Mopping vacuum robot: The best robot mops in 2023

Aug 19, 2023 alexxlab

Best Robot Mops 2023 – Forbes Vetted

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Thanks to my two messy dogs, there’s a seemingly endless supply of dirt and grime that gets tracked into my house every day. If you have the same issue, you know that using a vacuum isn’t enough to get all the dirt off your floors. But who has time to pull out a traditional mop twice a week? The best robot mops solve this problem, autonomously scrubbing hard floors and leaving them clean and shiny—all without you having to lift a finger. After rigorously testing eight different models over the course of several weeks, my pick for the best robot mop is the Bissell SpinWave, a powerful device that employs rotating mop heads to lift all kinds of messes and stains.

After weeks of rigorous testing, I believe the Bissell SpinWave to be the best robot mop on the … [+] market.

ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTOS: RETAILERS

“The biggest benefit of having a robot mop is that you aren’t the one mopping, and that you can run it frequently on a timer at your preferred schedule,” explains Michael Silva-Nash, executive vice president of Molly Maid of Greater Little Rock, Arkansas. For routine maintenance, these devices are helpful and simple to use, and can even pair with a robot vacuum to automate all of your floor cleaning. “A robot mop can eliminate allergens, dust and other debris from your floors, which prevents them from tracking throughout your home,” he says.

However, not all robot mops can handle tough stains—and some actually do more harm than good by simply smearing dirt around. To determine which of today’s popular robot mops are most effective, I put them through weeks of testing, evaluating them on their ease of use, cleaning performance, navigation abilities and more.

The following is a list of all the winners from my testing process:

Best Robot Mop Overall: Bissell SpinWave
Best Value Robot Mop: iRobot Braava Jet 240
Best Robot Mop For Roomba Owners: iRobot Braava Jet m6

Amazon

Bissell SpinWave

Best for:

Everyday mopping
Removing tough dirt stains
Occasional vacuuming

Skip if:

You prefer disposable cleaning pads

The Bissell SpinWave 2-in-1 Wet Mop and Dry Robot Vacuum came out on top for cleaning performance and ease of use. This robotic mop is one of only two models I tested with rotating mop heads—all the others simply pushed a flat mop pad around the floor—and that scrubbing action made a huge difference in its ability to lift all types of stains from the floor. Better yet, the microfiber pads are reusable, meaning you can simply toss them in the washing machine once you’re finished cleaning.

The mop goes over its path several times when cleaning, and while this does prolong each cycle, it ultimately leaves fewer streaks and allows the machine to tackle tough stains more effectively. The SpinWave lifted a dried mud stain off the floor after just two passes thanks to its rotating heads—a task with which several other mops struggled. To clean up a sticky soda spill, I used the mop’s spot cleaning mode, which uses more scrubbing action and works in a spiral pattern covering a roughly 3-foot circle. It went over the spill several times and removed the majority of the stickiness—there was a slight residue left behind, but it was only noticeable if you were looking for it.

The SpinWave can either mop and vacuum, depending on which canister you insert.

Camryn Rabideau

This 2-in-1 robot is able to vacuum and mop, and it actually comes with two separate canisters—one for each function. When the vacuum canister is attached, two spinning edge brushes help get dirt out of corners, and debris is sucked up by the rotating brush roll. It cleans low- and medium-pile carpets while vacuuming, but when the robot is mopping, it automatically avoids soft surfaces like area rugs. On its first pass, it would bump into the edge of the rug I set out, but when it came back to the area, its cleaning algorithm “knew” to turn around before it ran into the carpeting.

The Bissell app is very straightforward and easy to navigate, but it doesn’t have mapping abilities and can’t memorize your home’s layout, which means you won’t be able to set up virtual barriers or direct the robot to spot clean one particular area. (It was still able to recognize and avoid obstacles while cleaning, though.) However, you can start and stop the robot remotely, create an automatic cleaning schedule and even monitor when the mop needs maintenance like a filter change.

Alongside the device, the Bissell SpinWave comes with a spare set of cleaning pads and a trial-size bottle of one of its cleaning formulas. (Perhaps unsurprisingly, the brand only recommends using its own formulas in the mop. The manual warns that using another cleaning solution may harm the machine and will void its warranty.)

Amazon

iRobot Braava Jet 240

Best for:

Wet and dry mopping
Small rooms
Navigating obstacles

Skip if:

You have lots of large rooms
You want more comprehensive smart features

Most robot vacuums are fairly pricey—in general, you can expect to pay around $400 or more for a top-notch model. If you’re looking for something that’s a little more affordable for a smaller space, though, I recommend the iRobot Braava Jet 240. This budget-friendly option doesn’t have as many features as other models I tested, and it will work best in small rooms. I found that it still does an impressive job cleaning up all sorts of spills and stains, as it goes over the area multiple times. You can use it for dry, damp or wet mopping; there are both single-use and washable pads available for the mop.

The Braava Jet 240 will get the job done, removing dirt and grime from your floors, but the main drawback is that it’s not as convenient to operate. It has a compact square shape, and unlike most robot mops, it has a removable battery and charger instead of a docking station. This means you have to remember to remove and recharge the battery after each use, but I liked that you can easily tuck it away in a closet when it’s not in use. You can sync the mop to the iRobot app via Bluetooth, but the functionality is extremely limited. You have to turn on the robot manually but you can start/stop cleaning from the app as long as you’re within Bluetooth range.

The Braava Jet 240 mops in a V-shaped motion, traveling back and forth to cover each spot multiple … [+] times.

