Robot vacuums that can both mop and sweep your floors have improved significantly in recent years. While they are still not as effective as good ol’ manual labor, if you run them regularly, they will help keep your floors cleaner with much less effort on your part.
Technology
The NSA says do these 5 things with your phone right now
Can’t remember the last time you turned your phone off? Is Bluetooth always on? Do you plug into any charger you can find?
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If you answered yes to any of these questions, the NSA says you’re playing a crapshoot with your privacy. The National Security Agency’s purpose is to listen and collect communications from satellites, cellphones and anywhere else, really.
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Let’s take a deeper look at five smartphone rules they use that you can, too.
1. Restart your phone once a week
It’s dead simple and absolutely worth doing. Turn off your phone, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on. This works to combat zero-click exploits where a hacker can get in simply by sending you the right code.
Heads up: A restart won’t work for other types of malware. If your phone becomes infected, you’ll need to do a full factory reset.
2. Disable Bluetooth when you don’t need it
Bluetooth works similarly to Wi-Fi and cellular networks but performs simpler tasks at shorter ranges. You don’t need a cellular signal or network connection to use Bluetooth, and it doesn’t use data. And like any other connection, it’s not 100% safe.
A driver is pictured holding an iced coffee and a mobile phone while in the car. (iStock)
Hackers and scammers must be close to you to use Bluetooth to hijack your phone. But in just about any public space, you’re arm’s length from strangers.
The NSA’s advice: Turn off Bluetooth when you’re not using it. It’ll help battery life, too.
- On an iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth and switch it off. You can also swipe down from the top right of your screen to open the Control Center and tap the Bluetooth icon.
- The same steps work for Android phones. Go to Settings > Connected Devices > Connection Preferences > Bluetooth and switch it off. (Note: Steps may vary based on your phone’s model. Look or search for Bluetooth if these steps don’t match your phone.)
Airplane mode also disables Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, among other things, so it works in a pinch — but you won’t receive calls or texts.
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3. Skip public USB ports
In spaces like the airport or coffee shop, hackers can use them to install malware or steal your data. Now, actual cases of juice jacking are rare in the U.S. but it’s still a real threat. They happen through USB connections, so if a kiosk has actual power outlets to charge your phone using your own adapter, you’re good to go.
Stay away from USB ports of any size, especially when traveling overseas. USB standards are international, and foreign hackers can target USB ports in hotels or rentals to steal your data, even if you’re not using a kiosk.
More and more public kiosks have wireless charging pads instead of USBs. This method doesn’t exchange data directly with your phone, so it’s virus-free by default.
If you’re desperate for juice, you can use a USB connection safely … with the right cable. Pack a charge-only cable for your trip. They’re cheap and compact, and they don’t allow for data transfers.
A business person is seen working on a laptop. (iStock)
4. Don’t use public Wi-Fi
It’s a playground for snoopers. Public Wi-Fi is open to everyone, and every device is susceptible, whether it’s your smartphone, laptop or tablet.
Just because a public Wi-Fi network pops up and asks if you want to join doesn’t mean it’s legitimate. If you’re at a coffee shop or hotel, ask an employee for the specific name of their Wi-Fi network. Scammers will sometimes create networks called “Coffee Shop” or “Hotel Guest” to make you believe you’re connecting to the real thing when, actually, you’re not.
Here’s a good rule of thumb: If it requires a username and password to log in, you should only access that site from your own private network. If you do need to access sensitive sites or info on a public network, don’t do it without a VPN enabled.
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5. Cover your mic and camera
The NSA says it’s best to use a protective case that drowns out your microphone and covers your camera when you’re not using it.
In “hot-miking” attacks, hackers activate your microphone without you knowing it so they can listen into your conversations. It happens when your device has been compromised in some way, usually through malware or an app that’s exploiting permissions you granted. Most folks aren’t targets for attacks like this, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.
Start with app permissions to check what access you’ve handed out:
- Apple iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security, and look through the list of apps and what permissions they have.
- Google Pixel: Open Settings > Security and privacy > Privacy > Permission manager.
- Samsung Galaxy: Head to Settings > Security and privacy > Permission manager.
A woman uses her smartphone while waiting to board a plane at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. (Robert Alexander/Getty Images)
It’s not just hackers to worry about. Most of what you type, say, search and buy is being tracked in one way or another.
The only unhackable layer of security is physically blocking the sound or camera feed. There are expensive cases out there that do the job, or you can buy a mic blocker for around $10.
It slides into your headphone port to stop recording. You’ll need an adapter unless your phone still has an audio jack. For a cheaper DIY option, grab your oldest corded headphones, snip them off and plug that into an adapter.
Pro tip: When your phone’s microphone is on or was recently accessed, you’ll see a small orange dot at the top of the screen. You’ll see a green dot if your camera is in use or was recently recording.
While this is on your mind, go a step further. Here’s a quick 5-minute phone cleanup I like to do a few times a year.
