6 Best Vacuum Mops of 2023, Tested in Our Lab
Jodhaira Rodriguez/ Good Housekeeping
A ton of robot vacuums also claim to mop, but these 6 hybrids actually do the job
All products featured here are independently selected by our editors and writers. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.
Overview
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
Roomba Combo j7+
Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1
Yeedi Vac Station
Roomba Combo j9+
Eufy G30 Hybrid
After careful hands-on testing, we feature our favorite gear and gadgets as Mashable Selects products in our dedicated shopping guides.
Best deals on robot mops this week
- iRobot Roomba Combo i5 Robot Vacuum and Mop — $229.00 (List Price $349.99)
- iRobot Braava Jet M6 Ultimate Robot Mop — $355.33 (List Price $449.99)
- Eufy Clean X9 Pro CleanerBot With MopMaster Cleaning — $799.99 (List Price $899.99)
- Roborock Q7 Max+ Robot Vacuum and Mop With Dock — $499.99 (List Price $869.99)
- Samsung Jetbot Robot Mop With Dual Microfiber Pads — $238.11 (List Price $299.99)
Despite the enthusiasm of actors in Swiffer commercials, few people are foaming at the mouth when they think about the prospect of manually mopping their floors. We’ve already got so much on our plate that pulling out a handheld device and then having to drag said handheld device around rightfully earns a collective groan.
It’s as if robot vacuum companies heard our groans from afar and decided to make our lives a little easier, by adding mopping to their menu of offerings. Since 2020-ish, countless companies (the few brands you recognize, plus a ton you don’t) have added at least one hybrid model to their lineup, with prices ranging from $100 to well over $1,000. Price is one thing, but whether the wet mopping feature does much more than create a puddle is a whole other story. Often, you end up getting a mediocre vacuum and a mediocre mop for twice the price — and we know you deserve only the very best.
Fortunately, there are some robot mops that excel at making dry floors gleam. Below, we’re outlining some of the best robot mop combos on the market right now — including detailed explanations of the standout features that set them apart. With Black Friday around the corner, you’ll want to find out which models stand out before you shop.
So put that manual mop back in the closet. It’s 2023, after all, and you need a break.
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
Best self-sufficient mopping
Who it’s for:
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is ideal if you’d prefer a true hands-off cleaning experience, including not having to touch soggy mopping pads. But as the priciest contender on anyone’s list, the S8 Pro Ultra isn’t a necessary upgrade for small spaces that won’t use a ton of mopping water in one round, or for anyone who already has the S7 MaxV Ultra.
Why we picked this:
Any hybrid that cares about your floors to the point of making sure dirty mopping pads aren’t dragging across them is truly taking the whole “robot” thing to a whole new level.
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra does just that: Emptying its own dust bin and refilling its own water tank (by swapping dirty water for clean when necessary). Though previously we noted that those who have the older S7 MaxV Ultra vac most likely don’t need to dish out for this newer model, the S8 Pro Ultra does stand out in one key way: not only washing but also drying its own mop pads. The dock, though still a bit large and thus not ideal for tight apartments, has also undergone a chic redesign to better disguise the triad of water tanks. Boosted suction on carpet (what with the vac’s penetrating VibraRise 2.0 Mopping System) is more intense: 6,000 Pa versus the older model’s 5,100.
At $1,599.99, the S8 Pro Ultra is currently the most expensive robot vacuum on the mainstream market. Its menu of specs is almost identical to that of the Ecovacs Deebot X1 Omni, which is frequently on sale for less than $1,000 after a year on the market. But even on sale, we’d probably still advise opting for the $1,599.99 Roborock to avoid the IRL frustrations that come with the X1 Omni. In other words, we fully acknowledge this isn’t an investment you can make carelessly — but one that will nevertheless leave you immensely satisfied with your squeaky-clean floors.
