Latest news with #mopping
The Verge
3 days ago
- Business
- The Verge
Narwal's Freo X Ultra, one of our favorite robovacs, is 60 percent off
Let's face it — cleaning is the worst, and most of us would rather do literally anything else. If you ever wished somebody else would take care of it for you, today's deal on the Narwal Freo X Ultra is worth a look. The robot vacuum / mop hybrid does most of the hard work so you don't have to lift a finger, and is currently down to an all-time low of $549.99 ($850 off) at Best Buy and Amazon. My colleague Jennifer Pattison Tuohy says the Narwal Freo X Ultra is one of the best mopping vacuums she's ever tested, which is why it's one of her top robot vacuum recommendations. Its spinning triangular mops scrub hard surfaces remarkably well, even swinging slightly so it can get closer to baseboards. It also comes equipped with dual four-liter water tanks — larger than what you'll find on most rivals — so the Narwal can clean for longer without needing a refill. Plus, it automatically adjusts mop pressure based on floor type and will even go over areas that remain dirty after the first pass. It's a capable vacuum too, quietly delivering up to 8,200 Pa of suction to pick up dirt and debris. An anti-tangle brush makes it effective on carpets, while a disposable onboard bin compresses dust for easier cleanup. It also supports several voice assistants — including Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant — so you can control the robovac with just your voice. Narwal Freo X Ultra $140061% off $550 A superior mopping bot with a superior price tag, the Narwal is smart enough to know when it needs to go back and mop more. Its vacuuming is good, and its unique onboard compression bin means no loud auto-emptying. Through June 10th, Woot is offering the JBL Go 4 in multiple colors for just $32.95 ($17 off) with a 90-day warranty, which is its lowest price yet. The portable Bluetooth speaker delivers good sound, and even supports stereo pairing with another JBL device. The speaker additionally features a solid IP67 rating for water and dust resistance while providing up to seven hours of playback on a single charge. With fire season now in full swing, it's a good time to pick up the Amazon Smart Air Quality Monitor for $54.99 ($14 off) at Amazon, which is $10 shy of its best price to date. The easy-to-setup device sends voice alerts and app notifications when air quality declines, and responds by automatically activating Alexa-enabled devices like smart thermostats and air purifiers using Alexa Hunches. You can also set up personalized Routines to trigger these devices under specific conditions. Read our review. Elgato's Stream Deck MK.2 is on sale for $129.99 ($20 off) at Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo. While we've seen the macro controller go for less in the past, this is the best price we've seen since December. The macro pad comes with 15 customizable keys, which you program to control smart home devices to Slack statuses. It also includes a detachable stand and user-swappable faceplates for a personalized setup.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
The 14 best mops for your home, tested on every type of hard flooring
When it comes to cleaning routines, mopping the floors can be a tedious task. Whether you're dealing with pet hair, mucky footprints and spills, or the day-to-day build up of dust, dirt and grime, it's important to find the best mops for you and your household to leave your floors looking spotless. It's possible to spend anything from £3 to £200 on a mop. Leading brands such as Vileda, Bona and Beldray have created everything from traditional string mops to spray, steam and robot vacuum models to help you tackle any surface in your home, whether it's hardwood floors, laminate, vinyl or the type of tiles that need extra delicacy and care. In addition to reviews for each mop, further below you'll find answers to frequently asked questions. These reviews are checked and updated regularly but if you're in a rush, here are my top five at a glance: The best mops: At a glance How to choose the best mop for you The range of mops available can be a little mind-boggling, but the right one should save you time, energy and money. There are string, spray, steam, spin, flat, microfibre, sponge, dust and electric mops, to name just a few. Knowing how they work is the key to choosing the right one for you. Hard floors – like hardwood, stone and tiles – may fare better with steam mops that 'avoid excessive water exposure and harsh chemicals, as this can cause warping', says Elizabeth White, Brand Manager at Bissell UK. Spin, flat and microfibre mops instead use fine synthetic fibres and tend to be quite large, so they can capture a greater amount of dirt, dust and bacteria compared to conventional cotton mops. There are also electric mops, which use oscillating or vibrating pads to help scrub the floor with ease, as well as steam and sponge mops, which take some of the time and hassle out of the task. Hard floor cleaners are also a popular purchase for reducing the need to scrub. Ultimately, the mop you need might differ depending on your flooring, the task at hand and your individual preference. How we test mops I tried each mop