Camryn Rabideau

Additionally, the Jet 240 has a “virtual wall” feature that’s extremely easy to set up, and it effectively keeps the robot in one room. In my tests, the mop avoided obstacles extremely well. Because it’s on the smaller side, it was able to fit under chairs and other furniture where other mops couldn’t go. It did a great job scrubbing a mud stain off the floor thanks to its back-and-forth motion, and I couldn’t find any trace of dirt when it was done. The mop also did a great job soaking up a sticky spill with a disposable pad, but it did leave the floor somewhat wet when tested against a spill of ½ cup of water. The pads are quite small—roughly half the size of the ones on other models—and can only absorb so much. When you’re done cleaning, the mop also has a handy “eject” button that releases the pad, saving you from having to pull it off by hand.

One of the major downsides of this mop, however, is its short battery life. It can run for around 60 minutes per charge, but because it mops in a back-and-forth motion, it takes quite a long time to clean a single room. The mop kept dying before it could finish cleaning my 200-square-foot testing room (which took about 90 minutes), so for subsequent tests, I put it in a smaller bathroom. This space was around half the size, and in the smaller area, the mop was able to complete its cleaning in around 40 minutes and return back to where it started. For this reason, I only recommend this mop for small spaces.

Amazon

iRobot Braava Jet m6

Best for:

Current Roomba owners
Wet and dry mopping
Removing tough stains

Skip if:

You want an all-in-one robot vacuum and mop

The iRobot Braava Jet m6 is the brand’s more high-tech robot mop, and I think it’s the best choice for anyone who already owns an iRobot Roomba robotic vacuum. This mop can be paired with select Roombas—during testing, it automatically imported the map created by my Roomba i7+. The two devices will work together, with the Braava mopping after the vacuum finishes cleaning. The mop does an excellent job cleaning, traveling slowly and going back and forth over each spot, and it even overlaps its paths for maximum coverage. It was able to efficiently remove all types of spills and stains during testing, and you can mix the brand’s floor cleaning solution into the water tank for a more thorough clean. Plus, it’s whisper quiet.

The Braava Jet m6 is extremely easy to sync up to your phone—its setup process was the quickest of all the mops I tested. The mop did a great job cleaning all around the edges of the room, but it did get hung up on the area rug at one point, somehow ending up underneath the corner. It eventually freed itself without any assistance, and on a subsequent run, the robot knew to avoid that area.

The one potential negative that I found with this robot mop is that it lacks any vacuuming abilities. It can be used to “dry mop,” which helps collect dust and hair, but when I tested this function, it needed a new dry pad halfway through cleaning, as it was bogged down with pet hair. You need to clean your floors to remove large debris and hair before this mop can do its job—otherwise, it will end up pushing the hair or dirt around the floor. For this reason, I mostly recommend this mop for people who already own a Roomba, as the two devices can work together.

Other Robot Mops I Tested

In the face of the winning models, the following robot mops didn’t quite make the cut:

Roborock S7+ Robot Vacuum And Sonic Mop: While the Roborock S7+ is one of the best 2-in-1 models I tested, thanks to its wide range of settings, it didn’t deliver the same mopping power as my other top picks. During testing, the S7+ would often make a full lap around the room before it started getting the floor wet, and while it avoided obstacles and lifted sticky stains, it didn’t fare as well against the mud. I also found the app to be a bit clunky.

Dreametech Bot W10: While the design seemed promising with self-cleaning mop pads and the ability to fill its own water tank from a reservoir of clean water in the base, the Dreametech Bot W10 didn’t live up to expectations. The app isn’t very user-friendly—I experienced pop-ups that blocked the screen and got lost in complicated menus. Plus, the robot frequently gets stuck places, and its cleaning performance wasn’t as good as other mops I tested.

Neabot N2: The Neabot N2 is a good robot vacuum, complete with a self-emptying dust bin, but its mopping abilities leave something to be desired. It simply drags a wet pad across the floor, and while you can adjust how much water it uses, the robot just didn’t do as good of a job as some of the other mops.

Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid: While it works well as a vacuum, I wasn’t impressed with the mopping performance of the Eufy RoboVac X8 Hybrid. It left streaks on the floor and mopped right over an area rug, and the water tank leaked on the floor when we left it attached to the robot overnight.

Eufy RoboVac L70 Hybrid: Similar to the other Eufy model I tested, the L70 Hybrid didn’t wow us with its mopping abilities. It has a larger water tank, but it still failed to remove stains from the floor and mopped straight over an area rug, leaving behind streaks of dirt.

How I Tested The Best Robot Mops

When selecting products to test, I looked for highly rated robot mops from well-known brands, including iRobot (the maker of Roomba), Bissell and Eufy. Because robot mops are newer to the market and are somewhat less versatile than robot vacuums, there are fewer models to choose from.

I began by evaluating each mop on how easy it was to unpackage and set up. All of the models I tested connected to an app via either Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, so I also noted how easy it was to sync each one to my phone. Then, I put it to the test in a 200-square-foot room with linoleum flooring. “Robot mops typically work best on hard floors with lots of open space and minimal obstacles,” says Samson. To challenge the mops, I set up several obstacles for them to avoid, including a small area rug and dining room chair. The mop also had to navigate around things like curtains and the occasional dog toy.

To test each model, I ran the device four or five times, depending on the different settings they offered. On the first cleaning cycle, I let the mop run on its default settings. I noted how well it covered the floor, if it was able to avoid obstacles and how loud it was. (For units that can also vacuum, I ran a vacuuming cycle before as well.) On subsequent runs, I added different spills and stains for the mop to tackle, including ½ cup of water, ¼ cup of soda dried onto the floor and dried mud stains. I then evaluated how well each mop was able to handle these situations, all the while making notes on the robot’s battery life, app design and other features.