The Good
- Actually scrubs with its VibraRise 2.0 Mopping System
- Empties its dust bin and dirty water tank
- Cleans its own mopping pads
- Rarely gets stuck on rugs
- Amazing battery life
The Bad
- Disappointing performance with pet hair on carpet
- Bulky dock takes up a lot of room
Details
- Battery life: 180 minutes
- Stops mopping on carpet: Yes
- Smart room mapping and virtual boundaries: Yes
- Height: 3.8 inches
Roomba Combo j7+
Best obstacle and carpet avoidance
Who it’s for:
The Roomba Combo j7+ is the best pick if you’re down to pay a little extra to skip scanning the floor for phone chargers or socks before sending your robot vacuum on a cleaning run. Besides stellar obstacle detection, the Combo j7+ also has a retractable mop that senses when carpets are near. All this is to say — you’ll be assured peace of mind and a non-soaked rug.
Unfortunately, unlike some similarly-priced premium vacs from Roborock or Ecovacs that wash their own mopping pads, you’ll be responsible for your own Roomba’s dirty pads. This might be a nuisance, sure. but, if you think about it, you’re still winning — what with not having to manually scrub your floors or haul a heavy upright vac around.
Why we picked this:
The robot vacuum that’s least likely to gobble up your phone charger is now also the least likely to soak your carpet. In Oct. 2022, iRobot announced a mopping version of its well-reviewed j7+ — the first true hybrid Roomba. The Combo j7+ looks nearly identical to the original, but with the addition of what looks like the spoiler on a sports car. Enter: The retractable mop.
iRobot’s signature PrecisionVision (which works via a front-facing camera and LED) allows the j7+ to perceive obstacles that other robot vacuums plow right into. Those smarts extend to sensing carpet in mop mode, too: Instead of letting the mop hover and risking drips, the Combo j7+ lifts its mop on top of the vacuum itself. Note that PrecisionVision isn’t activated during the j7+’s initial training run, so be sure to rescue those socks and dog bowls before it’s too late.
The Good
- Great obstacle and carpet perception during wet and dry cleaning
- Mop doesn’t need to be manually attached or removed
- Long battery life
The Bad
- A bit expensive for lack of self-cleaning mopping pads
- Automatic emptying is painfully loud
Details
- Battery life: 90 minutes
- Stops mopping on carpet: Yes
- Smart room mapping and virtual boundaries: Yes
- Height: 3.4 inches flat, around 3.6 inches with mop raised
Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1
Best spot cleaning
Who it’s for:
We suggest the Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 if your main concern with a robot mop is whether it actually scrubs (with more than water, at that) and can be sent to specific rooms in a map on command. Since you’ve probably been eyeing that
This is best for homes without a heavy rug situation, as the bot requires you to manually point out rugs or carpets in the app and can’t vacuum while the water tank is attached.
Why we picked this:
The Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 really surprised us, which is why it earned a spot among the very best robot vacuum and mop hybrids. Without self-emptying, this robot vacuum and mop costs just $449.40, or under $300 on sale — firmly in the budget category compared to bots from iRobot and Roborock. Despite its budget status, the Shark AI Ultra proved to be an extremely effective and feature-packed robot mop. With Matrix Cleaning mode activated, the mopping pad vibrates 100 times per minute and goes over the desired area from several angles. And that’s on thoroughness.
The Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1 aced Mashable’s extensive and demanding cleaning tests. This smart cleaning bot effectively scooped up crumbs and dust bunnies; the Shark Sonic Mopping pad and its included multi-floor cleaning solution (very generous of Shark to treat us to this add-on) tackled most floor stains and shoe scuffs.
The Good
- Quite affordable for a hybrid vacuum
- Excellent mopping with sonic scrubbing
- Cleans with more than water (solution is included)
- Crosshatch suction pattern cleans carpet from multiple angles
- Very quick LiDAR mapping
The Bad
- Can’t vacuum and mop at the same time
- Requires rug verification run to avoid mopping rugs
- Sometimes takes forever to find dock
Details
- Battery life: 120 minutes
- Stops mopping on carpet: No
- Smart room mapping and virtual boundaries: Yes
- Height: 5.69 inches
Yeedi Vac Station
Best budget self-emptying hybrid
Who it’s for:
This packed budget model has serious value for folks who would like to try the triple threat that is room mapping, mopping, and automatic emptying, but who definitely don’t want to spend more than $500.
If your floor is often plagued by tiny crumbs left by children (or adults who are children at heart), the Yeedi Vac Station is able to flawlessly suck up all such messes, on both hardwood floor and carpet surfaces. Its slender and more-or-less aesthetically pleasing dock is also great for smaller spaces.
