Robot vacuums are supposed to take one more chore off your plate. I’ve tested versions that offer a range of capability, like ultra-powerful models such as the Qrevo CurvX, and units that excel at cleaning up after pets, like the Eureka J15 Pro. But in reality, not all of them can deliver the same kind of hands-off cleaning you might be expecting.

I spent some time with our Best Overall pick, the QV 35A from Roborock, and I found that it handles day-to-day upkeep well, even if it doesn’t exactly replace a traditional vacuum and mop.

It’s the kind of device that fits nicely into a cleaning routine, as long as you know what its strengths and limitations are. After a few weeks of testing this model, I got a good idea of where it actually makes a difference.

Mapping is tedious, but it pays off in the end.

It takes time for a robot vacuum to map out all the furniture, floor types, and hard-to-reach corners of your home. My space is under 900 square feet, and the QV 35A completed its initial mapping in about 30 minutes. I can imagine this process would likely take longer if you live in a larger home.

During mapping, the vacuum accurately identified larger items like my couch, dining table, and entertainment center. It also detected different floor types like carpet, tile, and hardwood, and distinguished between rooms like the main living area, bedroom, and bathroom. Detailed mapping and room detection makes it easier to tailor settings in the app, since I can assign different cleaning modes and suction levels based on each room.

While the vacuuming performance is impressive, the mopping function has some limitations.

I tested the vacuum and mopping modes both separately and together, and the vacuuming capability is where this model really shines. The edge brush is especially effective, pulling in dirt and hair from along baseboards.

Modern robot vacuums typically offer between 2,000 to 10,000 pascals of suction power, and the QV 35A falls closer to the high-end of that range with 8,000 pascals. As a result, it handles everyday messes with ease and saves me from reaching for a broom or cordless stick vacuum on a daily basis. It starts by cleaning along the perimeter, then follows a zigzag pattern across the interior, leaving behind a satisfying, uniform look on carpets. It took 61 minutes to vacuum my entire apartment.

When using the mopping function, the vacuum cleaned for 18 minutes before returning to the dock to wash the mop heads, which only took about 4 minutes to fully rinse. I appreciate this feature because it prevents dirt from being spread across the floor. After washing, it resumed cleaning for another 17 minutes before needing another rinse, bringing the total mopping time to 48 minutes.

I also like that the mop heads automatically lift when carpet is detected. However, I noticed that they remain elevated for a bit too long before lowering again, which leaves some areas unmopped. It’s hard to tell whether the vacuum revisits these spots after completing its perimeter sweep, since the initial pass is already dry by that point.

Saving floor plans and adjusting other settings in the app is key for efficient cleaning.

Some smart device apps can feel clunky or unintuitive, but the Roborock app isn’t one of them. I relied on it heavily during setup to fine-tune floor plans and establish no-go zones, and I continue to use it regularly.

The app allows me to monitor battery life, track cleaning progress, watch the vacuum move in real time, and more. It also plays a key role in obstacle avoidance. If there is an area the vacuum mislabeled and didn’t clean, you can adjust as needed.

The Bottom Line

It’s a helpful addition, but don’t get rid of your traditional vacuum and mop just yet.

The primary goal of a robot vacuum is to make your life easier, and the QV 35A does just that. But it’s not a complete replacement for deeper cleaning tools. My area rugs tend to collect a significant amount of pet hair, litter, and crumbs, so I still lean on my corded upright vacuum for a thorough clean.

Similarly, while the mopping function helps manage light messes and tracked-in dirt, it doesn’t apply the amount of downward pressure you might need to clean stubborn, dried-on grime.

For everyday maintenance, though, it’s been a helpful addition to my routine. The QV 35A handles multiple floor types, takes care of routine cleaning with minimal effort, and the app is genuinely useful instead of just another storage drain.