How To Choose A Robot Mop

To help you find the best robot mops on the market, there are a few different factors that you want to take into consideration.

A selection of the robot mops I tested, from left to right: the Bissell SpinWave, the iRobot Braava … [+] Jet m6, the iRobot Braava Jet 240 and the Roborock S7+.

Camryn Rabideau

Room Size

As you shop for a robot mop, it’s important to think about where you plan to use it. If you’re going to put the device in a large room or open floor plan, you need a model with a long battery life or the ability to recharge itself and continue cleaning. “You will want to evaluate the battery life of your robot mop,” says Jessica Samson, a cleaning expert at Maids.com. “The longer the battery life, the less hassle it will be for you to charge it and keep it operational.”

On the other hand, if you just want a mop to clean a small bathroom or foyer, a smaller model like the Braava Jet 240 might be a better option. It has a shorter battery life, but it can also fit into tight areas and you can store it in a closet when it’s not in use.

Mop Style And Settings

There are two main styles of robot mops available today. The best robot mops have rotating pads on the bottom of the robot (the Bissell CrossWave and Dreametech Bot W10 use these). The most common design, which you can find on both Braava models, uses a flat mopping pad that’s pushed back and forth across the floor. In general, rotating pads are more effective at removing tough stains, but flat pads can be just as effective if the mop does multiple passes over the same area.

You may also want to look at the mopping settings offered by each robot. Some robot mops, such as the Bissell SpinWave and Braava Jet m6, allow you to select how much water they use or how hard they scrub—a useful feature when it comes to removing mud or stains from your floors.

Vacuuming

There are quite a few robot mops that can also vacuum. While it’s undeniably convenient to have one gadget that does both, my testing revealed that 2-in-1 models typically don’t perform quite as well when it comes to deep cleaning. If you do want a model that does both, I recommend the Bissell SpinWave, which has separate attachments for vacuuming and mopping. Otherwise, be sure to look at the water tank capacity of the robot mop—it can range anywhere from 5 to 15 ounces—and see if it can be used with a floor cleaning solution. You also want to look at whether the gadget knows to avoid carpeting when it’s mopping; otherwise, it may track dirty water over your area rugs.

Through Bissell’s easy-to-use app, you can set up automatic cleaning schedules and adjust the … [+] SpinWave’s scrubbing intensity with ease.

Camryn Rabideau

Smart Features

You can sync many of today’s best robot mops to your smartphone via an app, a feature that makes them much easier to operate. “The number one feature I recommend consumers invest in is app integration,” says Andrii Gurskyi, owner and operator of HomeClean. “I can’t tell you how convenient it is to have a phone application to control and manage your robotic mop from wherever you are.”

When your robot mop has smart features, you’re able to put it on a set cleaning schedule, start and stop it from your phone and even monitor when it needs maintenance. Additionally, some apps offer “smart mapping,” which means the robot will create a virtual map of your home. Once the map is complete, you’re able to create virtual barriers and no-go zones for your mop and even direct it to clean a specific spot on the floor.

Noise Level

One common complaint about robot vacuums is that they can be quite noisy during operation, so this is another factor to keep in mind as you shop. In general, robot mops are quieter, as they’re not using suction, but combo units can be quite loud and may interrupt your daily activities. (Of all the models I tested, the Braava Jet 240 was by far the quietest—you could easily watch TV or hold a conversation while it’s cleaning in the same room.)

“Some robotic vacuums are noisier than others, so keep that in mind if you want something quiet,” says Gurskyi. “Also, since robotic mops require more time to clean a space, you want something that fits your lifestyle in terms of noise.”

Maintenance

Most robot mops require some maintenance before and after use. Before you run the mop, you need to pick up power cords, toys and other items on the floor, as well as fill the water tank. “You have to make sure that you have your floors decluttered,” says Samson. “The robot will get confused if there are too many things on the floor. They also have small water tanks and need to be constantly refilled.”

After the robot has finished mopping, you may need to wash or change the pad, depending on whether you have a model with disposable or reusable mopping pads. If you have a model that vacuums, as well, you may also need to empty its dust bin, unless it has a self-emptying design.

My Expertise

I’ve been a professional product tester for more than seven years, and I’ve written for publications including Consumer Reports, The Spruce and Business Insider. I have firsthand experience testing a wide range of cleaning products, including robot vacuums, robot mops and regular mops. During the testing process, I also spoke with cleaning experts, including Jessica Samson (cleaning expert at Maids.com), Andrii Gurskyi (owner and operator of HomeClean) and Silva-Nash. Each of them provided insights on the benefits and limitations of robotic mops, how to use the cleaning devices effectively and what to look for when shopping.

Do Robotic Mops Actually Work?

It’s true that certain robot mops are more effective than others. In general, robot mops that have rotating cleaning heads and can be used with floor cleaners will do a better job of removing dirt and stains from your floors. Models that just use water, on the other hand, don’t do as thorough a job when cleaning and are better suited for everyday maintenance than cleaning tough messes.

Additionally, most robotic mops are best suited for everyday maintenance and small cleanup jobs—not big spills or messes. “Some downsides to cleaning with robotic mops is that they aren’t particularly effective at cleaning big messes,” says Samson. “You will still have to vacuum and mop big messes because if you just let the robotic mop clean it, it will likely just smear the mess around and do little to clean it up. ”

The best robot mops are adept at avoiding obstacles, such as area rugs.

Camryn Rabideau

Are Robot Mops Safe For Hardwood Floors?

You can use robot mops on virtually any type of sealed hard flooring, including hardwood, tile and laminate. Additionally, some models, such as the Bissell SpinWave or iRobot Braava Jet m6, can be used with a special cleaning solution specifically designed for hardwood.