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The difference is that newer “combo” robot vacuum and mop models are designed to actually scrub your floors. The first robot vacuums that could also “mop” simply slapped a thin, flat microfiber pad on the bot that kind of Swiffer-ed your floor. Basically, all this was good for was getting up fine dirt that the vacuum left behind.
A robot vacuum with a real mopping system will make your life easier
Newer models now come with vibrating or oscillating mop pads, and some even have roller mops. Most models have onboard water tanks to keep the mops wet while in use, and many can wash and dry their mops in their charging docks, which also automatically empty and refill their water tanks, meaning less work for you.
While most robot vacuums today come with some sort of mopping feature, this guide focuses on those that excel at mopping. If you’re more interested in the best vacuum, check out my guide to floor-sweeping bots.
The downside to these combo bots with serious mopping chops is that they tend to be bigger and heavier and need more frequent intervention than regular vacuum bots. Water equals gunk, and cleaning their giant multifunction docks, even the self-cleaning ones, can be an icky job. You also have to empty and refill their tanks about once a week.
Mopping bots also need to return to their docks more frequently than robot vacuums in order to refill their onboard water tanks. This means they’ll take longer to clean your floors than a dedicated vacuuming model, but they are doing two jobs at once. Robot mops with roller mops will self-clean as they work, negating this issue, but these models are also the largest and bulkiest, as they carry a bigger water tank on board.
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 good, as you can send the bot to clean up a wet spill without it sucking up water — something they’re not designed to do yet.
If you have a lot of hardwood or tile floors and constantly struggle with muddy paw prints or the general dirtiness of life with multiple pets, people, and kids, a good robot vacuum and mop combo will definitely make your life easier.
What I’m looking for
I’ve been testing robot vacuums for more than six years and have tested over 60 models. I wrote The Verge’s best robot vacuum buying guide and the best budget robot vacuum guide, and for this guide, I tested 15 different mopping robots.To evaluate the bots, I ran each regularly for at least a week and measured their progress, evaluating how clean the floor stays, how well they navigate, how often I had to refill the tanks, how well the auto-empty function worked, and how easy the app was to use.I run them in my kitchen, where I have hardwood floors, and in a large bathroom with a white tile floor — one that looks filthy just a day after being cleaned. For specific tests, I deploy a wet and dry challenge. The wet challenge features dried-on OJ and ketchup, plus fresh spills of milk, water, and some kind of sauce. For the dry challenge, I place cereal (usually Cheerios) and oatmeal (a really tough one to clean). I evaluate how well the bots deal with mopping the stains and vacuuming the debris.Finally, I test their obstacle detection by running them through an obstacle course featuring common robot trip-ups, including fake dog poop, cables, socks, and tricky chair legs.
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 if you want to be as hands-free as possible when mopping your floor. Some offer hot-water washing and drying options that will keep your pads cleaner for longer. But you’ll want to throw them in the wash eventually. A dock that can self-clean the washboard (the area where it cleans the mops) is a nice upgrade, as you won’t have to do it yourself as often.
The bigger the clean and dirty water tanks on the dock, the less often you’ll have to refill them. If the dock can connect directly to the plumbing, even better; it’s a more complicated install, but it makes for a more hands-off experience long-term.
Mop type matters. The main options are circular and spinning, flat and vibrating, or rolling and self-cleaning. Rolling (like the beater bar on a vacuum cleaner) is my favorite because it does a better job of getting floors really clean. The greater surface area of a roller mop, combined with the self-cleaning function — the vac sprays water onto the mop as it runs — makes it a more effective option than flat or spinning mops in most cases. However, oscillating mops that can extend outward are better at getting into grout between tiles, along baseboards, and under low furniture.
If you have low-pile rugs and carpet, mop pads that the robot can lift up (by at least 10mm) should prevent your carpets from getting damp when the robot rolls over them. However, robots that can remove the mop pads entirely before vacuuming carpets are a good option, especially if you have high-pile rugs.
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 (RPMs), 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 well-laid-out app is key. It should let you choose which rooms to clean, and in what order. Generally, you want a mopping bot to clean the dirtiest room last (think bathroom or hallway) to avoid cross-contamination. I also look for the option to mop only, in addition to mop and vacuum, or vacuum then mop, and, of course, vacuum only.
Best robot vacuum and mop
$700
The Good
- Self-cleaning roller mop
- Extendable mop
- Excellent obstacle avoidance
- Smaller, sleeker dock
The Bad
- Limited mop lift
- Heavy, struggles with transitions
- Single roller brush
Multifunction Dock: Yes, auto empty (3L) and drain/refill (4L dirty, 4L clean) / Mop style: Roller / Mop washing: Yes, hot water and hot air drying / Mop pressure: 4,000Pa at 200 RPM / Mop lift: Yes, 10mm / Edge cleaning: Yes, mop extension / Mapping: Yes, lidar / AI-powered obstacle detection: Yes / Suction power: 18,000Pa / Vacuum brush style: Single rubber/bristle / Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Siri Shortcuts, Matter
Ecovacs’ Deebot X8 Pro Omni is a welcome return to form for Ecovacs’ flagship line. Its new tower-less lidar navigation system did a much better job of mapping and navigating than the previous flagship, the Deebot X2 Omni, which was constantly getting lost in my tests. However, the most notable thing about the X8 is the Ozmo Roller Mop.