on a variety of different floors, from laminate and hardwood to tile and vinyl. Checking to see how they performed on spills, stains, dust and dirt. I spilled wet coffee grounds on the floor to see how much effort and scrubbing went into removing them and any stain left behind, while noting how comfortable the handles were and whether they could be adjusted to suit different heights. How easy each mop was to use and how smoothly it covered different types of floors (and whether it could get right into corners and tight spots) was a key factor, alongside the mop head itself. I tested how quickly I could remove and clean them, and how simple a job it was to replace them when needed. Finally, I considered any additional design features such as two-in-one spray and polish scrubber attachments and accompanying buckets to see how much they made the overall experience easier. If a certain mop came with its own cleaning solution, I tried this or I turned to the floor cleaner that I usually use, as and when needed. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our thorough, real-world tests will always help you find the best product. No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don't accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. All reviews are based on independent expert opinion and our hands-on testing. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. The best mops of 2025 1. Best Buy Mop: Vileda 3-in-1 Turbo Spin Mop and Bucket Set Of all the mops that I tried, I can see this Vileda set being a go-to for many. The mop head combines thick microfibre strings and a dense middle pad to pick up and lift dirt, dust and debris. It worked smoothly across a mix of floor types and I found that I only needed to do one or two passes for the floor to be clean and shining. Unlike other spin or string mops which are circular in shape, this triangular shaped design actually lets you get right into corners and tight nooks. I also appreciated having an adjustable telescopic handle length. Most only add or detract around 20 to 30cm, yet Vileda's ranges from 85cm all the way up to 135cm, so you can clean in a position which doesn't have you leaning over or straining and in turn, preventing you from experiencing a sore back after tackling your floors or under certain items of furniture. Like most of the microfibre options, you only need water to remove up to 99 per cent of bacteria thanks to the unique structure of their fibres which picks up any dirt or debris. This makes it a fantastic option if you're looking to go chemical-free with your cleaning routine or don't want the additional expense of buying dedicated floor cleaners. It doesn't hold too much liquid either, once spun by the accompanying bucket, which has a pedal to take the work out of wringing and stop any water from spraying or splashing back out. The bucket also has an easy pour spout, to save you from having to completely upend it to empty it, which will be a welcome addition for those with mobility issues or smaller sinks. Key specifications 2. Best Value Mop: Beldray Antibac 2-in-1 Spray Mop Score: 8/10 We like: The satisfying swivel head and lightweight design With the ability to be used wet or dry, this two-in-one spray mop comes with two handy pads; one made of microfibre to deal with dirt and stains, and a chenille pad for polishing floors and removing any dust or lint. It was easy to switch between the two and they washed well. It handles laminate and tile with ease and is comfortable to use, both in terms of holding the handle and angling it under items of furniture. The 300ml water tank capacity is not too large to be bulky or add weight to the device, while still letting you tackle a number of rooms or cleaning jobs without feeling the need to refill it. But what impressed me most was its 360-degree swivel head, letting me angle it under cabinets and into certain crevices which hadn't been reached in quite a while. I will say, even though the handle isn't adjustable or telescopic, which could be a downside for some, I didn't feel like it needed to be altered. But I am around five foot five, so it might not suit those who are considerably shorter or taller. Key specifications 3. Best Spray Mop: Minky Spritz 'n' Go Spray Mop Score: 9/10 We like: No need for a bucket and it worked well in corners We don't like: Mop head can be tricky to remove Combining the benefits of a traditional string mop with that of a spray mop, the Minky Spritz 'n' Go Spray Mop is handy if you've had issues with sopping wet mops or don't have space to store a bucket. As you're in control of how much (or how little) you spray, this makes it especially handy for wooden floors, which you should avoid getting too wet. The spray emitted a decent amount of water without over-saturating any areas. The super soft microfibre strands mean you can get right into corners and along skirting boards with ease. It coped well with dust, dirt and stains and I found that it worked well across a range of different floor types. Not having to drag a bucket around after me was another big pro as was the comfortable handle which was easy to adjust to any height. In all, it made cleaning fairly seamless. Key specifications 4. Best Flat Mop: E-Cloth Deep Clean Mop Score: 