If you want to schedule regular floor cleaning while you’re away, choose a robot vacuum with mapping, provided it can move freely around your rooms. An auto-empty station means less hands-on emptying, but it takes up space and still needs maintenance. Mopping is mainly suited to light cleaning on compatible hard floors. If you mainly clean specific areas or awkward spots, keeping a conventional vacuum may be a better choice than adding a robot.
You’d like to schedule cleaning runs between manual cleans. Check the mapping, whether the robot can return to its dock and what you’ll need to do between runs: scheduling alone isn’t enough if the robot can’t move around your rooms.
Check how well the robot vacuums each type of flooring. If you’re considering a robot mop, also check how it handles rugs and whether your hard floors are compatible. UFC-Que Choisir’s tests also assess edges and corners, which aren’t covered by the specifications alone.
If you plan to use an app and a map of your home, check how your data will be handled before pairing the device. Also look into customer support and the availability of parts for the model you’re considering.
First decide whether scheduled cleaning runs meet your needs, then consider how the robot will cope with your floors and the obstacles in your home. A station or mopping system adds tasks and conditions of use to check. A conventional vacuum is still an option if cleaning independently while you’re away isn’t a priority. UFC-Que Choisir assesses performance on different floor coverings, around edges and in corners, as well as how the robot navigates obstacles.
| Feature | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning runs without supervision | Scheduling, mapping and navigation around obstacles; app usage requirements. | When nobody can vacuum regularly, I want the robot to carry out scheduled cleaning runs without needing to be restarted. Around 33% of consumers put this need for planned, hands-free cleaning first. |
| Floors and rugs | Results on your floor coverings, around edges and in corners; mopping compatibility and how rugs are handled. | With rugs and hard floors at home, I want to know what the robot will actually clean and avoid getting an unsuitable surface wet. Around 25% of consumers put this need for compatibility first. |
| Maintenance and station | Space required, any emptying you’ll still need to do, and maintenance of brushes, filters and mopping parts. | If I’m away often, I’d rather empty the dustbin less frequently, even if I still need to maintain the station. Around 25% of consumers prioritise reducing the number of tasks they need to do. |
| Data and repairability | App policies, customer support and availability of parts for the exact model. | Before saving a map of my home, I want to understand how my data will be used and be able to have the appliance serviced. Around 17% of consumers consider this their main concern. |
UFC-Que Choisir found that most of the models tested did not deliver satisfactory mopping results. Stubborn stains and whether the floor covering is compatible are therefore important considerations.
Use this feature for light cleaning on floors approved in the instructions, and keep a manual option for a more thorough clean.
You’ll also need to fill and empty the water tank and clean the mopping parts.
A suction figure doesn’t tell you how well a vacuum will perform on rugs, tiles, wooden floors or along skirting boards. UFC-Que Choisir assesses these situations separately in its tests.
Look for test results on your type of flooring and check how the model you’re considering handles obstacles.
Auto-emptying means one less task, but the station needs a permanent spot and the robot still has parts that need cleaning.
Measure the space available and check what maintenance the station and robot require.
Depending on the system, you may also need to replace bags, filters, brushes or mopping parts.
Depending on the services you use, an app may process mapping or usage information. iRobot states, for example, that usage data from some connected robots may be sent to the cloud.
Before pairing, read the manufacturer’s privacy policy, check the settings available and protect your account with a strong password.
The X-Plorer range lets you compare robot vacuums with navigation, a station or a mopping function.
The DEEBOT range includes compact models and robot mops controlled through the ECOVACS HOME app.
Dreame robot vacuums with a station and mopping function are worth a closer look if your home also has rugs.
Connected Roomba robots are a good reason to check the mapping features and the settings that relate to your data.
The Saros, Qrevo, Q and S series offer different configurations to compare, depending on the station and mapping features you’re looking for.
These robot vacuums with stations are suited to households that want to schedule cleaning runs while they’re away and empty the dustbin less often. Compare their mopping features and maintenance requirements with your floor coverings and the space available at home.
Image unavailable
Worth a look if you want to combine scheduled cleaning runs with a station and mopping function.
The product name lists advertised suction power of 19 500 Pa and the OZMO Roller 2.0 system. Check performance on your floor coverings and what’s involved in maintaining the station.
Image unavailable
An option to compare if you want to schedule vacuuming and use the mop occasionally on compatible floors.
The product name lists 25 000 Pa, OZMO Turbo 2.0 and mop washing at 75 °C. Check separately how it handles your rugs and what’s involved in maintaining the water tanks.
Image unavailable
Consider it for scheduled cleaning runs if mapping and an auto-empty station suit the way you manage your cleaning.
The product name lists LiDAR navigation and advertised suction power of 8 000 Pa. The product details specify 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi pairing: check your network and whether the mopping function is compatible with your floors.
Image unavailable
Worth comparing if you’re looking for app-controlled cleaning cycles and want to empty the dustbin less often.
The product name lists suction power of 8 000 Pa and an anti-tangle brush. Check which features this version includes for the station and mopping function, along with the maintenance involved. Also check how it performs on your rugs.
Image unavailable
Worth a look if you want to schedule cleaning runs and empty the robot’s dustbin less often.
The product name lists LiDAR navigation, a mopping function and advertised suction power of 8 000 Pa. Check its performance on your floor coverings and what consumables the station needs.
No. It’s mainly designed to keep floors clean between manual cleans. UFC-Que Choisir assesses performance separately on different floors, around edges and in corners. It also found that most of the robot mops tested did not deliver satisfactory mopping results.
First check the instructions for the model and the guidance for each type of flooring. In its test, UFC-Que Choisir advises against using the mopping function on wooden floors, particularly solid wood. For rugs, check whether the robot can detect them and lift or avoid the mop.
A station means you can empty the dustbin less often, but the robot still needs maintenance. Check the model’s instructions for its brushes, filters and sensors, as well as the water tanks and mopping parts if it has a mopping function.
It depends on the model and the services you enable. ECOVACS explains how data linked to its app and devices is processed, while iRobot states that usage data from connected robots may be sent to the cloud. Read the brand’s policy and check the settings before pairing.
If the appliance has a repairability index, check the score for the exact model and how it was calculated. France’s Ministry for Ecological Transition explains that the index is scored out of 10 and takes factors such as dismantling, technical documentation and parts availability into account. Also ask which parts are available for the model you’re considering.