7 Reasons Not to Buy a Mopping Vacuum Robot
- Loredo Litherland
- Nov 12, 2019
- 6 min read
Mopping vacuum robots have taken over the vacuum market by storm. There’s a reason for this, too.
They are convenient. These devices are very convenient and very easy to use. Along with that, they give your robot vacuum a bit more cleaning power, and they ensure that your home is cleaned extra thoroughly.
However, regardless of those advantages, mopping vacuum robots do have a number of flaws, as well. Flaws that, in the end, may detract from your overall experience.
In this article, we’re going to look at seven reasons why you shouldn’t buy a mopping vacuum robot. By the end of this article, you’ll know if a mopping vacuum robot is really for you.
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What Are 7 Reasons Not To Buy A Mopping Vacuum Robot?
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You Still Need To Vacuum
For most people, this is pretty obvious. When using a mopping vacuum robot, obviously, you’re still going to need to vacuum.
However, what some people miss is the fact that a robot vacuum isn’t exactly the end-all, be-all of vacuuming. Even with a really powerful robot vacuum – or mopping vacuum robot, in this case- you’re still going to need to use a regular vacuum, because most robot vacuums aren’t powerful enough to clean everything. Especially not the bigger pieces of debris.
Most Mopping Vacuum Robots Don’t Vacuum Or Mop Properly
This one varies between models. And, depending on which one you buy, this particular reason may be less present.
However, one thing that must be noted, however, is that a mopping vacuum robot generally focuses on doing two things at once. Mopping, and vacuuming. Because of this, they tend not to do either task particularly well, and this leads to a situation where the vacuuming isn’t particularly thorough, and neither is the mopping. So, only a little bit of cleaning actually gets accomplished.
However, with that being said, this one does vary.

You Have To Vacuum-Proof The Entirety Of Your Home
When using a mopping vacuum robot, you’re going to have to take the time, beforehand, to vacuum-proof the entirety of your home.
Now, what this means is that you’re going to find that there are objects, such as random bits of clothing and other things, that will interfere with the device itself. So, you’re going to need to take the time, before you clean, to remove all of these things, so as to prevent any issues and obstructions from occurring.
In the end, though, this isn’t that big of an issue, and it can be solved very easily. However, from the standpoint of convenience, depending on just how much you have on your floors, it can be a bit annoying.
Switching From Carpeting To Bare Floors Is Difficult For Most Mopping Vacuum Robots
The technology for mopping vacuum robots is still very much in its early stages. Because of this, the sensors aren’t always able to adapt – or, at the very least, to adapt as quickly – very well to the change between going from carpeting, where no mopping is required, to bare floors, where mopping is required.
Sometimes, this means that you’ll be using the mop, and then the device will continue to mop, even on carpeted surfaces. Obviously, this is not a good thing whatsoever, and it can lead to problems with mold, among other things. Other times, this means that, instead of the sensors being able to do this, you’ll have to tell the device when to go from vacuuming to mopping, and vice versa.
These kinds of flaws are more annoyances, than anything else. But, regardless of that, they do affect the overall cleaning experience, and must be considered.

Compared To Steam Mops/Steam Cleaners, They Don’t Have The Best Cleaning Performance
If you want a device that can truly deliver fantastic cleaning performance, unfortunately, you’re not going to find that with most mopping vacuum robots. This isn’t to say that this will always be the case, because the technology is developing quite rapidly. But, with that being said, we’re still not quite there yet.
For the best cleaning performance, when it comes to mopping, you’re going to want to go with the tried and true, always reliable, steam mop/steam cleaner. For vacuuming, an upright vacuum is a great choice.
You Can Only Use A Mopping Vacuum Robot On Floors That Are Completely Level
If you have a home where the floors aren’t exactly level with one another, and you intend to clean those floors using a mopping vacuum robot, unfortunately, you won’t be able to do that. Instead, you can only use mopping vacuum robots on floors that are entirely level with one another, because that is what the technology has designed for.
In time, the technology may progress to where this is no longer a requirement, but for now, it is.

You Will Need To Give Them Routine Maintenance
Mopping vacuum robots require a decent amount of routine maintenance. For example, the mopping pads that are used will need to be cleaned and washed after every cleaning. Then, depending on how much you use them, you’ll probably need to throw that mopping pad out, and purchase a new one.
The same goes for the water and soap that you are using. You will need to change it out on a frequent basis.
Along with that, some of the brush heads aren’t the most well-designed. Which means you might have to dig out some of the hairs and debris that gets stuck on them.

What Is A Good Alternative?
The best alternative you can find, for vacuuming, is a standard robot vacuum. These devices have been designed with vacuuming in mind, and as such, they excel when doing that.
However, for mopping, you can’t go wrong with a good robot mop. Many of these robot mops are quite affordable, and since they aren’t trying to balance the vacuuming and the mopping, they are able to devote more energy to the mopping process.
With these two devices, you get the best of both worlds, and a great deal of cleaning performance.
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Empties on its own - you don’t have to think about vacuuming for months at a time. Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal with AllergenLock bag holds 60 days of dirt, dust and hair. Intelligently maps and cleans an entire level of your home.
The Roborock S7 can vacuum and mop, and does an excellent job at both. It's also the company's most powerful vacuum yet, with 2,500Pa of suction. Roborock S7 robot vacuum mops with the power of sound, scrubbing up to 3,000 times per minute.
The Shark AV1010AE IQ is one of the least expensive robot vacuum with self-empty base. The bagless, self-emptying base holds up to 30 days of dirt and debris. Easily start cleaning with Google Assistant, Alexa, or one tap in the app.
Great Deal!
Roomba i4+
Empties on its own - you don’t have to think about vacuuming for months at a time. Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal with AllergenLock bag holds 60 days of dirt, dust and hair. Intelligently maps and cleans an entire level of your home.
Best of the Best
Roborock S7
The Roborock S7 can vacuum and mop, and does an excellent job at both. It's also the company's most powerful vacuum yet, with 2,500Pa of suction. Roborock S7 robot vacuum mops with the power of sound, scrubbing up to 3,000 times per minute.
Budget Option
Shark AV1010AE IQ
The Shark AV1010AE IQ is one of the least expensive robot vacuum with self-empty base. The bagless, self-emptying base holds up to 30 days of dirt and debris. Easily start cleaning with Google Assistant, Alexa, or one tap in the app.
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