If you want to hand over regular vacuuming, choose a robot based on your floors, thresholds and any objects left on the floor. Mapping is most useful if you want to organise cleaning by room or area. A docking station means you can empty the dust container less often, but it doesn’t eliminate maintenance. As for mopping, tests by UFC-Que Choisir show that results vary between models, so don’t expect it to replace manual cleaning of stubborn stains.
A robot can take care of some of the routine vacuuming on tiles or wooden floors, as long as you remember to empty and clean the appliance. UFC-Que Choisir assesses performance separately on different floor types, as well as along walls and in corners. Check tests for the floor coverings in your home.
Measure the doorways between rooms and the clearance beneath your furniture before choosing a model. Climbing ability and dimensions vary by model, so a feature listed for one robot won’t necessarily apply to the whole range.
If cables, shoes or toys are sometimes left on the floor, look for documented obstacle avoidance for the specific items you’re concerned about. Even then, it’s best to move fragile items and cables out of the way before starting a cleaning cycle.
Start with the surfaces and doorways in your home, then choose the features that will reduce the tasks you actually want to avoid.
| Priority | What to check | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Floor coverings | Compare results on the types of flooring in your home, then check performance along edges and in corners. UFC-Que Choisir tests these surfaces separately, so the advertised suction power alone doesn’t tell the whole story. | I have tiles, wooden floors or rugs, and want to know how the robot performs on each one. |
| Navigation | Check whether the model maps rooms and lets you set no-go zones or clean individual rooms. These controls depend on the model’s features and often its app. | I want to schedule cleaning for specific rooms rather than let the robot roam without clear instructions. |
| Doorways and obstacles | Compare the height of each threshold you’ve measured with the stated capability of the exact model, and measure the clearance beneath furniture too. Check which objects the obstacle-avoidance system is designed to recognise. | There are thresholds between my rooms, or cables and other objects could get in the way. |
| Emptying and maintenance | A self-emptying station transfers dust into a larger container, according to UFC-Que Choisir’s guide. Check where it will go, how easy it is to access the containers and what consumables the model needs. If you’re buying in France, also check its repairability index. | I want to empty the robot’s small dust container less often, while keeping maintenance tasks manageable. |
| Mopping | Check that your floor covering is suitable. If you have rugs, look for no-mop zones or a retractable mop pad. UFC-Que Choisir reports mixed mopping results and advises against using this feature on wooden floors, particularly solid wood. | I’d like to maintain a compatible hard floor regularly without getting my rugs wet. |
| Connectivity and data | Check that your phone and the app are compatible, and find out which Wi-Fi band is required. Read the settings and privacy policy for mapping features before enabling them. | I want to control the robot through an app, while understanding the connection requirements and how maps of my home are handled. |
This figure doesn’t tell you how well the robot performs on each floor covering, or how it cleans edges and corners. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses these situations separately.
Compare tests on surfaces similar to yours, then check the navigation, brushes and ability to cross thresholds.
UFC-Que Choisir reports mixed mopping results and advises against robot mopping on wooden floors, especially solid wood. Rugs also need to be managed appropriately to avoid contact with the mop pad.
Check which floor coverings are compatible, whether there are no-mop zones and how rugs are handled. You’ll still need to clean stubborn dirt by hand.
The station can reduce how often you need to empty the robot’s dust container, but its own container and components still need attention. Any extra tasks will depend, among other things, on whether the model has a mopping function.
Measure the space you have in mind and check that you’ll be able to access the containers and parts that need cleaning easily.
Depending on the model, you may also need to keep on top of bags, filters, brushes or mop pads. Roborock lists these consumables for its Q10 S5+; check the list for the robot you choose.
Some features rely on the app and your network. The CNIL notes that mobile apps can access a range of data. iRobot says that data about how its Wi-Fi robots are used may be sent to the cloud, and that maps are processed there if you agree to view them in the app.
Before enabling these features, check network compatibility, updates, app permissions and the privacy settings for the model you’re considering.
These brand examples can help you compare specific features. Their inclusion here doesn’t mean that every model in each range has the same equipment.
The range includes robots with mapping, mopping models and versions with a station. Check the configuration of each model.
Some Roomba vacuum cleaners and Combo vacuum-and-mop models focus on object avoidance and app controls.
The X-PLORER range includes models with mapping and app controls, but features should be compared model by model.
The DEEBOT range includes several series, with different designs and station features.
These five models are suited to routine vacuuming, with a station and advertised mopping features. Compare their variants and installation requirements, and don’t assume they cover every way of automating your cleaning.
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Worth considering if you want to combine vacuuming, mopping and a station for everyday cleaning. The product name lists 25 000 Pa and mop-pad washing at 75 °C, but these figures alone don’t tell you how it will perform on your floors. Check that it can cross your thresholds and that you have room for the station, then factor in maintenance for the containers, brushes and filters.
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Compare this model if you want to combine vacuuming, mopping and a station. The product name lists 16 600 Pa, an OZMO Roller system and hot-air drying. Check that it’s suitable for your floors rather than assuming these features guarantee a particular result. Measure your thresholds and the space available, and check the network requirements if you plan to use the app.
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Worth considering if reducing how often you empty the robot and cleaning rugs are important to you. The product name lists 8 000 Pa, 3D obstacle avoidance and 180 minutes of runtime; check the conditions under which that runtime is measured. Move cables and small objects before each cycle, and measure your thresholds and the space available for the station.
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Worth considering if you want to schedule cleaning for several rooms and empty the dust container less often. The product name lists LiDAR navigation, 8 000 Pa and 200 minutes of runtime, but these figures don’t guarantee the same results on every floor. Using the app requires a 2,4 GHz Wi-Fi network. Also check your thresholds and the space needed for the station.
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Compare this model if the doorways between your rooms and station maintenance are key considerations. The product name lists laser navigation and 4 000 Pa. The stated threshold clearance for this model is 2 cm, so compare it with the thresholds you’ve measured. Check the applicable noise level for this model before buying, and factor in maintenance for the brushes and filters.
Don’t assume it can. A robot is mainly for regular cleaning of areas it can reach. UFC-Que Choisir reports that performance varies between floor types and models, particularly when it comes to mopping. Keep a manual cleaning option for stairs, awkward corners and stubborn stains.
Measure each threshold and compare its height with the stated capability of the exact model. For example, Rowenta says the X-PLORER Series 65 can cross thresholds up to 18 mm high; this figure doesn’t apply to other robots. Wheel condition and the layout of the doorway can also make a difference, as ECOVACS support notes for some of its models.
Yes, it’s best to move cables and fragile objects out of the way. iRobot says some Roomba j7 models can avoid certain cables, shoes and pet waste, but check which objects are covered for the model you choose. Obstacle avoidance doesn’t guarantee that every cleaning run will be trouble-free.
No. A self-emptying station can reduce how often you need to empty the robot’s dust container, but you’ll still need to check the station’s container and maintain the brushes and filters. Depending on the model’s features, you may also need to keep on top of bags, mop pads and water containers.
Check that your phone and Wi-Fi are compatible, then review the model’s app permissions and privacy settings. iRobot support says some of its robots require a 2,4 GHz connection. The brand also says maps from its Wi-Fi robots may be processed in the cloud if you agree to view them in the app. Check the terms for the brand you choose.