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Robot vacuums capable of both mopping and sweeping floors have seen significant advancements recently. While they may not yet match the effectiveness of manual cleaning, consistent use can help maintain cleaner floors with considerably less effort for the user.
The key distinction in newer “combo” robot vacuum-and-mop models is their design for actual floor scrubbing. Earlier robot vacuums with mopping features typically used a thin, flat microfiber pad that merely “Swiffer-ed” the floor, primarily effective for picking up fine dirt left behind by the vacuum.
A robot vacuum equipped with a genuine mopping system can simplify daily life.
Today’s models incorporate vibrating or oscillating mop pads, or roller mops. Most include onboard water tanks to keep mops wet during operation, and many feature charging docks that automatically wash and dry their mops, as well as empty and refill water tanks, leading to less manual effort.
While many robot vacuums now offer some form of mopping, this guide highlights models that excel specifically at mopping. For those primarily interested in vacuuming performance, a guide to floor-sweeping bots is available here.
A drawback of these combo bots with advanced mopping capabilities is their tendency to be larger and heavier, often requiring more frequent intervention than standard vacuum bots. Water can lead to grime, and cleaning their large multifunction docks, even the self-cleaning ones, can be an unpleasant task. Users also need to empty and refill their tanks approximately once a week.
Mopping bots also need to return to their docks more frequently than robot vacuums to refill their onboard water tanks. This means they will take longer to clean floors compared to a dedicated vacuuming model, but they perform two tasks simultaneously. Robot mops with roller mops will self-clean as they work, mitigating this issue, but these models are also the biggest and bulkiest, as they carry a larger water tank.
Combo bots can mop and vacuum simultaneously, but for especially dirty floors, it’s best to have the option to vacuum first and then mop. A mop-only mode is also beneficial, as the bot can be sent to clean a wet spill without attempting to vacuum water — something they’re not designed to do yet.
For homes with extensive hardwood or tile floors, where muddy paw prints or general daily dirt from pets, people, and children are a constant struggle, a capable robot vacuum-and-mop combo can significantly simplify daily life.
Featured Products
Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow
$850 at Amazon (with on-page coupon)$1000 at Best Buy
Dreame X50 Ultra
$900 at Amazon$1700 at Walmart
Narwal Flow
$1050 at Amazon$1300 at Narwal
Roborock Q10 S5 Plus
$400 at Amazon$400 at Roborock
What to look for
How robot vacuums are tested
The testing process involved running each robot regularly for at least a week, evaluating floor cleanliness, navigation capabilities, frequency of tank refills, auto-empty function effectiveness, and app usability. Tests were conducted in a kitchen with hardwood floors and a large bathroom with white tile. Specific challenges included wet tests with dried-on orange juice and ketchup, along with fresh spills of milk, water, and various sauces. Dry challenges involved cereal (typically Cheerios) and oatmeal. The robots’ performance in handling mopping stains and vacuuming debris was assessed. Obstacle detection was tested using an obstacle course with common robot trip-ups such as fake dog poop, cables, socks, and challenging chair legs.
A multifunction charging dock
This is a charging base that empties the robot’s bin, washes and dries the bot’s mops, and empties and refills its water tank. This is essential for a hands-free mopping experience. Some offer hot-water washing and drying options that keep pads cleaner for longer, though periodic manual washing is still recommended. A self-cleaning washboard on the dock is a beneficial upgrade.
Big tanks (or a plumbing hookup)
Larger clean and dirty water tanks on the dock reduce the frequency of refills. Direct plumbing connection for the dock is an even more convenient option, providing a completely hands-off experience long-term, despite a more complex initial installation.
Better mops
Mop type is a significant factor. Options include circular and spinning, flat and vibrating, or rolling and self-cleaning. Rolling mops, similar to a vacuum cleaner’s beater bar, often provide a superior deep clean. Their larger surface area and self-cleaning function, where water is sprayed onto the mop during operation, generally make them more effective than flat or spinning mops. Oscillating mops that extend outward are particularly good for reaching into tile grout, along baseboards, and beneath low furniture.
Mops that lift, drop, or duck for cover
For homes with low-pile rugs and carpet, mop pads that can lift (by at least 10mm) are crucial to prevent carpets from getting damp. Robots capable of entirely removing their mop pads before vacuuming carpets are ideal for high-pile rugs. While some roller mops offer a few millimeters of lift, a retractable roller cover provides enhanced protection.
