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The best robot mops you can buy: Expert tested
A great robot mop can change the entire feel of your home. Having a robot vacuum sweep your home while you're gone is one thing, but coming home to a sparkling-clean, freshly mopped floor is a different ballgame. As a person who loves the feel of a clean floor but hates to drag out the mop and bucket to get it, I love my robot mop.
Also: 5 things I do to keep my robot vacuum in good health (that you might be forgetting)
Since testing so many robot mops and robot vacuum and mops combinations has shifted my perspective so much, I've come to rely on them to keep my home clean. I run at least one robot daily, even when we have visitors at home, to keep my floors clean at all times. But so much competition on the market makes choosing the best one harder than ever. Thankfully, you can rely on ZDNET's expertise to help.
What is the best robot mop right now?
We tested many of the top robot mops on the market, evaluating factors like battery life, floor mapping features, price, and overall performance. Our pick for the best robot mop overall is the iRobot Braava Jet m6 for its methodical cleaning and ability to detect hard floors vs. carpets.
The best robot mops of 2024
- Methodical approach
- Carpet and rug recognition
- Straightforward app
- Additional supplies required
- Slow to clean
iRobot's Braava Jet m6 is our top pick for the best robot mop overall. Thanks to its vSLAM navigation technology, this robot mop intelligently and methodically cleans in neat rows, ensuring it doesn't miss a spot on your floors. The same technology allows the Braava Jet m6 to recognize and avoid your rugs and carpets. I never had an issue with this robot mopping my rugs during my testing period. I could confidently leave my house and trust that I would return to a well-done job. One Amazon reviewer feels the same way: "The iRobot mop has been the best investment I made and is one less item I have to worry about on my to-do list."
Review: Braava Jet m6 review: A must-have robot mop
The Precision Jet Spray technology always keeps a steady flow of cleaning solutions on your floors. The mop will move forward about 3 feet, go backward about half that distance, spray the cleaning solution, and repeat this throughout your home. The mop pad is detachable, so you'll take it off the robot and throw it in the washing machine once the job is done.
Another perk: Since the Braava Jet m6 is an iRobot device, you can easily add it to your robot fleet if you already use a Roomba device. The iRobot app intelligently transfers your map layouts to multiple machines, and you can program an iRobot vacuum, and together, they will tag team for your home's cleaning. You can have the robot vacuum run, and then the Braava Jet m6 will immediately follow up to complete its mopping duties.
iRobot Braava Jet m6 tech specs: Battery life: 90 minutes | Wi-Fi: Yes | Dimensions: 11 x 10 x 4 inches | Price: $299
- Roller mop system only cleans with fresh water
- 8,000Pa suction capability
- Great obstacle avoidance
- Omni station is very tall
- Requires deep cleaning about every month
The Eufy S1 Pro uses a roller mop that is scrubbed clean inside the robot as it washes your floors. The robot does this to keep its mop clean and ensure that only clean water is used while mopping, so you never worry about dragging dirty mop pads all over your house.
This results in the cleanest floors a robot vacuum and mop has ever left behind in my home. This mopping system is so advanced that it uses water ozonification to disinfect the clean water you put in the tank. Hence, it truly cleans with the cleanest water possible, though this feature can be turned off.
Review: One of the most reliable robot vacuums I've tested is not made by iRobot or Shark
The only thing preventing the Eufy S1 Pro from taking the top spot as ZDNET's Best robot vacuum and mop overall is that the Dreame X40 Ultra outperforms its vacuum feature. The Eufy S1 Pro features obstacle avoidance but is less reliable than the Dreame X40 Ultra. It can occasionally vacuum up larger pieces of paper and debris and get its brush roller stuck, forcing you to rescue it or risk the cleaning task remaining incomplete.
Despite these drawbacks, it outperforms most high-end robot vacuum and mop competitors on the market in both features. Reviewers agree, saying, "If you're like me and think mopping is a colossal waste of time and energy, then this gadget is worth every penny. It pays for itself with the time you save (or the money you don't have to shell out to someone else to do the dirty work)."
Eufy S1 Pro features: Price: $1500 | Battery life: 216 minutes | Wi-Fi: Yes | Dimensions: 18.4 x 15 x 26.4 inches | Suction power: 8,000Pa | Dustbin volume: 250 ml | Water tank capacity: 240 ml
- Quiet self-emptying
- Dual oscillating mop heads
- MopExtend mop pads
- App isn't as user-friendly as it could be
- 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 X40 Ultra specs: Price: $1,900 | Battery life: 180 mins | Base station dimensions: 13.4 x 17.9 x 23.2 inches | Suction power: 12,000Pa | Dustbin volume: 300 ml | Water tank capacity: 80 ml
- 6,000 Pa suction
- Reactive 3D Obstacle Avoidance
- Stress-free, self-cleaning mop head
- Expensive
- Only empties the dust bin at the end of a job
If you're looking to invest in a two-in-one machine that will surpass all of your expectations for what a robot vacuum and mop can do, you'll want to get your hands on the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. The PreciSense LiDAR Navigation and Reactive 3D Obstacle Avoidance successfully navigates and maps your home, never going where it shouldn't or running over cords, shoes, or other everyday household objects.
The Empty Wash Fill Dock is where so much of the magic happens. It allows this robot to be a self-washing, self-drying, self-emptying, self-refilling, and self-cleaning machine, meaning you barely lift a finger for your home to be sparkling clean.
Review: Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra seamlessly goes from mopping to vacuuming effectively thanks to its VibraRise 2.0 Mopping System and 6,000Pa suction power. This machine successfully kept my home clean for a month despite a German Shepherd, German Shorthaired Pointer, and indoor cat trying to terrorize every flooring surface possible. I know it's a hefty investment, but I promise you you won't be disappointed.