9/10 We like: Lightweight, easy to use, and only requires water If you find it tricky to squeeze all the water from a string mop, the E-Cloth Deep Clean Mop is a decent alternative. Not only does the head dry out quickly, saving you from worrying about transferring too much water onto the floor, it works with water alone to clean all flooring types. You don't need to use cleaning solutions thanks to its specially treated fibres, which essentially have a magnet-like effect, emitting a positive charge to attract dirt and grime. I found that rather than pushing debris around, it left me with a clean and most importantly, streak-free finish, especially on tiles and wooden flooring. The microfibre material also grabbed at dust and any fluff that might be hiding under furniture too, particularly when the pad had almost dried out fully. Slim and easy to manoeuvre, it handles corners and reaches under beds, armchairs and sofas well, while the decently sized pad covers a large surface area quickly, cutting down on the time that it normally takes me to clean an entire room, especially as I didn't need to go to and from a sink or bucket to wring it out. For quicker or lighter cleans, you can simply rinse the mop head under the tap, or wash it in the machine for a more thorough clean. It looked and felt as good as new after it had dried, meaning it was ready to use again in no time at all. Replacing the pad was also simple to do. Key specifications 5. Best Mop for Laminate Floors: Joseph Joseph CleanTech 2-in-1 Spray Mop You might be familiar with Joseph Joseph's handy storage products, however, the company has just released a spray mop with a design unlike any that I've come across before. It has a folded section at one end to make getting into corners and cleaning skirting boards all the more easy. The mop head can also be completely tilted so that the folded section of the scrubber pad can spot clean certain areas caked on dirt. You can still use the spray function when it's in this position, meaning it tackles stains with ease. It worked well on all floor types, even if the brand recommends taking extra care when cleaning wooden or light coloured flooring, but it cleaned my laminate floors well. I also liked the added bonus of the wall-mounted storage bracket. It's not surprising that Joseph Joseph can be counted on to keep your home looking as neat and tidy as possible, and I certainly appreciated that it helped me establish a dedicated place to hang the mop and keep my floor clear. Key specifications 6. Best Steam Mop: Shark Steam & Scrub Automatic Steam Mop with Steam Blaster A steam mop uses heat to kill bacteria and germs while sanitising your floor without the need for harsh chemicals, and can also give you a deeper clean than regular mops. This Shark model topped the list of steam mops on our round-up of the best steam mops and steam cleaners and it's easy to see why. Whereas some mops had me breaking a sweat as I gave certain stains and spills a good scrub, the automatic spinning pads rotate 150 times a minute to gently but effectively remove any stains, dirt, grease or grime, essentially doing all of the work for me. You can alternate between three steam settings of 'light', 'normal' and 'deep', the latter of which made quick work of the wet coffee grounds, and the accompanying steam blaster mode proving an added bonus for tackling marks and stains that were tougher to budge. I also liked that it came with an extra set of replacement pads, so I always had at least one set ready to go when the others were in the washing machine. You need to be careful when mopping around any cables or cords though, as these could easily get tangled in the rotating pads. It's also that bit trickier to reach right into corners because of its circular shape. Key specifications 7. Best Mop for Tile Floors: Bona Premium Spray Mop for Hard-Surface Floors Score: 8/10 We like: Comes with bottle of Bona Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner, has a large water tank and mop pad We don't like: Significantly heavier than other spray mops – especially with a full tank If you're looking to start mopping straight out of the box, Bona's Premium Spray Mop for Hard-Surface Floors comes complete with a full-size 34oz bottle of its Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner and a microfibre cleaning pad. Having not tried the Bona cleaning solution before as I typically use soapy water or water alone to mop my floors, I found it left tiles, wood and laminate flooring clean and streak-free. It only took one or two passes for me to see why it is one of the highest rated hard floor cleaners online. Surfaces dried quickly, too. While I was happy with the results on all of the hard floors that I tested it on, I found that my bathroom tiles consistently benefited from using this mop; it removed splashes and dust in seconds. Even though it wasn't tricky to manoeuvre it was significantly heavier than many of the other mops that I tried. In fact, when I attached the full one-litre cleaning solution bottle to what was already a heavier mop, I struggled to comfortably lift it upstairs and around the house. The foldable element means that it's easier to store and takes up less space overall, however. Key specifications 