Why we picked this:
Autonomous wet and dry cleaning plus auto-emptying is typically a pricey checklist, but this Yeedi makes the whole process hands-free for less than $400 on sale (which it almost always is at Amazon).
The presence of room mapping is also impressive at such a practical price point, despite undercooked quirks like only having the capacity to hold a map of one floor at a time. This Yeedi model’s shaky navigation (when it comes to whizzing past furniture) is less annoying when you can still enjoy the convenience of targeting specific rooms and setting virtual boundaries in the app.
We featured the Yeedi Vac Station in our best self-emptying robot vacuums roundup, which you should read to gather even more intel on this affordable hybrid vacuum.
The Good
- Almost always on sale for under $300
- Very quiet on hard floors
- Stops mopping and boosts suction on carpet
- Lots of customization in the app
- Vacuum itself and dock are both compact
The Bad
- VSLAM mapping isn’t as precise as LiDAR
- Talks too much
- Occasionally gets lost on way back to dock
- Only holds map of one floor at a time
- Convoluted setup process
Details
- Battery life: 200 minutes
- Stops mopping on carpet: Yes
- Smart room mapping and virtual boundaries: Yes
- Height: 3.1 inches
Roomba Combo j9+
Best for getting the best of all worlds
Who it’s for:
For those who are ready to test out Roomba’s latest-and-greatest j9 robovac series (only rolled out in September), the Roomba Combo j9+ is a fab way to do so. If your floors are well-loved — in the sense that they have some pretty deep, dried stains on them — you’ll be wowed by this vacuum’s SmartScrub technique aimed at eliminating all such messes. Unlike previous Roombas, this one saves you even more time, by freeing you from manually refilling the water tank for 30 days at a time.
As an added bonus, if you’re someone for whom the “aesthetic factor” ranks highly among robot vac criteria, rest assured that the Combo j9+ is sheer eye candy. I mean, its dock is literally topped with chic wood accents — allowing it to double as a side table. In the world of robovacs, this is quite rare.
Why we picked this:
The Roomba Combo j9+ vac, though certainly not the most affordable vacuum-mop hybrid out there, lives up to its price tag through and through. Aside from not being able to wash/dry its own mopping pads, it pretty much destroys the competition in all other respects — what with its auto-empty dustbin and water tank; dry suction power that levels up on all past Roomba models; and obstacle/carpet avoidance (with an Auto-Retract Mopping System) that actually does what it promises to do.
The j9+ is one of those robovacs that can accommodate both water and solution in its water tank, which will certainly help your floors live up to their full potential. The vac also features first-of-its-kind Dirt Detective tech, helping it prioritize the dirtiest rooms first without you having to manually point to them. Cool feature on top of cool feature on top of cool feature is equal to one insanely smart vacuum.
The Good
- Impressive obstacle and carpet perception
- Good battery life considering number of functions/power
- Suction power superior to previous Roombas
- Retractable mop
The Bad
- Cost-prohibitive for many folks
- Doesn’t wash/dry own mop pads
Details
- Battery life: 90 minutes
- Stops mopping on carpet: Yes
- Smart room mapping and virtual boundaries: Yes
- Height: 3.4 inches
Eufy G30 Hybrid
Best for small spaces
Who it’s for:
The Eufy G30 Hybrid is a great option for apartment dwellers or those occupying an otherwise small space — who wouldn’t use (and don’t feel like paying for) more advanced robot vacuum features like smart mapping or automatic emptying. If you’re perfectly fine with a basic-ish bot that cleans quietly and can scoot under low-hanging furniture, there won’t be a day when you’re disappointed by this Eufy model.
Why we picked this:
Eufy’s slew of robot vacuums and hybrid models, all differentiated by a single letter or arbitrary number, can become a headache to sort through. We’re pulling the G30 Hybrid out of the more affordable end of the spectrum, which is part of a collection of gyroscope-guided models that navigate in a zigzag pattern based on where they’ve already cleaned (rather than bumping around aimlessly).
The G30 can’t create a map of your home unlike other vacs in this roundup: Which means no room targeting, zone cleaning, or virtual boundaries. We never said the magnetic boundary strips it comes with are cute or trendy, but they’ll suffice for physically separating a zone or two in a small space.