Decent mop pressure and speed
Specs around mop pressure and rotation speed are similar to those for suction power on the vacuum; they matter to some extent, but what’s more important is how effective the pads are. The higher the pressure, the more effective it should be on tougher stains. The higher the rotations per minute (RPM), the more friction the stain has to deal with. It’s hard to judge pressure, as several manufacturers don’t list it and those that do use different measurements, but 12 Newtons, roughly 2.2 pounds of downward pressure, is very good.
A usable app
A well-designed app is crucial, allowing users to select rooms for cleaning and specify the order. It is generally advisable for a mopping bot to clean the dirtiest rooms last, such as bathrooms or hallways, to prevent cross-contamination. Desirable app features include options for mop-only, mop and vacuum, vacuum then mop, and vacuum-only modes.
Best mopping robot vacuum
Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow
The Good
- Long, self-cleaning roller mop
- Impressive pressure gets up dried stains
- Automatic mop-only mode
- Compact, sleek dock
- Excellent app
The Bad
- Robot is bulky
- Can get stuck in tight spaces
- Middling obstacle detection
$850 at Amazon (with on-page coupon)$1000 at Best Buy$850 at Roborock
Multifunction dock: Yes / Mapping: Yes, lidar / AI-powered obstacle detection: Yes / Suction power: 20,000Pa / Remote check-in: Yes / Brush style: Single, rubber / Mop style: Roller mop / Mop lift: Yes, 15mm, with a shield / Mop washing: Yes, with hot water and warm air drying / Edge cleaning: Mop extension / Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Matter
Top picks for robot vacuums, such as the Matic and Roborock Saros 10, also offer excellent mopping capabilities. However, for a robot vacuum that truly excels at mopping, the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow is highly recommended.
Roborock’s first robot vacuum with a roller mop, the Curv 2 Flow, features a new “SpiraFlow” cleaning system that performed exceptionally well in mopping tests. While Roborock might be a newer entrant to the roller-mop market, the product delivers strong performance. The Flow also functions as a powerful vacuum with 20,000Pa of suction, offering these features at a competitive price, often below $1,000, whereas many top-tier bots in this category exceed that price.
The roller mop on the Flow is both long and wide.
Roborock’s VibraRise system, a flat mopping pad that vibrates for scrubbing, has been a signature wet-floor cleaning solution, known for its effectiveness, though it operates at a slower pace. The Flow’s new roller mop provides a significantly faster deep clean compared to the flat pad method found on models like the Saros 10.
Measuring almost 11 inches, the mop is notably long and extends outward to clean along baseboards and furniture edges. It features self-cleaning functionality with a built-in scraper to remove dirty water. The mop applies an impressive 15 Newtons (approximately 3.3 pounds) of downward pressure, proving highly effective on stubborn dried stains.
The Flow effectively detects carpets, deploying its retracting mop cover automatically. It can also identify hardwood and tile floors, adjusting cleaning strategies accordingly. During tests, it automatically switched to mop-only mode upon detecting liquid spills, preventing the liquid from being sucked into its dustbin.
Its single DuoDivide brush does a good job on carpet and hardwood floors, and the unique design prevents hair tangles by funneling hair into the center, where it is sucked into the bin.
The DuoDivide brush.
The Qrevo Curv dock features a curved design that offers a more aesthetically pleasing look in open-plan spaces compared to the typical boxy docks. It is compact but accommodates large water tanks and a disposable dust bag. The dock includes removable parts for easy cleaning, which is essential for maintaining hygiene.
The lidar-based navigation on the Curv 2 Flow is effective, though, like many roller mop bots, it can struggle with tighter spaces. This is due to their increased weight and bulk compared to non-roller mop bots, as they house a larger onboard water tank and mop mechanism. It demonstrated the ability to slightly lift itself to navigate high-pile, large-tassel carpets, a challenge for some other roller-mop models.
Obstacle avoidance is comparable to midrange vacuums. It incorporates Roborock’s Reactive AI, utilizing a camera and structured light to detect and avoid up to 200 obstacles, some as small as 3cm high and 5cm wide, as stated by the company. It effectively dodged socks, shoes, and pet toys, though it occasionally encountered issues with cables. For superior obstacle detection, models like the Saros 10 are available.
