To pick up dust and small bits of debris between deeper cleans, choose a robot vacuum if you prefer scheduled cleaning and can clear the floors and maintain the machine. A cordless stick vacuum is better if you want to tackle a specific area straight away. Check its run time on the setting you need, particularly on carpets. Neither option will always replace a more thorough clean.
If you want to spend less time dealing with everyday dust, a robot vacuum can clean regularly. You will still need to clear its path, empty its bin and clean its brushes. Que Choisir notes that results vary depending on the floor type.
For picking up crumbs or cleaning a small area without waiting for a cycle, a cordless stick vacuum offers a different way to clean. Que Choisir describes it mainly as a machine for quick, occasional cleaning, so storage and manoeuvrability are important factors to consider.
If fibres, pet hair or edges are your priority, look at how the model performs on these surfaces rather than relying on its stated power alone. Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses robot vacuums on carpets, hard floors, around room edges and in corners.
First decide whether you want to leave regular cleaning to a machine or be able to grab it straight away. If carpets and stubborn dirt are still a priority, make sure you also have the option of a more thorough clean, with a cylinder vacuum, for example.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic cleaning | Check how well it navigates your rooms and how to maintain the bin or dock. Look at the model’s results on your floor types. | If I want to spend less time dealing with everyday dust, I can clear the floors and let a robot vacuum run its cycles. Around 40 % of consumers would put automatic cleaning at the top of their list. |
| Cleaning straight away | Try handling and storing the stick vacuum. Compare its run time with the power setting you plan to use. | When crumbs appear in one particular area, I want to take out the vacuum, clean up and put it away without starting a programme. This convenience would be the main priority for around 40 % of consumers. |
| Carpets and tougher cleaning jobs | Look for results specifically on carpets and with fibres and pet hair. For a stick vacuum, also check how long it runs on a high-power setting. | If I have carpets or pet hair to remove, I prioritise performance on those surfaces, even if that means planning a more thorough clean. Around 20 % of consumers would put this need first. |
In the models tested by Que Choisir, mopping performance was inadequate for most. The publication also advises against using these models on wooden floors, particularly solid wood. A feature listed in the product description does not guarantee either good results or compatibility with your flooring.
Think of mopping as an extra feature, and check the model’s results and the care instructions for your floor.
Depending on the model, pads, water tanks and the dock also need looking after.
This figure usually refers to a lower power setting. Que Choisir says that, in its tests, average run time at maximum power drops to around ten minutes. Carpets and heavily soiled areas can also affect how long you can use the vacuum.
Compare run times on the setting you will need, and check how to maintain or replace the battery on the model you are considering.
Scheduling, mapping and updates may depend on the app and your internet connection. The CNIL notes that mobile apps can access a range of data, sometimes intrusive in nature. The details depend on the model and the features you enable.
Before connecting the robot, check app compatibility, how updates work, which permissions it requests and the account settings.
Brushes, filters and bins need regular attention. Accessories for one range are not necessarily compatible with another model.
Make a note of the exact model number, then check which consumables and compatible parts are available, as well as its repairability rating.
Depending on the model, filters, brushes or dock bags are among the items you will need to maintain.
Its ranges include X-Plorer robot vacuums and stick vacuums. Rowenta also offers a parts and accessories catalogue that you can search by model number.
A brand to consider for cordless stick vacuums: the V8 Advanced and V11 Advanced are among the models tested by Que Choisir.
Depending on the model, its connected robot vacuums may include an app and mapping features.
Roomba robot vacuums are worth considering if mapping, updates and data-related settings are important to you.
A brand to compare when looking at cordless stick vacuums: Que Choisir has tested models including the IW3612EU Detect and IZ380EUT PowerPro Pet.
This selection includes a cordless stick vacuum for quick clean-ups in small areas and robot vacuums designed for regular cleaning. For each model, compare the stated features with your floor types and the level of maintenance you are happy to take on.
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Worth considering if you want to tackle a small area straight away and then store a self-standing stick vacuum. The product title states a run time of up to 65 minutes, but does not specify how long it lasts on each setting. Check which setting is right for your floors, and maintain the filter and brush.
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Worth looking at if you want regular cleaning with a dock that handles some of the maintenance. The product title states 16 200 Pa suction and mop washing at 75 °C. These figures do not tell you how well it will perform on your floors. Check that mopping is suitable for your flooring and allow for dock maintenance.
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Worth considering if you want to schedule cleaning and have space for a dock. The product title lists DuoDetect AI navigation, stated suction of 8 000 Pa and a run time of up to 180 minutes. Check the useful run time and how it performs on your floors. Also check how much space the dock needs and whether the app is compatible.
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Worth considering if you prefer automated cleaning with a dock and are happy to make room for it and keep it maintained. Before choosing this variant, check how it performs on your flooring, the app’s terms and which consumables are compatible. Its mopping feature should not be treated as a replacement for manual cleaning.
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Worth looking at if you want to schedule cleaning with LiDAR navigation and an automatic-emptying dock. The product title states 8 000 Pa suction and an anti-tangle system, but these claims do not confirm how well it will pick up dirt from your carpets or pet hair. Check the app’s terms and the consumables available for this model.
Don’t assume it can. In its test of around 40 robot mops, Que Choisir found that most of the models tested did not mop well enough. Its mopping tests cover tiled hard floors. Check the care instructions for your flooring, particularly if it is wooden.
Because the maximum stated run time usually refers to a lower power setting. In Que Choisir’s tests, average run time at maximum power was around ten minutes. Compare the setting you will need for your carpets or dirtier areas.
Check that it is compatible with your phone, how updates work and which permissions the app requests. The CNIL notes that mobile apps can access a range of data, so check the settings and terms for the robot and the features you plan to enable.
For eligible models in France, compare the repairability rating shown, then look for parts and consumables for the exact model. France’s Ministry for the Ecological Transition lists vacuum cleaners among the product categories covered by this rating. You will still need to check separately whether a specific accessory is available.