A Trip Back In Time: How People Talked About Robots That Vacuum And Mop 20 Years Ago

Robots That Vacuum and Mop

Robots that vacuum and mop provide the convenience of cleaning dry debris (dust, dirt) and wet mess (spills and staining) in one go without the need to switch out devices. They also can save space compared to two separate units, especially in smaller living spaces.

A good combination bot will provide excellent navigation and obstacle avoidance. Look for models with docks that allow them to automatically empty their bins, refill their water tanks and machine-wash the mopping pads.

1. Eufy S1 Pro

It's among the easiest robots to set up that we've ever tested. Unpacking the S1 Pro is simple, and the quick-start guide will get you up and running with a clean and complete dust bag, floor solution for hard floors and water tank in a matter of minutes.

The S1 Pro is a powerful little machine that mops up a storm and is a great vacuum cleaner too. The mops spin at fast speeds and apply 2.2 pounds (1kg) of force, making short work of pet hair, dirt, and dried sticky spills. The vacuum cleaner comes with four power settings, a range of brushes and attachments as well as an intuitive app which lets you select the type of cleaning you'd like to do for each room.

You can, for example ask the robot to clean the kitchen and the living room thoroughly, but leave the bedroom in its own space. The S1 Pro's front collision sensors and its smart navigation technology are excellent too and the robot is capable of detecting small obstacles that other models have difficulty overcoming. Its only minor issue is that it tends to hit objects and walls at a high speed, but an instant glance at the cleaning history in the app tells you exactly what it's doing as well as where it's heading and the obstacles it's avoided.

A handy LCD screen on the docking station shows you when maintenance jobs are required including emptying the debris tray and rinsing its dirty water tank. It's also able to mix detergent automatically into the water tank using a 600ml bottle of the eufy's solution.

Both the S1 Pro mop and vacuum have a long running time. The mop can operate for 184 mins in Quiet Mode. The vacuum can last for 136 minutes in standard mode, before needing recharging or returning to the base. The app is easy to use and intuitive that lets you view every aspect of the cleaning.

2. Roborock S8 Pro Ultra

The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is the latest version of the company's most popular robot vacuum and mop. It's not like the model from last year it comes with a double agitator in its mopping pad, which significantly enhances its carpet cleaning abilities. The S8 Pro Ultra also has an improved suction capacity, allowing it to pick up small hairs and other debris that other robotic cleaners might overlook.

As with the other two Roborock models I've tested, this one has reactive 3D obstacle avoidance and infrared technology to can help to avoid furniture, walls and other obstacles. But the S8 Pro Ultra takes things one step further by adding a dual camera which can recognize objects and determine whether they're an object that is a wall or a different surface. It then can automatically alter its path and clean around the objects without a pause.

This is the most expensive of the three models I've reviewed, however, it's also the most loaded with features. Its sleek, angular style is striking and has only three physical buttons: the power button, which also resumes cleaning; a mop-only button that doubles as a child lock; and a home button that can return the robot to its dock. The hinged lid opens to reveal a 350ml dustbin and 200ml water tank. The water tank automatically emptys and the bin automatically refills.

The only issue I encountered to this model was that the VibraRise mop pads mount isn't movable. You can replace the mopping cloth when required, but it's a challenge to remove the mount for manual washing. I've found that any plush carpet the robot crosses will be in contact with the Velcro-like fastener system on the mount, and can cause scratches.

The S8 Pro Ultra is equipped with a variety of smart features including support for Google Home and Amazon Alexa. The Roborock app lets you manage and configure these smart features. It also has maps and advanced mopping options. The app also allows you to schedule cleanings and monitor the life of batteries and maintenance on components. You'll need to jump through a series of steps to activate voice control on this model.  best robot vacuum cleaner 's a shame, considering the performance otherwise.

3. Dreame X40

The Dreame X40 is an industry-leading robot vacuum and mop equipped with incredible suction power, sophisticated mowing capabilities, and ingenuity features. Its intelligent design allows you to personalize and efficiently clean while reducing time.

The X40 is the first robot vacuum cleaner that can deliver 12,000 Pascals of cleaning power, which easily makes it one of the best options available. This powerful vacuum can clean up dry debris, including pet hair and food particles. It also comes with a top-quality mop that leaves hard floors spotlessly clean, even without a wet pad. The X40 is also very quiet while in use, with only occasional bursts during mode changes or self-maintenance.

Another standout feature is the X40's extendable and liftable side brush that allows it to reach hard-to-reach corners and intimately clean furniture such as table and chairs' legs. The robot is also able to reach under furniture that is low-profile which makes it an ideal option for apartments with small spaces or condos. The side brush automatically tilts down when it detects wet spots. This is a wonderful feature that helps the X40 to avoid causing damage to floors through excessive back-and forth movements.

Unlike other robots, which are limited to one task, the X40 can mop and vacuum at the same time. It can also be programmed to eliminate areas that have carpet and only mop hard floors or reverse the process. It can be controlled using the Dreame App or Alexa, Siri, or Google Home to ensure smooth voice-controlled operation.

The app is easy to use and understand, and the X40 has many smart features that are easy to install. Users can program the X40 for cleaning at specific times. It is also possible to alter suction power, alter modes, view maps and floor plans, and control mopping settings. The X40 will also keep track of its progress, and alert you when it's done.

The X40 is easy to maintain and has many features that make it an excellent choice for busy families. The docking station can automatically empty the dustbin and wash the mop pads, then refill them with cleaning solution and fresh water. It also can detect the moment when the mop pad is at its capacity to the max and notify you of the situation before it spills.

4. L20 Ultra

The L20 Ultra is a high-end robot that is among the most expensive models available however, it comes with many extra features that set it apart. The mops come with a brand new feature called Smart DuoScrub. This utilizes two mops that are high-speed to clean floors more thoroughly than the traditional method, and it has a high maximum suction power of 7,000Pa. This is more than the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra and Ecovacs Deebots T20 Omni. It can also vacuum up pet hair, small dirt particles and remove spills and dirt-stained spots.

The mop is cleaned and dried at the base station each time they are used. This is a fantastic feature since it prevents the growth of odours and mould in the storage area, and it also makes mop systems more efficient. This is an option we haven't seen in other robot vacuum and mop models. It could be a great way to keep your home cleaner longer.

There are a lot of options, including the ability to schedule cleanings and change preferences. These can be set via the app or buttons on the unit itself. The app is easy to use and has a lot of options to customize the cleaning routine. Additionally, there are many functions that other robots don't include, such as the Clean Genius mode that automatically boosts suction power when it detects dust particles, rather than using a manual setting.

The L20 Ultra is also one of the most fashionable robots we've seen in the market, sporting metallic and white colors that is elegant and stylish. It's a bit heavier than the other two-in-one robots on this list - at around 4kg - but it's not obscenely heavy either, and it is sturdy and well-built. Mopping is also well-designed and the double-rotating mops work well on hard floors and in corners. They can also reach down to 2mm baseboards thanks to the MopExtend feature, which is a nice touch.