The Good
- Frequently on sale for under $300
- Gyroscope-guided navigation is a step up from bounce navigation
- Very quiet
- Boundary strips included
The Bad
- No room or zone mapping
- Just OK suction power
- Can’t recognize carpets
Details
- Battery life: 100 minutes
- Stops mopping on carpet: No
- Smart room mapping and virtual boundaries: No
- Height: 2.85 inches
Mashable product reviewers (especially our unofficial vacuum specialist, Senior Shopping Reporter Leah Stodart) have tested a lot of robot vacuums in recent years, from $150 budget models that mindlessly zig-zag back and forth to $1,500 cleaning robots that can do double duty as home security guards (or allow you to check in on your doggos!). However, testing hybrid robot vacuums and mops requires some additional steps.
For this review, we separately tested several bots’ ability to vacuum and mop on hardwood, rug, and tile surfaces. When cleaning up dry waste, we scattered debris (read: Cocoa Pebbles) around the floor and along the edges of a wall to test suction and edge cleaning. When that process was complete, we then stained the floor with a small patch of syrup. We wanted to see how well these bots could handle a stubborn stain, which isn’t what they’re technically designed to do. If these vacs would simply drive over the syrup stain without mopping it up, what’s the point of getting a hybrid vac versus a normal vac, after all?
We found that in order to effectively mop, the best hybrid models needed to do more than rub a wet mop pad across your floor. The Shark AI Ultra 2-in-1, the best mopper we tested for this guide (and one which you can read our dedicated, in-depth review of), used a combination of sonic scrubbing and floor cleaning solution for a deep clean that other bots simply couldn’t match.
However, to earn a spot in our guide to the best robot vacuum/mop hybrids, these cleaning machines had to do more than vacuum and mop. We also tested their navigation capabilities, obstacle avoidance, self-emptying, and smart-mapping features. For devices with special features such as sonic mopping, carpet detection, or spot cleaning, we also tried out these functions to ensure they could actually deliver what they promised. All this is to say: We had high standards for the vac/mop hybrids we sampled and you should, too!
In our testing, we discovered that the best hybrid robot vacuums offered a combination of essential features — effective mapping and navigation, carpet detection, sonic mopping, and self-emptying. We chose to include a handful of robot vacuums that offered some of these features even though we weren’t able to test them for this story (yet). All of these chosen products are made by companies with a proven reputation for delivering high-quality goods (psst. we recommend avoiding unknown budget brands in this product category).
Frequently Asked Questions
Are mopping robots even worth it?
A mopping robot’s value is pretty indisputable — that is, if it can actually mop as well as it promises. Most robot mops include a disclaimer along these lines: “Not meant to be used for stubborn, sticky, or set-in stains.” That’s a nuanced statement, because aren’t these kinds of floor stains the exact reason why you’d invest in a robo-mop in the first place? If you want a lasting (and effective) purchase, we recommend avoiding most budget models in favor of more advanced cleaning bots that can, indeed, be used on most stains.
The traditional mop and bucket is a logistical headache, and constantly tossing out Swiffer pads feels wasteful (despite the chokehold their TV marketing has on all of us). If you’re going to pay to take the tedious motion of vacuuming off of your to-do list, you may as well let the same bot finish the job with a nice sparkle. The best robot vacuum and mops may not scrub with as much “oomph” as your own two hands, but they can make your floors shine a bit more than they normally would.
How do robot vacuum mops work?
At their core, robot vacuum mop combos are really just robot vacuums with an attached water reservoir and scrubbing pad. Thus, they work just like robot vacuums but dispense water for mopping when they’re not sucking up dust. When you want to finish treat your freshly vacuumed floors to a little glimmer and shine, you fill the water tank up and attach a cloth or pad to the bottom. The bot will then navigate your floors to clean up the extra dirt. Some, of course, are better than others about lifting the cloth when they approach carpet and ceasing water flow automatically.
For the most effective clean, look for models that can accommodate cleaning fluid (like Pine Sol) in addition to regular water. Likewise, robot mops that incorporate a scrubbing motion (or, better yet, sonic vibration technology) will do a better job at lifting away dirt and grime.