Most manufacturers only recommend using specific brands of cleaning solution in their robot mops, so consult your user manual before pouring in your favorite floor cleaner. If you use a non-compatible cleaning solution, you may end up damaging your machine and voiding the warranty.

How Do You Clean A Robot Mop?

Like any cleaning tool, robot mops can get fairly dirty after repeated use, and there are several maintenance steps you can take to ensure your gadget continues working as intended. In addition to emptying the dust and/or water tanks, wash all reusable pads according to the manufacturer’s instructions or dispose of single-use pads. On most robot mops, the water reservoir doesn’t need to be emptied after each cleaning, but if you’re not planning to use the mop again for some time, it’s a good idea to empty the water tank and let it air dry to prevent any mold from forming.

If you purchase a model that doubles as a robot vacuum, you also need to check the brush roll and edge-cleaning brushes to ensure there’s no hair or other debris wrapped around them. You also want to periodically clean off the mop’s sensors and charging station by gently wiping away any dust or dirt.

The 7 Best Robot Mops of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Similar to their robot vacuum cousins, robot mops can make cleaning hard floors easy. If you can believe it, they can spray water and scrub your floors all by themselves. Many models are so hands-off, you can even set them to run in your absence so you can come home from a day of work or play to sparkling clean floors.

“It won’t be perfect, but they’re a huge convenience and can be a big help with household chores,” says Becky Rapinchuk, The Spruce’s Cleaning Review Board member and founder of Clean Mama. To get a feel for how these machines work, and to determine which ones are worth the investment, we’ve conducted multiple rounds of testing in The Lab, evaluating each robot’s setup time, maneuverability, effectiveness, noise level, and overall value. We’ve also sent top models home with testers to gauge their real-world performance and get more in-depth assessments of their performances.

While each robot mop that we recommend has proven itself to be efficient and effective, we’ve narrowed down our list into categories to help you choose what’s best for your household. Let’s take a look!

Amazon

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Our Ratings

Setup

4.8/5
Effectiveness

5/5
Noise Level

5/5
Maneuverability

5/5
Features

5/5

What We Like

What We Don’t Like

There are robot mops, and then there is the Ecovacs Deebot T9+. It earned such rave reviews during testing that it knocked our previous favorite from the top spot. With a near-perfect performance, the title is well-deserved. This machine is a combo vacuum and mop that handles hard flooring and carpet, and it works smoothly, efficiently, and without any fuss. If you’ve had other cleaning robots that needed to be regularly redirected, or that constantly bumped into things, you will be pleased to know that the T9+ was incredibly self-sufficient, even steering around a relaxed dog at one point (and the dog in question wasn’t fazed by it either).

It’s easy to set up, use, and schedule cleanings, and we came to count on it to clean twice daily. It also self-empties into its base after each cleaning session. Ecovacs predicts that you can go up to 60 days without emptying the internal 2.5-liter dust bag. We erred toward emptying it more regularly because pet fur can build up. There was one instance of a screw getting stuck in this robot, which affected its performance. While it is strong enough to lift a screw, it’s not designed to fully dispose of larger bits and pieces.

Another detail we appreciated was the mobile air freshener, which is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a mechanism that brings fragrance to your space. For the mopping feature specifically, the robot comes with disposable cloths, so you’ll want to plan ahead for replacements, which adds costs (and waste) to its usage. Still, we think there’s lots to like—even love—about this reliable robot mop and vacuum, and that users with hard flooring and carpet will appreciate its versatility.

Price at time of publish: $800

_{Type: Mop and vacuum | Battery Life: 180 minutes | Mapping: Yes | Filter Type: Cartridge | Smart Capabilities: Programmable schedule, object avoidance, flooring identification, 3D mapping, mobile fragrance}

Walmart

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Our Ratings

Setup

4/5
Effectiveness

4. 7/5
Features

4/5
Maneuverability

4/5
Noise Level

5/5

What We Like

What We Don’t Like

The Ecovacs Deebot N8+ Robot Vacuum and Mop blew us away in The Lab with its powerful vacuum and smart mop capabilities. The N8+ impressively mopped up coffee and syrup spills while only leaving a little residue behind. Besides its stellar cleaning abilities, the N8+ expertly navigated and maneuvered through our obstacle course of couches and tables, and it was careful to take in the perimeters of the room before beginning its clean. This kind of smart technology is what keeps baseboards and furniture safe from unnecessary robot mop bumps and run-ins. We love that this combo device also consistently recognized surfaces correctly and mopped only on non-carpeted areas.

In our lab test, it successfully avoided a sock, but it sucked up a USB cord. In the real world, it likely won’t avoid extra-small obstacles. We don’t consider this a huge downside because robot appliances with obstacle avoidance usually won’t detect cords. While the noise level of this robot vacuum and mop didn’t bother us during regular use, it was extremely loud when self-emptying. That means you likely wouldn’t want to run this machine if a baby or toddler was napping.

Once we moved this machine to a home setting for further testing, we found the app setup process to be very easy, too. A QR code leads users to the app for downloading, and there’s simple step-by-step guidance to begin mapping the home’s layout. The only major mopping drawback we found with the N8+ is that you can’t use your own cleaning solution in the water tank. Ecovacs recommends using only water to prevent clogging. Also, while many features of this vacuum-mop combo involve hands-free cleaning, you have to manually clean the scrub brushes after mopping. Still, these feel like small concessions for an otherwise impressive combo vacuum.

