10 Unexpected Top Robot Vacuum Tips
Top Robot Vacuums and Mop Combos
Robots aren't quite as adept at removing particles such as metal screws or chunks of pasta. However, they are excellent at brushing away pet hair, dust and crumbs. The best models feature intelligent navigation technology and object avoidance capabilities that help them maneuver around cords, toys and other household obstacles.
1. Roomba iRobot i3+ from iRobot EVO
The iRobot Roomba i3+ is a fantastic robot vacuum that has a number smart features to make it easier to maintain. The automatic bin emptying feature is one of the best features we've ever seen in a robot auto vacuum cleaner. It's great on carpets as well as hard floors. The app guides you through the entire process. It is also easy to use and set up. Another feature that is impressive is the ability to return to where it was when we tested it. It did this for 77 minutes on one cleaning before running out of battery.
The i3+ EVO unlike the other robot vacuums we tested has a self-emptying bin that automatically dumps debris into an external dirt compartment located on the base of its charging once it is full. The i3+ EVO can be prevented from overfilling thanks to a self vacuum-emptying container. However it must be manually emptied at the end of each cleaning session. The i3+ EVO's inner dust bin can hold 2.4L of debris, which is more than enough to last five or four cleaning sessions before you have to replace it.
Like the i7model, this model is equipped with state-of-the-art floor tracking sensors to create maps and navigate neat rows. However, the i3+ EVO only stores one map, whereas the i7 has the capacity to store multiple maps. The i7 is also able to utilize its map to create no-go zones and virtual barriers, however the i3+ EVO cannot.
The i3+ EVO is more effective of picking up surface debris compared to some other robovacs we've examined, but it's not the best in cleaning corners and edges. It's also less gentle on furniture despite being relatively silent. It pulled chairs away from walls and made some collisions with the sides of our test bed, and also got stuck on cords and toys during testing.
2. Black & Decker Q5 Pro
The Q5 Pro is an excellent choice, whether you are expanding your robot vacuum collection, or just getting started. It has an elegant design with a powerful navigation system, as well as effective automation at a reasonable cost. It's the most efficient pound-for pound model currently available and even matches Roborock's higher-priced models in a variety of ways.
This robot is fantastic in cleaning floors that are dirty and its avoidance technology helps it steer away from furniture legs and other obstacles. It also does well on carpet and earns a high score in our tests of navigation. The only drawback is that it's more noisy than other models and doesn't perform better in our user-satisfaction and predicted reliability tests.
The Q5 Pro comes with a large dust bin of 770ml, meaning that you won't need to empty it as often as other 2-in-1 robots. The Q5 Pro's 240 minute running time is also a lot when compared to other 2-in-1 robots that we tested. If the battery is low, it returns automatically to its dock, where it recharges and then resumes cleaning from where it left off. You can control the Q5 Pro using the app or voice commands with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
This is one of the first robots we've seen to incorporate 3D mapping. This along with other advancements, helped it perform exceptionally well in our tests of vacuuming and mopping test. You can schedule cleanings, set no-go zones, and check the battery's condition, among other things. The app is easy to use, even though it doesn't support Apple HomeKit which is expected to be available in 2025. Apple updated its footnote on its website in November of this year to reflect that the feature was delayed until 2025. HomeKit is not compatible with several other robots, however Siri Shortcuts are.
3. TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus
If you're looking for a robot vacuum cleaner that can also mop and is very affordable, the TP-Link Tapo RV30 Plus is the right choice. It has a wide array of features for the price and features a stylish design. You can control it with the buttons on the machine through the app or even using voice commands. The device has long battery life, and the vacuum container can be automatically empty.
The TP-Link RV30 Plus does a excellent job of cleaning up messes of all kinds and is suitable for light mopping on hard floors. It comes with mopping cloths and a replacement sweeper brush, and an HEPA filter. It can be used with an intelligent hub such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to control the device using voice. The TP-Link RV30 Plus is easy to set up and can be connected to a variety of flooring surfaces by using the automatic mode. This will ensure the best budget robot vacuum cleaning results for every area and floor type.
Three cleaning modes are available to meet your needs. The vacuuming mode utilizes the smart sensor for detection of obstacles like stairs, furniture and edges. The mopping mode is used to clean the floor automatically or to get rid of staining and liquid spills. You can combine the two functions to get a thorough and deep cleaning.
With a powerful suction, and 3 settings for dry mopping, the TP Link RV30 Plus is quick to remove dust, pet hair and other crumbs from all flooring types. The device can even clean carpets without damaging them thanks to the special mop.
During the first mapping run the TP-Link RV30 Plus scans and saves the home's layout by using its LiDAR and Gyro dual navigation system. You can alter the map within the app and merge or split rooms according to your preference. You can also set up virtual walls and no-go zones to stop the RV30 Plus from wandering into areas that you don't want it to access.
4. Eufy iMop
The Eufy iMop is one of the best full-featured robot vacuum and mop combos for hard floors. It features a high-tech mapping system that can map your home across several floors. And the well-designed base station almost fully automates the cleaning process. It also offers impressive obstacles-avoiding and navigation.
This model uses an internal dToF LiDAR sensor to create a map of your home, resulting in efficient cleaning routes. The iMop awed us with its navigation efficiency and coverage evaluations and was also adept at avoiding obstacles, including furniture. It can also find its way back to the base station if it is unable to recharge its batteries during cleaning.
It also has a spot cleaning mode that allows you to clean or mop a specific part of your floor. It can also be programmed to follow a predetermined path, which is beneficial if you have narrow staircases or hallways. In our carpet cleaning test, it performed well cleaning carpets. However, it had a difficult time to clean carpets and rugs with longer piles. It is possible to set it up to raise the mop pad automatically when it comes into contact with carpet. This is a fantastic option for those looking to save the time of mopping their carpets.
The iMop includes an onboard dustbin and a water tank, which it empties at the end each cleaning session. The dust bin onboard can hold up to 2.5 Liters and only has to be emptied every two cleaning cycles. The water tank is capable of handling about a dozen mopping sessions before it is empty. The iMop requires less maintenance and cleaning than the typical robot automated vacuum, which could be a major selling point for busy families.
The iMop smartphone app is user-friendly and offers a wide range of configuration options. It has multiple suction modes, mopping settings, and also scheduling. It also lets you design virtual walls and no-go zones, so the robot cleaning machine won't wander into rooms that aren't allowed. The app also allows access to iMop status and errors messages.