8. Best Mop for Wooden Floors: OXO Microfibre Spray Mop with Slide-out Scrubber You should try to limit how much water you use on wooden floors to avoid them swelling and warping, so opting for a flat or spray mop that lets you control exactly how much water you use. While the bigger microfibre pad helps to tackle larger rooms and areas, the OXO can quickly be used for spot cleaning by switching to its targeted scrubber pad. I was weary of how difficult it might be to detach and reattach the two mop heads, but found they simply slot in and out. The slide-out scrubber was particularly impressive. It has a coarseness to it, so I didn't need to reach down and apply a fair amount of pressure on dirt and stains like I would usually, or use another cleaning device to shift it. It's not rough enough to scratch or damage the flooring, though. The mop itself is lightweight and as it's a spray design, you don't need to worry about carrying a bucket from room to room either. My only real issue is its lack of a telescopic or adjustable handle. It will probably be an adequate length for most, but this feels like an oversight. It also means that it may be too long for certain storage caddies, cupboards or hanging racks, which is slightly frustrating. Key specifications 9. Best Mop for Pets: Bona Pet System Microfibre Floor Mop Set Score: 8/10 We like: The pads are some of the biggest on the market Whether you need to deal with pet hair, dander or a few accidents, Bona's Pet System is designed specifically with pet owners in mind. However, you don't necessarily need to have one to benefit from this system. It has two microfibre pads, one with a flat pile and a thicker more absorbent option. The first thing that I noticed upon unboxing it was how big the two pads were, which sped up cleaning time and allowed me to cover a larger surface area in minutes. I also liked the rubber corners, which stop any accidental scratches or damage from occurring up against skirting boards, especially if you're in a bit of a hurry. Both pads worked equally well across laminate, tile and other hard floors, and they can each be washed up to 500 times before needing to be replaced. There are replacements available for both type of heads, but they are some of the more expensive, at around £10 each. In my opinion, however, including the two in this set only adds to the value for money of the original bundle. Key specifications Type: Flat mop Care: Each pad is machine washable up to 500 times Suitable floor types: All wood and hard floor surfaces Reusable heads available and associated cost: Replacement heads available – around £10 of the individual pads 10. Best Microfibre Mop: Minky Opti-Clean Spin Mop The design of Minky's Opti-Clean Spin Mop, and in particular its dual cavity bucket, manages to separate dirty and clean water by spraying clean liquid upwards while a mini bristled cleaning brush removes any dirt or debris that has accumulated as you rinse the mop. This keeps dirty water inside the bucket and meant the mop felt clean and relatively dry each time that I gave it a rinse. You don't need to step on a pedal to wring it out either. Instead, you simply pump the handle up and down to spin it around. There's also a little valve and spout at the base of the bucket, which empties out the dirty water, with a similar clean water spout at the top – again keeping the two separate. Like the other microfibre mops that I tested, it cleaned different flooring without requiring too much scrubbing. But because of its rounder shape, you can't get right into corners, so I had to use an alternative cleaning method to ensure I wasn't missing this small section of floor each time. The cleaning pad can also be removed swiftly and you get two as part of this bundle. You can then purchase any additional or replacement pads for around £6 each. Key specifications 11. Best Spin Mop: Leifheit Clean Twist Disc Mop with Wheeled Bucket The Leifheit Clean Twist Disc Mop was one the easiest to use mops that I tested, notably speeding up my cleaning routine. The wheeled bucket made it much simpler to move from room to room, and much like the Minky Opti-Clean Spin Mop system, a few presses of the handle into the bucket controlled the moisture it wrung out, instead of me having to press down on a foot pedal. It cleaned my laminate floors particularly well because I could remove excess liquid from the mop head easily, but it cleaned quickly and efficiently across all the floors I tested it on, with the mixture of microfibre strings picking up and holding onto any dirt and debris before depositing it into the bucket. Key specifications 12. Best Sponge Mop: Yocada Sponge Mop If you find yourself regularly mopping up spills and excess moisture or you like to use a bit more water when washing your bathroom or tiled floors, a sponge mop could be the best for you. The sponge on the Yocada can be wrung out as you use it thanks to the lever towards the base of the telescopic handle. It also comes with a handy squeegee and bristles to help you deal with caked-on of dirt and stains, leaving a streak-free finish behind. It can get into corners and I found it worked especially well in my bathroom and around my sink and toilet. But, the replacement sponges are even more expensive