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 get at dirt that you cannot see.

Jodhaira Rodriguez has tested a myriad of floor-cleaning appliances in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab that included a wide range of mop and robot vacuum combinations. She's rounded up her picks for the best models for pet hair.

1. Battery life

When looking for a robotic mop and vacuum, you should consider the size of your home and how many pets you own. The bigger your house is, the more power you'll need for a robot vacuum, and more pets will typically bring more hair. It's also important to take into consideration the type of flooring in your home, as certain models are better suited for cleaning hard floors.

A robotic vacuum and mop must be able to clean up pet hair from any floor surface, including hardwood, tile, and carpet. If you have more than one Pet Hair vacuum for laminate floors, you might want to consider one with a high-efficiency hair picker. Some robot cleaners come with water features to assist with sticky spills or stains. The water that these models use can also disinfect the floors.

Robotic mops that have integrated vacuuming are more likely to have longer battery life than those that just mop. This is because you're using two functions in one, which reduces the amount of time the device is required to charge and then shut off. Some models can even empty themselves into the charging station at the end of each run drying the pads while doing so. This stops bacteria from growing on wet pads.

For the most efficient robot vacuum and mop combo that can keep up with pet hair and paw prints We recommend the Ecovacs deebot X2 Omni. This model is a top performer in our tests and boasts many smart features, including TrueMapping 2.0 and TrueDetect 3D technology to map your home's ideal cleaning patterns and avoid hitting furniture or other obstacles. It is also equipped with an all-in-one base that houses both clean and dirty water tanks, making for easy maintenance.

2. App control

Many robot vacuums and mop sets have an app that lets you save maps of your home, create cleaning schedules, and keep track of maintenance requirements. Some robots can be controlled remotely. But that's not a requirement and you can still find models with a power button right on the base station, or a charging docks or the remote that is included.

In general, look for a model with a clean up mode that vacuums, mops, or does both and doesn't require the user to press an on-demand button to switch off. This way you can return the robot to its dock to empty its dirt bin, change the pad that is wet, wash a mop cloth or fill up its water tank. 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" to begin a cleaning session or request assistance with a problem or more.

Think about how much time you want to spend tending to your robot cleaner and how much traffic your floors experience before you decide on a model. If you have furniture that isn't as large or a lot of space you might want to select a model that has a smaller capacity for vacuuming and mopping. You also might need to be aware that some mopping robots have reoccurring expenses because they are expensive to purchase. You'll have to purchase mop pads or mop cloths, on top of the occasional requirement for new filters, rollers, side sweeping brushes and other components that may be recommended for periodic maintenance. Don't forget to consider the cost of the cleaning product itself, as some brands may recommend purchasing an additional cleaning agent to keep your floors neat.

3. Carpet Recognition

The most effective robot vacuum and mop combination can distinguish between carpet and hard surfaces, ensuring they don't vacuum or scrub stains or spills. They can also recognize areas that have more than one type of flooring and schedule cleanings automatically in accordance with the arrangement of your home. These tools are generally simple to use however, you'll need to install a separate app on your phone.

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

Certain robots come with a variety of mopping settings, whereas others are designed for floors that are dry, such as tile or hardwood. The top robot vacuum and mop combos for pet hair are specifically designed to work on both kinds of surfaces, making them an excellent option if you have a mix of flooring in your home.

When choosing a robot mop and vacuum, think about the size of your home and how much people use it. If you have children or pets you'll require a model that is powerful enough and has a battery to cope with the daily cleaning of your floors.

The best two-in one robots are equipped with premium features that make them well worth the cost. For example the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni will vacuum and mop in a single run, with 8,000-Pa suction and Roborock S8 Dual Brush Robot Vacuum Cleaner rotating mop heads. It is also able to scan and recognize your furniture and other objects to avoid them during cleaning, and it can even talk to you via two-way audio. It also takes charge of its own scrubbing, so it automatically heads back to its dock when it's time for a wash.

4. Water tank capacity

Robot vacuums lift dirt, then deposit it into a dust bag or bin, while robot mops disperse cleaning solutions across the floor and scrub it off with pads. Certain models combine the two functions, while others have specific abilities to deal with different types of surfaces. To ensure you get the best kind of cleaning for your home, take note of your floors' surface types and how much people use them.

The cleaning formula used by the majority of robot vacuums and mop combos will vary from brand to brand. While it's possible to purchase third-party cleaners for these devices however, it's recommended to stick to the brand suggested by the manufacturer. This will help avoid damage and keep your robot functioning as efficiently as it can.

If your vacuum or mop has a dustbin it is necessary to empty it on a regular basis. Most vacuums come with an indicator that will tell you when it's time to get the replacement of the bag. You'll also have to change filters, rollers and side brush sweeping from time the time to ensure the best performance.

A self-emptying robot can make this process easier, allowing you simply dump the contents of your dust bin into a trash can or recycling bin. However, most of these machines do not automatically wash and dry their mopping pads or rags, which can lead to bacterial growth and mildew. If your machine doesn't come with this feature, take off the pad and wash it following each use. You can lay it flat to dry in between runs if you don't 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 focuses on minimalistic design by removing this feature.

5. Mop mode

If you're in search of a robot mop and vacuum combo that will clean your floors while you're away the best choice is the IRobot Roomba j7. It's not expensive but its AI obstacle-avoidance system is among the top available in the marketplace. It can identify poop, vacuum up Cheerios and even navigate the mess of socks and phone cords that tend to build up on your floors. This makes it a great option for homes with children and pets who like to keep the floor clear of clutter.

It's also one of the few robots we tested that can sweep hard floors, like tiles, hardwood and Linoleum. It was successful in cleaning sticky spills, messes, and pet hair from carpets.

It's only downside is it's not a 2-in-1 robot, and can take up to 6 hours to charge. Additionally, while most robots automatically empty a dust bag stored in the base station, this one requires you to empty the bin once it is the bin is full. This can be a pain particularly in larger homes with high ceilings or stairs.

If you're looking for a 2-in-1 that is more traditional, then try the Ecovacs T10 Plus. It has excellent suction power that easily cleaned up pet hair on carpets, and it also has an automatic emptying dust bin. It also comes with scented air filters pods that let you choose your favorite scent. However it has a lower battery life than the best models we looked at and has to be recharged frequently.