Overview
- This week manufacturers pushed multi‑function bases that empty dust, heat‑wash and air‑dry mop heads, with ECOVACS announcing a timed heated dirty‑water tank and a Giant‑Wave station wash at IFA 2026.
- Vendors continue to advertise ever‑higher suction figures as a selling point, with flagship claims ranging from about 20,000 Pa on compact rollers up to 42,000 Pa on the Dreame X60, though testers say Pascal values do not alone predict real‑world cleaning.
- Two distinct wet‑cleaning systems have emerged: roller washers supply fresh water and collect dirty water on the fly for stronger stain removal, while pad or mop systems are simpler, thinner and reach edges better but retain dirt on the pad until the next station wash.
- Recent launches and tests are already shaping buyer choices: the Dreame X60 earned top test scores for combined suction and wiping, MOVA and ECOVACS pushed out rollers and heated wash stations, and budget brands like Lefant are offering roller systems with steep short‑term discounts.
- For users the trade‑off is clear: automated stations cut hands‑on maintenance and odor risk but add cost, greater station complexity, more energy use and different upkeep needs such as checking rollers for hair and emptying separate dirty‑water tanks.