Homes with several rooms or floors
You want to schedule cleaning across accessible floors and avoid missing rooms. You’ll still need a solution for the stairs: the robot won’t move between floors by itself.
Who is a robot vacuum cleaner for?
Homes with mixed flooring
You have a combination of hard floors and carpets. Compare vacuuming results and, if you’re considering mopping, check how the mop performs on your flooring rather than relying on a single advertised feature.
Homes where you want to cut down on chores
You clean often and would like to hand over emptying the bin or some of the mop maintenance. Check what the dock actually does and which maintenance tasks you’ll still need to handle.
What should you look for before buying?
Robot vacuum cleaner
Choose this if: your main concerns are dust, crumbs or pet hair, and you want to schedule regular cleaning.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to empty it, clean the brushes and deal with inaccessible areas; the robot can’t clean stairs.
Robot vacuum and mop
Choose this if: your hard floors are suitable and you’d like to add routine mopping.
Bear in mind: having a mop doesn’t guarantee it will tackle stains. Que Choisir’s tests, published in December 2024, were carried out on tiles and don’t confirm suitability for solid wood floors.
Robot with a dock
Choose this if: you clean frequently and want to reduce the time spent emptying the bin or looking after the mops.
Bear in mind: check whether the dock only empties the dust or also washes, dries and refills. Bags, brushes, filters and tanks may still need maintenance.
Manual vacuum cleaner
Choose this if: stairs, skirting boards, furniture or spot cleaning make up most of your needs.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to do the regular cleaning yourself, but you’ll stay in control of which areas get cleaned.
| What matters to you | What to check before buying | Who tends to prioritise it |
|---|---|---|
| Navigation and coverage | Room and floor mapping, navigation test results and whether the robot resumes cleaning after recharging on the exact model you’re considering. | If I want to cover several rooms without missing any areas, I look first at navigation and how the cleaning route is planned. Around 25% of consumers put this coverage first. |
| Results on different floors | Tests on your flooring and the types of dirt you encounter, including along edges and in corners. | If my home has both carpets and hard floors, I want to know how the robot performs on each rather than rely on a single advertised figure. Around 20% of consumers prioritise suitability for their flooring. |
| Maintenance still required | The dock’s exact functions and how easy it is to access the bags, filters, brushes, sensors and tanks. | If I schedule cleaning often, I want to cut down on chores without assuming that all maintenance is taken care of. Around 20% of consumers make ongoing maintenance their priority. |
| How useful is the mopping function? | Whether it’s suitable for your floor, test results on similar stains and how the mop behaves near carpets. | If I also want to mop my hard floors, I check results on my type of flooring and distinguish routine cleaning from stain removal. Around 15% of consumers prioritise the mopping function. |
| Obstacles and safety | Tests involving small objects, cable handling, raised areas and the instructions for the specific model. | If my home has obstacles or open edges, I want to know what precautions to take before scheduling a clean. Around 20% of consumers prioritise these conditions of use. |
Pitfalls to avoid
-
Choosing based only on the advertised suction power
An advertised figure alone doesn’t tell you how well the robot will clean your floors, tackle everyday debris or reach edges and corners. Que Choisir tests different floor types and areas around the edges separately in its testing protocols.
Compare test results for your floors and the types of dirt you encounter, then check performance in the areas you find most challenging.
You may still need to touch up carpets, edges or corners by hand.
-
Assuming the mopping function replaces a manual mop
A mopping function doesn’t guarantee that every stain will be removed. Que Choisir’s tests, published in December 2024, were carried out on tiled floors and don’t confirm suitability for solid wood floors.
Check which floor types are suitable and look for tests on dirt similar to what you encounter at home.
Stubborn stains may still need spot cleaning, and the mop pads will still need looking after.
-
Assuming an automatic dock needs no maintenance
Emptying, washing and drying the mops are separate functions. In its test of the Dreame X40 Ultra Complete, Les Numériques noted that the dock can get dirty, even when it takes care of some tasks for you.
For the exact model, check the manual and list which tasks are automated and which you’ll still need to do yourself.
You may need bags or other consumables. You may also have to clean the dock and deal with the dirty water yourself.
-
Scheduling a clean upstairs without checking for open edges
The Roborock Q7 Series manual warns that low objects near a raised area can interfere with the sensors, and advises against using the robot on certain raised surfaces without a barrier. These instructions apply to this series.
Before scheduling a clean, follow the safety instructions in your model’s manual and check the route.
