Choose a robot vacuum cleaner based on the floors and obstacles in your home, then check how it performs on the surfaces that matter to you. Mapping is useful if you want to schedule cleaning by room or set no-go zones. A self-emptying station means you need to empty the dustbin less often, but it doesn’t eliminate maintenance. Que Choisir’s tests show that mopping performance varies between models: treat it as an extra for compatible floors, not a replacement for mopping by hand.
If your home has a mix of wooden floors, tiles and rugs, check how the robot performs on each surface. Que Choisir’s tests also look at cleaning along walls and in corners, so results in the middle of a room won’t tell you everything you need to know.
If you plan to run the robot frequently, look at how well it cleans the surfaces you have, as well as how easy it is to maintain the brushes, filters and any station bags. Check which parts are compatible with the model you’re considering.
A map and no-go zones can help you set different cleaning routines for different rooms. Check the features of the exact model, as well as whether its app is compatible with your phone and Wi-Fi network.
Start with your floor coverings and room layout. Then consider how scheduling, the station and mopping would actually fit into your routine.
| Feature | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Floor cleaning | Look for tests on the types of rugs and hard floors in your home. Check results near walls and in corners separately, as Que Choisir does, rather than relying on the advertised suction power alone. | I have several types of flooring, so I want to know how the model performs on each one, including around the edges. |
| Navigation and scheduling | Note any thresholds, obstacles and low-clearance spaces under furniture, then check the model’s dimensions and capabilities. If you want to schedule cleaning by room or set no-go zones, check its mapping features and app requirements. | If some rooms or areas need different cleaning routines, I’d rather be able to set them than run one general clean every time. |
| Emptying and maintenance | Check whether the station empties the robot’s dustbin, then find out which bags, filters and brushes are compatible. Read the maintenance instructions and check that parts are available for the exact model. | I want to empty the small dustbin less often, but I don’t expect a station to do away with replacing consumables or cleaning the robot. |
| Mopping hard floors | Check that your flooring is compatible and look for mopping tests on the model. Que Choisir reports variable results and advises against using these features on solid wood; check how to maintain the pads and station, too. | I’m interested in an extra clean on my tiles or another compatible hard floor, but I still want to be able to mop by hand. |
The quoted suction power doesn’t tell you how well a robot picks up dirt from rugs, wooden floors or tiles. Que Choisir tests these surfaces, as well as edges and corners, separately.
Compare tests on the floor coverings in your home and in the places where dust tends to collect.
Que Choisir reports that mopping results vary between models and advises against using this feature on solid wood.
Use this feature only on flooring that’s explicitly listed as compatible, and check how to maintain the pads and, where applicable, the water tanks.
A self-emptying station can mean less handling of the robot’s dustbin, but both the robot and the station still need maintenance.
Before choosing a model, check the part numbers for compatible accessories and read the maintenance instructions.
Depending on the model, you’ll still need to replace bags, filters, brushes or pads.
Maps, room-by-room scheduling and no-go zones may depend on the app. For example, ECOVACS support explains that some updates require the robot to be connected, online and docked at its station.
For the model you’re considering, check which features are available, whether your phone is compatible, what Wi-Fi is required and how to install updates.
These ranges offer a useful starting point for comparing navigation, apps and maintenance. Check the features and accessories for each model, though, as they can vary across a range.
The French range includes connected robot vacuum cleaners, including mapping models and models with self-emptying stations.
The DEEBOT range includes several series of robot vacuum and mop cleaners, with different levels of automation.
The X-Plorer range includes models with random navigation, as well as others with different features.
The Roomba and Roomba Combo ranges have accessories and maintenance instructions organised by series.
The French range includes robot vacuum and mop cleaners, as well as a selection of accessories.
These options are designed for regular cleaning. They include robots with self-emptying stations and models that highlight navigation or mapping, sometimes alongside a mopping feature. For each one, compare the advertised specifications with your floors and the maintenance your home requires.
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Its self-emptying station is a handy option if you want to handle the robot’s dustbin less often during regular cleaning.
The product title lists 8,000 Pa suction, 3D obstacle avoidance and a 180-minute run time. Before choosing, check how it performs on your floors, what features the app offers and which accessories are compatible.
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This model combines vacuuming, mopping and an OMNI station for homes looking to include both tasks in the same routine.
The product title lists 25,000 Pa suction and mop washing at 75 °C. These specifications alone don’t show how it will perform on your rugs or hard floors, so check which consumables you’ll need and how to maintain the station, too.
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LiDAR navigation and app control are worth considering if you want to organise cleaning across several rooms.
This model is listed with an automatic emptying station, a mopping function and 8,000 Pa suction. Check the settings available in the app, which consumables are compatible and how it performs on your floors.
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Its mopping function and station may appeal if you’re looking to add an extra clean for compatible floors.
The product title lists 16,600 Pa suction, an OZMO Roller system, hot-water mop washing and hot-air drying. Check cleaning results, how it handles water and the app requirements for this model.
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Laser navigation and the advertised storage of five maps are worth a look if you want to organise cleaning across several rooms.
The product title lists a mopping function, 4,000 Pa suction and app control. Check whether the app is compatible, whether the robot will fit under your furniture and how it performs on your floors. You’ll also need to maintain the dustbin, filter and brushes.
No. Think of it as an extra for regular cleaning. Les Numériques points out that a robot can’t clean stairs, furniture or skirting boards. Que Choisir also finds that vacuuming performance varies between floor types, and mopping results differ between models.
Measure the pile height of your rugs and the height of any thresholds, and note other obstacles before checking the specifications for the exact model. To assess cleaning performance, look for tests on similar rugs: Que Choisir tests different floor coverings and areas near walls separately.
Check that your phone and Wi-Fi are compatible, which features are available on the model and what’s required to install updates. ECOVACS support explains that its procedures use the app, and that some updates require the robot to be online, charging and docked at its station.
No. It can transfer dust from the robot’s bin to a larger container, but you’ll still need to keep an eye on any bags, filters and brushes. Before buying, identify the accessories compatible with the exact model and read its maintenance instructions.