Choose a robot vacuum cleaner based on the floors, rugs, thresholds and obstacles in your home, rather than relying on the advertised suction power alone. A docking station can mean you need to empty the dustbin less often, while mopping requires you to check that your floor coverings are compatible. It won’t replace manual cleaning for stubborn stains. Keep a manual cleaning option for stairs, furniture and hard-to-reach areas.
A robot can vacuum your floors while you get on with other things or while you’re out. If you’re counting on it to clean regularly, check the scheduling options and how it moves between rooms. Don’t expect it to eliminate the need for all manual cleaning.
With rugs, hard floors, low furniture, thresholds and objects on the floor to contend with, you’ll need to check how well the specific model gets around and picks things up. Que Choisir assesses performance on different floors, as well as cleaning along edges and in corners.
If dust or pet hair means you need regular cleaning cycles, a self-emptying station can reduce how often you need to empty the dustbin. Brushes, filters and, for a robot mop, mopping components still need to be maintained.
Start with the rooms and floor coverings you want to clean, then consider how much maintenance you’re happy to do between cycles. Mapping, a docking station and mopping can all be combined in one robot.
| Feature | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Floors and pick-up | Look for tests on the types of flooring in your home, such as rugs, tiles or wooden floors. Check performance near edges and in corners too; Que Choisir tests these areas separately. | If I have rugs and hard floors, I want to know where the robot picks up dirt effectively, not just its advertised suction power. |
| Getting around | Measure the clearance under furniture and the height of thresholds. Check the model’s mapping and no-go zone features, as well as its guidance on rugs and obstacles. | I want to schedule cleaning in several rooms without finding the robot stuck at a threshold, on a cable or on an object left on the floor. |
| Docking station and maintenance | Find out exactly what the station takes care of. You’ll still need to maintain the brushes, filters and sensors, and check which consumables fit the exact model number. | I’d like to empty the dustbin less often, but I also need to make space for the station and maintain its components. |
| Mopping | Check the guidance from both the flooring manufacturer and the robot manufacturer. If you have rugs, check how the robot detects them and how high it lifts the mop, if this feature is available. | For compatible hard floors, I’m looking for regular maintenance cleaning; I’ll still clean stubborn stains by hand. Que Choisir highlights the limitations of robot mopping. |
| App | Check compatibility with your phone, which features are available without the app and the terms for software updates. Review the permissions and privacy settings. | I want to set cleaning cycles and zones without relying on an app that isn’t compatible with my devices. |
| Additional cleaning | Identify any stairs, furniture, skirting boards and localised mess that will need to be cleaned by hand. | If these areas matter in my home, I’ll keep an upright or cylinder vacuum cleaner as well: Les Numériques points out that a robot can’t reach stairs, furniture or skirting boards. |
A suction power figure alone doesn’t tell you how well the robot picks up dirt from rugs, wooden floors, edges or corners. Que Choisir tests these surfaces separately.
Compare results for the floors in your home, then check the robot’s dimensions and where it can fit.
Que Choisir has found that mopping results are often disappointing, particularly when it comes to dried-on dirt.
Use this feature only on compatible floor coverings, and plan to clean stubborn stains by hand.
Automatic emptying means you’ll need to empty the robot’s dustbin less often, but the brushes, filters, sensors and station’s containers still need attention.
Check the manual and make sure bags, filters and other accessories are available for the model you choose.
You’ll still need to replace consumables and clean the tanks as part of ongoing maintenance.
If you need the app to access the settings you want, its compatibility and updates will affect everyday use. The CNIL points out that connected devices can generate data stored online.
Before setting it up, check which features are available without the app, what permissions it requests and which security settings are available.
Worth considering if rug handling and cleaning settings are important to you.
The DEEBOT range includes different mopping and docking station configurations. Compare features model by model.
Consider Roomba models whose mapping, obstacle avoidance or docking station suits the rooms you want to clean.
Worth considering if access to accessories and spare parts for your robot is important to you.
These options combine robot vacuuming with a station described as emptying the dustbin; several also offer mopping. Compare their advertised features with your floors, thresholds and the maintenance tasks you’re happy to continue doing yourself.
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Worth considering if you want to schedule cleaning in several rooms and cut down on certain hands-on tasks: the product description mentions mapping, app control and a station that empties the dustbin, washes the mops and dries them. Place the station on a hard, dry, level surface, with the clearance specified in the manual. Also check that the mopping function is suitable for your floor coverings.
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For scheduling regular cleaning, the description mentions TrueMapping 2.0 mapping and an OMNI station that empties the dustbin, washes the mops and dries them. The product title lists 25 000 Pa suction, OZMO Turbo 2.0 mopping and ZeroTangle 3.0; these names and figures don’t replace test results on your floors. Check the manual for how it handles your rugs and how to maintain the tanks, brushes and filters.
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If your home has thresholds between rooms, compare their height with the stated climbing ability: the product title says it can handle thresholds up to 4 cm, but doesn’t specify the conditions for this figure. It also lists 19 500 Pa suction, an OZMO Roller 2.0 and an OMNI station. The description says the station empties the dustbin, washes the mop and dries it. Check the mopping instructions for your rugs and floor coverings, and remember to maintain the station.
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For scheduling cleaning room by room, the description lists LiDAR mapping, no-go zones and an app that requires a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network. It states that the station’s container holds 3 litres; the product title also mentions mopping, 8 000 Pa suction and a claimed run time of 200 min. Check the conditions behind these figures, whether it can cross your thresholds and if the mopping function is suitable for your floor coverings.
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To plan its route around your home, the description lists laser navigation with mapping. The station is described as emptying the dustbin, washing and drying the mop, then recharging the robot; the product title lists 8 150 Pa suction and an anti-tangle side brush. Allow space for the base on a level, uncluttered surface, and remember to empty the dirty-water tank and check the brushes and sensors.
Not if you need to clean stairs, furniture or skirting boards: Les Numériques points out that a robot can’t reach these areas. Keep a manual cleaning option for them, and for localised mess that needs your attention.
Clear the area in line with the instructions for your model. iRobot recommends removing obstacles and excessive clutter before using a Roomba Combo. Its support team also notes that thick rugs, poor lighting or moved furniture can affect how some models move around.
No. Check the instructions for both the robot and your floor covering before using it. Que Choisir highlights the limitations of robot mopping; if you have rugs, check how the model avoids them or lifts its mop over them.
Check that it’s compatible with your phone, which features are available without the app, the terms for software updates and the permissions it requests. The CNIL points out that connected devices can generate data stored online, so also review the manufacturer’s security settings and privacy policy.