Save some time and let a robot handle the grime.
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While scrubbing hardwood and tile floors with a traditional mop or steam mop is a reliable way to make them sparkle, this kind of cleaning can become a real chore to tackle on a regular basis. A robot mop can help you keep up with keeping the floors spot-free while saving you time and energy. Just like our favorite robot vacuums, the best robot mops will spruce up your floors in between deep cleanings, allowing you to go longer between manual mopping sessions. They have the added benefit of removing crumbs and dust from the floor on a regular basis, which is a lifesaver if you live with kids or pets.
We've tested many models from iRobot, including the j7+ Roomba Combo vacuum and mop and an earlier version of this mopping model, and they have always performed well in our Lab tests.
Its square design helps the Braava reach deep into corners and mop along baseboards. Because it can be used with warm water, it can more easily loosen dirt and stains, leaving floors cleaner. When the battery needs charging or the water tank needs refilling, the Braava returns to its charging dock and then resumes cleaning once it is ready to go out again. It can clean up to 1,000 square feet on a single charge. Afterward, removing the mopping pads is easy.
Note that this robot can't also vacuum your floors, but if you already own an S, J, I or 900 series Roomba, you can connect it to this Braava to automatically mop floors when the Roomba finishes vacuuming. If you want to keep it simple, you can make use of this model's sweeping ability instead. Disposable electrostatic pads allow it to clean up dry debris before it mops. When the sweeping pads are installed, the M6 will not dispense any water onto your floors.
If you have a lot of square footage to cover, you'll need a model that has a long runtime. When we tested the T20+ in our Lab, we found that it ran for over 3 hours without needing to be charged.
Its LiDAR navigation system can save up to three maps. It's self-emptying with a 3.5 L dust bag capacity designed to hold 60 days of dirt and debris. While its internal water tank capacity is just 340 mL, that doesn't affect its mopping performance. In our tests, the T20+ covered our floors multiple times and was able to navigate around objects and along edges. Unlike some fancier models, this unit isn't able to raise the mopping pad when it detects carpet. Also note that the brand recommends you remove the mopping pads when vacuuming hardwood floors to help avoid water damage.
When it came to dry cleaning, its wide brush did a great job of cleaning bare floors, and it excelled at picking up pet hair on carpet. However, we did find that the robot struggled to remove heavier hard debris from carpet. Despite this, we like that the robot has a HEPA filter and that it automatically returns to the charging base when its battery is low. You can control it via a remote, voice assistant or app where you can set cleaning schedules, modes and suction levels as well as set no-go zones and virtual walls.
Many robot mops use reusable mopping pads, and some even wash and dry the pads after the robot returns to the base. The Noesis Florio is unique in that it uses disposable pads, and it changes the pad automatically at the end of each cleaning session.
The Florio is a vacuum and mop combo, and it navigated our two-room obstacle course faster than many of the other units we've tested. The vacuum did a great job priming the floors for mopping, removing an average of 96% of dirt in our bare floor tests. You can set it to vacuum and mop at the same time, or perform them separately. During our tests, we did notice that the Florio occasionally leaves droplets of water behind as it mops, so be mindful not to walk behind it unless you like wet socks.
This model discards its mopping pads, so you don't need to worry about washing them manually. The dirty pads are dropped into a waste drawer at the end of their lifespan, and you can control exactly how often it changes the pad with the app. The base automatically empties the robot's dustbin into a larger bag that only needs to be replaced every few weeks, and it refills the water tank in the robot from a larger reservoir too.
If you find yourself constantly mopping your floors and picking up pet hair, consider Dreame's L10S Ultra robot vacuum and mop. This model is a more feature-packed version of the L10 we previously included in this guide, and it was just as impressive as the original in our Lab tests. Up against 10 of its self-emptying counterparts, it earned the second-highest overall maneuverability score.
While some robot mops only use water, the L10s has a separate port for its cleaning solution. It conveniently stores the bottle inside the charging base where it automatically dispenses the right amount onto the mopping pads before each cleaning task. With this robot, we saw a noticeable lightening of sticky stains after just one pass, which did not occur with many other models we tested. The base automatically empties the bin and begins washing and drying the pads as soon as a cleaning task ends.
When the robot sensed a carpet, it quickly raised the mopping pad enough to avoid wetting it. Once on the carpet, it left them almost completely pet-hair-free. After self-emptying, no pet hair was left behind in the dustbin or clogging the brush roll. During our ease-of-use tests, it received top marks for its user-friendly app, which allows users to schedule cleaning tasks, adjust water and suction levels and even view a live feed from the robot's onboard camera as it cleans.
When we tested this unit for our Best Cleaning and Organizing Awards, Ecovacs' T9+ had the best mopping performance of the six models we tested. Sticky chocolate syrup, lipstick and dry jelly stains were completely removed from our test floors after just one pass.
The vibrating mechanism it uses to scrub floors is incredibly strong causing the whole robot to shake as it made its way through our obstacle course. Still, its vacuuming power isn't compromised. Though it struggled a bit with the debris we sprinkled into tight corners, it left the rest of our test floors almost totally debris-free. Small obstacles like a pair of shoes and a small toy meant to mimic dog poop were avoided entirely by the T9+ too. If you also want this robot to clean carpets and rugs at home, you'll have to remove the mopping pads as it will avoid carpets while they are installed.