than the mop itself. After some serious searching, I was found the official Yocada refills in a pack of two for just shy of £30. Key specifications 13. Best String Mop: Vileda SuperMocio Microfibre & Power XL Mop Traditional string mops let you get into tight corners and under certain items of furniture with ease. Combining a mixture of fibres (the red strands remove dirt and marks while the more absorbent white strands deal with grease), the Vileda is suitable for a range of floor types. Just ensure that it is wrung out fully before tackling wooden and laminate floors, as it can hold water. The mop head made quick work of gathering up crumbs from the base of my kitchen cabinets and got into corners with ease. The brand suggests using this mop with water alone, saving you from buying additional cleaning solutions and sprays and I was happy with the results when testing its efficacy. The floors looked and felt clean and it lifted splashes of coffee, dirt and other miscellaneous marks after a few quick swipes. The handle is comfortable enough to hold while using it, too. Key specifications 14. Best Robot Vacuum Mop: Hoover HG4 Hydro 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop The Hoover HG4 Hydro combines the benefits of the best robot vacuums with a mopping function, making it a versatile piece of equipment to add to your cleaning routine. Fill the tank with clean water, attach the mopping pad underneath and then set it up on the app to tell it exactly where to mop and you can leave it to work while you do other things. After testing both its mopping and vacuuming capabilities, I was surprised by how good a job it did at mopping my bathroom and entryway. It didn't get all the way into corners, but given its shape this was to be somewhat expected. It didn't leave the floors soaking wet though and they dried in no time at all. The mopping pad peeled off easily to pop it in the washing machine but connecting it to my Wi-Fi network was a struggle. I thought that this might have just been an issue with my home, but from consulting reviews, it appears that this is something other shoppers have also encountered. While it is a definite investment at £249, it gives you the adequate robotic cleaning at a more affordable price. It's probably best suited to lighter cleans, but you can effortlessly change between vacuuming and mopping without having leaving your sofa or even being in the same room. Key specifications Mop FAQs What do professional cleaners use to mop floors? 'Professional cleaners tend to go for flat microfibre mops with a sturdy, adjustable handle,' says Henrique Conceicao, Area Manager at Total Clean. 'Microfibre picks up dirt effectively without needing loads of detergent, and it's gentle enough for most floor types.' Once you've given the floor a once over with one of the best vacuums, then bring out the mop. When it comes to large areas or commercial settings, you'll often see them using a mop with a built-in spray system or even a dual-bucket setup – one for clean water, one for rinsing – to avoid spreading grime around, he adds. 'The key is efficiency and hygiene, so anything that helps them clean faster and more thoroughly with less cross-contamination is usually top of the list.' Is steam mopping better than regular mopping? 'Using a steam mop is far superior to using a traditional mop because it cleans and disinfects your floor at the same time,' says Katie Lilywhite, Floorcare Expert at AO. 'This removes the need to clean your floor using any chemicals and provides a solid appliance to remove dirt, bacteria and stubborn stains on your flooring.' Paul Hambidge, Managing Director of Factory Direct Flooring, says that after conducting a swab analysis, he found that steaming cut bacteria on floors by 77 per cent overall. Regular mopping cut 70 per cent of bacteria, while floor wipes were the least effective as they only cut germs by 46 per cent on average. In most cases, the best cleaning method depends on the type of floor you have, and even the room you're cleaning. 'For instance, steaming was particularly effective in bathrooms, where it reduced bacteria found there including staphylococcus, bacillus and pseudomonas by 97 per cent on average. Regular mopping was the best method for vinyl floors, also cutting germs by 97 per cent,' Hambidge added. Which mop is better, flat or spin? This is mostly down to personal preference. However, 'flat models are simpler and easy to manoeuvre around tight corners or perhaps your furniture. Spin mop heads differ by offering more scrubbing power, but at a sacrifice to their mobility,' Lilywhite says. Can steam mops be used on laminate floors? Generally, it's not recommended to use steam mops or steam cleaners on laminate floors. 'This is because the laminate's inner core is made up of high-density fibreboard. While the occasional spill when dealt with quickly is okay, excessive moisture could attack the inner core and damage your laminate. The humidity from a steamer could eventually cause it to warp, loosen or peel,' Hambidge says. Instead, you should be aiming to use a damp mop, which has been thoroughly wrung out to remove as much moisture and water as possible. You can also spot clean any spills with a damp cloth as soon as they happen.