Price at time of publish: $650

_{Type: Mop and vacuum | Battery Life: 110 minutes | Mapping: Yes | Filter Type: Replaceable | Smart Capabilities: Auto-empty, avoids carpets in mopping mode, advanced laser navigation, smart charge and resume, customizable mapping and scheduling}

Amazon

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Our Ratings

Setup

5/5
Effectiveness

4.5/5
Noise Level

4.8/5
Maneuverability

4/5
Features

4/5

What We Like

Meticulous cleaning capabilities
D-shaped design reaches into corners
Quiet operation
Automatically changes mop pads

What We Don’t Like

The Bissell ReadyClean A3 Robotic Mop is just that what the name entails—a robotic mop and dry sweeper, without vacuuming capabilities. But if that’s what you’re looking for, it’s a robust model that performs well. Its detailed programming relieves the user of not only the act of mopping, but also some of the nitty gritty details of cleaning, too. One highlight in particular—this robot mop can automatically manage the changing of its mop pads and can swap them out when they’re dirty! Pretty great, right?

The setup process is smooth and simple, and the app is a cinch to use. All of the important functions are no more than two menu levels deep and are intuitive to find. Once the machine was running during testing, it not only impressed us with its cleaning capabilities, but quiet and smooth operation, too. We also found its unique D-shaped design to be an advantage, because it reaches spaces that can be tougher for traditional round machines.

After use, floors looked shiny, although sunlight revealed a few streaks. One small issue during testing—this robot didn’t make it over ledges that separated rooms. Still, if you’re seeking a robot mop and a robot mop only, you’ll find lots to appreciate in this option.

Price at time of publish: $313

_{Type: Mop | Battery Life: Not listed | Mapping: Yes | Filter Type: Not applicable | Smart Capabilities: Automatic mop change and mop pad lift, auto-resumes cleaning after replacements or charge, water level control}

Amazon

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Our Ratings

Setup

4.3/5
Effectiveness

5/5
Noise Level

4/5
Maneuverability

4.8/5
Features

4.5/5

What We Like

Effective, impressive mopping and vacuuming
Multiple self-directed functions
Versatile cleaning modes
Voice control

What We Don’t Like

To be a best splurge pick, a product needs to justify the high cost. In the case of the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, our testing confirmed that you’re getting a high-performing, smart appliance with lots of bells and whistles. We tasked it with regularly cleaning, light food messes, daily dust, and more, and it made a significant difference in our home setting, cutting back on the time we needed to spend on regular cleaning chores.

The S8 Pro Ultra has a variety of cleaning modes, from quiet and light settings to more powerful deep clean options, and it expertly handles hard flooring and carpet alike. Where this machine really excels, however, is with the number of self-directed features. Many maintenance tasks that other combo vacs require the users to perform manually are managed by the S8 Pro Ultra, including self-drying, self-emptying, self-refilling, self-cleaning, and even auto-mop washing. It’s as close as you can get to a hands-off cleaning experience. There’s even voice control, too.

As far as potential downsides, we did run into a few small hiccups with connecting it to our Wi-Fi, but once we made it through that step, the instructions proved to be clear and simple. We did find that the navigation wasn’t flawless, and it did bump into a glass table a few times. But if you have the budget for this machine, you’ll likely be very pleased with it.

Price at time of publish: $1,600

_{Type: Mop and vacuum | Battery Life: 180 minutes | Mapping: Yes | Filter Type: Washable E11 Air Filter | Smart Capabilities: Selective room cleaning, high precision mapping, obstacle recognition, voice control, app control, self-washing, self-drying, self-refilling}

Amazon

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Our Ratings

Setup

4/5
Effectiveness

5/5
Noise Level

4/5
Maneuverability

5/5
Features

4.8/5

What We Like

What We Don’t Like

While many of our picks are combo mop and vacuum robots, the Ecovacs T10 Omni is impressive enough for its own designation. We asked a lot of this machine during testing, regularly sending it to clean up after baby mealtime. It made quick work of food messes on the floor, handling spills like yogurt, oatmeal, and berries with ease (barring the largest of pieces that it’s clearly not designed for), and we estimate that took roughly 30 minutes of daily chores off our plate. Even if you don’t expect to ask this machine to clean up after a baby, we think you can make use of its high-level cleaning abilities.

The T10 Omni is intuitive to use and setup, though if you want to really optimize your usage and take advantage of the many features, it does take time for the machine to get accustomed to your space (and for users to get to know functionality in the app). Once you have it programmed to your liking, there’s just a bit of ongoing care and maintenance required, like checking the water level for the mop feature. Still, we think that is a more than fair tradeoff for the overall benefits. Additional features like voice prompts and self-emptying, while not unique to this model, are added bonuses. On the other hand, the self-empty feature is loud and disruptive—but that’s a regular issue with this type of vacuum.

One quirk we encountered was that the T10 Omni did have trouble moving from hard to soft flooring when the mop pads were attached. Ultimately, we worked around this by removing the pads when vacuuming is the priority (and running the machine twice when necessary). Now that we’ve gotten to know the T10 Omni, and it has learned our space, there’s not much we would change. It’s a pricier choice, but if you’re looking to invest in a mop vacuum, it’s certainly an excellent option.