This is the best roller mopping bot I’ve tested, thanks mostly to the Ozmo’s ability to extend outwards to clean along baseboards and furniture. This is a unique feature on a roller mop (for now) that makes up for the mop’s relatively short length (both the Eufy S1 and Switchbot S10 have longer roller mops). At $1,299, the X8 is also one of the less expensive flagship models (though the new X9 Pro Omni retails for $1,599.99).
The X8 did an excellent job on my milk, OJ, and dried ketchup tests, absorbing the small spills with one or two passes. It covered the floors evenly, without leaving any streaks or gaps, something that I’ve seen happen with spinning mop pads. When it comes across an edge — be it a baseboard, furniture like a chair or table leg, or any obstacle — it extends out its mop to the right to clean as close as possible. It did an excellent job getting the grime up from the stools around my kitchen counter, something most other bots struggle to do.
This is the best roller mopping bot I’ve tested
The self-cleaning brush system kept the bot from smearing any spills it encountered. As it’s cleaning, a scraper squeegees off the dirty water and 16 nozzles spray it with fresh water and solution, if you use it. As with most high-end mopping bots, the dock has the option of auto-dispensing cleaning solution.
The X8 was the best vacuuming robot among the serious combo bots I tested, outperforming my Cheerio and oatmeal tests and doing a good job on rugs (when it could reach them). However, its vacuum has a relatively small, single rubber roller brush, which is less effective than Roborock’s dual roller brush models (which include the S8 MaxV Ultra and the 10 Max).
The X8 uses lidar and a 3D camera for mapping; the latter also facilitates its obstacle detection, which is very good — it easily navigated fake dog turds and cables while sucking up oatmeal and Cheerios. It’s much better at navigating than the X2, but it did occasionally get itself trapped, including when it went under a chair that was too low for it to get out from. The top of the robot was fairly scratched up after just one week of use. (Worth noting, Ecovacs suffered a hack last year in which bad actors could access the camera and microphone on the X2)
The X8’s multifunction dock is much smaller than the X2’s and has some nice rose gold accents. Its water tanks are integrated into the dock and supereasy to remove to empty and refill — there’s no lid to mess with, you just lift up and go. The X8 doesn’t self-clean its washboard, however, and while it’s removable to make it easier to clean, I still had to get on my knees and scrub its base station after just a week of use.
It easily navigated fake dog turds and cables while sucking up oatmeal and Cheerios
The downside of roller mop bots is that they are big and heavy: the X8 weighs a whopping 12 pounds. Despite an ability to lift itself up to clear thresholds, the X8 isn’t as agile as smaller, lighter robot vacs. It struggled with the combo challenge of a large, tasseled, high-pile rug and spindly chair leg. Very few robot vacs tackle that one well, but it got stuck on the chair leg and sucked up the rug tassels. I ended up setting a keep-out zone so it could complete its job.
The integrated nature of the roller mop means the bot can’t remove it when it goes to vacuum carpet, as some mopping bots with pads can. It can lift it, but only 10mm, which isn’t going to work for the fluffiest rugs. The X8 does have carpet sensors, and you can choose to avoid them automatically, pass over them, or vacuum only. But its best carpet feature is the option to have it vacuum the carpets first, then mop everywhere else.
Overall, the Deebot X8 is a stellar vacuum mop combo for anyone seeking a robot that will thoroughly scrub and sweep their floors. With high-end features at a decent price, the X8’s roller mop, slick navigation, and excellent obstacle avoidance will get the job done.
Best midrange robot vacuum and mop
$495
The Good
- Good AI-powered obstacle detection
- Effective mopping
- Excellent value
- Nice dock
The Bad
- Single rubber / bristle brush
- Lower suction power
- No heated mop washing
- Some navigation issues
Multifunction Dock: Yes, auto empty (2.5L) and drain/refill (2.7L dirty, 3L clean) / Mop style: Dual spinning pads / Mop washing: Yes, hot air drying / Mop pressure: 2.2 lbs at 180 RPM / Mop lift: Yes, 12 mm / Edge cleaning: Yes, swinging motion / Mapping: Yes, lidar / AI-powered obstacle detection: Yes / Suction power: 8,000Pa / Vacuum brush style: Single rubber bristle hybrid / Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Siri Shortcuts
The Eufy X10 Pro Omni is an excellent mop vacuum hybrid with a full multifunction dock. It can wash its mop, drain, and refill its water tank. It’s also the cheapest model to offer dual spinning mop pads, and it has very good obstacle detection for this price range.
However, the X10 has just 8,000Pa suction, no hot water washing, and smaller water tanks. While it has most of the same functions as the top-of-the-line mopping bots, it’s not quite as effective at any of them. Which is sort of the definition of “midrange.”
