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The best robot vacuum mops you can buy: Expert tested
I began using robot vacuum and mop combinations over five years ago, looking for a way to check some chores off my list without breaking my back or taking away my already-divided attention from my little ones. Little did I know this would launch me onto the world of testing the latest and greatest robot vacuums just a few years later.
Also: The 25 best early Amazon Prime Day 2024 deals
Since getting my first device, robot vacuum and mop combinations have evolved from including a soggy microfiber pad dragged across your floors to self-washing rotating mop pads, mop rollers, and self-emptying dustbins. All the different options make picking the right one for your needs a challenge, especially with Prime Day markdowns on robot vacuums left and right, but we're here to help.
What is the best robot vacuum mop right now?
At ZDNET, we have tested dozens of the best robot vacuum mops available and have seen firsthand that it is indeed possible to sit back and relax while one of these machines takes care of all the hard work. Based on our testing, our pick for the best robot vacuum mop overall is the Dreame X40 Ultra, thanks to its outstanding performance, self-empty and self-cleaning features, and oscillating mop heads with MopExtend technology. Check out the rest of our tested picks for the best robot vacuum mop combos below.
Best robot vacuum mops of 2024
- Quiet self-emptying
- Oscillating mop heads lift or are dropped over carpet
- MopExtend mop pads
- App isn't as user-friendly as it could be
- Very expensive
The Dreame X40 Ultra is hands-down the best two-in-one robot vacuum mop I've tested. One of its few downsides is that it's priced steeply at $1,900, so you'll need a good chunk of change to get it (or you can wait for a sale).
However, for the price, the Dreame X40 features an industry-leading 12,000Pa of suction and dusts the competition. This robot vacuum and mop is so versatile that you can set it up to drop its mop pads at the base station, go off to vacuum rugs and carpets first, and then return to pick up its mop pads and vacuum and mop the remaining hard floors -- all with no intervention on your part.
Review: I tested a $1,900 robot vacuum and mop for a month. Here's why it's worth it
It features a self-emptying dustbin, self-washing mop pads with customizable water temperature, a side-reaching sweeper brush, and an extendable mop pad to reach tight corners. The app has many settings and customizations, from thorough carpet vacuuming to AI-guided cleaning. The Dreame X40 Ultra is so smart that it can detect wet messes and automatically lift its sweeper brush to keep it from getting wet or spreading germs.
Other customers love the Dreame X40 Ultra too; one remarks, "As an everyday person, my carpets are looking like that fresh vacuum look as they definitely look very clean. Had glitter everywhere, now gone. Kitchen floor... I didn't think to take before and after, but before was a hot mess, now WOW."
We've also tested this robot's predecessor, the Dreame X30 Ultra, and it's almost as impressive as the X40, with slightly lower suction power at 8300Pa, a 180-minute run time, and Mop Extend technology.
Dreame X30 Ultra specs: Price: $1,750 | Battery life: 195 mins | Base station dimensions: 13 x 18 x 23 inches | Suction power: 12,000Pa | Dustbin volume: 300 ml | Water tank capacity: 80 ml
- Auto-empty
- Strong 11,000Pa suction
- Long battery life
- Pricey
- Not the best obstacle avoidance
The Yeedi M12 Pro+ is a surprisingly affordable robot vacuum and mop. It combines some of the strongest suction power on the market, capable of tackling different floor types in one go, with its mop pads that lift 9mm when going over carpets. The M12 Pro+ has an extendable mop pad to clean areas often missed by robot vacuum and mop combos, like under the edge of cabinets.
Review: I found the most powerful robot vacuum on the market, and it's cheaper than you'd think
As a midrange robot vacuum and mop, the M12 Pro+ offers great standout features, including a self-emptying dustbin, self-washing mop pads, and a V-shaped roller brush to prevent hair tangles.