When I tested the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, I didn't need to manually vacuum or mop my floors. This machine could keep up with my flooring needs, and I'm not the only one who felt this way. One Amazon customer noted, "We have essentially stopped vacuuming our house with our stick vacuum. We haven't mopped a floor since we got this vac in Jan 2024. The tech on this thing is impressive."
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra tech specs: Battery life: 180 minutes | Wi-Fi: Yes | Dimensions: 16 x 16 x 19 inches | Price: $1000
- Very affordable
- Extended runtime
- Dual Spin Technology
- No mapping capabilities
- No auto charging
With Dual Spin technology, the Samsung Jetbot Mop uses two spinning pads, plus a smart sensor, to identify and clean various surfaces, including tile, vinyl, laminate, and hardwood. The smart sensor can identify walls, furniture, and stairs for a more stress-free experience. Remember, the Jetbot Mop cleans in a random pattern, but Amazon customers say that doesn't keep the mop from cleaning your home efficiently. One customer said, "Its random pattern of just bumping off the walls and any furniture it comes in contact with makes you think it will be missing some spots, but it gets to every area multiple times and does a great job washing your floors."
There are eight different cleaning modes, including Focus Mode, Random Mode, and Hand Mode, so you can customize cleaning to specific areas and cleaning methods. Because of this, there are two sets of pads: Mother Yarn for heavy jobs and microfiber for everyday needs. With the automatic water dispenser, the pads are kept moist, and there are up to 50 minutes of cleaning before requiring a refill and 100 minutes before needing a charge.
While the Jetbot Mop lacks some of the fancier features that others on this list have, like mapping capabilities and automatic charging, it's a solid option if you're looking for a more affordable robot mop that can still do a fine job.
Samsung Jetbot Mop tech specs: Battery life: 100 minutes | Wi-Fi: No | Dimensions: 16 x 6 x 5 inches | Price: $219
What is the best robot mop?
The iRobot Braava Jet m6 is an approachable model that is competitively priced and comes with everything you need to get started. Its vSLAM navigation and Smart Maps feature make it a high-performing unit designed by a trusted name.
To help differentiate, this is an overview of the best robot mops for home or work.
Best robot mop | Cost | Battery runtime | Surfaces |
iRobot Braava Jet m6 | $299 | 150 minutes | Hardwood, Tile, Stone |
Eufy S1 Pro | $1,500 | 240 minutes | Carpet, Hardwood |
Dreame X40 Ultra | $1,900 | 180 minutes | Carpet, Marble, Hardwood, Tile |
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra | $1,000 | 180 minutes | Carpet, Hardwood, Marble, Tile |
Samsung Jetbot Mop | $219 | 50 minutes | Hardwood, Vinly, Laminate, Tile |
*Lowest price at the time of writing. Please note that prices vary based on retailer and available promotions, sales, or discounts.
Which is the right robot mop for you?
Features can vary significantly from one robot mop to the next, making it difficult to find the right one. Consider these expert recommendations to help you find the best robot mop for your home or office.
Choose this best robot mop... | If you... |
iRobot Braava Jet m6 | Already have a great robot vacuum and want to add a robot mop with smart features. |
Eufy S1 Pro | Are looking for that freshly mopped feeling when you come home that feels almost as good as if you used a mop and bucket. |
Dreame X40 Ultra | Have a little more to spend for a completely hands-free robot vacuum and mop with excellent obstacle avoidance. |
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra | Want a fantastic two-in-one machine without breaking the bank. |
Samsung Jetbot Mop | Have a robot vacuum and only need a robot mop but want to stick to a budget. |
Factors to consider when choosing a robot mop
There are several factors to consider when choosing a robot mop. Here are a few you'll want to keep in mind:
Floor types: Some robot mops are equipped to work with certain floor types, like laminate or hardwood. Others work better for stone or marble. Before you buy, consider the floors in your home and which mop is most appropriate.
Mapping: For full automation, your robot mop must have a mapping feature to navigate each room. An obstacle avoidance feature helps it avoid furniture, wires, and pet waste. This feature is a must-have in my home, filled with strewn-about toys. But this may not be an issue for everyone. You could save money on a robot without this feature, so determine which is the best for your home and go from there.
Battery: A robot mop is hardly worth its price if it doesn't have the battery to keep it going. Consider the battery time before choosing the best robot mop to ensure it has enough power to clean your home. If you select a robot 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 mops offer voice control, some even with Alexa. Others may feature an app that allows you to control your robot from afar, setting schedules, tracking progress, and controlling 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 did we test these robot 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.
Also: How we test robot vacuums at ZDNET in 2024
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.
How do robot mops work?
Like a traditional mop, a vacuum mop uses a cleaning solution to scrub and clean dirt floors. There are generally brushes or pads attached to the unit to properly remove dirt and clean floors. These robot mops can use special mapping technology to navigate around corners and furniture to mop available surface area.
How do you clean a robot mop?
Every robot mop is different, so checking the manufacturer's instructions before proceeding is best. However, you can clean most robot mops by rinsing them with water and allowing them to dry. Some robot mops include brushes and other supplies to help when it comes time for cleaning.
How much does a robot mop cost?
The cost of a robot mop can vary wildly, depending on your chosen model and features. For example, the best robot mops on our list range from $300 to $1,600 in price. To find the best cheap robot mop, be sure to research the market and compare pricing.
Are there alternative robot mops worth considering?
There are plenty of robot mops to choose from, and we found many during our research. In addition to the best robot mops, these are some additional ones that may be worth a second look.