An edge-hugging mode makes the robot swing its behind into the baseboards to help mop edges, but this is less effective than mop extension found on the more expensive models. With its squarish shape, it gets into corners better than most of the round bots, but its 12mm mop pad lift over carpet wasn’t effective, resulting in its pads getting hung up in a few places.
1/4
The Eufy performed very well in my mopping tests, eradicating dried stains with its 2.2 pounds of downward pressure. Thanks to an onboard water reservoir, it didn’t have to head home to fill up as frequently as some bots do. It also has heated mop drying to help prevent the base from getting stinky — a first in this price range.
The X10 has great object recognition, allowing it to suck up Cheerios and piles of oatmeal while deftly navigating fake dog turds and cables. However, its navigation sometimes got screwy; it would go into a corner and stay there for a while, trying to figure itself out.
Read more of my Eufy X10 review.
Best robot vacuum and mop for a mix of hard floors and rugs
$500
The Good
- Self-removing mop pads
- Mop extension reaches under edges
- Self-cleaning washboard
- Dirt detection tech
The Bad
- Middling AI obstacle detection
- Single rubber roller brush
- App can be flaky
Multifunction Dock: Yes, auto empty (3L) and drain/refill (4L dirty, 4.5L clean) / Mop style: Dual spinning pads / Mop washing: Yes, hot water and hot air drying / Mop pressure: Unknown / Mop lift: Yes, 10.5 mm / Edge cleaning: Yes, mop extension Mapping: Yes, lidar / AI-powered obstacle detection: Yes / Suction power: 12,000Pa / Vacuum brush style: Single, rubber / Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Siri Shortcuts
If you have a lot of fluffy rugs or carpets as well as hard floors, the Dreame X40 Ultra is the best robot vacuum for you. It’s not quite as effective as a mop or vacuum as the Ecovacs Deebot X8, but it’s better suited for high-pile carpet and rugs because it can automatically drop and reattach its mopping pads during vacuuming, eliminating the risk of getting your rugs wet or stained. The Ecovacs X8 can only raise its mop 10mm, not remove it, so it struggles on high-pile carpets.
Along with dropping its pads, the X40 can also extend and swing them to get under your cabinets and consoles. The X8 can extend to an edge, but won’t get under those low cabinets or furniture. I watched the X40 spread its mops wide apart and swing behind my TV console, allowing it to access the dust wedged a good inch under it.
However, because the X40 features dual spinning mop pads rather than a self-cleaning roller mop, it requires more frequent returns to clean the mops, which means it takes longer to clean your home. The X40’s spinning pads are effective at scrubbing your floors, but I found the X8’s roller mop to be better overall and more consistent.
1/3
The X40 can clean its washboard and features AI-powered smart dirt detection, which uses its cameras to identify spills, such as milk, or particularly dirty areas. When it spots something, it slows down and performs a more thorough cleaning. It also has an option to just mop. These are features the Ecovacs X8 doesn’t offer.
Dreame recently released the X50 Ultra, which adds 20,000Pa suction power and the ability to climb over higher thresholds. I’m currently testing this model.
Read more of my Dream X40 Ultra review.
Best robot vacuum and mop for hardwood floors
$540
The Good
- Long roller mop
- Sleek, futuristic design
- Dual side brushes
- Square shape helps with corners
The Bad
- Middling vacuum performance
- No self-cleaning base
- No mop extension
Multifunction Dock: Yes, auto empty (2.5L) and drain/refill (2L dirty, 3L clean) / Mop style: Roller / Mop washing: Yes, warm water and hot air drying / Mop pressure: 10N, 170 RPM / Mop lift: Yes, 12mm / Edge cleaning: No Mapping: Yes, lidar / AI-powered obstacle detection: Yes / Suction power: 8,000Pa / Vacuum brush style: Rubber / Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Siri Shortcuts
If you have mostly hardwood floors, the Eufy Omni S1 Pro is an excellent option. With its sleek, high-tech design and a long 11.4-inch roller mop, this product did an excellent job of keeping the hardwood floors of my main living area spotless.
I found the Eufy’s longer roller mop to be slightly more effective than the Deebot X8’s, mopping evenly and getting up more dirt on its first pass. While there is no mop extension of edge mopping, its square shape does help it get into corners, and its dual spinning side brushes help pull in debris.
However, its vacuuming prowess is middling; this really is a dedicated mopping robot. With just 8,000Pa suction power and a small rubber brush, it did a decent job of getting up debris, but left several flakes of oatmeal, thanks to its side brushes spinning the debris out beyond the bot’s reach. Its obstacle avoidance is also fairly average; it dodged larger items but struggled with cables.
The S1’s omni station is quite eye-catching, with a tall, futuristic design, and clear water tanks with glowing lights inside — although it might be considered an eyesore, depending on your style. Usefully, everything you need to interact with is located at the top, so there’s no need to bend down: a touchscreen display provides controls and the clean and dirty water tanks are easy to remove.