Like most other app-connected robot mops, you can control the suction power and amount of water dispensed onto the mopping pads via the app and schedule cleanings for a later time. The map this model created of our obstacle course was one of the most accurate.
From the app, you can view, edit and label areas, plus see the furniture in your home in 2D or 3D. It needed just under 8 minutes to clean up our obstacle course, so we think this is a great model for small homes as it can complete a small cleaning task much faster than any of the other models we tested. The charging base's small footprint also makes it especially space-efficient, and it can still hold up to 60 days' worth of debris. This was also the first model we've tested to include an air freshener pod you can install into the robot to release a pleasant, light scent as it makes its way through your home.
We tested the X1 Omni from Ecovacs at home for over a year and continue to be impressed by its performance. It has cleaned under couches, beds and dining room table legs without getting stuck even once.
We noted a few instances when the robot went around small pieces of debris instead of picking them up, but these were infrequent and could be remedied by setting the robot to make a second pass for deeper cleaning of our test floors. In a home with hardwood floors throughout the living room and bedrooms, it mopped well without leaving the floors too wet or leaving any streaks behind. Tiled kitchen floors were a little trickier. Some water spots remained even after a second deep cleaning pass.
Its charging base doubles as a clean water reservoir and extra-large dust bin, plus it automatically washes the mopping pads when the robot finishes cleaning. Unlike other robot mops, you don’t need to own an Amazon or Google Assistant device to use voice commands. Just saying “OK, Yiko,” wakes up the X1 Omni, though sometimes it responds when we aren’t talking to it.
The Omni talks to you as it’s cleaning too, letting you know when the mopping pads need to be cleaned and alerting you when it is finished. Through the app, you can control the suction power, the amount of water dispensed to the mopping pads, whether you want the robot to make one cleaning pass or two and set no-go zones and schedules for cleaning.
We previously recommended Roborock's S7 Max Ultra, which is an earlier version of the S8 MaxV Ultra. While we are still testing this model, we are impressed with its performance so far. It is a self-emptying robot vacuum and mop that cleans floors with sonic vibration technology. In our tests, it wowed us with its extending side brush and rotating side mop, which allowed the robot to clean in tight corners and against the walls. It automatically lifts its mop pads by 20 millimeters when it senses carpets, and it adjusts the suction and mopping intensity according to the room it’s cleaning. No need to label rooms in the app either — the S8 can identify what room it is based on the furniture it observes while mapping.
Two tanks sit on top of the charging base: one for clean water and another for dirty water. Inside the base, there is a bag for dry debris and another small tank for holding cleaning solution. It automatically refills the robot with fresh water and cleaning solution, washes the mopping cloth and holds multiple sessions’ worth of debris, making the cleaning process even more hands-free. If you don't want to fill and empty water tanks, Roborock also offers a variant of the MaxV Ultra which swaps out the water tanks on top for direct connections to your water line and drainage systems.
If you are looking for a more affordable robot with a smaller footprint, you could consider the Roborock Q Revo. The base of the Q Revo has all of the same self-emptying and refilling abilities of the S8 MaxV Ultra, but it is more self-contained. Rather than using a large, broad mopping pad, the Q Revo makes use of dual spinning pads. Whether you choose the the MaxV Ultra or Q Revo, you can use the Roborock app to adjust the suction, choose different cleaning modes, set no-mop zones, track the robot’s cleaning route and set cleaning schedules for different rooms in your home.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab tested its first robot vacuum in 2002. Since then, we've tested hundreds of robot vacuums and mops in our Lab, putting each through rigorous performance and ease-of-use tests. In addition to our Lab tests, we have also collected data from dozens of consumer testers who have tested models in their own homes.
As part of our robot mop test, we evaluate how well each device can clean up dried messes like sticky jelly and coffee dribbles that we’ve applied to test floor panels installed in our Cleaning Lab. We look at how much water it leaves behind on wood, vinyl and tile floors to assess any potential for floor damage. If it has vacuuming or sweeping capabilities, we use testing procedures developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission and ASTM International for testing robot vacuums.
We test the pickup of debris in a straight line from bare floors and carpets and we let each model loose in a custom-made two-room obstacle course. We evaluate how much debris each robot picks up, how much time it takes to clean and how long each battery runs. We also consider how well each robot can clean under low furniture and around tight corners as well as how it passes from hard floors to carpet and how effectively it climbs small thresholds. For models that create maps of the space they clean, the maps are also evaluated for accuracy and level of detail.
In our ease-of-use tests, we rate each robot mop's user manual and how easy it is to use the controls and app. We also consider how quick it is to set up and how hard maintenance activities are. At-home testers also provide feedback on how intuitive the models are to set up and use — as well as how likely they are to continue using them.
