Hoover HG4 Hydro Pro Robot Vacuum Review:  2-In-1 Self-Empty Robot Vacuum Cleaner & Mop

The Hoover HG4 is the first robot vacuum from Hoover and comes in three variants, with the Hydro Pro being the top model.

This is designed to tackle both carpets and hard floors, making it a versatile cleaning solution for various home environments. With its ability to climb onto rugs up to 2 cm tall, this robot vacuum ensures reliable coverage across different surfaces. The inclusion of a mopping function with two machine-washable pads adds another layer of cleaning capability, addressing both dry debris and wet spills.

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Hoover HG4 Hydro Pro Robot Vacuum Specification

The Hoover HG4 Hydro Pro boasts an impressive array of features that set it apart in the competitive robot vacuum market:

• Advanced Laser Navigation: The HG4 employs LIDAR technology to clean methodically and efficiently, detecting and avoiding obstacles with precision.
• Powerful Performance: With up to 4000Pa suction power, this robot vacuum offers 150% more cleaning power compared to previous models.
• Quick Mapping: On its first use, the HG4 creates a map of your home in under 10 minutes, allowing for efficient cleaning routes.
• Smart App Control: The HG Robots app enables users to schedule cleaning times and customize cleaning preferences.
• Quiet Operation: Operating at only 65 dBA in Quiet mode or 74 dBA in Max mode, the HG4 won’t disrupt your daily activities.
• Auto Recharge: When the battery runs low, the HG4 automatically returns to its base to recharge.
• Self-Emptying Base: After each cleaning session, the robot empties its dust bin into the base, which can hold up to 60 days’ worth of debris in its 3L bag.

Features

Vacuum and mop in one go

Like many robot vacuums nowadays, the Hoover HG4 Hydro Pro is able to vacuum and mop simultaneously. The smart water tank allows users to adjust the water release level to suit different floor types, ensuring optimal cleaning results. The Y-shaped mopping pattern simulates manual cleaning, providing a thorough and efficient mopping experience.

Efficient cleaning

Utilising LIDAR navigation, the HG4 Hydro Pro continuously scans and updates its understanding of your home’s layout. This advanced technology enables the robot to navigate with pinpoint accuracy, ensuring efficient cleaning paths and complete coverage. The anti-fall sensors prevent accidents near stairs, while the robot’s ability to climb obstacles up to 20 mm in height allows it to transition seamlessly between floor types and onto low-pile rugs.

Control via app

The HG Robots app offers excellent control over your cleaning experience. With the ability to create and customize floor plans, users can name rooms, merge or split areas, and designate no-go zones or virtual walls. This level of customisation ensures that the HG4 Hydro Pro cleans exactly where you want it to, even when you’re away from home.

Self-emptying

One of the most convenient features of the Hoover HG4 Hydro Pro is its self-emptying capability. After each cleaning session, the robot automatically empties its dust bin into the cleaning station. This hands-off approach to maintenance means you only need to replace the disposable bag every 60 days or when it’s full, significantly reducing your interaction with dust and allergens.

Unboxing

Unboxing the Hoover HG4 Hydro Pro reveals a well-packaged and thoughtfully designed product. The package includes the robot vacuum itself, the self-emptying base station, two mopping pads, and all necessary accessories for setup and maintenance.

Set Up and Hoover App & Smart Life

Setting up the Hoover HG4 Hydro Pro follows a similar process to most modern robot vacuums. The HG Robots app guides users through the initial setup, which involves connecting the device to your home Wi-Fi network. Interestingly, the setup process reveals that the underlying software is based on the Smart Life platform, a common platform used in many affordable Chinese smart home devices.

While some might view this as a potential drawback, it’s worth noting that many excellent smart home products utilise the Smart Life ecosystem. This standardisation can actually be beneficial, as it often results in a more stable and user-friendly experience. In my testing, I found the app to be responsive and intuitive, offering all the features one would expect from a high-end robot vacuum.

The app allows users to control the robot remotely, schedule cleaning sessions, and customise the cleaning map. You can name rooms, merge or split areas, and set up no-go zones or virtual walls.

Mapping

Most robot vacuums at this price point now feature LIDAR, though a few options go with a camera using VSLAM for mapping.

The LIDAR system continuously scans and updates the layout of your home, enabling the robot to navigate with precision. This results in efficient cleaning patterns and helps the robot avoid obstacles effectively.

Ever since switching to a robot vacuum with navigation features, I can never go back. In the past, I limited my robot vacuum to just cleaning the kitchen; now, it cleans all the rooms on my ground floor.

The Hoover mapping performance is essentially the same as many of the affordable robot vacuums I have reviewed. As long as it doesn’t get stuck on something, it does a thorough job of mapping your rooms and allows you to define rooms, and set up no-go zones and no-mop zones.

Cleaning Performance

The Hoover HG4 Hydro Pro has impressive cleaning capabilities across various surfaces. The powerful 4000Pa suction effectively removed both fine dust and larger debris from carpets and hard floors alike. The combination of the main roller brush and side brush ensured thorough edge cleaning, leaving no corner untouched.