If you have tile or scraped wood floors, a bot with oscillating mop pads will be better at getting into the crevices
While it has a mop lift of 12mm (which is higher than the X8’s), it really struggled on my high-pile carpets, to the point where I had to set keep-out zones around them.
Like the X8, the S1 self-cleans the mop with water jets as it’s working, and you can set how frequently it returns to the base station for a thorough clean with warm water before continuing to mop. It will also dry the mop with hot air, which is effective, if noisy.
Neither the X8 nor the S1 have self-cleaning washboards, something Dreame offers. This is where the dock automatically washes the mopping tray in the dock – Dreame’s uses little wipers that go back and forth. It still needs to be cleaned eventually, but it does help keep the ick at bay for longer.
The S1 station’s debris filter got grungy fast and required manual cleaning, although this is fairly straightforward. After a month of use, I also had to disassemble the scraper and filter inside the bot, as well as remove the roller mop. This is something you’ll need to do for all mopping bots, but the Eufy’s was the most involved process, requiring me to disassemble multiple parts.
In my testing, I found that roller mops are great for most hardwood floors, but if you have lots of tile or scraped wood floors with grooves and nooks and crannies, a bot with oscillating mop pads will be better, as these do a better job of getting into crevices such as grout lines.
Best robot vacuum and mop for tile floors
$650
The Good
- Superb mopping
- Great obstacle avoidance
- Excellent dirt detection
- Self-cleans its washboard
- Very quiet
The Bad
- Minimal mop lift
- Edge cleaning just okay
- Uses a lot of water
- App is unreliable
Multifunction Dock: Yes, auto, empty (2.5L) and drain/refill (4.1L dirty, 4.5L clean) / Mop style: Dual triangular spinning pads / Mop washing: Yes, hot air drying / Mop Pressure: 2.6lbs at 180 RPM / Mop lift: Yes, 12mm / Edge cleaning: Yes, robot swing and fluffer / Mapping: Yes, lidar / AI-powered obstacle detection: Yes / Suction power: 12,000Pa / Vacuum brush style: Single, conical rubber bristle hybrid / Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Siri Shortcut
Narwal’s latest flagship mopping bot, the Freo Z Ultra, combines everything I loved about the Freo X Ultra, and adds better vacuuming, better object avoidance, an auto-empty dock (a first for Narwal), and a fluffy side brush to polish your baseboards. It also now comes in gray (white robot vacuums are not a good idea, unless you like cleaning your robot vacuum).
With its dual, triangular spinning mop pads (the unique shape helps avoid missing spots), the Freo Z is a great choice for homes with lots of hard floors, and especially tile. The oscillating mop pads are slightly better than roller mops at getting into grout lines and other crevices found on natural surfaces. The Freo Z’s downward pressure of 2.6 lbs meant it did a great job of scrubbing up dried-on debris, excelling in my dried ketchup test, even getting the red gunk up from tile grout.
Like the Deebot X8, the Freo Z can recognize various floor materials, including tile, hardwood, and marble, and clean in the direction of the flooring, such as along the wood grain. Unlike the X8, it automatically adjusts pressure and “mopping humidity” based on the floor type, using higher humidity on tile floors than on wood floors, which can be impacted by excessive moisture. The Freo Z also self-cleans its station and has a removable tray, making maintenance easier.
The Freo Z is remarkably quiet, making it a great option for running in a bedroom
Vacuuming is much better than the Freo X, with the Z boasting 12,000Pa. While that’s not as high as the X8, the Freo Z is remarkably quiet, making it a great option for running in a primary bedroom suite where you may have a tile bathroom combined with carpet.
As with the X8, the Narwal doesn’t deal well with high-pile rugs, as there’s still only a 12 mm mop lift and no automatic mop removal. However, you can set it to perform one of four actions when it encounters a carpet: sidestep, cross it without cleaning, power boost to clean the carpet more effectively, or regular cleaning.
The obstacle detection is vastly improved and very good. A dual camera system allows the bot to not only see objects but uses AI to identify what they are and “decide” how to clean them. The best use of this I saw in testing is when there was a large puddle of water and it automatically switched to mop-only so as not to suck up liquid.
Similarly, Narwal’s dirt detect feature is very good. The bot goes back and forth over a stain or dirty area to ensure it’s clean.
My two biggest gripes with the Freo Z are that it uses a lot of water; it doesn’t have an onboard water tank, so it has to return frequently to refill — and could only clean my 800 square foot area once before I needed to refill the main tank in the dock. By comparison, the X8’s tank only needed refilling after three runs.
Additionally, its app can be frustrating. It’s not easy to navigate, gets hung up between screens, and frequently disconnects from the robot. However, unlike the X8, the Narwal has controls on top of the station to start a clean, and once I had programmed a schedule, I didn’t find myself needing to use the app much at all.