What to look for in a robot vacuum mop combo:
Choosing the best robot vacuum mop for you really depends on your lifestyle and the budget you’re looking to adhere to. Whether you’re in the market for something that will tackle big messes with ease, or something that you can set and forget, there are a few key factors to keep in mind:
Battery life: A 90 to 100-minute battery life should be sufficient to cover an apartment in one charge, or if most of your cleaning will be done on a room-by-room basis. Battery life of 170 to 200 minutes isn’t hard to find and would be ideal for square footage over 1,500. Even the cheapest robot vacuums nowadays should recharge on their own and automatically resume cleaning — meaning you won’t have to pick them up and escort them back to the base.
Floor-type sensors: A robot vacuum’s ability to adjust suction based on floor type is important even just in the dry sweeping realm. But for robot mops, this is exactly the feature that will keep your carpets from getting soggy. Most hybrids automatically start to mop once their water tank is attached, but only the smarter ones know to pause the water flow and lift their wet cloth above the carpet. Bots that remember your rooms or follow virtual boundaries can be programmed to avoid carpeted areas while mopping altogether.
Smart mapping: A robot vacuum’s navigation tech decides whether or not it’s equipped to adhere to virtual boundaries. Currently, the golden standard is LiDAR: A laser that scans different points in your home to determine where walls are. On the other hand, there’s also VSLAM technology — which uses cameras and not lasers to pinpoint where everything in your house is. The major downside of VSLAM is that it needs light to operate (meaning you won’t be able to program your hybrid vac to work while you sleep, like you can with LiDAR navigation). Once a robot vacuum has made its rounds and gotten its bearings, it draws a floor plan. You can refer to this plan in-app — sending the bot to clean specific rooms or setting up “No-Go” zones that you’d like the bot to avoid, like a pile of toys or your pet’s precious water bowl.
Dust bin size and self-emptying: You’ll want to make sure the dust bin and water reservoir in your robot vacuum-mop combo are an appropriate match for your home. If you’re living in a condo, apartment, or other small space, you probably won’t need a massive vacuum reservoir. If you’re hoping to cover an entire house, you’ll want to look for something that won’t have to be emptied out after every single cleaning session. A self-emptying vacuum will come in clutch here, which automatically empties its debris into a dock and leaves you off the hook for a month or two.
Sonic mopping: While sonic mopping isn’t a feature that all robovacs have, it’s certainly one that will distinguish a good hybric vacuum from a great one. In case you’re wondering what sonic mopping really is — given its cryptic name and all — Roborock’s website explains it best. According to them, this means the mop is able to “produce high-speed reciprocating vibration of up to 3000 times/min. up to a frequency of 50Hz which is within a ‘sonic’ range.” All this vibration means the vac won’t just skim over stains but truly penetrate them for a deep, thorough clean.
6 Best Vacuum Mops of 2023, Tested in Our Lab
Clean floors in one step with these vacuum and mop combos.
Who wouldn’t prefer a one-step cleaning routine? Well, a new category of floor cleaners now exists that stands to revolutionize how we clean our floors. Sure, there are plenty of great robot mops that vacuum and then pass a wet pad across your floors, but these new upright devices get the job done better and more efficiently, vacuuming up dry dirt and wet messes — as in, actually cleaning and washing your floors in a single pass. Easy to set up, use and store, vacuum mops combine the suction of a high-powered vacuum and the wet cleaning power of a top-rated mop all in one device.
To find the best vacuum-mop combos, the experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care and Cleaning Lab put 11 of the newest models through dozens of performance and ease-of-use tests, cleaning up 143 messes over a two-month period — everything from cereal to soy sauce stains — and taking meticulous notes on how well these vacuum mops performed and how easy they were to assemble, use, clean and store. We tested on vinyl and hardwood flooring to assure that no damage was caused by cleaning with these devices.
Our top picks:
Best Overall
Dreametech H11 Max
Easiest to Clean Vacuum Mop
Tineco Floor One S3
Best Value Vacuum Mop
Lunaglow Nano
Best Corded Vacuum Mop
Eureka All in One Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner and Mop
Best Vacuum Mop for Wood Floors
Roborock Dyad Pro Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner
Best Vacuum Mop With Steam
Eufy MACH V1 Ultra
Ahead, the six best vacuum mops that earned the highest scores across all categories, plus additional information about how we test and helpful shopping tips.