Price at time of publish: $1,200

_{Type: Mop and vacuum | Battery Life: Up to 260 minutes, depending on mode | Mapping: Yes | Filter Type: Washable high efficiency filter | Smart Capabilities: Voice assistant, programmable schedule, object avoidance, flooring identification, front facing camera, heat dries in mop mode}

Amazon

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Our Ratings

Setup

4/5
Effectiveness

5/5
Noise Level

5/5
Maneuverability

4. 9/5
Features

5/5

What We Like

Managed a variety of messes, including dog hair, food scraps, grass, dirt, and mud
Quiet
Spot clean mode
Reusable mop pads
HEPA filter

What We Don’t Like

Because messes of food, fur, mud, and more aren’t uncommon for pet owners, we wanted to be sure to recommend a versatile robot mop that’s up for the challenge. Enter the Shark AI Ultra 2in1 Robot Vacuum & Mop, which wowed us during our home testing. It’s reliable and efficient, and we came to count on it for daily maintenance and touch ups. We especially loved the spot clean mode, which allows you to identify a 3-foot by 3-foot box using the app. Doing so allows the machine to focus just on cleaning that specific space. It’s ideal for high-traffic areas (like where your pet runs in from outside or next to the food bowl) and for spills and other areas that need extra attention.

We tried this vacuum in a home setting where a steam mop had been used, and we found the Shark AI Ultra’s results rivaled the steam mop’s, only with far less hands-on effort required. It also boasts other features that elevate the overall performance, including a HEPA filter for trapping even the smallest irritants and reusable mop pads, so you don’t create extra waste or find yourself spending more on replacements. Couple these thoughtful details with reliable, user-friendly programming, and scheduling abilities, and you have a top-notch machine. Of course, it’s not perfect—we prefer to see a self-empty feature with the mop setting, too. Plus, it didn’t get as close to corners as we would have liked—but it’s still impressive overall, and we give it two (and paws!) thumbs up.

Price at time of publish: $670

_{Type: Mop and vacuum | Battery Life: 120 minutes | Mapping: Yes | Filter Type: HEPA | Smart Capabilities: Programmable schedule, object avoidance, Matrix Clean Navigation, CleanEdge Technology, Sonic Mopping}

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Our Ratings

Setup

3.8/5
Effectiveness

5/5
Noise Level

5/5
Maneuverability

4.9/5
Features

4.5/5

The Narwal Freo is, by most definitions, an investment. But after testing this machine and seeing how precisely it navigates around obstacles, and how efficiently it mopped and vacuumed, we were sold. Not only does it easily handle small dust and debris, and pieces up to roughly half Cheerio-sized, but also it’s subtle while operating and is among the quietest robot vacuums we’ve tried. We were also pleased with how well its drying feature worked. Floors dried quickly after the machine was done. It worked inward from the perimeter of the room. And by the time it reached the middle, the outer edges were already dry.

As impressive as the Narwal Freo is, it’s worth noting that the setup process wasn’t entirely intuitive. Getting the robot to connect to the app wasn’t easy. We discovered the app has to be on all of the time during the setup. Once we worked through the issue and connected with customer service, the mapping and scheduling turned out to be smooth. Other potential hiccups for buyers might include the lack of self-empty (there’s a one-touch button process instead) and the ongoing cost of refill solutions. Still, we see these as minor issues compared to this machine’s overall impressive performance and effective features.

Price at time of publish: $1,300

_{Type: Mop and vacuum | Battery Life: 3.5 hours | Mapping: Yes | Filter Type: Cartridge | Smart Capabilities: Automatic mapping, DirtSense technology, low noise, smart dry, mop self-cleaning}

Final Verdict

Our top pick for best robot mop is the Ecovacs Deebot T9+ Robot Vacuum and Mop because it is a powerful machine that will clean up messes quickly. Plus, it’s easy to set up, operate, and empty. If you’re looking for a robot mop without a vacuuming feature, we suggest the Bissell ReadyClean A3 Robotic Mop. This basic robot mop uses a jet spray to target spills and leaves your floors spotless.

The Spruce / Henry Wortock

Ecovacs Deebot T10 Plus: There’s a lot to like about the Deebot T10+. At one point it was even in the running for one of our top categories. It performed well overall and has attractive features like smart mapping and a scrubbing mop head. Long-term testing showed us that its navigation and obstacle avoidance programming were prone to minor issues, like crumpled rugs and struggles with door thresholds. For the price point ($950 at time of publish), we think you can find a pick that performs more consistently.

Ilife A11 Robot Vacuum and Mop Combo: As one of the more budget-friendly combo robots available, we were optimistic about the Ilife A11. Unfortunately, it didn’t prove to be up to our standards as most other machines we tried. We had consistent, ongoing struggles with using the app (although the included remote was a solid substitute). The suction and cleaning weren’t strong. In fact, at one point, it made an orange juice spill into an even bigger mess. We were left feeling like we’d be better suited using a regular vacuum and manual mop.

Bissell SpinWave Wet and Dry Robotic Vacuum: We had high hopes for the Bissell robot vacuum-mop combo, but it didn’t live up to our expectations. Instead of mopping up our syrup spill, it simply spread it around in circles, making a bigger mess than the one we started with. It also didn’t do a great job in vacuum-only mode. The Bissell just pushed around most of the debris instead of actually sucking it up.

Eufy by Anker RoboVac G20 Hybrid: We tested several Eufy models, but the Eufy by Anker RoboVac G20 Hybrid left us scratching our heads. It says it’s capable of vacuuming and mopping, but it completely avoided the testing floor area with coffee and syrup spills. Instead, it went back and forth over the same spot. We noted that the mopping reservoir is also fairly small, and the vacuuming feature wasn’t super impressive, either.

The Spruce / Henry Wortock

We purchased and tested 30 robot vacuums and vacuum-mop hybrids in The Lab in Des Moines, Iowa, over two days. We unboxed and assembled each appliance and rated the ease of setup for each robot vacuum-mop hybrid model. Once setup was complete, we tested the effectiveness of its mopping features by spilling syrup and coffee on our testing floors, setting a two-minute timer, and letting the robot mop clean. After two minutes passed, we evaluated if any sticky residue was left behind.