Best robot vacuum and mop for a mix of hard floors and rugs
Dreame X50 Ultra
The Good
- Excellent mopping and vacuuming
- Can climb over high transitions
- Spinning mopping pads extend under cabinets
- Automatic mop removal
- Dual rubber roller brushes
- Retractable lidar tower
The Bad
- Expensive
- Navigation can be funky
- App can be flaky
- Large and bulky
$900 at Amazon$1700 at Walmart$1050 at Dreame (with code X50UXM)
Multifunction dock: Yes / Mapping: Yes, lidar / AI-powered obstacle detection: Yes / Suction power: 20,000Pa / Remote check-in: Yes / Brush style: Dual rubber / Mop style: Dual spinning / Mop lift: Yes, 20mm, plus automatic removal / Mop washing: Yes / Edge cleaning: Mop extension / Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Matter
For homes with a combination of fluffy rugs, carpets, and hard floors, the Dreame X50 Ultra is a strong contender. While its mopping performance may not match the top recommendation, it is better suited for high-pile carpets and rugs due to its ability to automatically detach and reattach its spinning mopping pads during vacuuming. This allows it to function as a vacuum-only bot on carpets, avoiding the bulk of a large roller mop or water tank. It also demonstrates greater agility and improved handling on fluffy rugs and carpets.
A significant upgrade in the X50, compared to its predecessor the X40 Ultra, is the inclusion of a “motorized swing arm.” This feature acts like a leg, enabling the robot to navigate over higher thresholds (up to 6cm). This new mechanism enhances its ability to access more areas and more easily overcome obstacles like high-pile rugs.
The Dreame’s wheels can lift up using two “legs” to get over small steps and high transitions between rooms.
It also boasts higher suction power and a significantly improved brush system featuring dual rubber rollers. It performed exceptionally well in oatmeal-on-carpet tests, effectively cleaning all debris.
The X50 retains the X40’s strong mopping capabilities, including the automatic extension and swinging of its mop pads to reach under cabinets and consoles, allowing it to clean further than even the longest extendable roller mops. Its new, retractable lidar tower also assists in cleaning under lower furniture.
Obstacle detection, powered by a camera and structured light, performed adequately in tests, though it occasionally picked up socks. A drawback of Dreame vacuums is the app, which can be prone to crashes and slow loading times. However, when functional, it provides numerous features and customization options for tailoring cleaning routines to a specific home.
Best robot vacuum and mop for hard floors
Narwal Flow
The Good
- Wide, flat roller mop
- Excellent obstacle avoidance
- Slim profile gets under low furniture
- Handy dirt detection feature
- Option of hooking into plumbing
The Bad
- Some navigation issues
- Minimal mop lift
- Very large dock
- Flaky app
$1050 at Amazon$1300 at Narwal
Multifunction dock: Yes / Mop style: Roller mop / Mop washing: Yes, hot water and hot air drying / Mop lift: Yes, 12mm / Edge cleaning: Yes / Mapping: Yes, lidar / AI-powered obstacle detection: Yes / Suction power: 22,000Pa / Vacuum brush style: Single, conical rubber bristle hybrid / Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Siri Shortcuts
Narwal has consistently produced highly effective mopping robots, though previous models often prioritized mopping over vacuuming. The Flow is among Narwal’s first robots to excel at both functions, with its mopping capabilities remaining a standout feature.
As the company’s first model with a self-cleaning roller mop, the Flow features a flat, wide-track-style mop that offers greater surface area than many other tested bots, performing exceptionally well in all mopping evaluations. It is wider and as long as Roborock’s Curv 2 Flow mop, capable of extending to clean corners and along baseboards. It demonstrated strong performance in mopping tests, even removing dried ketchup from tile grout.
The Flow can recognize various floor materials (tile, hardwood, marble, etc.), clean in the direction of the flooring, and automatically adjust its pressure and “mopping humidity” based on the floor type. It applies higher humidity on tile floors compared to wood floors, which are more susceptible to damage from excessive moisture.
The Flow features a flat, wide roller mop.
As mentioned, vacuuming is much improved over some of Narwal’s previous models, with 22,000Pa of suction power and an excellent cone-style anti-tangle brush roll that rarely gets wrapped in hair. Its obstacle detection is great, too, and relies on a dual-camera system to identify and avoid obstacles. It also has a handy dirt detection feature that makes the bot go back and forth over a stain or dirty area to ensure it’s cleaned.
However, navigation on Narwal’s previous robots has been spotty, and the new tower-less lidar here hasn’t improved things. While it means the bot is slimmer and can get under lower furniture, it did get confused and stuck a few times during testing.
