Robot Vacuum Mop Types Explained: Pads, Rollers, Docks

Four Kinds of Mop

Almost every robot vacuum in the catalogue now mops robot vacuums, but the mops differ a lot. Across the 28 conventional models we found four designs: a flat pad (6 models), a vibrating pad (2), a pair of rotating mops (14) and a roller (6). The mop type decides whether the robot only wipes or actually scrubs, what it does with rugs and how much work is left for you. Prices in the tables were checked on 10.10.2026.

Flat Pad: Wiping

A flat microfibre pad is dragged across the floor while the robot feeds it water from a tank. The Roborock Q7 M5 and Xiaomi S40 offer three flow levels. The tanks are small: 260 ml in the S40C, 270 ml in the S40 and 350 ml in the D20 Pro. This is wiping, not scrubbing. On the Q7 M5 it is enough for laminate and tiles but will not remove dried-on stains. None of these pads is lifted. The Roomba 115 and 105 detect carpets and avoid them in mopping mode, the Xiaomi S40 lets you set a strategy for each rug, and for the D20 Pro Dreame recommends removing the pad before cleaning rooms with carpets. You wash the pad by hand, because none of these docks does it. All of these models cost under PLN 1,000 (≈ EUR 230) “Robot Vacuums Under PLN 2,000”.

Vibrating Pad: Faster, but Still Hand-Washed

A vibrating pad adds rapid movement to the wiping, which is meant to help with lighter dirt. On the Roborock Q10 S5+ (VibraRise 2.0) the vibration intensity is adjustable and the pad lifts when carpet is detected. On the Philips Aqua 7000, according to the datasheet, the mop cannot be lifted and there is no carpet sensor, so you have to set no-mop zones in the app. Both docks only empty the bin: they do not wash the pad or refill water.

Rotating Mops: the Most Common Choice

Two round mops spin and press on the floor, so they scrub rather than just wipe. All of these models have a full dock. Manufacturers set them apart by pressure and reach: Narwal states 6-8 N of pressure, the Roborock Saros 20 presses harder on stubborn stains (up to 13 N), and the Roomba Plus 415 has a SmartScrub mode that scrubs back and forth. Extending mops reach the edges, for example MopExtend on the Dreame L40 Ultra AE and X50 Ultra Complete (on the X50 up to 4 cm under furniture) and the extending arms on the Xiaomi H50 Pro.

How a robot handles carpet shapes the whole cleaning run. A robot that lifts its mop can vacuum and mop the home in one pass; Roborock describes the Q10 S5+ with its vibrating pad this way. The Saros 10R leaves its mops in the dock before cleaning carpets, and the Saros 20 detaches them, so a wet pad never touches the rug.

There are limits too. The DEEBOT T30C Gen 2 and T50 PRO OMNI lift their mops by only 9 mm, so according to the T50 description it is better to switch off mopping in rooms with thicker rugs. For thick and long-pile rugs, Xiaomi recommends avoid mode on the H50 Pro. For the DEEBOT mini the manufacturer does not say whether the mops lift.

Roller: Continuous Rinsing

A roller touches the floor along its whole length, and on some models it is refreshed while the robot is still cleaning. On the eufy Omni E28 clean water rinses it and the dirty water goes into a separate tank. On the Xiaomi 6 Max the roller is kept wet and scraped clean, and constant pressure helps with dried-on stains. The DEEBOT X12 OmniCyclone pre-sprays dried stains before mopping (FocusJet). A roller reaches edges more easily with an extension: the Roomba Max 775 Combo has an extending tip, and the eufy Omni E28 has a CornerRover arm for corners. The E28 also has a detachable FlexiOne module for hand-cleaning stains on a sofa or in a car. All roller models have a full dock. Keep in mind that mopping shortens runtime: eufy states up to 180 minutes of vacuuming only and 110 minutes with mopping for the E28. The cheapest roller model is the DEEBOT X9 PRO OMNI, but only on a promotion that, according to ECOVACS, runs until 31.10.2026.

What the Dock Does With the Mop

Docks come in three levels. A charging dock (5 models) only charges, so you look after the mop and the bin yourself. A self-emptying dock (3 models) sucks out the dust but does not wash the mop. A full dock (20 models) washes the mop and dries it with warm air, and many also dispense detergent. Washing temperatures quoted by manufacturers range from 40°C (the lower end on the X9 PRO OMNI) to 100°C on the Saros 20. The Dreame X50 Ultra Complete also sanitises the mops with UV lamps. Drying matters because a damp mop left in the dock can start to smell; manufacturers quote drying temperatures from 40°C (Narwal) to 63°C (X9 PRO OMNI).

The dock also collects dust, and the differences here are about upkeep. Dreame states a 3.2 l bag lasting about 100 days for the L40 Ultra AE and L10s Ultra Gen 3, Narwal a 2.5 l bag lasting up to 120 days, and Philips a 3 l bag lasting about 30 days. The DEEBOT X12 OmniCyclone is bagless: its 1.6 l cyclone container lasts about 48 days according to the manufacturer and needs emptying more often. Full docks need space by the wall; the DEEBOT mini dock is 38.5 cm tall.

A full dock does not always spare you from carrying water. With the Xiaomi H50 Pro, upkeep comes down mainly to adding clean water and pouring out dirty water. The basic Saros 10R dock needs the same, and a mains water connection for the Saros 20 is a separate variant. The dock is also loud when it empties the bin: ECOVACS states 79.2 dB for the X9 PRO OMNI.

How to Choose a Mop

Hard floors only and a small budget: a flat pad is enough for wiping. Rugs and laminate in one home: look for a mop that lifts, detaches or gets covered. Dried-on stains, for example in the kitchen: rotating mops or a roller with a full dock. We cover homes with pets separately in “Robot Vacuum for Pet Hair”, and the other buying criteria in “How to Choose a Robot Vacuum” homes.