Ryobi
I have two long-haired cats and live in a 150-year-old house with original hardwood floors. Sounds charming, right? Like something out of Better Homes and Gardens, even. But here’s the catch: these two seemingly unrelated facts actually mean that a) I’m forever chasing cat hair tumbleweeds drifting around, and b) those tumbleweeds show up in glaring high definition on my hardwood floors. So, I’m on a mission to find a device that actually works, without making me feel like I need to clean 24/7.
Enter the Ryobi 18V ONE+ HP Wet & Dry Hard Floor Cleaner: cordless, compact and claiming to vacuum and mop at the same time. I was intrigued. I was hopeful. I was…quickly betrayed by cat hair.
Let’s start with the good. This thing is really handy for everyday cleaning. It’s fairly lightweight, not too noisy, and the cordless design with a rechargeable battery makes it easy to reach for quick cleanups without needing to lug out a traditional mop or vacuum. The battery also lasts a solid amount of time (I made it through my whole house with two), and if you’re already using other Ryobi tools, you can swap batteries easily.
But if you’re a pet owner like me, the dream of effortlessly vacuuming and mopping at the same time gets a little…muddy. The filter doesn’t play well with pet hair, and you’ll find yourself stopping to clean it out more often than you’d like, especially if you’re trying to vacuum and mop in a single pass.
Read on for my full review – what I loved, what I didn’t, and why this cleaner still might earn a spot in your cleaning routine, especially if mopping is your main mission.
Our verdict
- Our rating: 6 out of 10
- Why we rated it a 6: This device truly shines when it comes to mopping. Watching the murky water swirl around the dirty tank is both gross and oddly satisfying, and a visual reminder of just how much your regular mop leaves behind. The cordless design, self-cleaning function and rechargeable battery all come together to make cleaning feel less like a chore. That said, if you have pets, be prepared to get up close and personal with the filter – often.
Pros
- Excellent mopping functionality
- Cordless, with decent battery life
- Interchangeable battery system
- Self-cleaning function
- LED headlights for better visibility
- Ergonomic and glides easily
- Makes cleaning feel quicker and easier
Cons
- Vacuum suction is less powerful than premium brands
- Pet hair clogs filter quickly
- Challenging to maneuvre in tight spaces
- No detachable or hand-held option
- The price point: $700 is a lot for something that won’t fully replace a vacuum
How does the Ryobi 18V One+ HP wet & dry hard floor cleaner work?
The device does exactly what the name promises: it vacuums and mops your hard floors, separately or at the same time.
Unlike a standard vacuum cleaner, it has two tanks: one for clean water and one for dirty, dispensing liquid to mop while simultaneously sucking up dust and debris. Instead of a bristle brush, it uses a soft roller, which is gentle on wooden floors but still does a good job at scrubbing grime.
The device is designed to simplify your routine by combining two chores into one, and with the bonus of a self-cleaning function, it even cleans itself when you’re done. (Well, kind of – you’ll still need to empty the tanks and clean the filter; more on that later).
What makes the Ryobi floor cleaner stand out?
The mopping function is the star of the show. My floors looked genuinely cleaner after just one pass, and the built-in LED lights on the head helped me spot grime hiding in dark corners and under the table. It was also good at dealing with minor spills, and one glance at the murky water in the dirty tank is proof: where it can reach, this thing scrubs impressively well.
What really stood out was how easy it felt. I timed myself using the Ryobi floor cleaner vs. my usual routine (vacuum, then mop), and the total time was about the same. But it felt faster, simply because it took less effort, with no unplugging, refilling water, swapping devices or fiddling with power cords.
I loved that it’s cordless, and has decent battery life. You’re not constantly plugging and unplugging it into a power point, and I got through most of my home on a single charge. For bigger spaces, the battery is easy to swap out mid-clean. And if you already own other Ryobi tools, you can share batteries across devices, which is a big plus.
I also liked the self-cleaning function – just press a button and it rinses the roller for you. No more washing mops in the tub (though you’ll still need to empty the tanks, clean the filter, yank out copious cat hair, in my case, and make sure that the rollers are completely dry afterwards.)
Where does the Ryobi floor cleaner fall short?
Sadly, the vacuum function isn’t nearly as powerful as my Miele or even my ancient Dyson v7 stick vacuum (yes, I have two vacuums – to go with my two cats). It works fine for dust and crumbs, but it won’t replace your regular vacuum – this is very much a mop-first, vacuum-second situation.
Cat hair clogs the filter quickly, and basically forces you to pause and clean it out if you want the vacuum and mop to work simultaneously. It’s not difficult, but it’s definitely annoying, especially if you’re in the zone.
Unlike most vacuums, there’s no detachable head or handheld option, as the Ryobi One+ HP Wet and Dry Floor Cleaner is a hard floors-only device. See a cobweb on the wall? Notice some crumbs behind the sofa? Need to address some dust between two pieces of furniture? Want to vacuum a rug? Well, you’ll need to grab another tool, because this won’t be able to help.
Finally, let’s talk about the cost. Yes, you’re paying for the 2-in-1 functionality and the cordless design, but for something that won’t replace your vacuum, the $700 price tag stings.
The bottom line
If your house is mostly hard floors and your vacuuming needs are more “crackers under the kitchen table” than “maximum shed Persian cat,” the Ryobi Wet & Dry could be your new go-to. It could also be great for someone who is just looking for a fantastic electric mop and has the space and budget to have a separate vacuum. Just keep a pair of gloves handy for those filter clean-outs, especially if you have pets.
Where to buy the Ryobi wet and dry floor cleaner