In my testing, I found that this is one of the best value robot vacuum and mop combos on the market. Other users also say they love its versatility, with one saying, "Exceeded my expectations! Such a great tool that made a significant difference in my daily life. The device cleans my floors thoroughly, leaving them spotless every time. It picks up all the dirt, dust, and pet hair, ensuring my home feels fresh and clean."
Yeedi M12 Pro+ tech specs: Price: $749 | Battery life: 290 minutes | Wi-Fi: Yes | Dimensions: 16 x 19.3 x 18.9 inches | Suction power: 11,000Pa | Dustbin volume: 300 ml | Water tank capacity: 55 ml
- Self-emptying
- Smart Mapping feature
- Retractable mop head
- Pricey
- Long cleaning times
If your home has rugs, carpet, tile, laminate, or hardwood, the Roomba Combo j9+ is the two-in-one machine for you, thanks to its retractable mop head. You never have to worry about a dirty mop head getting dragged across your favorite rug because the Combo j9+ lifts the entire mop head on top of the robot when cleaning your soft flooring surfaces.
iRobot OS Technology and PrecisionVision Navigation ensure the Roomba Combo j9+ avoids furniture, cords, and other common household objects. It not only avoids kids' toys, our shoes, and other items, but the Pet Owner Official Promise (P.O.O.P.) states the Combo j9+ is guaranteed to avoid pet waste, or the company will send you a new one for free. Talk about having some serious confidence in your product!
Additionally, it's self-emptying for up to 60 days, and, my favorite feature of all, it knows when the dustbin is full, even in the middle of a job. I can set the Combo j9+ to vacuum my entire house, and it empties itself as many times as needed to complete the job. The Combo j9+ also refills its water tank as needed, meaning the robot can complete jobs without manual intervention.
Review: Roomba j9+ Combo
The technology is impressive, and Amazon reviewers agree. One said, "This multi-functional robot vacuum and mop have truly revolutionized my cleaning routine," and I couldn't agree more. Having a dependable, capable two-in-one machine keeps me from having to pull out my handheld vacuum and mop nearly as often.
Roomba Combo j9+ tech specs: Price: $1399 | Battery life: 120 minutes | Wi-Fi: Yes | Dimensions: 13.3 x 13.3 x 3.4 inches | Suction power: Not specified | Dustbin volume: 300 ml | Water tank capacity: 170 ml
- 8,700Pa suction power
- Self-emptying cordless vacuum
- Intelligent AI obstacle avoidance
- Expensive
Thanks to its 8,700Pa suction power, the Ecovacs Deebot X2 can vacuum up hair, dirt, and debris on every flooring type possible. That's not all, though. The Combo Complete variation also has a stick cordless vacuum that empties itself in the charging dock when you're done using it. During testing, it kept my floors free of pet hair and muddy paw prints, thanks to its strong suction and effective mopping.
If you have furniture that sits lower or barstools/chairs that collect a lot of dirt underneath (shoutout to kids who are messy eaters), this robot will be for you. Its square design and smaller stature, 12.6 inches wide, means this robot can fit in more spaces than many competitors.
This Ecovacs robot vacuum and mop is a self-cleaning, self-emptying, self-drying, and self-refilling two-in-one machine, removing all the dirty work from vacuuming and mopping.
Review: This robot vacuum and mop combo is the most convenient one I've ever used
"While it's not flawless, this device offers the best experience I've had with robotic vacuums, and I highly recommend it. It's fun too, letting my kiddos name the robot made it more 'human' for them and it's cute watching them say hello to it," said a Best Buy customer.
Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo Complete tech specs: Price: $1,700 | Battery life: 161 minutes | Wi-Fi: Yes | Dimensions: 12.6 x 13.8 x 3.7 inches | Suction power: 8,700Pa | Dustbin volume: 300 ml | Water tank capacity: 80 ml| Extra features: Cordless stick vacuum
- 10,000Pa suction
- Reactive 3D Obstacle Avoidance
- Stress-free system
- Plenty in-app customizations
- Expensive
- Can leave dry spots behind during mop
Based on my testing, if you have more to spend, the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra is the best high-end two-in-one machine you can buy. The price tag is hefty, but you can't put a price on the time I've gotten back by letting this maintain my floors.