While robot mops won't save you from mopping altogether, they can help you keep up with your floors and deep-clean less often. They are a great investment for families with pets or small children, or anyone who wants to keep their floors clean without devoting too much time or energy to a manual cleaning routine. "Just like you can vacuum faster than a robot, you can probably mop faster than one too, but they are a convenient way to wet-clean and freshen floors while you do something else," says Home Care & Cleaning Lab Executive Director Carolyn Forté.
While most robot mops can detect objects and navigate around them, they work best if you straighten up the space before starting the mop. After all, you probably wouldn't mop with pet toys or shoes strewn across the floor. For models that just mop, you will have to vacuum or sweep regularly to keep the floors primed for wet cleaning. Also, keep in mind that robot mops aren't designed to clean up big spills, so you will still need to handle those by hand. Heavily soiled floors may be challenging for robot mops to handle, but they do save time and help keep dirt from building up, so you have fewer deep cleanings to do.
"That said, though, robot mops can take longer to do the job than mopping by hand," says Forté. All models pass a pad with water across floors, but some come with a cleaning solution or feature a scrubbing motion or rotating pads for more intensive cleaning. While many models have impressive navigation and obstacle avoidance abilities, robot mops can also get stuck on small obstacles or get confused in rooms crowded with furniture.
Here are some things to consider when choosing the best robot mop for your home:
✔️ Dry-sweeping vs. vacuuming: Most of the robot mops you'll find on the market can do some type of dry cleanup as well. While many can vacuum your floors, some only sweep using a dry pad. Models that double as vacuums will have the added task of emptying the dust bin after cleaning (unless they also come with a self-emptying base). Models that dry-sweep will need the sweeping pads discarded or washed after each use. If your floors are particularly dusty, letting the device vacuum before setting it to mop will yield better results.
✔️ Setup and maintenance: A robot mop will require charging, filling and emptying the water tank and removing or replacing the cleaning pads. Some models have features that make upkeep easier. The easiest-to-maintain models self-empty into a base that only needs to be emptied every 30 days or more. Most of the new models we’ve tested in the Cleaning Lab come with a QR code on the packaging for easier app setup too.
✔️ Battery life: We recommend looking for models with a runtime of at least 90 minutes on a single charge. This is an especially important if you have a large home. However, most robot mops now recharge and resume cleaning to finish the job if the battery starts to run low mid-cleaning.
✔️ Surface type: All robot mops are safe for vinyl and tile floors because they are less prone to damage. But if your home has wood floors, be sure the robot mop you select is well-suited for that surface. Models with soft, fluffy brush rolls or no brush rolls at all are best. For wet mopping on wood floors, look for a model that will allow you to adjust and control the amount of water that goes into the pads.
If your home also has rugs, choose a robot mop that can detect the difference between carpet and bare floors to avoid wetting your carpeting. Many models can lift the mopping pads by a few millimeters when a carpet is detected, but in homes with thick, plush carpets, this isn't always enough. Check to make sure the pad will lift sufficiently to keep your carpet dry or look for a model with mapping features that allow you to select only certain areas to clean.
Just like robot vacuums, robot mops need regular maintenance to keep them in good working order. This includes wiping the sensors for better navigation and regularly emptying and rinsing the water tank. If you have a vacuum mop combo unit, you will also have to remove tangles and clogs from the brush roll and clean or replace the filter.
Because these models also use water to clean, it's important to make sure the robot’s pads or mopping cloths do not remain wet for long periods. Bacteria love moist, dark spaces, and if your robot mop doesn’t dry its mopping pads automatically, it’s a good idea to remove them, wash them (if the manufacturer says it is safe to do so) and let them dry completely between mopping sessions. "If they aren’t dirty enough to be laundered, they should at least be rinsed and air-dried after each use to keep them from [smelling] musty during storage," recommends Forté. If you have a model with disposable pads, you won't have to worry about this issue.
For robot mops that pair with an app, always be sure to update to the latest version. These updates will often improve a robot's navigation and object identification capabilities. Most user manuals have thorough instructions for keeping robots working well, and it is always best to follow those instructions before trying anything else.
To put it simply: No. "Unless your robot manufacturer recommends it, it’s never a good idea to put anything other than plain water inside an appliance as it can damage the internal parts," explains Forté. In fact, doing so could void your model’s warranty. This doesn't mean you can only clean with water, though. Some brands like Shark, Bissell and Narwal make floor cleaners specifically formulated for use in their brand’s robot mops. We don't recommend using floor cleaners in your robot mop’s water tank unless the manufacturer specifies that it's okay.
Noah Pinsonnault works as a product reviews analyst in the Home Care & Cleaning Lab where he helps design and perform tests on various product categories. To update this story, he evaluated several of the latest robot vacuum and mop combo models and scrutinized previous testing data to compare them to our past favorites.
Carolyn Forté, the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab Executive Director, has over 40 years of experience testing cleaning appliances. She tested one of the earliest models of robot mops in 2002 and oversees all of the testing conducted in the Lab, including all the robot mop picks in this story.
Noah works as a product reviews analyst in the Home Care & Cleaning Lab where he helps design and perform tests on various product categories. He draws on scientific expertise garnered during his time as an environmental researcher, where he managed environmental monitoring equipment, analyzed water samples in a lab and developed protocols for restoration projects. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in environmental science from the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
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