Brands to consider, depending on the features you want
Rowenta
The X-PLORER Serie 75 S+ is an example of a model with laser navigation, multi-room and multi-floor mapping, mop-pad cleaning and an auto-empty dock.
- Rowenta France says this model can recharge and then resume cleaning across larger areas.
- The dock described empties the dust; this doesn’t mean it automatically washes the mop pads.
Roborock
The Qrevo S5V is an example of a robot vacuum and mop with LiDAR navigation and a maintenance dock.
- Roborock France says this model’s dock empties and refills the robot, and washes and dries the mops.
- These are features claimed by the manufacturer, not independent proof of performance. Safety instructions may vary between series, so check the manual for the model you choose.
Ecovacs
The DEEBOT T30 OMNI is an example of a robot mop with an OMNI station and a brush designed to reduce tangles. It may be worth considering if your home has hard floors or pet hair to deal with.
- This model gives you the option to compare a mopping solution with a dock and an anti-tangle brush.
- Ecovacs’ advertised edge coverage results depend on its defined test scenarios and don’t guarantee the same results in every home.
iRobot
The Roomba Max 715 Vac with AutoEmpty base is an example of a vacuum-focused model with an auto-empty function, for homes that don’t necessarily need floor mopping.
- iRobot says this model can detect obstacles and has an anti-tangle side brush.
- The manufacturer’s claims about avoiding cables and autonomous maintenance apply to this specific model. Check that they suit your home and routine.
Dreame
The X40 Ultra Complete is an example of a model combining vacuuming, mopping and a self-maintaining dock.
- In its test of this model, Les Numériques praised its vacuuming and mopping results.
- The same test found the automatic mop washing less than entirely convincing and noted that the dock can get dirty.
Robot vacuum cleaners available on Joybuy
This selection includes robots for regular floor cleaning, with vacuum-only and vacuum-and-mop models. Depending on the model, navigation and maintenance features will vary. Check the features and limitations of each model.
Image unavailable
EUREKA E20 Plus
Worth considering if obstacle handling and planning cleaning routes across several rooms or floors are important to you.
The product name mentions 8 000 Pa suction, 3D obstacle detection and an anti-tangle brush.
Image unavailable
Lefant M265
Consider this if you’re looking for a robot advertised with multi-floor mapping and a mopping function. Check that it’s suitable for your floors.
The product name mentions 20 000 Pa suction, a 20 cm cleaning width and an anti-tangle brush.
Image unavailable
Eureka J15 Pro Ultra
Worth considering if you want to combine vacuuming with routine mopping and cut down on some of the work involved in looking after mop pads.
The product name mentions 16 200 Pa suction, liquid detection, brush lifting and hot-water cleaning at 75 °C.
Image unavailable
Roborock Qrevo S5V White
Consider this if you want a dock that takes care of several maintenance tasks. Roborock France says the Qrevo S5V has LiDAR navigation and a dock that empties and refills the robot, and washes and dries the mops.
The product name mentions 12 000 Pa suction, FlexiArm mops and hot-air drying. The product page advises against mopping long-pile carpets and recommends setting no-go zones around them.
Image unavailable
Roborock Q10 S5
Worth considering if you want to combine vacuuming and mopping during regular cleans, and pet hair is a factor in your choice.
The product name mentions 10 000 Pa suction, a dual anti-tangle system and automatic mop lifting.
Frequently asked questions
Can a robot clean several floors by itself?
No. Depending on the model, a multi-floor function may let it save several maps, but you’ll need to move the robot between floors and find another way to clean the stairs. Rowenta says the X-PLORER Serie 75 S+ supports multi-floor mapping.
What should I do before a scheduled clean?
Move any problematic objects out of the way and follow the instructions for your model. The Roborock Q7 Series manual, for example, says not to use the robot on certain raised surfaces without a barrier and warns that low objects near a staircase can interfere with its sensors. These instructions apply to this series.
Does a dock mean the robot needs no maintenance?
No. Features vary by model, and you’ll still need to keep an eye on the brushes, filters, sensors, bags and tanks. In its test of the Dreame X40 Ultra Complete, Les Numériques noted that the dock can get dirty, even when it takes care of some tasks for you.
What warranty applies to a robot bought from a professional seller in France?
Subject to its conditions, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a professional to a private individual. The DGCCRF states that claims must be made within two years of delivery. An optional commercial warranty does not replace it.
Does France’s repairability index apply to robot vacuum cleaners sold there?
Yes. The DGCCRF includes household robot vacuum cleaners among the product categories subject to repairability index display requirements. This is an information requirement for manufacturers and distributors, not a minimum score that products must meet.