The fluffy sidebrush feels more of a novelty than a necessity and doesn’t really seem to do much. Also, at this price, it would be nice if the Narwal offered a self-cleaning washboard. However, its washboard is removable, which makes it easier to clean manually.
Best robot vacuum and mop with a plumbing hookup
$400
The Good
- Almost hands-free
- Excellent roller mop
- Self-cleans
- Battery-powered water station
- Supports Matter
The Bad
- Big and wide
- Can’t mop a second floor; it will only vacuum
- Short battery life
- Low suction power
Multifunction Dock: Yes, auto, empty (4L) and drain/refill (two separate devices) / Mop style: Roller / Mop washing: Yes (during use), hot air drying / Mop Pressure: 2.2lbs at 300 RPM / Mop lift: Yes, 7mm / Edge cleaning: No / Mapping: Yes, lidar / AI-powered obstacle detection: Yes / Suction power: 6,500Pa / Vacuum brush style: Single rubber bristle hybrid / Works with: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Siri Shortcut, Matter
The SwitchBot S10 is a multitasking robot that hooks into your plumbing for a virtually hands-free sweeping and mopping experience. It’s one of the best robot mops I’ve tested, thanks to its self-cleaning roller mop and the fact that I never had to empty or fill its water tanks. These two features meant I could set it and forget it and have clean floors for weeks.
My other favorite feature of the S10 is its dual docking system. Its main dock is a charging / auto-empty dock, and there’s a separate battery-powered dock water station that you can put in a different room. This battery-powered dock is what makes the S10 the best plumbing hookup option, as it gives you much more flexibility with placement. Roborock, Dreame, and Narwal also have plumbing hookup docks, but they require power (I’ve not tested either of those yet).
1/5
While the SwitchBot is a decent vacuum, it’s not the best. Its relatively paltry 6,500Pa of suction power is low compared to the competition, but the bot’s weight did help the rubber roller brush dig into the carpet and get up most of the cat hair.
S10 frequently got stuck on clothes left on my floor and bath mats — which are the bane of most mopping bots
Other downsides include the AI obstacle avoidance, which isn’t great. The S10 frequently got stuck on clothes left on my floor and bath mats, its battery life is short, and it lacks high-end features like dirt detection. There is also no edge cleaning function, meaning it didn’t do a great job along baseboards and around furniture.
SwitchBot recently released the Switchbot S20 ($480 $799.99), which looks like the Pro model that made its debut at CES. The upgrade addresses some of my issues with the S10, including adding an extendable roller mop and side brush to add edge cleaning, as well as 15,000Pa. It also comes with the option of two all-in-one auto-empty base stations: one with a regular water tank you manually refill, or one that can hook into your plumbing. But it will also work with the battery-powered water station. I plan on testing this soon.
Read my full SwitchBot S10 review.
What I’m currently testing and what’s coming next
- We’re currently in the process of testing the $329.99
$549.99Roborock Q10 S5 Plus Robot Vacuum and Mop, but so far are impressed. It delivers 10,000Pa of suction power and uses a sonic mop that scrubs floors 3,000 times per minute. It also comes with a 2.7-liter self-emptying base that can hold up to 70 days’ worth of debris, along with room-specific cleaning, no-go zones, and customizable cleaning schedules. - As mentioned before, Ecovacs recently released a successor to the Deebot X8 Pro Omni, aptly called the X9 Pro Omni ($1,299.99). It sports a roller mop like the X8 Pro, but the big difference is that the new model is designed to optimize airflow from intake to exhaust rather than relying solely on suction power. The upgrade could lead to better deep-cleaning.
- The Ecovacs X11 OmniCyclone ($1,099.99
$1,499.99) is a bagless robot vac that features a roller mop and an impressive 19,500Pa of suction. It comes with a multifunction dock, and its mop can extend up to 15mm to reach into corners. It should also handle floor transitions well, thanks to its built-in mechanical climbing levers. - The Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai Robot comes with a multifunctional dock along with a self-cleaning roller mop, lidar navigation, and onboard cameras that can detect stains and clean accordingly. The company has yet to release details about its price or release date, though you can read our hands-on for more details.
- The Eureka J15 Max Ultra ($1,199) can detect liquids with precision and automatically rotate its body to clean wet spills using its dual spinning pads, all while keeping its vacuum duct dry, which most mopping vacs can’t manage.