Dreametech H11 Max
Dreametech H11 Max
Pros
- No streaks left behind during ketchup clean-up tests
- Brush roll cover cleans brush as you use it
Cons
- Dirty water can leak when device is lifted off the floor
The H11 Max from Dreametech — a 2022 Cleaning and Organizing Awards winner — really was a dream come true when it came to our ease-of-use tests. It earned a perfect score in six of our eight ease-of-use categories, missing the top spot for highest overall by just a fraction of a point. Our experts expected to have a hard time maneuvering this vacuum mop around furniture and tight corners, but was blown away by how easy it was to push this self-propelling, 10-pound model. The water tanks are completely flush with the main body of the vacuum mop, giving it a sleek, modern look that set it apart from the others we tested.
During one of our performance tests, it sucked up ketchup without leaving any streaks behind or causing bigger messes on the floor. Equipped with a scraper on the brush roll cover, this model is able to clean the brush roll as the vacuum moves forward, ensuring that messes don’t build up and get re-deposited further along your cleaning path.
The H11 Max also automatically increases the suction as it detects more debris on the floor and has an LED screen that informs you of everything from debris detected to error alerts and battery levels. One drawback we noticed is that dirty water can potentially leak when the device is lifted off the floor.
| Battery runtime | 36 minutes |
|---|---|
| Weight | 10.25 lbs |
| Cleaning modes | Auto and water absorption |
| Safe surfaces | Sealed hard floor surfaces |
Tineco Floor One S3
Tineco Floor One S3
Pros
- Intuitive floor cleaning and self-cleaning functions
- Largest capacity dirty water tank tested
- Self-propelling
Cons
- Battery takes up to five hours to fully charge
The feature on this model that most impressed our experts was its automatic water and suction increase when it sensed more debris on our test floors. It also automatically increases how much water is dispensed during the self-clean cycle if it senses excess debris on the brush roll. The easy-to-empty dirty water tank separates the dry detritus from the dirty water so you won’t clog your drain with the debris you picked up from your floors. We put all these devices through a lot of messy tests and found that this model came out of our testing with a nearly spotless brush roll.
Performance-wise, the S3 was a superstar, earning perfect scores in our dry debris pick-up and tank capacity evaluations. The dirty water tank can hold up to 700 milliliters of water — the largest of all the models we tested. Other features we found useful were the LED display that changes colors as the auto-suction changes and the app that allows you to check on cleaning performance and troubleshoot errors. It’s also self-propelling, which makes it easy to push the vacuum mop along the floor without breaking a sweat. Keep in mind that the battery takes about five hours to completely charge.
| Battery runtime | 35 minutes |
|---|---|
| Weight | 9.68 lbs |
| Cleaning modes | Auto and max |
| Safe surfaces | Sealed flooring |
Lunaglow Nano
Lunaglow Nano
Pros
- Uses cleaning solution capsules instead of heavy liquid bottles
- Lightest of our top picks
Cons
On par with the more expensive vacuum mops we tested, the Lunaglow Nano has a great price and performed well across all of our cleaning test categories, scoring among the top models in our stain removal and wet pickup tests. This vacuum mop also earned the highest user guide evaluation score with 19 of the 20 features we look for. An almost-perfect performance with dry debris pick-up and our cereal and milk pick-up tests helped to push this model to the top of our list.
At just over over 8 pounds, the Nano is the most lightweight on our list. Our experts found cleaning the Nano to be easy but noted that it required a few runs of the self-clean cycle to really get all the debris out of the vacuum mop. The 25-minute battery runtime on this device is about average — all the models we tested ranged from 13 to 60 minutes. In addition to all the features it shares with its more costly counterparts, the Nano comes with cleaning solution capsules that are just as effective and easier to store than a bottle of liquid cleaner. However, you may have to get accustomed to the random notifications that are a bit loud.
| Battery runtime | 25 minutes |
|---|---|
| Weight | 8.26 lbs |
| Cleaning modes | Eco, max and dry vacuuming |
| Safe surfaces | Sealed flooring and area rugs |
Eureka All in One Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner and Mop
Eureka All in One Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner and Mop
Pros
- Performed well in our dry pick-up tests
- Easy to maneuver around furniture
Cons
- Self-clean function left behind clumped, dry debris in vacuum nozzle
No need to rush: Limitless cleaning (well, within 25 feet of your outlet) is at your fingertips with the Eureka All in One Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner and Mop. This model performed well in our cleaning tests, especially during our pick-up of cereal with milk. Though this is the only one of our picks without a display screen or voice notifications, it’s an effective wet and dry cleaner, and it rolls smoothly on both hard flooring and area rugs and steers nimbly around furniture legs.