This is a self-washing, self-drying, self-emptying, self-refilling, and self-cleaning machine that completely removes the manual work from vacuuming and mopping. The S8 MaxV Ultra is a device you can schedule to run according to your lifestyle and then not think about for a few days. It can tackle any surface in your home, including carpet, thanks to its 10,000Pa suction capability.
Also: Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra review: The most powerful robot vacuum I've tested
The DuoRoller Riser brushes work to suction up all the dirt, debris, and pet hair your home accumulates without clogging or tangling. The VibraRise 2.0 mopping system technology has high-speed scrubbing to clean your floors, including a FlexiArm mop pad that cleans edges and crevices. The two systems can tackle even the dirtiest of homes when paired together. Of the robot vacuum mop combos I've tested, this one is top-of-the-line.
Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra tech specs: Price: $1,800 | Battery life: 180 minutes | Wi-Fi: Yes | Dimensions: 16.1 x 17.6 x 18.5 inches | Extra features: Voice assistant
What is the best robot vacuum mop?
The Dreame X40 Ultra tops our list thanks to its incredible performance and hands-free technology. The dual oscillating mop heads scrub my floors clean for food, dirt, and paw prints. Coupled with the MopExtend technology, everything gets cleaned up when the X40 Ultra cleans.
This is a bird's eye view of the best robot vacuum mops to see how they compare:
| Robot vacuum and mop | ZDNET's take | Price | Suction power | Self-emptying | Self-washing | Battery life |
| Dreame X40 Ultra | Best overall | $1,900 | 12,000Pa | Yes | Yes | 195 mins |
| Yeedi M12 Pro+ | Best value | $769 | 11,000Pa | Yes | Yes | 290 mins |
| Roomba Combo j9+ | Best for different floor types | $1,399 | N/A | Yes | No | 120 mins |
| Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo Complete | Best for pet owners | $1,399 | 8,700Pa | Yes | Yes | 210 mins |
| Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra | Best splurge | $1,800 | 10,000Pa | Yes | Yes | 180 mins |
Which is the best robot vacuum mop for you?
Identifying the best robot vacuum mop for your needs can be tough when so many options are vying for first place. To help you find the best one, we have included our expert recommendations based on hands-on testing and research.
| Choose this robot vacuum mop... | If you want... |
| Dreame X40 Ultra | Unbeatable vacuuming and object avoidance, with 12,000Pa of suction and many customization options on the app. |
| Yeedi M12 Pro+ | To spend a bit less money but still get a hands-free cleaning experience, with a self-emptying dustbin and self-washing mop pads. |
| Roomba Combo j9+ | A retractable mop head that lifts when it encounters carpet or rugs to ensure no water gets on them. It's ideal for those who have multiple floor types in their home and want a self-mapping machine with a Pet Owner Official Promise and the option for Alexa control. |
| Ecovacs Deebot X2 Combo Complete | A three-in-one robot vacuum and mop without compromising on efficiency or capabilities plus a cordless stick vacuum. With up to 210 minutes of battery life and 8,700Pa suction power, this is a great option for a bigger home with carpet and hardwood floors. |
| Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra | One of the best robot vacuum mop money can buy. It's a splurge, with ReactiveAI 2.0 Obstacle Avoidance and intelligent mop lifting for excellent mopping capabilities. It has a 10,000Pa suction and self-drying charging dock. If you're someone who needs additional suction power but doesn't want to compromise on performance, this is the machine for you. |
Factors to consider when choosing a robot vacuum mop
While trying to determine the best robot vacuum mops, I kept several factors at the forefront of my testing and research that can also aid in your search.
