hair on carpets, too.

It's only flaw is that it's not a 2-in-1 model and can take up to 6 hours to charge. Also, while most robots automatically empty into a dust bag stored in the base station, this model requires users to manually empty the bin once it is the bin is full. This can be a problem in large homes with stairs and high ceilings.

If you're looking for a more traditional 2-in-1, try the Ecovacs Deebot T10 Plus. It has an impressive suction system that easily eliminate pet hair from carpets. It also comes with an automatic emptying bin. It also has scented air filter pods that let you pick the scent that you like best self-emptying robot vacuum for pet hair. It's a less long-lasting battery than the top models that we reviewed and must be recharged regularly.