This Eureka vacuum mop comes with a pleasant-smelling cleaning solution and tools to clean its brush roll and water tanks. Although when we used the self-clean function, clumps of dry debris were left behind in the vacuum nozzle. Also notable is its ability to be used as a traditional dry vacuum without the need to wet your floors.
| Battery runtime | N/A |
|---|---|
| Weight | 10.4 lbs |
| Cleaning modes | Hard floor, area rug and dry vacuuming |
| Safe surfaces | Sealed hard floors and area rugs |
Roborock Dyad Pro Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner
Roborock Dyad Pro Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaner
Pros
- Floor drying mode for small water spills
- Voice notifications in English, Spanish and French
Cons
- Cannot stand without being propped or on docking station
An exceptionally good pick for large homes, this Roborock vacuum mop has one of the largest clean water tanks we tested, holding 900 milliliters of water, and a 43-minute runtime on a four-hour battery charge. In tests, the Dyad Pro picked up dry oatmeal and other dry spills well and also did a good job on wet spills, like coffee, although it did need multiple passes to completely rid floors of chocolate syrup. Though the floor-drying mode is what really impressed our experts; it’s a great way to remove small liquid spills from wood floors quickly — key for the longevity of your floors.
This model from Roborock is simple to set up and has fun, convenient features like voice notifications that can be set to three different languages. It was also surprisingly agile to maneuver, thanks to its self-propelling feature. With three brush rolls, an easy-to-read LED display and an effective self-cleaning cycle, we heartily recommend this vacuum mop — despite the fact that it’s more expensive than some others, including our top overall pick. One thing that was problematic was that it cannot stand on its own without being propped up or placed in the dock.
| Battery runtime | 43 minutes |
|---|---|
| Weight | 10.58 lbs. |
| Cleaning modes | Auto, max and floor drying |
| Safe surfaces | Sealed hard floor surfaces |
Eufy MACH V1 Ultra
Eufy MACH V1 Ultra
Pros
- No pre-mixing required
- Cleans in a single pass
Cons
- Our pros don’t recommend using steam on hardwood floors
Part of an emerging category of vacuum mops, the Eufy MACH V1 Ultra is slim, compact, easy to maneuver and has a lot of great features, including the ability to steam-clean floors. While our Lab pros don’t actually recommend steam-cleaning hardwood floors, it’s an undeniably popular category and useful for sealed surfaces like tile. In tests, the model picked up dry oatmeal, fluffy pet hair and even sticky chocolate syrup without spreading it around in single passes. We didn’t even need to use the steam function for the chocolate syrup — a spill other models struggled with.
We love how easy the vacuum mop is to use from start to finish. You don’t have to pre-mix the formula. Just fill the separate cleaner and water tanks, and the machine does the mixing for you. It also runs a drying cycle on the roller after cleaning to dry more quickly. And emptying the tanks, even the dirty water one, is almost entirely mess-free.
| Battery runtime | 82 minutes |
|---|---|
| Weight | 12.57 lbs. |
| Cleaning modes | Smart, steam and suction |
| Safe surfaces | Sealed hard floors |
How we test vacuum mops
Jodhaira Rodriguez/ Good Housekeeping
Our experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care and Cleaning Lab started the process by scouring the internet looking for the most popular vacuum mops on the market. Our cleaning experts then tested 11 models from 11 different brands that were available at the time — some from major brands we are deeply familiar with and others from newer brands on the market.
Each model was evaluated across 16 performance and ease-of-use tests. In total, our experts collected 516 data points — 220 from our user guide evaluation tests alone. At the home of one of our experts, a sheet of vinyl flooring sheet was adhered to the floor (pictured). This was where dry debris and wet mess pick-up tests were conducted using six different, pre-measured common food messes, including cereal (with and without milk), soda and coffee grounds. Each vacuum mop was passed over the mess using an equal amount of strokes and was graded based on the quantity picked up.
