Choose a programmable robot vacuum cleaner based on your flooring and how it will need to move around your home, rather than relying on claims about how much it can do on its own. Mapping can help you target specific rooms, while a dock can reduce the need for certain tasks, but cleaning results vary by floor type and regular maintenance is still essential. Also check the programming requirements, including app, phone and network compatibility.
If you have a mix of wooden floors, tiles and rugs, look for test results that match your flooring and the types of dirt you’re concerned about. UFC-Que Choisir’s test protocol, for example, assesses suction performance on different types of flooring.
If you want to schedule cleaning for specific rooms and keep the robot away from certain areas, look at the mapping and no-go zone features on the model you’re considering. Check separately that it can cross your door thresholds and deal with the obstacles in your home.
A dock can reduce how often you need to empty the bin, but you’ll still need to check the brushes, filters and consumables. If long-term use matters to you, also check which parts are available for the exact model number.
Start with your flooring and any obstacles in your home, then check how the robot is programmed and which maintenance tasks you’re happy to keep doing.
| Feature | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Results on different floor types | Look for test results on the flooring and types of dirt that matter most to you. Assess mopping separately from vacuuming. | If I have rugs, pet hair or several types of flooring to maintain, I want to know what the robot will actually pick up in my home; around 33% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Navigation and obstacles | Check the mapping, no-go zones and stated threshold-climbing ability for your home. | In a home with several rooms or lots of furniture, I want scheduled cleaning cycles to reach the areas I choose, without assuming every obstacle will be avoided; around 27% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Connected scheduling | Check the scheduling features, phone compatibility and the model’s Wi-Fi requirements. | If I plan to set the schedule from my phone, I want to be able to use the app with my device; around 20% of consumers put this compatibility first. |
| Maintenance and dock | Check which tasks are automated, how much space is needed, and which consumables or parts are specific to the model number. | If I want to empty the bin less often without neglecting other maintenance, I need to know what the dock actually does; around 20% of consumers make this their priority. |
A figure in pascals alone doesn’t tell you how well the robot will pick up dirt from your rugs, in corners or from deep in the fibres. UFC-Que Choisir tests suction on different floor types and types of dirt.
Look for tests that cover the flooring and debris you have at home, rather than comparing models on this figure alone.
UFC-Que Choisir reports that mopping results vary and advises against using this function on wooden floors, particularly solid wood.
Check the model’s instructions and make sure it’s suitable for each floor type before scheduling a mopping cycle.
Depending on the appliance and its dock, mop pads, water tanks and other consumables add to the maintenance involved.
Connected scheduling depends on the model’s features, your phone and, in some cases, the Wi-Fi band. iRobot support explains that some of its robots aren’t connected, while others may require a 2.4 GHz network.
Before buying, check the setup and app update requirements for the exact model number.
Emptying the bin or some mopping tasks may be automated, but you’ll still need to check the brushes, filters and parts of the dock.
Find out which consumables are compatible, what maintenance is required and which parts are available for the model you choose.
Worth considering if you want to schedule a connected Roomba through the iRobot Home app, provided you choose a compatible model.
Consider it when comparing navigation and no-go zone features, as well as a dock on some models.
Worth considering if room-by-room navigation and access to replacement parts or accessories are important to you.
Compare models individually if you’re looking for a connected robot with laser navigation.
These models combine scheduled cleaning with navigation features and, depending on the model, a self-emptying dock or one that maintains the mop pads. Compare their features with your flooring, home and the maintenance tasks you’d like to do less often.
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Worth considering if you want to schedule cleaning and empty the bin less often; check that its features suit the obstacles in your home.
The product description states that it offers 8000 Pa suction, 3D obstacle avoidance and up to 180 minutes of runtime. These figures don’t indicate how well it will vacuum every type of floor.
Check app and network compatibility, as well as the space needed for the dock.
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Consider it if you want scheduled vacuuming and a mopping function, and are happy to maintain a dock.
The product description lists 16 600 Pa suction, the OZMO Roller system and a dock that includes hot-water mop washing and hot-air drying.
Check whether mopping is suitable for your flooring, along with connected features and the consumables required.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for scheduled cleaning cycles and want to compare a mopping function for suitable floors.
The product description lists 10 000 Pa HyperForce suction, a dual anti-tangle system and a liftable mop.
If you have rugs, check exactly how the mop behaves during mopping cycles, as well as the connectivity and maintenance requirements.
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Consider it if scheduled cleaning and dock-based mop maintenance suit your needs.
The product description lists laser navigation, obstacle recognition, 8150 Pa suction and hot-air drying.
Remember to check the water-related maintenance tasks, network requirements and compatible consumables.
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Worth considering if you want scheduled vacuuming and a dock that also maintains the mop pads.
The product description lists 25 000 Pa suction, the OZMO Turbo 2.0 system and mop pad washing at 75 °C. These features don’t guarantee the same results on every type of floor.
Check app compatibility, how much space the dock needs and which consumables are required for this model.
No. It’s best to think of it as taking care of some of your floor-cleaning tasks. UFC-Que Choisir finds that results vary by floor type, so pay particular attention to rugs, fibres, edges and corners when comparing test results.
It depends on the controls available on the model, so check how to set the schedule before buying. For compatible connected robots, iRobot describes scheduling through its app and notes that some models require a 2.4 GHz network; Roborock also states this requirement for the QV 35A.
You’ll need a power socket and a suitable spot that meets the model’s installation instructions. For a connected robot, also check Wi-Fi coverage in that location; consult the manual for the clearance needed around the dock.
According to the French Ministry for Ecological Transition, it helps you assess how repairable a product is by giving it a score out of 10. The decree of 22 April 2022 covers robot vacuum cleaners, among other products; check the score for the model you’re considering and whether the parts you may need are available.
According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a professional to a private individual. Keep the model description and proof of purchase so you can confirm the terms of sale if a problem arises.