To cut down on manual vacuuming when you have pets, first choose a robot that has been tested on the types of flooring in your home and the pet hair you need to pick up. Then check its navigation and how easy it is to clean the brush and dust container. A docking station can mean less frequent emptying of the robot’s small dust container, but it also needs maintenance and won’t clean stairs or hard-to-reach areas. UFC-Que Choisir’s tests assess results by floor type, so a quoted suction power alone won’t tell you how well a robot will perform in your home.
You want to vacuum manually less often, but picking up pet hair from your carpets is a priority. Focus on test results for this surface rather than quoted suction power alone: UFC-Que Choisir’s testing assesses performance on different types of flooring.
If you have several rooms, rugs or thresholds, actual coverage, threshold clearance and resuming after charging matter just as much as the quoted battery life. Rowenta France’s model tests and published specifications show why it’s worth checking these points for each model.
You’re planning to run the robot frequently and want to handle its small dust container less often, while also considering the docking station’s maintenance and any consumables it may need. UFC-Que Choisir points out that a robot vacuum’s dust container needs emptying regularly.
For a home with pets, start with your flooring and the pet hair you need to pick up. Then check how easily the robot gets around, how often it needs emptying and what maintenance it requires.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Picking up dirt on different floors | Test results on carpets and hard floors; how easy the brush is to clean. | If your pets leave hair on carpets and hard floors, you’ll want to compare results on the surfaces you actually have at home. Around 33% of consumers prioritise picking up pet hair. |
| Navigation and coverage | Measured threshold clearance; navigation tests in rooms with obstacles. | If you want the robot to move between rooms, furniture and rugs, check how it performs in a layout similar to yours. Around 27% of consumers put access to different rooms at the top of their list. |
| How often it needs emptying | Whether a docking station is included; whether its dust container uses a bag or needs emptying. | If frequent cleaning quickly fills the robot’s small dust container, you’ll want to spend less time emptying it without adding a docking station that’s difficult to maintain. Around 20% of consumers prioritise emptying less often. |
| Long-term maintenance | Brush and filter compatibility; any manual maintenance the docking station requires. | If you want to plan for regular maintenance, check which parts fit your model and what you’ll still need to do yourself. Around 20% of consumers prioritise long-term maintenance and consumables. |
UFC-Que Choisir’s testing distinguishes between surfaces and types of dirt. A figure in pascals alone doesn’t sum up how well a robot picks up pet hair or cleans carpets.
Look for test results that match your flooring and the dirt you want the robot to pick up.
If you’re not happy with the results on carpets or in corners, you may still need to vacuum manually more often.
The docking station collects the dust, but you’ll still need to empty its dust container or replace its bag. The robot’s brush and filters also need maintenance.
Check whether the docking station uses a bag, and find out which parts are compatible with the model.
Depending on the setup, you’ll need to replace bags or empty and clean the dust container.
Rowenta states that the X-PLORER Serie 75 S+ RR8595WH can climb thresholds up to 18 mm high. This manufacturer specification alone doesn’t tell you how the robot will handle the shape of your thresholds. Model tests also show that obstacles can affect navigation.
Measure your thresholds, check the conditions stated for the exact model and look at its navigation test results.
Keep a manual cleaning option for areas the robot can’t reach, particularly stairs and hard-to-reach spaces.
The range includes robot vacuums with anti-tangle brushes and docking stations. The L40s Pro Ultra is one model to consider for a home with pets, rather than a reflection of the entire brand.
The DEEBOT N20 Plus is an example of a bagless emptying station, making it worth considering if you want to avoid using docking station bags.
The Saros 10 is an example of a model with a docking station and advanced navigation, for homes where access beneath furniture or between rooms is important.
The X-Plorer range includes robot vacuums with mapping and, depending on the model, an emptying station. Rowenta France offers a parts catalogue you can search by model number.
The Roomba 105 series is available with or without an AutoEmpty base, and a replacement kit is listed for the series.
These robot vacuums come with a docking station and are suited to homes looking to combine pet hair cleaning with less frequent handling of the robot’s dust container. Docking station features vary, so keep a manual cleaning option for stairs and hard-to-reach areas too.
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Worth considering if you want a bagless docking station and an anti-tangle feature to help with pet hair and carpets.
Listed features: 8 000 Pa suction, DuoDetect AI 3D navigation, obstacle avoidance and quoted battery life of up to 180 minutes.
Like other robot vacuums, it won’t replace a manual vacuum cleaner on stairs or in inaccessible areas.
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Worth considering if you want anti-tangle technology and a base that empties the dust container and washes the mop pads.
Listed features: 16 200 Pa suction, liquid detection, brush lift and hot-water washing at 75 °C.
Like other robot vacuums, it won’t replace a manual vacuum cleaner on stairs or in inaccessible areas.
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Worth considering if you want to spend less time maintaining the dust container and brushes; the title lists a docking station and dual anti-tangle system.
Listed features: 12 000 Pa suction, FlexiArm mop pads, hot-air drying, obstacle avoidance and smart navigation.
Like other robot vacuums, it won’t replace a manual vacuum cleaner on stairs or in inaccessible areas.
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Worth considering if you want a docking station that automates several maintenance tasks and an anti-tangle feature for pet hair.
Listed features: 16 600 Pa suction, ZeroTangle 3.0 system, hot-water washing of the mop pads and hot-air drying.
Like other robot vacuums, it won’t replace a manual vacuum cleaner on stairs or in inaccessible areas.
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Worth considering if you want an anti-tangle side brush and an all-in-one base to cut down on the time spent handling pet hair and emptying the dust container.
Listed features: 8 150 Pa suction, hot-air drying, obstacle recognition and laser navigation.
The description states that the docking station’s dirty-water tank needs emptying regularly and that you should check the dust bag. The robot won’t replace a manual vacuum cleaner on stairs or in inaccessible areas.
Not necessarily. First compare the results for pet hair and your carpets. You’ll still need a manual vacuum cleaner for stairs, furniture and places the robot can’t reach.
Identify thresholds and areas to avoid, then watch the robot’s first run around your home. A test of the DEEBOT N20 Plus published by Les Numériques reports navigation difficulties when the furniture layout changes. So even if a model is advertised as having mapping, you’ll still need to check how it moves around your home.
No. It transfers dust into its own container, which you’ll then need to empty, or into a compatible bag that needs replacing, depending on the model. The robot’s brush and filters also need maintenance.
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies when you buy from a professional seller, subject to its terms. According to the DGCCRF, you have two years from the date the goods are delivered to take legal action. For the robot vacuums covered by these rules, also check the repairability index and the information provided about parts for the model you’ve chosen. This doesn’t mean that all parts are guaranteed to remain available for the same length of time.