Floor types: Some robot vacuum mops are equipped to work with certain floor types, like carpet or hardwood. Others may be able to accommodate other floor types, like stone or marble. Before you buy, consider the types of flooring in your home and which vacuum is most appropriate.
Mapping: For full automation, your robot vacuum mop must have a mapping feature to navigate each room. You also want to consider an obstacle avoidance feature that can avoid things like furniture, wires, and even pet waste. This feature is a must-have in my home with strewn about.
Battery: A robot vacuum mop is hardly worth it if it doesn't have the battery to keep it going. Consider the battery time before choosing the best robot vacuum mop to ensure it has enough power to clean your home. If you select a robot vacuum with the technical capability to pause its job, return to the charging base to refill its battery, and then resume the job where it left off, this may not be as big of a factor as others on this list.
Connectivity: Many of the best robot vacuum mops offer voice control, some even with Alexa. Others may feature an app that allows you to control your robot from afar, set schedules, track progress, and control the machine's efforts. If you're hoping for voice activation rather than using an app, check and see if the machine is compatible with the home assistant of your choice.
How we test robot vacuum mops
ZDNET has several robot vacuum reviewers that have tested over 50 units thus far. We conduct tests in real homes with real challenges and in a controlled lab environment for comparison.
Here's what we consider when testing robot vacuums and mops at ZDNET:
- Determine evaluation criteria: For our key evaluation criteria, we consider how robots perform by assessing their suction power, navigation, mapping, and battery life. We also assess the user experience, the robot's versatility, longevity, and whether it delivers on its specifications.
- Unboxing: During this process, we assess the packaging and setup experience and note any accessories and unique features.
- Testing environments: We test the robot vacuums on different floor types (like carpet and hardwood) and see how they navigate various obstacles to test performance.
- Performance metrics: We test suction power with various debris types and assess obstacle navigation and mapping accuracy.
- Extra features: When testing robot vacuum and mop combinations, we evaluate their effectiveness at removing stains and overall cleaning quality. We also check how unique features work, like obstacle avoidance and recognition, extendable mop pads, etc.
To top it all off, we gauge the device's longevity and long-term performance by using it over the course of a few months. Our review timelines vary, but we typically test robot vacuums for about a month before reviewing and keep our reviews updated while the device is available.
For more details, check out our comprehensive robot vacuum testing methodology.
How do robot vacuum mops work?
Robot vacuum mops are a type of device that automatically cleans your home. Using technology like sensors and cameras, these machines can memorize the rooms in your home and seamlessly navigate their way around while vacuuming and scrubbing your floors.
"Robot vacuum mops can navigate through your home, detecting and avoiding obstacles, and can clean under furniture and other hard-to-reach areas," says Laura Avila, a professional cleaner who runs Cleaning Fan. "Robot vacuum mops can be programmed to clean your floors on a regular schedule, which can help ensure that your floors are always clean and tidy."
Is a robot vacuum mop worth the money?
A robot vacuum mop requires an investment, which leads many homeowners to wonder whether it is even worth it.
Larry Snider, VP of operations of Casago SB Rentals, offers additional insight that adds to the argument why these machines are worth the investment. "One of the major benefits of using a robot vacuum mop is that it can help to improve indoor air quality by reducing airborne allergens and pollutants. By removing these allergens from floors and carpets, the robot vacuum mop can help improve the air quality in your home. They can also help remove other pollutants, like mold and bacteria, by mopping the floors with water and cleaning solutions."
Plus, there is the issue of time, which is the obvious factor many are considering when purchasing a robot vacuum mop. Time spent with family is priceless, so these machines are a no-brainer.
How much do robot vacuum mops cost?
The cost of robot vacuum mops can vary significantly. While some are only equipped for certain floors, others may specialize in expanded features like advanced room mapping and voice control. The best robot vacuum mops range in price from $400 to $1,600, depending on the model that you choose.
Other robot vacuum mops we've tested
There are dozens of robot vacuum mops to consider, so here are a couple more that are worth considering for your home.
Here is where to find them.