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 reach under furniture and into corners to get at messes you can't see.

Jodhaira Rodriguez has tried a variety of floor-cleaning tools in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab which includes a variety of mop and robot vacuum combinations. She's put together her top choices for the best models for pet hair.

1. Battery life

When shopping for a robot mop and vacuum, think about the size of your home and how many pets you own. The larger your home is, the more power the robot cleaner will require. Plus, more pets generally result in more hair. The flooring types in your home are also important as some models are better at cleaning hard floors than others.

A robotic vacuum and mop can get rid of pet hair from any flooring surface including tile, hardwood and carpet. If you have pets, you may need one that is especially effective in removing hair. Most robot cleaners use suction to remove dirt and debris, however some models have an additional water feature that assists with sticky spills and stains. These units also disinfect floors using water.

Robot mops with integrated vacuuming typically have longer battery lives than those that simply mop. This is because you're using two features in one, reducing the amount of time the device is required to charge and then shut off. Some models can even empty themselves into the charging station automatically after each run, drying the pads while doing so. This prevents bacteria from forming on wet pads.

Ecovacs Deebot X2 is a top robot mop and vacuum combination to keep up with pet hairs and paw prints. This model performed well in our tests. It has a lot of smarts including TrueMapping and TrueDetect 3D technologies to map your home and avoid bumping against furniture or other obstacles. It also comes with an all-in-one base, which houses both clean and dirty water tanks, which makes an easy task of maintaining them.

2. App control

Many robot vacuums and mops come with an app which lets you save maps of your home and set up cleaning schedules, and monitor maintenance requirements. Some even let you control the robot remotely. However, that's not required and there are still models that have the power button on the base station, or a charging docks, or even an included remote.

In general, you should look for a model that has a clean-up mode that vacuums, mops or does both and doesn't require the user to press an individual button to switch off. This way, you can return the robot to its dock to empty its dirt bin or change a wet pad or wash a mop cloth or fill its water tank. It is also important to determine whether the model is compatible with your voice assistant. If it is, you can use a single command like "OK Google" or "OK Alexa" to initiate cleaning or ask for assistance with problems and more.

Before deciding on a cleaner for your robot take into consideration how long it will take you to maintain the machine and how much traffic you have on your floors. If you have low furniture or a large area you might want to pick a cleaner that is smaller in capacity for mopping and vacuuming. Also, you should be aware that certain mopping robots have reoccurring expenses since they can be costly to purchase and then you'll require replacement pads or mop cloths, on top of the need to replace filters rollers, side sweeping brushes and other components that may be recommended for regular maintenance. Don't forget to consider the cost of the cleaning solution it self, since some brands recommend that you purchase an additional cleaning solution to keep your floors looking fresh.

3. Carpet Recognition

The best robot vacuum for pet hair and carpet robot vacuum and mop combination can tell the difference between carpet and hard surfaces and ensure that they don't sweep or scrub over spills or stains. They can also recognize areas that have more than one type of flooring and then automatically schedule cleanings based on your home's layout. You'll have to install an additional application on your phone to manage these features, though they're usually pretty easy to use.

The majority of robot vacuum and mop combos make use of a reusable cleaning solution that must be purchased separately. However, there are some hybrid models that don't need any liquid whatsoever. They typically empty into a bag that is kept inside the base. Some robots come with the ability to dispose of the contents of the robot into the trashcan.

Some robots are able to be used on wet and dry floors, like tile or hardwood. The best robot vacuum and mop combinations for pet hair are designed to work on both types of surfaces which makes them a great option for those who have a mix of flooring in your home.

When you are choosing a robot vacuum and mop, consider the size of your home and how much people use it. You'll want to find a model with enough power and battery longevity to cope with regular cleaning of your floors, especially if you have kids or pets.

The best two-in-one robots are equipped with top-quality features that are worth the price. Ecovacs' Deebot Omni, for example, can vacuum and mop with 8,000-Pa suction and also has a dual-rotating mop head. It also scans your furniture and other objects to avoid them while cleaning, and even communicate with using two-way sound. It can also take care of itself, and will return to its dock for a wash when the time comes.

4. Water tank capacity

Robot vacuums take dirt off the floor and deposit it in a dustbin or bag. Robots mops the cleaning solution on the floor, then scrubs off the dirt with pads. Some models are able to combine both, while others offer specific capabilities for dealing with various surfaces. Take note of the type of flooring and foot traffic you have in your home to ensure you get the best robot vacuum for hair clean.

The majority of robot vacuum and mop combos need the use of a cleaning formula that differs between brands. You can purchase cleaners from third parties, but it's recommended to stick with the brand recommended by the manufacturer. This will ensure that there is no the possibility of damage and keep your machine running as well as it can.

If your robot vacuum and mop has a dust bin, you'll have to empty it regularly. Many come with an indicator that lets you know when it's time to remove the bag. In the same way, you'll probably need to replace the filters or side sweeping brushes, rollers and other accessories from time to time to ensure that they are operating at their best robot vacuum for pet hair under $500.

Self-emptying robots can make this process a lot easier, allowing you to simply empty the contents of your dust bin into a trash bin or recycling bin. However, most of these devices do not automatically wash and dry their mopping pads or rags 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 don't own a machine with this feature.

The iRobot Combo i5+, the Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1, and the Eureka E10S all have this feature. The budget-friendly iLife V5s Pro, on the other hand, focuses on minimalism and removes 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 robovac for pet hair choice is the IRobot Roomba j7. It's not cheap but its AI obstacle-avoidance is the best robot vacuum for pet hair self-emptying available in the marketplace. It can vacuum up Cheerios and spot poop, and even cut through the tangled mess that socks and phone cables typically create on your floor. This makes it a good option for homes with children or pets that like to keep their floors clear of clutter.

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

The only drawback is that it's not a 2-in-1 model and can take up to 6 hours to charge. The model also requires manual emptying of the dust bin, unlike most robots that automatically empty the dust bag at the base station. This can be a challenge especially in larger houses with high ceilings or stairs.

If you're looking for a less traditional 2-in-1 device, consider the Ecovacs Deebot T10 Plus. It is equipped with powerful suction that is able to easily remove pet hair from carpets. It also has an automatic emptying bin. It also has scented air filter pods so you can pick the scent that you like best. However it has a less battery life than other models we looked at and has to be charged regularly.