A robot vacuum is best suited to regular runs on accessible floors. If pet hair gets caught in rugs or carpets, check how the model performs on fibres: UFC-Que Choisir assesses these separately for different floor coverings. A docking station means you need to empty the robot less often, while a stick or cylinder vacuum can also tackle stairs, upholstery and areas the robot can’t reach. Whichever you choose, brush maintenance and access to spare parts are worth considering.
If pet hair gets caught in the fibres, look for test results specifically for rugs and carpets rather than relying on the advertised power alone. UFC-Que Choisir assesses fibre removal and cleaning separately for different types of flooring.
A robot vacuum can take care of scheduled runs on accessible, reasonably clear floors. You’ll still need to empty its bin or docking station, and maintain the brushes and replaceable parts.
If you also need to remove pet hair from cushions, sofas and stairs, consider a stick vacuum with a suitable attachment or a cylinder vacuum equipped for upholstery. Depending on the areas you need to clean, it could complement a robot or become your main choice.
Start by considering the surfaces you need to clean and the places the appliance must reach. Then decide how much of the cleaning and emptying you’d like to automate.
Best for: scheduled runs on accessible floors, if you’re happy to empty its bin regularly.
Bear in mind: it won’t clean stairs or furniture, and its performance on fibres depends on the model and floor covering.
Best for: frequent cleaning runs, when emptying the robot’s small bin has become the main hassle.
Bear in mind: transferring dust to the station doesn’t remove the need to maintain brushes and filters or buy compatible consumables.
Best for: cleaning specific areas by hand, particularly stairs and furniture, either on its own or alongside a robot.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to operate it yourself and, if it’s cordless, its run time will depend on the mode you choose.
Best for: a more thorough manual clean when rugs and carpets make up a significant part of your home.
Bear in mind: it won’t clean automatically. Check which accessories are included and, if you choose a bagged model, which bags are compatible.
| Criteria | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Fibres on rugs and carpets | Look for a separate test of fibre removal on the floor covering you have, and check which brush is included. | When pet hair gets caught in my rugs, I want to know whether the model actually removes it, not just whether it picks up dust from hard floors. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this result. |
| Emptying and routine maintenance | Check how the station works, if there is one, and what maintenance is required for brushes, filters and compatible bags. | With frequent cleaning runs, I mainly want to cut down on repeatedly handling the bin, without assuming that maintenance will disappear altogether. Ease of use comes first for around 29% of consumers. |
| Areas the robot can’t reach | For a stick vacuum, check whether it comes with an upholstery attachment; for a cylinder vacuum, look at the brush and accessories suited to your surfaces. | If pet hair also builds up on the sofa or stairs, I need an appliance that can reach those areas. Covering these spaces is a priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Repairs and spare parts | Search for brushes, filters and other parts using the exact model number. Also check its repairability rating, if one is shown. | I’d rather replace a worn part than buy a new appliance when something stops working properly. Around 14% of consumers put access to spare parts first. |
Good results on dust or hard floors don’t prove that a vacuum can remove pet hair caught in a carpet. UFC-Que Choisir tests different floor coverings and fibre removal separately.
Compare the model’s results on fibres, rugs or carpets, then check how it performs on the hard floors and edges in your home.
A station can mean you need to empty the robot’s bin less often, but you’ll still need to keep an eye on the brushes and filters.
Before buying, check which consumables fit the exact model number and what maintenance it requires.
Depending on the model, you may also need to replace compatible bags, filters or brushes.
A mopping function doesn’t tell you how well the vacuum picks up pet hair. UFC-Que Choisir notes that mopping results vary between appliances and advises against using this function on wooden floors, particularly solid wood, under the conditions of its assessment.
Choose a robot based first on its vacuuming results on your floor coverings. Assess the mopping function separately, taking your floors and the required maintenance into account.
A brand’s accessories catalogue doesn’t guarantee that the brush, filter or battery you need for your model will be available when you need it. A repairability rating also doesn’t replace checking which parts are compatible.
Search for the exact model number in the manufacturer’s catalogue and check which wear parts are relevant to you.
The Roomba range includes robot vacuums, and iRobot France lists accessories by series.
Roborock sells robot vacuums and mops, as well as accessory kits for selected models.
The X-Plorer range includes robot vacuums, while Rowenta France lists its parts and accessories by model number.
A Dyson stick vacuum could help you clean stairs and furniture by hand, alongside a robot.
Miele bagged cylinder vacuums are another option for cleaning rugs and carpets by hand.
These models are designed for regular runs on floors. Several are shown with an auto-empty station, while the Lefant N1 is a robot vacuum. If pet hair gets caught in rugs or carpets, compare their advertised features with test results on fibres before choosing.
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Worth considering if you want to schedule regular runs on accessible floors in a home with pets.
The product name lists 4,000 Pa suction, laser navigation, storage for five maps and app control. These specifications alone don’t tell you how well it removes pet hair from rugs.
Before deciding, check test results on fibres, compatible parts and the noise level for this model.
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Consider this if you’d like to empty the robot less often when it’s cleaning regularly.
The product name lists a mopping function, an auto-empty station, 8,000 Pa suction and LiDAR navigation.
The advertised anti-tangle system doesn’t replace a test on fibres. Also check which bags, brushes and filters are compatible.
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Worth considering if a station and mopping function suit your regular floor-cleaning routine.
The product name lists 12,000 Pa suction, FlexiArm mops, hot-air drying and intelligent navigation.
These features don’t prove how well it removes embedded pet hair. Check a test on fibres and confirm which consumables fit the exact model.
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Consider this if you want to schedule cleaning runs and empty the robot less often by hand.
The product name lists 4,000 Pa suction, laser navigation, storage for five maps and app control.
If you have rugs, look for a test on fibres before choosing, and check which bags, brushes and filters are compatible.
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Worth considering for scheduled runs on accessible floors if an auto-empty station isn’t your top priority.
The product name lists 4,500 Pa suction, a 165-minute run time and four cleaning modes. The advertised run time doesn’t indicate how well it performs on fibres.
Check how the model performs on your rugs and whether compatible brushes and filters are available.
Not for every surface: a robot can keep accessible floors clean, but it can’t reach stairs, cushions or sofas by itself. If pet hair often builds up in these areas, keep a suitable manual vacuum. Before replacing your current vacuum, compare test results for the floor coverings in your home too.
Look for test results on fibre removal from a rug or carpet similar to yours. UFC-Que Choisir assesses this separately from tests on other types of dirt or floor coverings. The advertised suction power alone doesn’t show how well a vacuum removes embedded pet hair.
No. It can mean you need to empty the robot’s bin less often, but brushes, filters and bags still need checking or replacing, depending on the model. Before you buy, check which accessories are compatible with your chosen model number.
Start by searching for the exact model number in the manufacturer’s parts catalogue. Check which brushes, filters, bags or batteries you might need. If a repairability rating is shown, it offers another point of comparison, but doesn’t guarantee that every part will be available.
Take it to an appropriate collection point for electrical and electronic equipment rather than putting it in your household rubbish. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition outlines the country’s collection and recycling scheme. Depending on the condition of the appliance, you could also consider repair or reuse.