Once just a fantasy inspired by Jetsons, robot vacuum cleaners have become an affordable reality – so much so that Roomba manufacturer iRobot claimed in 2016 that 20 percent of the world’s vacuum cleaners were robots. But vacuuming – be it automated, robotic, or the more rudimentary and ever-ubiquitous handheld vacuums – is only half the battle when it comes to cleaning your floors: If you want them to really sparkle, you need to mop too.
Best Robot Jokes: A Shopping Guide
I love my Roomba, but I was still skeptical about robotic mops when I first heard about them. But after testing one of iRobot’s Braava mops, I immediately wanted one for myself. Like robotic vacuum cleaners, they are not a complete replacement for the old-fashioned methods. But they make for a great companion, so you can work longer in between manual scrubbing in those tough areas. If you want to upgrade your own mopping situation, pay attention to these important features.
Battery life
At the very least, the size of a robotic mop’s battery determines how large an area it can clean at one time – models with smaller batteries may only be suitable for small apartments or specific areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. If you have an entire house with hardwood floors, you need a mop that will last longer.
Settings for cleaning the robot mop
Most robotic mops offer a choice between dry sweeping and wet mopping, with a special cleaning cloth for each. Ideally, however, you would also want a mop that lets you adjust how much it sprays and how deep it cleans, so you get the right balance of speed and thoroughness (without leaving wet streaks on your floor).
Robot vacuum cleaner and mop hybrids
Some robotic mops stick to dry sweeping and mopping, while a few “hybrid” models have vacuum and mopping functions built into one unit. If you don’t already have a robot vacuum, these can be tempting.
Wi-Fi, smart functions and navigation
Finally, while some mops rely on their built-in navigation to avoid obstacles, others can map out your entire home and remember it for future cleanings, allowing you to pick out specific rooms or set virtual boundaries. Models with Wi-Fi also support voice assistants such as Alexa and Google Home, which is quite useful.
The best robotic mops
If you’re considering a new robotic mop, here are some of the top models at different price ranges.
Best Overall Robot Mop: iRobot
1.iRobot Braava Jet m6
Braava may not be a household name like Roomba, but the two are cut from the same material: iRobot, the makers of Roomba, have branded their robotic mops with the Braava name to keep the two product lines clear, and Braavas are performing as well as their Roomba cousins . The Braava Jet m6 is iRobot’s premium mop, with a specialized cleaning solution, solid battery life for whole-home coverage, lots of settings and even the ability to work with select Roomba models – so when your Roomba is done vacuuming , Braava starts mopping. It can perform both dry and wet mopping, map your home and integrate with voice assistants such as Alexa.
Best robot vacuum cleaner and mop combo: Ecovacs
2. Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI
If you don’t already have a robot vacuum cleaner, you might save some space and get a model that can both vacuum and mop. There are quite a few of these hybrid models out there, but the Ecovacs Deebot Ozmo T8 AIVI is one of the better options, with the ability to detect (and remember) obstacles, map your home, and even track your home. guard with his camera. Unlike the Braava Jet m6, it uses water instead of cleaning solution, but it still reduces the time you spend mopping, which is its main purpose. There is even a version with an emptying station, so you don’t have to empty the vacuum chamber every time you clean.
Best Affordable Robot Mop: Braava
3. Braava Jet 240
If you’re on a tighter budget, Braava’s Jet 240 is an affordable alternative to more expensive options. The battery life is shorter than with more expensive models, so ideal for apartments and other smaller spaces. It’s not Wi-Fi enabled, but you can set virtual boundaries by pressing and holding the Clean button, which is very useful if you want to avoid certain areas or corners. If the Jet 240 doesn’t have enough battery life, you can grab the slightly less advanced but more durable Braava 380t.
Best Deep Cleaning Robot Mop: iLife
4. iLife Shinebot W400s
While the options above wipe your floor well, the iLife Shinebot W400 focuses its energy on scrubbing your floors deeper thanks to the rotating brush and squeegee. It even has a separate recovery tank so you can see exactly how much debris it has picked up – although it still only uses tap water and lacks some of the advanced Wi-Fi and map features found in more expensive jokes. In fact, it won’t even dock itself – you’ll have to pick up the fairly large unit and put it back on the base. But if you’re primarily concerned about scrubbing power, the W400 might be worth those sacrifices.
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