The Narwal also does not handle high-pile rugs effectively, offering only a 12mm mop lift and no mop cover, though it can be configured to bypass carpets completely.
A notable issue with the Flow, consistent with prior models, is the Narwal app. It can be challenging to navigate, often freezes between screens, and frequently disconnects from the robot.
Narwal also provides the option for a dock that connects directly to a home’s plumbing, eliminating the need for manual emptying and refilling of the robot’s water tanks.
Best budget robot vacuum and mop
Roborock Q10 S5 Plus
The Good
- Inexpensive
- Good mopping
- AI obstacle detection
- Auto mop lift and auto carpet detection
The Bad
- Very wide bot
- Manual water filling
- Docking can be spotty
$400 at Amazon$400 at Roborock
Multifunction dock: No, auto-empty only / Mop style: Vibrating flat pad / Mop washing: No / Mop lift: Yes, 8mm / Edge cleaning: No / Mapping: Yes, lidar / AI-powered obstacle detection: Yes / Suction power: 10,000Pa / Brush style: Single bristle / rubber hybrid / Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Siri Shortcuts
Roborock’s Q10 S5 Plus is a budget robot with flagship features, including AI-powered obstacle avoidance, automatic carpet detection, and support for Roborock’s fantastic app.
It utilizes Roborock’s effective VibraRise vibrating mopping system to scrub floors and can lift its mop up to 8mm to clear low-pile carpets. These features are often available for under $400, especially during sales.
The Q10 S5’s wide, flat mopping pad vibrates to scrub your floor.
The 350ml removable bin also incorporates a 300ml water tank.
This model lacks a multifunction dock, requiring manual refilling of its onboard water tank (integrated with its bin). However, it includes a compact auto-empty dock. For users who prefer to manually empty the large onboard bin, the Q10 S5, without the auto-empty dock, is available at an even lower price.
Its lidar-based mapping and navigation system performed well. The Roborock app allows users to define specific rooms for cleaning, establish no-go zones, and customize cleaning methods, including mopping intensity – features rarely found in bots at this price point.
Other robot vacuum / mops to consider
- The $1,099.99 Ecovacs Deebot X8 Pro Omni offers excellent mopping with an extendable mop that can lift slightly over carpets. It features 18,000Pa suction and utilizes lidar and cameras for navigation and obstacle detection. Its multifunction dock is appealing and user-friendly, though it lacks a retractable mop cover, and its roller is considerably shorter than the Qrevo Curv 2 Flow’s.
- Narwal’s $1,499.99 Freo Z Ultra is a mopping robot equipped with dual spinning pads and a fluffy side brush for baseboard cleaning. Its triangular spinning mop pads are especially effective on tile grout, making it a suitable choice for tile floors. It provides 12,000Pa of suction power and comes with a sleek multifunction dock.
- The $899.99 Eufy X10 Pro Omni presents a strong budget option, featuring a multifunction dock capable of washing its mop and managing water tank drainage and refilling. It offers 8,000Pa of suction power and provides effective obstacle detection for its price point.
- The $1,499.99 Ecovacs X11 OmniCyclone is a bagless robot vacuum that features a roller mop and an impressive 19,500Pa of suction. It comes with a multifunction dock, and its mop can reach into corners. It handles floor transitions well, thanks to mechanical climbing levers. It also features a bagless auto-empty dock.
- SharkNinja’s $999.99 PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro 2-in-1 robot vacuum mop can lift itself up as high as 20mm to get over rugs and transitions. Its automatic empty /wash / dry cleaning station doesn’t require bags, either.
What’s being tested next
- The Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai Robot is expected to feature a multifunctional dock, a self-cleaning roller mop, lidar navigation, and onboard cameras for stain detection and targeted cleaning. Pricing and release dates are yet to be announced, but a hands-on preview is available for more details.
- The $1,599.99 Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller Complete includes a roller-style mopping system that self-cleans in real time. Its companion, the Aqua10 Ultra Track Complete, offers hot-water mopping and automatic cleaning solution dispensing, eliminating manual refills.
- The $1,799.99 Dreame Matrix 10 Ultra is equipped with a multi-mop switching dock, enabling automatic changes between nylon scrub pads, sponge pads, and thermal mop pads according to the cleaning area. Its three-solution compartment stores distinct cleaners for pet odors, wood floors, and general messes, which the robot vacuum dispenses autonomously based on the specific cleaning requirement.