CNET
22-05-2025
- CNET
3i's New Affordable Robot Vacuum Can Compact Dust Like a Roomba and Mop Your Floors
We've tested over a hundred robot vacuums here at CNET's testing lab, and many of them come with both vacuuming and mopping capabilities. That's nothing special. What's interesting is the dust compaction technology we're seeing in increasing numbers of robot vacuums, like the Roomba 205 DustCompactor Combo, which mechanically packs dust, dirt and other debris tighter into the dustbin to save space and reduce emptying frequency. 3i S10 edge cleaning near a carpet. 3i That technology is now making its way to iRobot's competitors, with the latest member of its lineup, 3i G10 Plus, first showcased at CES 2025. Like the Roomba, the G10 Plus has a mechanical paddle that actively compresses dust and debris while the robot is vacuuming. According to 3i, it's capable of storing 60 days of debris in its 950ml dustbin, which is why, unlike many other robot vacuums in this category, there isn't a self-empty docking station. However, there is a charging dock. The G10 Plus has a mechanical paddle to compact dust, similar to a garbage truck. 3i Interestingly, there's also a built-in UV light inside to sterilize the stored debris, presumably because it'll be sitting in the robot for up to 60 days, so you don't want it festering. In other features, the G10 Plus is a fairly standard robot vacuum that supports both vacuuming and mopping. It uses the same lidar navigation system and AI-powered obstacle avoidance as 3i's flagship, the S10 Ultra, which we're currently testing in our Louisville lab. It can map and recognize over 100 types of objects using the camera, and automatically adjust suction power and water flow based on soil levels. There's also an ultrasonic sensor to detect carpets while the robot is mopping, so it'll automatically lift the mop 0.4 inches to prevent the carpet from getting wet. The G10+ can raise its mopping pads to avoid getting your carpet wet. 3i In other specs, it has an extendable brush for edge-to-edge cleaning, has 18,000 pascals of suction and is expected to cost $399 on Amazon starting May 29. Regular MSRP will be $499.
Digital Trends
16-05-2025
- Digital Trends
Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni robot vacuum review: superior mopping skills
Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni robot vacuum review: superior mopping skills MSRP $1,600.00 Score Details 'The Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni features one of the best mopping systems ever used in a robot vacuum.' Pros Innovative mopping system Retractable brushes and mops Self-cleaning dock Anti-tangle vacuuming Cons Expensive Too tall to fit under furniture Ecovacs launched the Deebot X8 Pro Omni earlier this year. Featuring a unique roller mop system, it offered one of the best mopping performances we'd ever seen in a robot vacuum. Now, a few months later, the company has already launched its successor — the Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni. It takes everything we love about the X8 and makes it better, including a new mop-lifting system, enhanced vacuuming system, and a fantastic anti-tangle design that eliminates hair and string from clogging up its brushes. Recommended Videos If you're looking for a robot vacuum to thoroughly clean hard floors, you can't go wrong with the Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni. It's not perfect, but aside from a few minor complaints, the expensive X9 Pro Omni should make a premium addition to any smart home. One of the best mopping systems ever I've tested dozens of robot vacuums over the years, and I can say without a doubt that the Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni offers one of the best mopping experiences on the market. Known as 'OZMO Roller Mopping Technology,' it's essentially a giant roller brush on the bottom of the robot. A series of sprayers are constantly rewetting the mop to ensure a consistent clean across your floors, while a scraper is used to pull dirty water off its surface. The end result is remarkably shiny floors. Combined with its ability to apply 3,700 Pa of pressure and roll at speeds up to 220 rpm, it eliminates just about any stain or