To test each device’s stain-fighting capabilities, a pre-measured amount of soy sauce was applied to the flooring and left to dry; then each vacuum mop was passed over the stain using an equal amount of strokes. Each vacuum mop was used on hardwood flooring to make sure that the models we recommend don’t leave excessive water behind that could cause damage. For the four models that have a rug or dry vacuuming mode, additional dry debris pick-up tests were performed on an area rug.
For our ease-of-use tests, our Cleaning Lab expert measured the sound level produced during operation, as well as the weight and maneuverability of each vacuum mop. Evaluation of each device’s user guide included checking for the inclusion of 20 different features that are commonly found in appliance manuals, like safety information, assembly graphics, warranty information and FAQs. Our expert also rated ease of cleaning after each performance test, noting how well each device’s self-clean cycle functioned and any differences across cleaning after dry vs. wet mess pick-ups.
What to look for when shopping for the best vacuum mop
Jodhaira Rodriguez/ Good Housekeeping
Because these are dual devices, you have two sets of features to consider when buying a vacuum mop combo. You want to choose a device that performs equally well as a vacuum and a floor cleaner yet doesn’t add any extra steps to the cleaning process.
✔️ Self-cleaning mode: A quality self-cleaning function is a must-have for these devices. In fact, it’s so important, that we’re mentioning it before any other feature. Without a self-clean function, vacuum mops are very difficult to clean because of all the parts that need to be washed after use. During testing, we found that a lot of food can remain inside the vacuum nozzle (pictured) causing odors and, in some cases, leading to mold growth inside the device. Even with a self-clean function that washes out all the debris from your vacuum mop, it’s a very good idea to remove all the parts and allow them to air dry before re-assembling your device to keep it free from odors.
✔️ Corded vs. cordless: Corded models do not have to be charged, so they are great for cleaning large spaces, but you’ll often have to unplug and then plug into a different outlet if the cord isn’t long enough. Cordless models offer more flexibility in that you don’t have to worry about having an outlet in the area you’re cleaning, but they are limited by the battery’s runtime.
✔️ Weight: The weight of the 11 models we tested ranged from under 4 pounds to more than 12 pounds — without the added weight of a full clean water tank! Because these are devices that you have to push along the floor, weight is an important factor to consider. Models with self-propelling capabilities that minimize the effort required to push them forward can often make up for the extra weight. We saw this in our tests when one of our heaviest models, the Dreametech H11 Max, still earned a perfect score for maneuverability.
✔️ Surface type: These floor cleaning devices work best on sealed hard flooring, like tile, but there are a few that can also clean area rugs. If you have hardwood flooring to clean, it is especially important to note how wet your vacuum mop leaves the floor as excessive water can cause major damage. And although the Eufy MACH V1 Ultra boasts a steam-cleaning feature, our Lab pros don’t recommend using steam on wood floors. Look for vacuum mops that have floor drying capabilities or include instructions for how best to use your device to leave your floors as dry as possible after cleaning. You can also check with your vacuum mop manufacturer to see if different brush rolls are available for your specific flooring type.
✔️ Storage: You can’t store these like you would your mop and broom — no hanging these on a wall-mounted organizer or hook. Most of these devices come with a docking station that is an inch or two wider than the device itself and requires access to an outlet. A vacuum mop that is able to stand without being propped up is also great if you prefer not to keep it on the larger docking station. You will still have to set it on the station for charging and to run the self-cleaning cycle.
✔️ Filter: The last thing you want is the dust and debris you are cleaning up to be redeposited into the air. Like you would with a traditional vacuum, note if the device you purchase has a filter and what kind of filter it is. HEPA is best, but any filter is better than nothing at all.
Is a vacuum mop worth it?
Yes, if your goal is to make your floor cleaning a one-step process (who doesn’t want that?), a vacuum mop is certainly worth it. These vacuum mops will pick up all sorts of chunky food spills, like oatmeal, soup, cereal, even a broken egg. There’s no need to sweep before using them wet or dry, though keep in mind that the bigger the wet mess you pick up, the more mess you’ll have to clean out of the machine when you empty it. That said, for just a small dry mess or spill, it’s still easier to use a traditional broom, vacuum or mop that requires less clean up afterwards than these vacuum mops do.