Choose a robot vacuum if you want to schedule regular cleaning runs and can clear the floors beforehand, but don’t expect it to replace every manual clean. A cordless stick vacuum is better for quick clean-ups in a small area; keep a cylinder vacuum as well if your rugs and awkward corners need a more thorough clean. A docking station can cut down on some of the work involved in emptying the bin or maintaining the mop pads, but it takes up space and needs looking after too.
You want to keep your floors in good shape between more thorough cleans. A scheduled robot vacuum could suit you if you can leave a clear route for it; Que Choisir notes that results vary depending on the type of flooring.
For crumbs, the hallway or a small area, you’d rather get an appliance out and put it away again quickly. Que Choisir highlights the cordless stick vacuum’s manoeuvrability as an advantage for quick clean-ups.
You want to assess how well an appliance performs on rugs, hard floors, along edges and in corners before relying on it for everyday cleaning. Que Choisir tests these surfaces and areas separately.
Consider it: if you can clear the floors and want to schedule cleaning runs while you get on with other things.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to prepare its route and maintain the robot, and results vary depending on the surface, as Que Choisir points out.
Consider it: if you need to clean a specific area straight away and then put the appliance away.
Bear in mind: check the battery life in the mode you’ll use; Que Choisir considers this style better suited to quick clean-ups.
Keep one if: you expect to do more thorough manual cleans of rugs or awkward corners.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to get it out and do the cleaning yourself, rather than start a scheduled cycle.
| Priority | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule cleaning runs | Check the scheduling options, which areas the robot can reach and what needs moving before it starts a cycle. | When a full clean has to wait, I want the floors looked after while I get on with other things. Around 31% of consumers prioritise this kind of automated cleaning. |
| Clean up quickly | Check how heavy the stick vacuum feels in your hand and how long the battery lasts in the mode you’ll use. | For crumbs or a hallway that needs cleaning straight away, I want to get the appliance out and put it away again quickly. This kind of quick clean-up comes first for around 31% of consumers. |
| Clean rugs and awkward corners | Compare performance on your flooring, as well as along edges and in corners; plan to clean manually if needed. | With rugs or awkward corners, I don’t want to mistake a daily run for a deep clean. Around 23% of consumers prioritise performance on different surfaces. |
| Cut down on hands-on tasks | Check exactly what the docking station does, where it will fit and which accessories need maintaining or replacing. | If emptying the bin and looking after the mop pads becomes a chore, I want to cut down on these tasks without forgetting to maintain the station. Around 15% of consumers put this need first. |
Que Choisir finds that a robot’s performance varies depending on the type of floor; its tests assess rugs, hard floors, edges and corners separately. A mopping function alone doesn’t tell you how well it will deal with stubborn dirt.
Identify the surfaces that need a more thorough clean and compare the model’s results on them before deciding you don’t need a manual back-up.
The runtime quoted for low-power mode won’t necessarily reflect a cleaning session in the mode you need. Que Choisir reports that many stick vacuums struggle to last more than around ten minutes at full power.
Compare the runtime in the mode you’ll use, then check that the brush suits your floors and that the bin is easy to empty.
A docking station can automate emptying and, depending on the model, some tasks involving water or mop pads. You’ll still need to keep an eye on the accessories and tanks.
Measure the space you have in mind and check the functions and compatible accessories for the model you’re considering.
Dust bags, filters or mop pads may still need replacing; some models also require tank maintenance.
The repairability rating, described by the French Ministry of the Economy as a score out of 10, indicates how easy or difficult a product is to repair; check the rating for the exact model.
Compare the rating and ask how long spare parts will be available. The DGCCRF states that sellers must provide this information when the manufacturer has supplied it to them.
These ranges offer different features depending on the model; the brand alone won’t tell you how well a product will clean the floors in your home.
The X-Plorer range includes laser-navigation robots, as well as models with a docking station or mopping function.
The range includes robot vacuum-mops, with LiDAR navigation and a docking station available on some models.
Dreame France features robots in its D, L, Matrix, Aqua and X series.
Depending on the model, Roomba robots offer mapping, targeted cleaning, automatic emptying or a mopping function.
These robot vacuum-mops are suited to automated cleaning runs between more thorough cleans. Their docking stations and advertised features vary, so compare them based on your floors, the space you have and how much maintenance you’re happy to do.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to schedule cleaning runs and cut down on manual emptying. The product title lists 8 000 Pa suction, LiDAR navigation and up to 200 min of runtime; compare battery life in the mode you’ll use and performance on your floors. If you want to use the app, check that you have a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network.
Image unavailable
Worth looking at if you want to schedule cleaning runs in a home with a mix of rugs and hard floors. The product title lists 8 000 Pa suction, 3D obstacle avoidance and 180 min of runtime. Before choosing this model, check how the station collects dust and which accessories it needs; also check how well it’s expected to perform on your floors.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to cut down on some of the work involved in emptying the bin and maintaining the mop pads. The product title mentions an OMNI station, advertised suction of 25 000 Pa and mop-pad washing at 75 °C; these specifications alone don’t tell you how well it will clean rugs or corners. Make room for the station and remember that its tanks need looking after.
Image unavailable
Worth looking at if mop-pad maintenance is an important factor when choosing a robot for regular cleaning runs. The product title lists 16 600 Pa suction, an OZMO Roller mop and an Omni station with hot-water washing and hot-air drying. Check that it offers the scheduling options you want, that its cycle length suits your home and that you have room for the station.
Image unavailable
Worth looking at if navigation and mapping are important for your regular cleaning runs. The product title lists laser navigation and 4 000 Pa suction. Check the scheduling options, which tasks the station actually handles and how well the robot is expected to perform on the surfaces in your home.
Don’t expect a robot to replace every manual clean. Que Choisir finds that results vary depending on the floor type and tests rugs, edges and corners separately; keep a manual option if these areas need a more thorough clean.
A docking station can be useful if emptying the bin or maintaining the mop pads is putting you off regular cleaning runs. Check whether the station for your chosen model only empties the bin or also washes and dries the mop pads and handles water; then make room for it and its accessories.
Remove cables, laces, clothes and small objects that could get caught in the robot or block its route, as iRobot support recommends for the relevant models. If you want it to map several rooms, make sure they’re accessible in line with the model’s instructions.
No: compare battery life in the mode you’ll use on your floors. Que Choisir reports that many stick vacuums struggle to last more than around ten minutes at full power; the maximum runtime quoted for low-power mode reflects different conditions.