One notable strength of the HG4 Hydro Pro is its ability to transition between different floor types seamlessly. Whether moving from hardwood to carpet or climbing onto low-pile rugs, the robot handled these changes with ease, maintaining its cleaning efficiency throughout.

Mopping Performance

The mopping function proved effective on hard surfaces, with the adjustable water flow allowing for customised cleaning based on the floor type and level of dirt. The Y-shaped mopping pattern did indeed mimic manual mopping, resulting in streak-free floors.

The mopping functionality is not as advanced as many robot vacuums that have recently launched, but all the robot vacuums I am aware of that have superior mopping performance also cost considerably more. The Hobot Legee D8 is a good example; it has essentially the same features as the Hoover but has performance all around, including reciprocated mopping and the ability to lift the mop by 7mm.  However, it costs £500 for the robot vacuum by itself and then another £280 for a self-empty base.

Auto-Empty Dustbin and Home Base

Similar to my feelings about smart navigation, ever since reviewing a robot vacuum with a self-emptying feature, I would never go back. While it is very lazy of me, it takes a lot of hassle out of regular maintenance. When you have a vacuum on a daily schedule, it is easy to forget to empty its dustbin, and without a self-empty station, you need to go to it weekly.

The Hoover HG4 Hydro Pro performs the same as most of the other robot vacuums with this feature, which I have tried. When it has completed its clean, or the battery is running out, it heads back to the base station and the contents of the dustbin are sucked out.

The 3L capacity of the base station’s bag means that, depending on usage, you may only need to replace it every 60 days. This significantly reduces the frequency of maintenance tasks and minimises your exposure to dust and allergens. When it is time to replace the bag, the process is simple and hygienic, with the bag sealing itself as you remove it from the base.

With long term use of other robot vacuums, I have found that sometimes the self-empty station incorrectly reports the bag needs to be emptied. So far, I haven’t experienced this with the Hoover.

Noise Levels

One of the standout features of the HG4 Hydro Pro is its relatively quiet operation. In Quiet mode, it produces only 65 dBA of noise, which is less disruptive than many traditional vacuum cleaners. Even in Max mode, at 74 dBA, it remains quieter than some competitors.

This low noise level makes it possible to run cleaning cycles while you’re at home without significant disturbance, which could be particularly beneficial for those working from home or with young children.

Battery Life

The Hoover HG4 Hydro Pro boasts a respectable battery life that should be sufficient for most homes.

I live in a 4-bedroom semi, which is larger than average (thanks to living up north). During my testing, the robot was able to clean my ground floor on a single charge, even when using both the vacuuming and mopping functions.

For larger homes, the auto-recharge feature ensures that the robot can resume cleaning after topping up its battery, ensuring complete coverage without user intervention.

Maintenance and Longevity

Maintaining the Hoover HG4 Hydro Pro is relatively straightforward, thanks in large part to its self-emptying feature. Regular tasks include:

• Replacing the dust bag in the base station (approximately every 60 days)
• Cleaning the main roller brush and side brush
• Washing the mopping pads
• Occasionally wiping down the sensors and wheels

The robot’s construction feels robust, suggesting good longevity with proper care. Hoover’s reputation for producing durable home appliances also bodes well for the long-term reliability of the HG4 Hydro Pro.

I have regularly praised Hoover for the availability of spare parts and consumables, which is something you can’t always rely on with affordable Chinese brands. At the time of writing, I can’t see any consumables available, but this is a new product, and I would expect them to be available soon.

Price and Alternative Options

The Hoover HG4 Hydro Pro has an RRP of £349 but is available for £299, making it one of the most affordable robot vacuums with a self-empty station.

Hoover also has the HG4 Hydro, which is not a self-empty station. This has an RRP of £299 and currently no discount. Even ignoring the discounts, I’d say a self-empty station is well worth £50.

Then they have the HG4, which gets rid of the water tank for mopping and has no self-empty station. This has an RRP of £249, but at the time of writing, it is discounted to £199.

Verdict

The Hoover HG4 Hydro Pro doesn’t bring anything new to the table in the world of robot vacuums. It is largely the same as most of the affordable robot vacuums you find on Amazon, including using the underlying Smart Life ecosystem.

But, like its affordable counterparts, it offers exceptional value for money. It wasn’t that long ago that robot vacuums with a self-empty station commanded a very high premium.

The main advantage the Hoover HG4 Hydro Pro has over its competitors is the brand. I would feel much more confident spending £300 with Hoover than brands like Laresar, Lubluelu and Bagotte, which all have options at a price point similar to this.

For those seeking an affordable, low-maintenance cleaning solution that can handle both dry and wet cleaning tasks, the Hoover HG4 Hydro Pro represents excellent value. Its performance, coupled with the convenience of self-emptying and smart controls, makes it a strong contender in the affordable robot vacuum market.

James Smythe( Editor-in-chief )

I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.

As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.

In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.

I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.