To schedule floor cleaning while you’re away, first choose a robot that can move across the surfaces and through the rooms you have in mind. Measure your thresholds and check test results for your types of flooring, especially carpets and rugs. Les Numériques points out that stairs, furniture and skirting boards remain out of reach. An auto-empty station cuts down on some tasks but doesn’t eliminate maintenance, while mopping is only worthwhile for compatible floors if you’re happy to manage the water and mop pads.
If you’d like to run regular cleaning cycles while you’re away, check what the station automates and what still needs looking after. Les Numériques describes a robot vacuum as a supplement to manual vacuuming, while iRobot’s documentation sets out the maintenance required for its Clean Base.
Thresholds, rugs, cables and multiple floors can limit which rooms a robot can actually reach. Que Choisir tests vacuuming on different surfaces, while Rowenta says its RR8577WH model can cross thresholds up to 18 mm high. This figure doesn’t apply to every model or home.
A mopping function may appeal if you’d like to add wet cleaning, provided you check that your flooring is compatible and are happy to keep an eye on the water tanks and mop pads. Que Choisir and Ecovacs point out that robot mops and their stations need maintenance.
Worth considering: if your home is relatively uncluttered and you don’t mind emptying the robot’s bin regularly.
Be prepared for: emptying the bin yourself, and checking carpet performance for the specific model.
Worth considering: if you run frequent cleaning cycles and would find it a hassle to empty the bin often.
Be prepared for: the station needs maintenance too. For the Clean Base, iRobot recommends cleaning the tube and pre-filter every two weeks.
Worth considering: if you want to clean a compatible hard floor and have checked the model’s mopping results.
Be prepared for: managing water and mop pads adds to your chores. In its test published in December 2024, Que Choisir rated the mopping results of most of the models it assessed as poor.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Getting around and reaching rooms | Measure thresholds and check for stairs, cables and narrow passages. Confirm the stated capabilities for the exact model number. | When I start a cleaning cycle while I’m out, I want the robot to reach the rooms I’ve chosen despite obstacles in my home. Around 33% of consumers prioritise getting around their home. |
| Emptying and maintenance between cycles | Check the type of bag or bin, the maintenance instructions and the space needed around the station. | If I schedule the robot often, I want to cut down on repeatedly emptying the bin without ending up with a station that’s difficult to maintain. Around 25% of consumers prioritise emptying and maintenance. |
| Vacuuming different floor types | Compare test results for the specific model on your floor coverings, including carpets and rugs, corners and edges. | In a home with carpets or areas where debris tends to collect, I want to know how well the robot actually picks up dirt from those surfaces. Around 25% of consumers put vacuuming performance first. |
| Whether mopping is useful | Confirm your flooring is compatible and check mopping results, how the robot handles rugs, and the maintenance required for tanks and mop pads. | If I want to add wet cleaning, I want to make sure my floor is suitable and that I’m happy to look after the mop pads. Around 17% of consumers prioritise mopping hard floors. |
Results vary depending on the floor, and a robot can’t clean stairs or surfaces beyond its reach.
Compare test results for your floor coverings and measure doorways and thresholds before relying on unattended cleaning cycles. In its tests, Que Choisir assesses different floor types and areas around the edges of rooms, among other things.
A full bag or blocked tube could stop the station working as expected while you’re away.
Before buying, check the manual and note the part numbers for consumables. The Clean Base instructions documented by iRobot apply specifically to that station.
Also allow for replacement bags or compatible parts, depending on the model, as well as the time needed to maintain the station.
A mop pad doesn’t guarantee that the robot will clean your flooring effectively or remove stains.
Before choosing this feature, check that your floor is compatible, look at the model’s test results and read the maintenance instructions.
Using it means extra tasks involving the tanks and mop pads. How often they need attention depends on the model and how you use it.
The X-Plorer range is worth a look if threshold handling and mapping matter in your home. Compare the specifications of each model.
Roomba models paired with a Clean Base are worth considering if reducing how often you empty the bin is a priority.
The DEEBOT range includes robots with a station and mopping functions. Compare each model and the relevant test results.
You can compare the brand’s robot mops based on the level of automation you want and the maintenance tasks you’re prepared to take on.
Compare models based on your floors, obstacles and the ability to cross thresholds in your home.
These Joybuy products include robot vacuums with a station, including robot mops to consider depending on your floors and how much maintenance you’re prepared to do.
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Worth considering if you want to schedule everyday cleaning and combine vacuuming with mopping. Check that it’s compatible with your floors and find out what maintenance the station requires.
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Worth considering if you want to schedule cleaning cycles and empty the bin less often. Before it runs, clear away cables, small objects and lightweight rugs with tassels.
The product name states a suction power of 8000 Pa, a quoted runtime of 180 minutes and DuoDetect AI navigation. The product listing states that Wi-Fi connectivity is limited to 2.4 GHz.
Leave at least 0.5 m of clear space on either side and 1.5 m in front of the station.
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Worth considering if you want to automate several maintenance tasks, including washing the mop pads. Check that this function suits your floors and routine.
The product name states a suction power of 16200 Pa and hot-water cleaning at 75 °C.
The product listing states that it’s for indoor use and must not be used on wet surfaces or to vacuum liquids, sharp debris or flammable materials.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a station that handles emptying and mop-pad maintenance. Before buying, check that you have a suitable place for it in your home.
The product listing requires 1.5 m of clear space in front of the station, 0.5 m on either side and 0.8 m above it. It also warns of precautions relating to hot cleaning water and electrical pins.
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Worth considering if you want to schedule cleaning cycles and combine vacuuming with mopping. Bear in mind that the tanks, brushes and filters need regular attention.
The product name mentions the OZMO Roller 2.0 system, automatic emptying and a quoted suction power of 19500 Pa.
The product listing says to fill the clean-water tank, empty the dirty-water tank and clean the brushes and filters regularly.
Not when it comes to stairs: you’ll need to carry the robot between floors. Some models can store maps for multiple floors, but measure each threshold and check the specifications for the exact model. For example, Rowenta states that the RR8577WH can cross thresholds up to 18 mm high. This figure doesn’t apply to all robot vacuums.
Look out for cables and objects that could obstruct the robot, then set up the rooms and any no-go zones available on your model. A stated obstacle-avoidance function doesn’t guarantee that the robot will avoid every obstacle in your home.
No. For the Clean Base, iRobot says to replace the bag when prompted by the station or app, and recommends cleaning the tube and pre-filter every two weeks. Other stations have their own parts and instructions, so check the details for the model you’re considering.
The legal guarantee of conformity covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual. The French Ministry of the Economy says it can be invoked for two years; it’s separate from an optional commercial warranty. Contact the retailer about your claim under the legal provisions that apply to the fault.
Check the security settings, access to your Wi-Fi network, and the options for accessing and deleting data. The CNIL recommends changing the default settings on connected devices, among other things. This advice doesn’t certify any particular model.