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 can get to messes that you cannot see by slipping under furniture and into corners.

Jodhaira Rodriguez has tested dozens of floor-cleaning tools in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab that included a wide range of mop and robot vacuum combinations. She's compiled her top picks for the top models for pet hair.

1. Battery life

The size of your home and the number of pets you own are crucial considerations when shopping for a robot vacuum and mop combo. The larger your home the more power you'll need for a robot vacuum and having more pets will typically bring more hair. The kind of flooring within your home are 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 floor surface including tile, hardwood and carpet. If you have pets, you may want an item that is particularly effective in removing hair. Most robot cleaners employ suction to remove dirt and debris. However, certain models include a water feature that can help with sticky spills and stains. These units also disinfect floors using water.

Robotic mop vacuums as well as mop come with longer battery life. This is because you're utilizing two features together, reducing the time that the device needs to be charged and shut off. Some models can automatically empty themselves from their charging station after each run, and dry the pads in the process, stopping bacteria from growing in wet pads.

Ecovacs Deebot X2 is a top robot mop and vacuum combination to keep up with pet hairs and prints from paws. The model was very good in our tests. It is equipped with a range of smarts like TrueMapping and TrueDetect 3D technologies to map your home and prevent bumps against furniture or other obstacles. It also comes with an all-in-one base that houses both clean and dirty water tanks, allowing an easy task of maintaining them.

2. App control

Many robot vacuums and mop sets come with an app which lets you save your house's maps and set up cleaning schedules, and keep track of maintenance requirements. Some allow you to control the robot remotely. However, this isn't a requirement and you can still find models that have an on-board power button that is located on the base station, or a charging docks, or even an included remote.

Look for models that come with cleaning modes, which can mop, vacuum or both, and does not require you to press a manual switch to turn it off. This will allow you to return the robot to its dock to empty its dirt bin, change a wet pad, wash a mop cloth or fill its water tank. It's also good to see if the model is compatible with your voice assistant so you can use a single command like "OK Google" or "OK Alexa" to initiate cleaning or request assistance for an issue and much more.

Before choosing a robot cleaner think about how long it will take to maintain the machine, and how many people are using your floors. For instance, if you have furniture that isn't as large or big floor plan, you may choose a model with smaller mop and vacuum capacity. It is also important to keep in mind that some mopping robots come with recurring expenses since they can be costly to purchase. Then you'll have to purchase mop pads or mop cloths, on top of the occasional need for new filters rollers, side sweeping brushes and other components that may be recommended for regular maintenance. Make sure to think about the cost of the cleaning solution in the first place, as certain brands might suggest purchasing an additional cleaning agent to keep your floors looking tidy.

3. Carpet recognition

The most effective robot vacuums and mop combinations can tell the differences between hard and carpets. This means they won't sweep over spills or stains. They can also recognize areas with multiple types of flooring and automate cleaning based on the arrangement of your home. These functions are generally easy to use however, you'll need to install an additional app on your phone.

Some hybrid models don't use any liquid. These robots usually empty into a bag of dust that is stored inside the base station. Some robots come with a feature that allows you to dispose of the contents of the robot into a trashcan.

Certain robots come with a variety of mopping settings, while others are only suitable for dry floors like tile or hardwood. The most effective robot vacuum and mop combinations for pet hair are designed to work on both kinds of flooring which makes them a great choice if you have different flooring options within your home.

Consider the size of your home and the amount of foot traffic before choosing a robot mop and vacuum. You'll want to select a model with enough power and battery capacity to handle regular cleaning of your floors, particularly when you have children or pets.

The best robot vacuum mop pet hair two-in-one robots come with top features that make them well worth the cost. Ecovacs' Deebot Omni, for instance is able to mop and vacuum with suction of 8,000-Pa, and also has a dual-rotating mop head. It can also identify and scan your furniture and other objects to keep them out of the way when cleaning. Additionally, it can even communicate with you via two-way audio. It also takes care of its own dirtying, so it automatically heads back to its dock when it's time to take cleaning.

4. Water tank capacity

Robot vacuums take dirt off the floor and deposit it in a trash bin or bag. Robot mops spread cleaning solution on the floor and scrubs off the dirt with pads. Some models combine both functions while others have special capabilities to tackle different surfaces. Take note of the flooring type and foot traffic within your home to ensure that you get the best robot vacuum and mop combo for pet hair clean.

The cleaning formula used by most mop and robot vacuums will vary from brand to brand. While it's possible to purchase third-party cleaners for these machines however, it's recommended to stick to the brand recommended by your manufacturer. This will ensure that there is no damage and keep your robot performing as well as it can.

If your robot vacuum mop for pet hair and mop combo has a dust bin, you'll need to empty it periodically. The majority of vacuums have an indicator that informs you when it's time to buy an upgrade to a bag. You'll also need to change the filters, rollers, and side brush sweeping from time the time to ensure the best robot vacuum for pet hair self emptying performance.

A self-emptying robot can make this process a lot simpler, allowing you to simply dump the contents of the dustbin into a trash bin or recycling bin. However, many of these machines do not automatically wash and dry their mopping pads or rags that can cause mildew and bacterial growth. If your machine does not come with this feature, take off the pad and wash it following each use. You can also lay it flat to dry between runs if you do not 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. Contrastingly, the budget-friendly iLife V5s Pro focuses on simplicity by removing this function.

5. Mop mode

If you're looking for a robotic mop and vacuum combo that can clean your floors even when you're not there the best robot vacuum for pet hair self-emptying option is the iRobot Roomba j7. It's not cheap but its AI obstacle-avoidance system is among the top available in the marketplace. It can detect poop, vacuum up Cheerios and even navigate the mess of socks and phone cords that tend to build up on your flooring. This makes it a good option for homes with children and pets who love to keep the floor clear of clutter.

It's also among the few robots we tested that could clean hard floors, such as tiles, hardwood and linoleum. It was successful in cleaning sticky spills, messes, and pet hair off carpets.

The only downside is that it's not a two-in-one robot, and it could take up to 6.5 hours to fully charge. It also requires manual emptying of the dust bin, unlike the majority of robots that automatically empty into the dust bag at the base station. This can be a hassle in large homes with high ceilings and stairs.

If you're looking for a two-in-one that is more traditional, then go for the Ecovacs T10 Plus. It has excellent suction power that is able to clean pet hair from carpets, as well as an automatic emptying dust bin. It also has scented air filter pods, allowing you to choose your favorite scent. It's a less long-lasting battery than the top models that we reviewed and needs to be recharged regularly.