spill it encounters. Ecovacs also outfitted the X9 Pro Omni with some cool bonus features. The first is a triple-lift system, allowing the mop, main brush, and side brush to retract depending on the task at hand. When a spill is detected, both mops will retract, ensuring they stay clean. When carpet is detected, the mop will retract, ensuring your floors stay dry. Better yet, the robot offers a 'Carpet First' function — meaning it'll zip around your home and vacuum with a dry mop before starting the wetting and mopping process. When all of this is taken together, the end result is a robot vacuum perfect for cleaning hard floors. It's also great that it can traverse carpets with dry mops — though it would be even better if it could automatically detach its mop and leave it in the base station when vacuuming. It's a feature some competitors are starting to use to great effect, as it ensures your mops aren't touching carpet at all. Vacuuming and self-cleaning Oddly enough, the X9 Pro Omni offers less suction than the older X8 Pro Omni. The previous robot packed in 18,000 Pa — the X9 Pro Omni shifts it down to just 16,600. However, its vacuuming performance remains about the same (if not better), thanks to the inclusion of BLAST technology. BLAST is shorthand for 'Boosted Large-Airflow Suction Technology,' and it works via a combination of suction and maximized airflow. The idea revolves around using additional airflow to knock loose dust particles and other debris, which can then be suctioned up without requiring as much force. In practice, we've found the system to work incredibly well. Along with handling dust and small particles, it picks up clumps of dirt and larger objects without much trouble. It also leaves fantastic lines on plush carpet — giving your home a 'just cleaned' appearance most shoppers will appreciate. The side brush doesn't swing out like some competitors, but it still did a great job of tackling corners and tight spaces, thanks to its impressive navigation skills. Best of all, you can use onboard AI to allow the robot to determine all the best settings for a superior cleaning. There are dozens of ways to manually customize its performance via the mobile app, but I've found letting the robot do its own thing often results in the best clean. Once a cleaning cycle is complete, the robot heads back to its dock to recharge and clean itself. The docking station washes the mop with hot water, dries it with hot air, and can even dispense a cleaning solution into the robot's water tank for a better mopping experience. The onboard dustbin will also be siphoned off into a larger dustbag in the docking station, allowing you to go 90 days before needing a replacement. Finally, the docking station will clean itself, washing away any gunk removed from the robot during the cleaning cycle. Pretty much all of the maintenance tasks are taken care of for you. You'll just need to monitor the clean and dirty water tanks, and perform a more thorough washing tray cleaning every 150 days. As far as robot vacuums are concerned, that's a huge win for autonomy. Verdict There's a lot to love about the Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni, and it's an easy recommendation for most shoppers. If your home is largely composed of hard floors, it's an even easier choice. However, there are a few limitations to consider. For one, it can't leave its mop behind in its docking station. Yes, it will raise it while traveling on carpet, but most shoppers will likely find the auto-detachable mops of the Roborock Saros 10 to be a more elegant solution. The robot is also quite large. At 3.8 inches tall, it's almost a full inch taller than some competitors. So while it's small enough to clean under most furniture, smaller nooks and crannies will be too tight for the X9 Pro Omni to fit underneath. These are minor complaints on an otherwise stellar device. The Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni proves the brand has what it takes to stick with the leaders of the segment, offering a superior mopping experience matched by few rivals. Add in the effective BLAST vacuuming system, self-cleaning dock, and impressive onboard AI, and you've got one of the best robot vacuums of 2025.