As the robot vacuum-mop was operating, we used a decibel reader to assess the noise level of each. We also took note of any special features included, such as obstacle avoidance or smart mapping, that our home testers would further dive into in their long-term, at-home testing. Then we scored each model on maneuverability as the robot mops navigated their way through our living room obstacle course of couches and coffee tables.

If object avoidance was an advertised feature, we tested it by putting a USB cord, sock, and chocolate pudding on the floor, and then we took note of whether it successfully avoided those obstacles. In addition, we noted the ease of emptying each device’s dust bin and reservoir, as well as the overall value of the robot mop, based on the price, our experience, and its features.

Our home testers completed long-term tests on top picks and new releases, putting their smart features to the test in the real world. We have updated this list with their fresh and thorough insights and will continue to relay updates over three-month and six-month intervals.

The Spruce / Henry Wortock

Type

There are two basic types of robot mops. Mop-only robot mops perform one function: They mop your floors. If you already have a vacuum-only robot vacuum or don’t want a mop-vacuum combo, this may be your best option. If that’s what you need, consider the Bissell ReadyClean Wet/Dry Mopping Hard Floor Robot.

Mop-vacuum combos, also known as hybrid vacuums, both mop and vacuum. It can be quite convenient and save space to have one appliance that can mop your floors and also vacuum your floors and carpet. Typically, half of the appliance has vacuuming capabilities, and the other half is equipped with a mopping pad. One standout example of this dual functionality from our testing is our pick for best overall, the Ecovacs Deebot T9+. This combo model easily performed both functions, sweeping up hair and mopping spills while leaving minimal residue.

Battery Life

A long battery life is essential, especially if you have a large home. It’s time-consuming if your robot mop has to keep stopping to recharge (which can take hours). If you have a lot of hardwood or tile floors to clean, look for a robot mop that can run for at least two hours, if not more. Some models, such as the can run for over three hours, making them ideal for large homes. The Ecovacs Deebot T10 Omni has the longest runtime that we tested (up to 260 minutes, depending on the mode).

Multi-room Smart Mapping

Multi-room smart mapping helps you create a floor plan for each of your rooms. All of our robot mop and hybrid vacuum recommendations incorporate this technology. This mapping feature is important because it provides a consistently efficient blueprint for the robot. For instance, if your kitchen has laminate flooring, but your living room is fully carpeted, the robot mop knows to travel to your kitchen to begin its cleaning while avoiding the living room. If you choose a robot mop without this function, it may take longer to clean every room as it zigzags its way around the floor.

The Spruce / Henry Wortock

FAQ

Most robot mops only work with their brand-specific cleaning solutions. Many brands have their own formula or recommend a few specific ones that are compatible with the robot mop. Though it’s possible to use a DIY solution, doing so may mess with the internal hardware of the mop and may void its warranty.

One thing to note, regardless of the cleaning solution, is excess liquid during mopping cycles. “Robot mops need to be monitored and tend to get a little too much water on the floors,” says Becky Rapinchuk, The Spruce’s Cleaning Review Board member and founder of Clean Mama. “You might need to follow behind with a towel.”
Robot vacuums clean the same way regular vacuums do—with a series of brushes that lift dirt from the floor and suck it up into a dust bin or bag. Robot mops disperse a cleaning solution across the floor and scrub it off with attached pads or brushes. Both bots move using sensors that detect space, cliffs, and obstacles.
The best way to clean a robot mop is by following the manufacturer’s instructions, as many robots are made differently than others. But generally, you’ll empty the water or dust tank, rinse it out, and let it dry. You may also need to manually clean the bristle brushes and mopping pads with gentle soap and water.

The Spruce / Henry Wortock

This piece was written by Dena Ogden, commerce writer at The Spruce specializing in Technology, Appliances, Cleaning, and Organization. Ogden has firsthand testing experience, and currently uses an early Ecovacs Deebot vacuum model in her home (while coveting a vacuum and mop combo machine). She considered testing insights from The Lab and home testing settings to inform our selections.

Erin Johnson, a former commerce editor at The Spruce focusing on appliances, cleaning, and organization, also contributed to this piece. She has experience testing upright, cordless, handheld, and robot vacuums and mops, and has developed and led tests in The Lab. She spoke with Becky Rapinchuk, The Spruce’s Cleaning Review Board member and founder of Clean Mama, for more insight.

Here at The Spruce we want to ensure we fully stand behind every product we recommend, and that when we say something is the best, we mean it. You might have noticed The Spruce Approved badge next to the products on this list. Every product with this badge has been rigorously tested in person and carefully selected by our expert team of lab testers and editors. In most cases, we buy all these products ourselves, though occasionally we get samples provided to us directly by companies. No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut. We also pride ourselves on transparency and will always let you know if we received a product for free.

The 13 Best Vacuum Cleaners of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Mopping Vacuum Cleaner Eliminates Classical Mopping

When a vacuum cleaner first appeared on the market that could not only suck up debris from surfaces, but also clean them, many people started talking about the beginning of a new level in household cleaning. The washing vacuum cleaner, in its essence, was supposed to replace several cleaning cycles, make them easier, simpler and faster, and most importantly, improve quality. We can already judge how successful this has been, but it will not be possible to see a single-valued vector in this direction. There is an absolutely clear opinion that the washing vacuum cleaner fully justified the hopes placed on it and needs only some adjustments. But there is also an opinion that a washing vacuum cleaner is nothing more than another toy aimed at attracting a buyer who is interested in all sorts of new products.