- Roborock’s Saros 10 ($1,299.99
$1,599.99) and Saros 10R ($999.99$1,599.99) are upgrades to my pick for the best overall robot vacuum, the S8 MaxV Ultra. Both can automatically remove their mop pads when not needed, which is a new option for Roborock. One uses dual spinning mops, the other a flat vibrating pad. - Roborock also recently released the Saros Z70 ($1,999.99
$2,599), the first mass-produced robovac to feature a robotic arm that can pick up light objects — including socks, tissues, and sandals. The arm isn’t the most reliable, and the vacuum occasionally struggles with correctly identifying items, but it’s otherwise an excellent model with 22,000Pa of suction power and dual spinning mop pads that it can remove on its own. Read our review. - Roborock’s cheaper Qrevo Curv ($899.99
$1,599.99) also has dual spinning mop pads (which you have to remove) and can raise itself to clear thresholds up to 40mm. The company’s Qrevo Slim ($799.99$1,399.99) offers similar functions but features a new navigation system and lacks a lidar tower, allowing it to fit under low furniture. - iRobot’s new Roomba lineup features two models with dual spinning mopping pads and auto-wash docks. The new Roomba Plus 505 Combo Robot Plus AutoWash Dock ($549.99
$999.99) also offers heated mop drying, a feature the higher-end Roomba Combo 10 Max lacks. However, in early testing, the 505 has shown some problems, including failing to return to its dock. The redesigned Roomba app has also been unexpectedly fiddly and less intuitive than the older version used by previous models. It’s also worth noting that iRobot’s future is extremely uncertain. While it is able to work offline, if the company closes, then app and voice-control support could be affected. - iRobot also recently introduced an upgraded version of the Roomba Max 705, the Roomba Max 705 Combo, which is available for $899.99
$1,299.99. Like the Max 705, it features dual rubber roller brushes that are resistant to tangling, along with AI-powered obstacle detection. It also comes with a unique roller mop cover that automatically deploys as it cleans, as well as a design that allows the mop to extend into corners and clean along wall edges. - Priced at $699.99 (with code WS24T2352111), Eufy’s new Robot Vacuum Omni E28 is a self-emptying, self-refilling, and self-washing robot vacuum with a rolling mop that can go over tough stains a second time if needed. The charging dock also includes a built-in deep cleaner that sprays water to tackle stains before sucking the mess into a separate wastewater tank.
- The recently launched Narwal Flow costs $1,099.99 with code NFLOW
$1,499.99, and features the company’s first roller mop, which can also extend. We haven’t spent any time with it yet, but Narwal claims it can easily tackle thick, fluffy carpets thanks to its deep carpet boost mode. - The Matic is a $1,245 robot vacuum that doesn’t need a cloud connection to work and can suck up wet spills as well as dry ones. This is easily one of the smartest cleaners I’ve tried, with great mapping and cleaning performance that feels surprisingly close to what a person would typically achieve. It’s also simple to run, easy to maintain, and reliable. We’ll have a full review soon, but for now, here’s some video of it in action.
- The $1,099.99 Eureka J20 features a very wide roller mop but only 8,000Pa suction, but it is no longer available on Eureka’s website. The new J15 Max Ultra ($1,199.99) can accurately spot liquids and automatically rotate its body to tackle wet spills with its dual spinning mopping pads. It’s an upgrade to the J15 Pro Ultra ($999.99), which can identify colored liquids but not clear or white ones.
- The Dreame X50 Ultra ($899.99
$1,699.99with code X50UXM) features a “motorized swing arm” that functions like a leg, enabling the robovac to climb over transitions up to 6cm tall. Otherwise, it’s a lot like the X40 Ultra in this guide, only with higher suction power and a retractable lidar tower. - The Switchbot S20 ($639.99 with code KLKS20,
$799.99), which resembles the Pro model announced at CES earlier this year, is now available. It’s essentially the successor to our previous pick for the best mopping vacuum, the Switchbot S10, with an extendable roller mop / side brush and 15,000Pa of suction power. - SharkNinja’s PowerDetect NeverTouch Pro 2-in-1 robot vacuum mop ($599.99
$999.99) 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. - The $999.99
$1,599.99(with code M10UXM) Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller Complete features a roller-style mopping system that continuously cleans itself in real time. Its companion model, the Aqua10 Ultra Track Complete, adds hot-water mopping and automatically adds cleaning solution as it moves about, so you don’t have to stop and refill anything. - The $1,599.99
$1,999.99(with code M10UXM) Dreame Matrix 10 Ultra comes with a multi-mop switching dock, one that lets it automatically swap between nylon scrub pads, sponge pads, and thermal mop pads based on where it’s cleaning. Its three-solution compartment also holds separate cleaners aimed at tackling pet odors, wood floors, and general messes, which the robovac will dispense on its own depending on the situation.
Photography by Jennifer Pattison Tuohy / The Verge
Update, December 8th: Adjusted pricing / availability. Mentioned the Ecovacs X11 OmniCyclone, Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai Robot, and Eureka J15 Max Ultra, while adding information regarding the Roborock Q10 S5 Plus and iRobot’s latest Roombas. Sheena Vasani also contributed to this post.
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Identity theft now hits people in sneaky ways. Criminals no longer stop at credit cards or loans.
They test stolen personal data by applying for deposit accounts under your name, which confuses many victims and leaves them unsure how to respond. Brian in Clinton, Pennsylvania recently experienced this twice in the same week. Here is the email he sent us:
“I was recently notified by two different banking institutions that someone completed an online application to open a deposit account in my name. Both banks denied the applications and sent me notifications. One bank sent an email and the other sent a letter. Neither bank will share any information with me about what information was submitted or why the applications were denied. I understand why fraudsters try to open credit accounts, but why would they try to open deposit accounts? One bank told me they could not share any information with me about the failed application due to privacy policy and the other bank said they do not save any information from declined applications from non-customers.
