To keep your floors clean between manual cleans, choose a robot based on the surfaces and obstacles in your home, then consider which tasks you’d like it to take on. UFC-Que Choisir points out that results vary by floor type: mopping does not always replace a thorough clean, and a dock can reduce some of the hands-on work without eliminating maintenance altogether. If you plan to use an app, also check the network requirements and privacy settings for the specific model.
If your home has a mix of rugs, tiles or wooden floors, compare suction performance on each surface. Measure your thresholds too, and if you’re considering a robot mop, check what happens to its mop pad when it comes across a rug.
A dock can mean you need to empty the dustbin less often and, depending on the model, take care of some mop-pad maintenance for you. However, you’ll still need to make space for it and maintain its bins, tray and any consumables.
If scheduling or mapping appeals to you, check Wi-Fi compatibility, which features are available without an app, and how the model is updated. France’s data protection authority, the CNIL, also recommends checking what data connected robots collect and reviewing their privacy settings.
Start with your floors and the routes between rooms, then choose between vacuuming only, mopping compatible floors, and a dock, based on the maintenance you’re happy to do. Keep a manual vacuum for areas and messes the robot can’t clean properly.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Floors and obstacles | Compare results by floor type; measure your thresholds and check how the robot handles rugs and objects on the floor. | With rugs, hard floors and doorways between rooms, I want the robot to move around without leaving areas it can’t reach. Around 31% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Robot maintenance | Check exactly what the dock takes care of, how much space it needs, and which bins or consumables require maintenance. | If having to empty the dustbin after each run puts me off, I mainly want to cut down on those tasks without forgetting to maintain the dock. This would be the top need for around 31% of consumers. |
| Mopping | Check whether your floors are suitable and, if you have rugs, how the mop pads behave around them. | For my hard floors, I’d like to add regular damp cleaning while still cleaning tough stains by hand. Around 23% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Connectivity and data | Confirm the required Wi-Fi band, which features work without the app, how updates work and what privacy settings are available. | Before using scheduling and maps, I want to know whether my network is compatible and what data the app processes. Around 15% of consumers would make these checks a priority. |
A suction figure alone doesn’t tell you how well a robot will perform on rugs, tiles, wooden floors, in corners or along edges. UFC-Que Choisir assesses these situations separately in its testing process.
Look for results on the surfaces in your home and consider how easily the robot can move around each room.
UFC-Que Choisir highlights limitations in mopping performance and advises against using this feature on wooden floors, particularly solid wood.
Use the damp-cleaning function only on suitable surfaces, and plan to clean stains or areas that need it by hand.
Depending on the model, a dock may empty the dust, wash mop pads or dry them. These features don’t mean the dock itself is maintenance-free.
Before buying, check which tasks it handles, what accessories are included and how much space you’ll need to install it.
You may still need to budget for bags, filters, mop pads and water, as well as cleaning the bins or tray, depending on the set-up.
Some robot vacuums require a specific Wi-Fi band to connect. The CNIL also reminds users to consider personal data when using connected features.
Check the model’s manual for network requirements and offline features, then review permissions, updates and the privacy policy before creating an account.
The X-Plorer range includes robot vacuum-mops and models with a dock.
Depending on the model, DEEBOT robots offer vacuuming, mopping, a dock and app control.
Roomba and Roomba Combo models let you compare vacuuming on its own with the addition of damp cleaning.
The Xiaomi range includes robots with and without a dock, which you can compare based on the maintenance tasks you want them to handle.
Roborock is one of the brands to consider if you’re looking for a robot vacuum for everyday cleaning.
These models are designed for everyday cleaning and include dock features. First, check they’re suitable for your floors and thresholds: a dock can make some tasks easier, but it doesn’t guarantee the robot will reach every area or deliver a thorough clean.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a robot vacuum-mop with a dock for regular cleaning across different floor types; compare performance on each surface before choosing.
The product details state a suction power of 19 500 Pa and the OZMO Roller 2.0 mopping system. Measure your thresholds and check which crossing conditions apply in your home.
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Consider this model if you want to combine vacuuming, damp cleaning and a dock; check how the mop pads behave if you also have rugs.
The product details state 25 000 Pa, OZMO Turbo 2.0 mopping and mop-pad washing at 75 °C in the dock. These specifications alone don’t tell you how it will perform on your floors.
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Worth comparing if you want to empty the robot less often while adding damp cleaning; check the space available for the dock and what maintenance it needs.
The model name mentions an auto-empty dock, hot-air drying, a stated suction power of 15 400 Pa and a stated run time of 200 min. Check separately how the mop pads behave on your rugs.
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Worth considering if you want to automate some floor-care tasks and cut down on the work after each run. Check what its base takes care of and how much space it needs.
If your home has rugs or thresholds, check the model’s product details for mop-pad management and the heights it can cross before buying.
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Worth comparing if you’re looking for a robot with a dock and mop pads for everyday cleaning; check how well it crosses thresholds and handles the rugs in your home.
The product name states 12 000 Pa, FlexiArm mop pads, hot-air drying and smart navigation. These details are no substitute for results by floor type.
A robot vacuum can take care of some everyday cleaning, but it can’t replace manual cleaning on every surface. UFC-Que Choisir assesses performance on rugs, tiles, wooden floors, in corners and along edges separately. Keep a manual option for stairs, upholstery and messes the robot can’t clean properly.
For the specific model, check whether it detects rugs and whether it can lift the mop pad, including how high it lifts. This feature can help limit dampening, but you’ll still need to move cables out of the way and keep an eye on the first few runs, especially around thick rugs.
Whether you need Wi-Fi depends on the model and the features you want to use: maps, scheduling and remote control may all require the app. Ecovacs documentation states that some initial connections require a 2.4 GHz or combined 2.4/5 GHz network; check the manual for the compatible band and which features remain available offline.
Before creating an account, check the permissions requested, how updates work and the privacy policy. The CNIL recommends considering whether connected features are worth sharing your personal data for. In particular, check what data is processed, why, how long it is kept and what privacy settings are available.