Choose a robot vacuum that can move around your home and is suited to your floor types. Measure your thresholds and the clearance under your furniture, then check how it handles rugs and obstacles. Mopping and a docking station can take some tasks off your hands, but they won’t always replace manual cleaning. Also check the maintenance requirements, availability of spare parts and the repairability rating of the model you’re considering.
Before choosing a model, measure your thresholds, the clearance under your furniture and the thickness of your rugs. These obstacles can limit where the robot can go, so compare your measurements with the stated capabilities of the specific model.
If you’d like to run the robot while you’re doing other things or when you’re out, also consider what you’ll need to do between cycles: empty the dust bin, clean the brushes and replace consumables.
A robot vacuum and mop can help you maintain compatible hard floors regularly. However, keep a manual cleaning option for stains or areas that need a more thorough clean: UFC-Que Choisir highlights limitations in mopping performance.
To complement manual cleaning, first check that the robot can move around your home and vacuum your floor types. Then decide whether occasional mopping or spending less time handling the dust bin matters more to you.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Navigation and thresholds | Compare the robot’s height with the clearance under your furniture, then compare its stated ability to cross obstacles with the height of your thresholds. Check how it handles obstacles and no-go zones. | If thresholds and low furniture interrupt the route, I want the robot to reach the rooms I’ve planned without getting stuck. Around 33 % of consumers concerned would put this ability to cover the home at the top of their needs. |
| Vacuuming across floor types | Look for test results that match your rugs and hard floors, including edges and corners. UFC-Que Choisir assesses vacuuming performance separately for different floor types. | With rugs and hard floors at home, I need to assess how well it picks up dirt on each surface, including along the skirting boards. Consistent performance across floor types would be a priority for around 27 % of consumers concerned. |
| Docking station and maintenance | Check whether the station empties the dust bin and what maintenance the mopping parts need. Check which consumables and spare parts are available, and the repairability rating of the model you’ve chosen. | I want to run the robot frequently without having to keep emptying the dust bin, and I want to be able to maintain the appliance. Reducing the number of times they handle the bin would be a priority for around 20 % of consumers concerned. |
| Mopping and rugs | Check that it’s suitable for your hard floors, and whether it can lift the mop or create the no-go zones needed around rugs. | For my hard floors, I want occasional mopping without getting the nearby rugs wet. Around 20 % of consumers concerned would make this combination their main requirement. |
A power figure on its own doesn’t tell you how well a robot picks up dirt from rugs, tiles or wooden floors. UFC-Que Choisir also distinguishes between results along edges and in corners.
Look for test results on the floor types in your home, and check which brush and settings are used on rugs.
Depending on the model, a docking station may empty the dust bin or handle some parts of the mopping system. The brushes, filters and mopping parts still need regular attention.
Find out which tasks you’ll still need to do by hand, and check the product codes for consumables compatible with the robot and its station.
Depending on the model you choose, you may need to replace bags, filters, brushes or mop pads.
How a robot handles rugs depends on the model and the layout of the room. Ecovacs support advises that a rug’s edge may get wet if obstacles interfere with the intended operation.
Keep the area around your rugs clear and, if necessary, set up no-go zones or run a vacuum-only cycle.
ADEME describes the repairability rating as an indicator that covers factors including documentation, how easy the appliance is to take apart and the availability of spare parts. Information about a product range doesn’t necessarily apply to every model.
Check the rating and its breakdown for the robot you’re considering, then confirm which parts and accessories you’ll need are listed as available.
These ranges show some of the different features worth comparing. The details mentioned apply to the models specified, not every robot made by that brand.
The X-PLORER range includes mapped robot vacuums, as well as models with mopping or a collection station.
The range includes robot vacuums and mops, with obstacle-crossing and rug-handling features that vary by model.
The DEEBOT range includes robot vacuums and mops, some of which come with a docking station.
The range includes robot vacuums and mops, with a docking station and rug-handling features available on some models.
The Roomba and Roomba Combo ranges include robot vacuums and robot vacuums with mopping, with features varying by model.
No. Think of it as a way to keep on top of regular cleaning between manual cleans. UFC-Que Choisir reports varying results across floor types and limitations when it comes to mopping. Stubborn stains and areas the robot can’t reach may still need to be cleaned by hand.
Measure the thresholds it needs to cross, the clearance under your furniture, narrow passages and the thickness of your rugs. Compare each measurement with the specifications of the exact model you’re considering: a brand’s stated obstacle-crossing height won’t automatically apply to another model.
No, even though some models can detect rugs or lift their mopping attachment. Ecovacs support notes that a rug’s edge may get wet if obstacles interfere with the intended operation. Keep the area around rugs clear and set up no-go zones if necessary.
Check the rating and the details behind its criteria for the model you’re considering. ADEME lists robot vacuum cleaners among the appliances covered in France, and highlights factors including documentation, how easy the appliance is to take apart and the availability of spare parts.
Check that the app works with your devices, its update requirements and the settings you need, including no-go zones. For maintenance, find out which bags, filters, brushes and mopping parts are compatible with the model and any docking station.