Why would banking institutions not capture or share information about declined online applications? As far as I know, the credit bureaus do not collect information about deposit accounts and Early Warning Services only has information from banks that voluntarily report to them. So, how do I respond or react to someone trying to open deposit accounts in my name? I have put a one year fraud alert on with the credit bureaus but I don’t believe that will help me if someone tries to open a deposit account. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.” Brian, Clinton, PA
You are right to take this seriously. Deposit account fraud is rising fast as criminals build synthetic identities and test stolen data. When thieves apply for a checking or savings account in your name, they are gathering information about which stolen identities work and which fail. That gives them room to launch more damaging attacks later.
LANDLINE IDENTITY THEFT LEADS TO MAJOR BANK FRAUD
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Why criminals open deposit accounts
Criminals use deposit accounts for several strategic reasons that help them test stolen data and prepare bigger attacks.
Testing stolen data
Fraudsters often begin with deposit accounts because the approval process can be less tied to credit checks. They want to see if your data passes early verification steps.
Moving stolen money
A new deposit account helps criminals launder funds or receive payments linked to scams, unemployment fraud or tax refund theft.
Setting up future attacks
Once they confirm your identity can be used, they may open credit lines or build a synthetic profile that blends your real data with fake details.
Why banks won’t share details
Banks follow strict privacy rules under federal law. Those rules limit the information they can share about any application, even when it misuses your identity. Many banks:
- Purge declined applications fast to reduce their exposure to unnecessary data
- Use external verification services that store the data outside the bank
- Require subpoenas before releasing IP addresses to law enforcement
Even though an IP address can help identify a fraudster, banks will not share it without a legal request tied to an active investigation.
How to protect yourself from deposit account fraud
Take these actions now to lock down your identity and reduce the chances that a criminal can misuse your information again.
1) Consider identity monitoring
Deposit account fraud often falls outside normal credit monitoring. A service that looks at bank accounts and dark web activity adds extra protection. Identity Theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security number (SSN), phone number, and email address, and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.
See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft at Cyberguy.com.
2) File an FTC Identity Theft Report
Go to IdentityTheft.gov and complete the report. It creates a formal record you can use if you need to file a local police report later.
3) Add stronger alerts or freezes
Brian, you already placed a one-year fraud alert, but you can upgrade to a seven-year alert. You can also freeze your credit at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion to stop new credit lines from opening.
4) Use a data removal service
A data removal service scrubs your personal details from people search sites that criminals often use to build synthetic identities. This reduces how much of your information can be exploited in future attacks.
While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.
Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.
Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com.
5) Check ChexSystems and Early Warning Services
These companies track deposit account activity. Request your reports at chexsystems.com and earlywarning.com. Look for unauthorized entries and add a security alert or freeze to both.
6) Notify the banks
Even if they cannot share details, ask them to document the attempt on your record. This helps flag future fraud attempts.
7) Watch your mail
Look for debit cards, 1099 forms or bank statements you did not request. Those often reveal when criminals succeed somewhere else.
Next steps
Print every letter or email from the banks. Complete the FTC report and use it if you need to file a police report. Review your ChexSystems and Early Warning reports and add freezes where possible so your identity becomes less useful to criminals.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Deposit account fraud feels confusing because it works outside traditional credit systems. Yet the goal is simple. Criminals want to see which stolen identities pass early checks so they can launch larger attacks later. A few fast steps can shut that door and give you control again.
What other questions do you want us to tackle about identity theft and online banking safety? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, has the most popular YouTube account with over 450 million subscribers, or a little over 1 in 16 people in the world. His success with high-production, high-output stunt videos have made him the aspirational model for independent content creators everywhere: the actualization of the promise that, thanks to the internet, gatekeepers no longer stand in the way of viral fame and the riches that supposedly come with it.
Some might say that the extraordinarily famous content creators at the top represent the exception that proves the rule, but even Donaldson, no matter how agape his algorithm-pandering maw, can’t actually make money from YouTube. Financial documents revealed that the content arm of the MrBeast empire is a tremendous money loser — three straight years in the red, including a whopping negative $110 million in 2024. In fact, today all of those viral videos are just a marketing front for the real MrBeast business: a line of mediocre chocolate bars, available at your local Walmart. If the dream was that content creators were supposed to forge a new way to make money, the reality is that they’re relying on the oldest method: selling millions of people crap they don’t need.
In this series, The Verge dives into the ever-shifting, ever-fucked-up incentives that fuel the content machine across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. There was a time when the internet wasn’t constantly trying to sell us things. Now, what was once mostly contained to large commerce giants has encroached on every nook and cranny of the web. It’s eating the internet, swallowing the web whole and all of us with it. Maybe that’s why MrBeast’s mouth is always wide open.
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