To keep on top of pet hair and dry debris, start by comparing how robot vacuums perform on the floors and rugs in your home. A robot vacuum and mop is also worth considering if you mainly have suitable hard floors and are happy to maintain its mop pads and tanks. Mopping won’t necessarily replace cleaning by hand. Keep a handheld vacuum for stairs, furniture, skirting boards and localised messes.
If you want to vacuum by hand less often, look at how the robot performs on your floor coverings, especially the fibres in your rugs. UFC-Que Choisir assesses different floor types separately, so a quoted suction power alone doesn’t tell you how well it picks up dirt.
A robot mop can help with everyday cleaning if your floors are suitable and you’re happy to look after the tanks and mop pads. UFC-Que Choisir notes that mopping performance varies between models and advises against using this feature on wood, particularly solid wood.
You’ll need to clear cables, pet bowls and toys before starting a cycle. For stairs, furniture and skirting boards, plan to use a handheld vacuum as well: Les Numériques points out that robots can’t reach these areas.
First, decide whether you want to automate vacuuming alone or floor mopping as well. In either case, performance on your floor coverings and the tasks you’ll still need to do yourself matter more than any one feature.
Consider it if: pet hair and dry debris are your main concern, and you’ll continue to mop the floors separately.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to empty the dustbin or maintain an auto-empty station, as well as clean hard-to-reach areas by hand.
Consider it if: your hard floors are suitable and you’d also like to tackle light marks between manual mops.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to maintain the water system and mop pads. According to UFC-Que Choisir, mopping results vary and won’t always mean you can skip mopping by hand.
| Factor | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Pet hair and floor coverings | Compare tests on embedded fibres in rugs, hard floors, edges and corners. Treat these results separately from the quoted suction power in Pa. | Pet hair builds up between cleans. I want to know what the robot actually picks up on my floors, not just on a different test surface. |
| Mopping | Check that each floor covering is suitable and look for tests on similar stains. UFC-Que Choisir advises against robot mopping on wood, especially solid wood. | If most of my rooms are tiled, I’d like to deal with light marks without assuming the robot’s mop will be enough for stubborn dirt. |
| Obstacles and navigation | Look at the model’s mapping, no-go zones and obstacle-avoidance test results. Plan to clear cables, toys and pet bowls before each cycle. | My floors aren’t always clear, so I’d rather plan which items to move than rely on the robot detecting everything correctly. |
| Routine maintenance | Find out how to empty the dustbin, clean the brushes and maintain the filters. For a mopping station, check how to manage the tanks and mop pads too. | I’d like to reduce the work between cycles while knowing which tasks I’ll still need to do. |
| Hard-to-reach areas | Identify any stairs, furniture and skirting boards that will need cleaning another way. Les Numériques points out that a robot can’t clean these areas like a handheld vacuum. | I have multiple floors or surfaces above floor level, so I’ll keep a handheld vacuum for those spots and any localised messes. |
A figure in Pa doesn’t tell you on its own how well the robot picks up fibres from rugs or cleans along edges. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing separates results by floor type.
Compare tests on the same types of surfaces you have at home, paying particular attention to rugs, corners and pet hair.
UFC-Que Choisir reports disappointing mopping results for many of the models it has tested and advises against robot mopping on wood, particularly solid wood.
Use this feature only on suitable floor coverings, check tests on stains and keep a manual method for stubborn dirt.
A mopping station also needs its tanks refilled and emptied, and its mop pads maintained.
A model’s advertised obstacle-avoidance feature doesn’t guarantee that it will recognise cables, pet bowls, toys or pet waste in your home.
Clear the route before each cycle and set up no-go zones if your model allows it.
A station can reduce the need for some hands-on tasks, but brushes, filters and other components still need the right maintenance for your model.
Before choosing, check the references for compatible parts and consumables, their availability and the maintenance tasks specified for the appliance.
These brands offer useful points of comparison, but features and performance will vary between their appliances.
Worth considering if you’re looking for an auto-empty station, mapping or features designed to reduce hair tangles.
Compare its robot vacuum and mop models with a station if wet cleaning is part of your plan.
Another robot vacuum brand to consider if parts availability and ongoing model support are important to you.
These five models combine vacuuming with a mopping function. If you have pets, compare their features and maintenance requirements, then look for tests on pet hair and the floor coverings in your home before choosing.
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For regular cleaning, this robot combines vacuuming and mopping with a dust auto-empty station. The product title lists 8 000 Pa, LiDAR navigation and a dual anti-tangle system. Compare tests on your rugs and check that your floors are suitable for mopping.
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The mopping function and self-cleaning base may appeal if you want to cut down on some of the tasks involved after each cycle. The product title lists 16 200 Pa, anti-tangle technology and hot-water cleaning at 75 °C. Look separately at performance on pet hair and rugs, and at the maintenance the base needs.
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This model combines vacuuming, mopping and a station for regular floor cleaning. The product title lists 12 000 Pa, FlexiArm mop pads and a dual anti-tangle system. Check how it performs on fibres and rugs, and don’t treat its advertised obstacle avoidance as a guarantee.
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The station and mopping function are worth considering if you’re happy to maintain the tanks and cleaning components. The product title lists 16 600 Pa, an OZMO Roller and ZeroTangle 3.0. Compare these features with test results for pet hair, rugs and suitable floors.
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This robot combines vacuuming and mopping with a station, helping to automate some of your floor-cleaning routine. The product title lists 8 150 Pa, laser navigation and an anti-tangle side brush. Check how it performs on pet hair and clear the floor, even with the advertised obstacle recognition.
Not if you also need to clean stairs, furniture and skirting boards. Les Numériques points out that robots can’t reach these areas, so keep a handheld vacuum for finishing touches and localised messes.
It’s best to clear the route first. A model’s advertised obstacle avoidance doesn’t guarantee it will recognise every object, especially pet waste. Check the manual and tests for the specific model, then set up no-go zones if this feature is available.
No. Depending on the model, it may empty the dustbin or handle some stages of mopping, but you’ll still need to check the relevant brushes, filters, containers, mop pads and tanks.
The statutory guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a business to a private individual in France, as explained by the Ministry of the Economy. Keep your proof of purchase and a description of the offer so you can report any lack of conformity to the seller.