Robot mops without a vacuum: are there any?

What a mop-only robot is

A mop-only robot has no suction fan or main brush. It carries a water tank and a pad, sprays water ahead of itself or onto the pad, and wipes the floor in neat rows. iRobot's Braava jet models are the best-known examples, with disposable or washable pads for wet mopping, damp sweeping and dry sweeping.

They are compact, quiet and light, which suits small kitchens, bathrooms and around toilets. Because they do not vacuum, crumbs, grit and hair need to be cleared first, or the pad simply pushes them around.

Why most makers stopped selling them

Mopping a floor that has not been vacuumed gives poor results, so most buyers want both jobs done. Once makers added mop-washing docks, combo robots could vacuum first, then mop with a clean pad, which a small mop-only robot cannot match.

Combo robots also map the home, lift or detach the mop on carpet, and dry the pads in the dock. A mop-only robot without a dock needs pads changed or washed by hand after every run. The result is that mop-only robots are now a niche product and harder to find on Amazon UK.

Mop-only robot against a combo set to mop

This compares typical mop-only robots with all-in-one combo robots used in mop-only mode.

Vacuum and mop combos →

How to mop only with a combo robot

Every app for combo robots lets you choose mop only, usually per room. Pick the kitchen and bathroom, set mop only, choose a water level suited to the floor, and save it as a routine or schedule. Some apps call this a cleaning mode or custom mode.

If you already have a robot vacuum and only want mopping, a combo robot can still run mop-only routines while your existing robot vacuums. Our guides to no-go zones and robot mops on laminate and vinyl help you set it up safely.

1. 1

   Open the robot's app and choose the rooms to mop.

2. 2

   Set the cleaning mode to mop only.

3. 3

   Choose a low water level for wood and laminate, medium for tile and vinyl.

4. 4

   Add no-mop zones over rugs.

5. 5

   Save as a routine or schedule.

Other ways to mop without a robot vacuum

If you do not want a robot at all, cordless wet-dry floor cleaners vacuum and wash hard floors in one pass, with clean and dirty water tanks like a robot dock. They are fast for kitchens and spills but need you to push them.

A good robot mop pays off if you mop often and have plenty of hard floor. Our page on whether robot mops are worth it and the robot mop against traditional mop comparison go into the decision.

Small rooms and awkward spaces

The main reason some people still want a mop-only robot is size. Bathrooms and small kitchens have tight gaps around toilets, pedestals and kickboards that a full-size robot cannot reach, and there may be no room for a large mop-washing dock. A small mop-only robot can be carried in, run and carried out again.

If that is your situation, a combo robot can still do most of the floor, and a few minutes with a hand mop covers the awkward spots. Measure the space for the dock before buying, including the depth needed in front for the robot to drive on. Our guide to robot vacuums for small flats lists compact docks that fit hallways and kitchens more easily.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a robot that only mops? Yes, iRobot's Braava jet range is the main example, though availability in the UK is limited. Most new robots vacuum and mop.

Can I remove the vacuum part of a combo robot? No, but you can run it in mop-only mode from the app.

Do mop-only robots need the floor swept first? Yes. They do not pick up crumbs or hair, so vacuum first.

Which combo robot is best for mopping? Look for a washing dock with warm-air drying and fine water control. See the best robot mops for hardwood floors.