Forbes
13-05-2025
- Forbes
Ecovacs Deebot X9 Pro Omni Combines Its Best Mopping And Vacuuming In One Bot
With an under-the-hood redesign, the X9 Pro is an impressive robovac I know, I was just praising Ecovacs for delivering one of its more impressive mopping robovacs with the X8 Pro Omni, but the company just released a new version that combines the best parts of the X8 with the suction technology of their other high-end robovacs in one machine. Ecovacs doesn't guarantee performance when standing the bot on its edge Ecovac's latest and greatest flagship robovac (coming about a month after its other latest and greatest flagship bot…this company is prolific!) takes an upgraded Ozmo roller mop and adds a boosted vacuuming system to create an X-series robovac that's better than any other individual bot in the company's lineup. I'm a big fan of roller mop technology. I first saw the technology applied in a robovac last year the Eufy S1 and instantly recognized how the tech could finally address the "dirty mop pad" issue of mopping robovacs. The main issue at hand is simple—mops get dirty. Even if you have the bot go back and clean itself every 20 minutes or after each room, there's a non-zero amount of time when the robovac is mopping with dirty pads, essentially just redistributing dirt. Given, they are laying down fresh water as they go, so the bots are picking up some dirt as they move other dirt around but it's still problematic. The mop has been reworked slightly for better performance The Ozmo roller mop in the X9 is an evolution of the roller mop technology I saw last year. It's even an evolution over the X8 that I just saw last month. It applies considerably more downward pressure than your traditional mopping pads but it also cleans the roller as it rotates. The X9 has an improved roller comb that gathers debris as well. Here to decimate dirt lodged in corners The mop also has a neat trick where it extends out past the body of the X9, essentially squaring off the circle and reaching into edges where a roller mop that's stuck under the body of a circular robot couldn't reach. It does make the bot a bit whiny: that little motor extending and retracting isn't the quietest. Still, it's a small price to pay for every nook and cranny getting cleaned. One note: while the X9 does regularly do a deep clean at the Omni station of the roller mop, you'll still need to get your hands dirty on occasion—there's still the small tray in the mopping unit that gets filled with slimy dirt after about a week or so of daily cleaning. What's cool about the X9's upgraded wet mopping capabilities is that the bot can now raise the main brush and side brush when it detects a wet mess. So rather than driving into a spill and flinging it around or getting it sucked up into the vacuum portion of the bot, the X9 Pro Omni can clean it with just the roller mop. Lifting the wet mop so that you don't get carpets and rugs wet is practically standard at this point, but raising the dry cleaning components is rare. So rare that I've only seen it on one other bot—the Matic Robot (more on that in the coming days). If it was just the roller mop that had gotten upgrades, the X9 would still be an impressive bot but Ecovacs pulled out the stops and added in their BLAST (Boosted Large-Airflow Suction Technology) system to improve the overall performance of the vacuum as well. Possibly the first vacuum to be able to back up the claims made by its promo renders BLAST is a combination of a redesigned on-demand 100W high-torque motor and SuperBoost battery. The motor takes advantage of an optimized airflow path to boost suction when needed (like on carpets and rugs). The battery delivers 50% higher discharge current but is also larger so that it lasts 2.5 times longer, all without heating up. What's interesting is that the overall suction of the X9 is actually lower at 16,600 Pa to the X8's 18,000 Pa. I'm actually OK with this since you don't really need all that suction on a regular basis for hard floors. You just need to be able to deliver increased suction and agitation when on carpet. The end result is that the X9 performs better on soft surfaces without sounding like a leaf blower or needing to recharge more often. Other hardware has been improved as well, with third-generation ZeroTangle main and side brushes. Compared to the X8, you can see that the X9's brush is more robust. The side brush for the X9 is similar to designs I first saw on Roborock that uses two offset bristle arms instead of a multi-armed brush wheel. It's a small design shift but it means that the X9 is quieter and that there are little to no hair tangles. Speaking of tangles, the X9 employs onboard AI to detect and avoid problematic items like shoes and cords. It will also use its AI to intelligently clean each room based on floor type and usage (like choosing to clean bathrooms last so as not to cross-contaminate). It will even figure out optimal paths based on previous blockages its encountered. You can also (finally) add Ecovacs robots to your Apple Home using Matter. It's extremely helpful once you've set all the parameters you want in the Ecovacs app and you just want a single app to control things like scheduling. Understated but effective The X9 Pro is paired with Ecovac's Omni station—it's a great design that needs no upgrades. It washes and dries the mop with 145° hot air and needs little to no maintenance. Since roller mops use less water overall, you won't be filling up and emptying the reservoirs nearly as much as with a mop pad system. I'm sure that Ecovacs will make changes next calendar year but honestly, there's only so much more that can be done to improve the station at this point. While it can be somewhat tiresome (if not impossible) to try and stay ahead of innovations in robovacs, the tech in the Deebot X9 Pro Omni is at the absolute top of the charts right now. The Deebot X9 Pro Omni is on sale now on the Ecovacs site at a reduced introductory price of $1,299 ($1,599 MSRP).