As far as plausible, both opinions can only be learned experimentally, and not in the laboratory, but in real conditions. That is, you need to give a washing vacuum cleaner to ordinary people so that they use it for a certain time (week, month, year), and then share their impressions. It is not at all surprising that such an experiment has already been carried out, and more than once. The results obtained from this kind of monitoring did not shed too much light on the essence of the dilemma. However, they showed a number of details that developers should think about and which are already being implemented at full speed.

Washing vacuum cleaner and its advantages.

The most important advantage of any washing vacuum cleaner is the ability to carry out wet cleaning mechanically. It is also worth noting that such a device combines several functions at once, offering to abandon the purchase – 2-3 units in favor of one. The presence of such an assistant is simply a must in a family with children, with allergies and just with people who want to maintain a healthy microclimate around them. A washing vacuum cleaner can clean the carpet without using a lot of water and without taking it outside.

Another important positive factor and principle of aquafiltration, with this approach, even the smallest particles of dust do not get a chance to get back into the living space, they simply dissolve in water and are disposed of into the sewer.

The washing vacuum cleaner is versatile enough to be used on all surfaces. With the help of a special attachment, the washing vacuum cleaner can even clean windows and other vertical surfaces. Due to the special internal structure, the washing vacuum cleaner can pick up spilled liquid (except for combustible), any degree of pollution, etc.

Now about the disadvantages…

Like any other innovation, the washing vacuum cleaner has its drawbacks, which do not make it impossible to use, but may become a reason to refuse to buy. First of all, this unit is expensive, but there is nothing surprising, like any complex equipment, it cannot have a low price tag.

The second point concerns large dimensions, but there’s nothing to be done here – several modules need to be placed somewhere. Low maneuverability and the inability to wash under the cabinet, behind the sofa, etc. If you wish, you can find a couple more shortcomings, and all of them will indicate the need to work a little more engineering. You just need to reduce the size, increase the power and expand the functionality. Summing up and answering the reasoning set at the very beginning, let’s say that a washing vacuum cleaner cannot completely replace the usual washing of floors, but it strives for this and the desire is quite real. Already now there are vacuum cleaners with additional nozzles, with reduced dimensions and with a convenient waste liquid disposal system.

What are the best electric mops and floor dryers for cleaning, home cleaning and washing laminate flooring

Electric mops and floor dryers are much less popular than traditional vacuum cleaners in matters of home cleaning. But in some cases, they can not only compete with them in terms of their technical characteristics, but also provide a much better quality of cleaning, since their use effectively solves the issue of both dry and wet cleaning.
If you regularly clean parquet, laminate, linoleum or tile floors, we recommend that you pay attention to what the compact devices discussed in this review can do.
And if you have looked at them before, the article will help you better understand how to choose the right floor scrubber or electric mop for cleaning in an apartment or house, depending on your requirements and tasks.

This is exactly the technique in which the use of modern technology helps to reduce the time and effort spent on cleaning the house.
In the review, we will consider the features of choosing an electric mop or scrubber using the example of the best models for the Karcher home.

Option 1. Budget option for laminate, parquet and tiles

A good upgrade for cleaning areas up to 60 sq.m. without a vacuum cleaner, bucket and mop, the budget model of the Karcher electric mop will serve, suitable for cleaning all types of apartment floors, including laminate, parquet, tile and linoleum:

Karcher FC 5

How does this dry and wet vacuuming machine work?
The floor is cleaned by means of rotating microfiber brushes, which, when rotated, are constantly wetted with clean water or water with detergent, collect dirt from the floor, after which water with dirt and debris is sucked up by vacuum and collected in a tank. Everything happens in one pass, and in 2 minutes you get a clean and dry floor.

The capacity of the clean water tank and the dirty water tank is 400 ml. These tanks not only fit inside a compact case, but are also easily removed from it after cleaning.
The set includes a parking station in which the rollers are washed after each use of the electric mop.
In terms of wet cleaning, this device is similar to a washing vacuum cleaner – at the same time, it is compact, easily operated with one hand, suitable for frequent cleaning and easily washing even dry stains from the floor.
The limitation of this model, as well as of this entire class of equipment, is that it is not suitable for untreated wooden and cork floors, for carpets and does not know how to do dry cleaning.

Option 2. If there is no electricity: light cordless electric mop

This model of cordless electric mop, with the same cleaning area, weighs half as much as the first option and is well suited for allergy sufferers.

Karcher FC 3 Cordless

This cordless mop also replaces dry vacuuming and wet mopping, and effectively picks up dust, fine debris and animal hair from tiles, parquet, laminate and linoleum.
The features of this device include the need for intermediate washing of the rollers when cleaning large areas, since they can begin to leave stains.

Option 3 Premium Cordless Mop for Intensive Cleaning

For more intensive cleaning use a cordless mop with larger water tanks and spare rollers:

Karcher FC 5 Cordless Premium

This model is suitable for all types of apartment floors and is also suitable for allergy sufferers.

Option 4. For stone and tile floors

Special consideration is required if you need to clean large areas of tile or stone floors regularly.
This option is well suited for cleaning in a store, hotel, country house and even a restaurant, and due to its compact size and neat work, it will not create inconvenience for people nearby.

Karcher BR 4.300

This compact and manoeuvrable Kärcher floor scrubber can clean floors in a house at a speed of 200 m2. at one o’clock.
It has a large 4-liter tank for clean and dirty water, and its brushes rotate at a speed of 1450 rpm, and their pressing force is 10 times greater than in conventional cleaning, so it effectively removes difficult dirt.

We hope that now that you have learned what types of electric mops are and what indicators are best to consider when choosing, it will be easier for you to decide when choosing an electric mop or scrubber dryer.