Start by choosing a robot vacuum based on your floors and the route it will actually need to cover. A vacuum-only model is ideal for everyday upkeep. You can add mopping for compatible floor types, provided you’re happy to maintain the water tank and mopping components. If thick rugs, thresholds or clutter get in the way, keep a conventional vacuum for those specific jobs.
If you have rugs, thresholds, low furniture or items left on the floor, first check where the robot will be able to go. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocols assess results on different floor types, while iRobot support warns that clutter can prevent the robot from covering certain areas.
A robot mop could be useful for regular maintenance of compatible hard floors, without necessarily replacing manual cleaning. UFC-Que Choisir reports varying mopping results on the types of dirt tested, so check that the robot suits your flooring and the marks you usually need to tackle.
Depending on the model, a dock can reduce how often you empty the bin or handle some of the mopping tasks. You’ll still need to make room for the dock and maintain the brushes, filters, tanks and any other components or consumables involved.
Start by measuring the robot’s route and identifying your floor types. Then choose the level of mopping and maintenance you’re comfortable with. The percentages below relate to consumers considering everyday floor care, grouped by their main priority.
| Criteria | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Access and obstacles | Measure thresholds and clearance under furniture; check the robot’s climbing limits and plan to move cables out of the way. | If objects or narrow passages could interrupt a cleaning cycle, I want to know first whether the robot can reach the rooms I have in mind. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise a route without blockages. |
| Floor types and mopping | Compare results on your types of flooring. For mopping, check that your floors are compatible and find out how the robot handles rugs. | With tiles and rugs in the same home, I want suitable care for each without getting the textiles wet. Around 25% of consumers would make this adaptability a priority. |
| Dock and maintenance | Check which tasks you’ll still need to do: empty the bin and maintain the brushes, filters, tanks and mopping components, depending on the model. | I want to schedule cleaning cycles without having to empty or clean the robot after every run. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise cutting down on these tasks. |
| Targeted cleaning | Identify stairs, corners and hard-to-reach areas that may need a conventional vacuum. | If some areas will be outside the robot’s route, I’d rather keep a way to clean them directly. Around 17% of consumers would put this manual back-up first. |
A single figure won’t tell you whether the robot can get under your furniture or climb over your thresholds. UFC-Que Choisir’s tests assess different floor types and edge areas separately. iRobot support also points out that clutter can interrupt the robot’s route.
Measure passageways and look for test results on the flooring in your home. Also check how the model returns to its dock and resumes cleaning.
In its tests on tiled floors, UFC-Que Choisir found that mopping results were often inadequate for the types of dirt assessed. You shouldn’t assume the robot will suit other floor types based on this use alone.
Use this feature only on floors where mopping is permitted, and keep a manual option for stubborn marks. Check the flooring manufacturer’s guidance before using water.
Water tanks and mopping components also need regular maintenance.
A dock can automate some tasks, but you’ll still need to keep an eye on the filters, brushes and accessories. On robot mops, water-related tasks also depend on the dock you choose.
Check the model’s instructions to find out what maintenance is required, and make sure the relevant consumables are available.
Whether you can replace brushes, filters and other parts affects how you maintain the robot over time, and availability varies by model.
Check which parts are available for the exact model before buying. At the end of its useful life, ADEME recommends considering repair or reuse, depending on the condition of the appliance, before taking it to an appropriate electrical equipment collection point.
The Roomba range includes vacuum-only and vacuum-and-mop robots, with features that vary by model.
The brand offers robot vacuum and mop models with navigation and dock features that vary by series.
The DEEBOT range includes models with different features, particularly for navigation, mopping and the dock.
The X-PLORER range includes models that combine mapping with vacuuming and mopping.
These models combine vacuuming and mopping for everyday upkeep. Before choosing, compare their advertised features with your thresholds and rugs, and think about the maintenance tasks you’re happy to take on.
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Worth considering if you want a combination of vacuuming and mopping and are happy to maintain the dock and mopping components.
The model name mentions an OZMO roller, an Omni station and advertised suction of 16 600 Pa; this figure doesn’t predict how it will perform on your floors.
Measure your thresholds and check how the mop handles your rugs, as well as whether it’s suitable for your flooring.
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Worth considering if you want mopping and a multi-function dock in a home with thresholds you can measure.
The model name mentions an OZMO Roller 2.0, an Omni station and advertised suction of 19 500 Pa; this figure alone isn’t enough to judge its real-world cleaning performance.
The stated climbing limit distinguishes between a single step of up to 2,2 cm and a combined height of up to 4 cm. Check which condition applies to each of your thresholds, and how the robot handles rugs while mopping.
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Worth considering if you want to maintain hard floors while checking exactly where rugs fit into the mopping route.
The model name mentions 3D obstacle avoidance and advertised battery life of 180 minutes; how long a cycle takes in your home will depend on the route.
Check how high the mop lifts in relation to your rugs, the threshold clearance limit and the type of dust collector supplied with the dock.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a robot vacuum and mop with a dock, provided you can make room for the setup and carry out the required maintenance.
The model name mentions anti-tangle technology and mopping components that are advertised as being cleaned with hot water at 75 °C; this isn’t a measure of how well it will clean your floors.
Before buying, check the threshold clearance limit and how the mop works around rugs.
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Worth considering for regular cleaning cycles if its vacuuming and mopping modes suit your floors and rugs.
The model name mentions advertised suction of 8 000 Pa and advertised battery life of 300 minutes; these figures don’t guarantee the results or coverage in every room.
Compare your thresholds with the stated limit of 2 cm, then check how the mop handles rugs and how the dock works.
Measure each threshold and compare its height with the stated limit for the specific model. Also consider the shape of the doorway, rugs and objects on the floor: iRobot support warns that these obstacles can reduce the area covered, even when a robot has automated navigation.
Not on every floor or for every type of dirt. In its tests on tiled floors, UFC-Que Choisir found that mopping results were often inadequate for the types of dirt assessed. Check the guidance for your flooring and keep a manual method for stubborn marks.
No. It only automates the tasks included with that model, such as emptying the bin or some stages of mopping. Check the instructions to find out when to clean the brushes, filters, sensors and tanks, and which consumables the dock uses.
Check that filters, brushes and mopping components are available for the exact model, along with any parts needed for the dock. Availability can vary by brand and model, so don’t assume your robot’s parts will remain available just because they are for another model.