The best robot vacuum and mop for dog hair 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 getting 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 has rounded up the top models to deal with pet hair.

1. Battery life

The size of your house and the amount of pets you have are important considerations when you're looking for a robotic mop and vacuum. The bigger your home, the more power you'll require for a robot vacuum and more pets typically bring more hair. It's also important to think about the flooring type in your home, as certain models are better suited for cleaning hard floors.

A robotic vacuum and mop will be able clean pet hair off any floor surface including tile, hardwood and carpet. If you have multiple pets, you may need a model that's especially efficient in removing hair. Most robot cleaners use suction to clean up dirt and debris, however some models have an additional water feature that assists with sticky spills and stains. The water used in these units can also disinfect the floors.

Robotic mop mops that vacuum and mop also have longer battery lives. This is because you're utilizing two features together, reducing the time that the device has to charge and shut off. Some models even empty themselves into the charging station at the end of each run drying the pads as they do so. This stops bacteria from forming on wet pads.

Ecovacs Deebot X2 is the best robot mop and vacuum to keep up with pet hairs and footprints. This model is a top performer in our tests and boasts plenty of smarts that include TrueMapping 2.0 and TrueDetect 3D technology to map your home's ideal cleaning patterns and avoid hitting furniture or other obstacles. It has a base that houses the clean and dirty tanks in one place, making maintenance easy.

2. App control

Many robot vacuums and mop sets have an app that allows you to save maps of your house and set up cleaning schedules, and keep track of maintenance requirements. Certain robots can be controlled remotely. However, this isn't a requirement and you can still find models with the power button on the base station or charging dock or a remote that comes included.

In general, look for a model that has a clean up mode that vacuums, mops or performs both and doesn't require you to push an individual button to turn it off. This way you can take the robot back to its dock to empty its dirt bin, change the pad that is wet, wash a mop cloth or refill its water tank. Also, you should check if the robot is compatible with your voice-activated assistant. This means that you can make simple commands such as "OK Google" and "OK Alexa" in order to begin a cleaning session, ask for assistance with a problem or more.

Before choosing a robot cleaner, consider how much time it will take you to maintain the machine and how much traffic is on your floors. If you have furniture with a low density or a lot of space you might want to choose a robot that is smaller in capacity for mopping and vacuuming. It is also important to be aware that certain mopping robots can be expensive and require ongoing expenses. They are usually expensive to purchase and you'll require new pads or cloths. Don't forget to consider the cost of the cleaning product it self, since certain brands suggest you purchase an additional cleaning solution to keep your floors looking clean.

3. Carpet Recognition

The most effective robot vacuum and mop combos can distinguish between carpet and hard surfaces making sure they don't or scrub over stains or spills. They can also identify areas that have more than one type of flooring and plan cleaning schedules automatically based on the layout of your home. You'll have to install a separate app on your smartphone to manage these features, however they're generally quite simple to use.

Some hybrid models do not use any liquid. These machines usually empty into a bag that is stored inside the base. Certain robots come with a feature that allows you to empty the contents of the robot into the trashcan.

Some robots can be used on wet and dry floors, such as hardwood or tile. The best robot vacuums and mop sets for pet hair can be used on both types of surfaces. This is why they are a great choice for homes with a mix of flooring.

Think about the size of your house and the amount of foot traffic before selecting a robot mop and vacuum. If you have children or pets you'll require a model that has enough power and battery to keep up with the regular cleaning of your floors.

The best two-in-1 robots have superior capabilities that make them worth the cost. For instance, the Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni can vacuum and mop in one sweep with suction of 8,000-Pa and dual mop heads that rotate. It can also identify and scan your furniture and other objects to keep them out of the way during cleaning, and it can even communicate with you using two-way audio. It also takes care of its own dirt and automatically goes back to its dock when it's ready for washing.

4. Water tank capacity

Robot vacuums take dirt off the floor and deposit it in a dustbin or bag. Robots spread cleaning solution on the floor, then scrubs off dirt using pads. Some models combine both functions and others have distinct capabilities for different surfaces. To ensure you get the best kind of cleaning for your home, take note of your floors' surface types and how much foot traffic they get.

The majority of robot vacuum and mop combos need an ingredient for cleaning that will vary between brands. While it's possible to purchase third-party cleaners for these machines, it's best to stick with the brand suggested by the manufacturer. This will help avoid 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 frequently. Most vacuums come with an indicator that tells you when it's time to get a new bag. You'll also need to replace filters, rollers and side sweepers from time to the time to ensure optimal performance.

A self-emptying robot could make this process simpler, allowing you to simply dump the contents of your dust bin into a trash container or recycling bin. However, most of these devices do not automatically wash and robotvacuummops dry their mopping pads and cloths that can cause bacterial growth and mildew. If your machine does not have this feature, make sure to remove and wash the pad after each use, or place it on a flat surface to dry between runs.

This feature is available on the iRobot Combo i5+ as well as the Shark Matrix Plus 2 in 1 and the Eureka E10S. The budget-friendly iLife V5s Pro focuses on simplicity by removing this function.

5. Mop mode

The iRobot Roomba J7 is the most effective robot vacuum and mop combination to clean your floors while you're not there. It's not expensive but its AI obstacle-avoidance technology is among the best available in the market. It can vacuum up Cheerios or spot poop and even navigate the tangled mess that phone and socks cables often leave on your floor. This makes it an excellent option for homes with pets or children and want to keep their floors tidy.

It's one of the few robots that we tested that could mop hardwood, tile, and Linoleum. It was successful in cleaning sticky spills, messes, and pet hair off carpets.

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

If you prefer a 2-in-1 that is more traditional, look into the Ecovacs T10 Plus. It has excellent suction power that is able to clean pet hair on carpets and also a self-emptying dustbin. It also comes with scented air filter pods that let you choose your favorite scent. It has a lower life battery than the best models that we reviewed and must be recharged regularly.