Homes with carpets and mixed flooring
If pet hair builds up on different floor coverings, compare results on carpets, hard floors, along edges and in corners separately. UFC-Que Choisir assesses these situations as part of its testing process.
Who is this guide for?
People looking to reduce robot maintenance
A station can mean less frequent emptying of the small dustbin, but it’s also worth comparing how easy the brushes are to access, the filters and replacement parts, and how much space you’ll need for the station.
Homes with mostly hard floors
Mopping can complement vacuuming, particularly on tiled floors. However, UFC-Que Choisir reports varying results between robot mops, so check how the mop pads and water tanks need to be maintained too.
Which features should you prioritise?
Start with your floor coverings and the places where pet hair builds up, then decide which maintenance tasks you’d like to cut down on. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between vacuuming results on different floors and in different test areas.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Vacuuming performance on different floors | Compare test results for your floor coverings, as well as along walls and in corners; don’t rely on the advertised suction power alone. | If you have pet hair on carpets as well as hard floors, regular cleaning needs to be useful on every surface. Around 33% of consumers say performance on different floor coverings is their top priority. |
| Pet hair and brush maintenance | Check how easy it is to access the brushes to remove tangled hair, and find out which replacement brushes and filters are available. | When hair gets tangled around a brush, cleaning the robot can feel just as much of a chore as cleaning the floors. For around 27% of consumers, reducing this maintenance is their main priority. |
| Emptying and the station | Measure the available space and check the type of bag or tank, the replacement parts needed and the maintenance involved. | If you clean frequently, having to empty the small dustbin after every use can become a chore. Around 20% of consumers are mainly looking to empty it less often. |
| Mopping hard floors | Check which floors are suitable, how the robot handles carpets, and what’s required to maintain the mop pads and water tanks. | On tiled floors marked by everyday dirt, mopping can matter more than other features. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this, without expecting the robot to replace a thorough clean. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based on advertised suction power alone
A suction figure on its own doesn’t tell you how well a robot picks up dirt from carpets, wooden floors, edges and corners. UFC-Que Choisir tests robots on different floor coverings and in different areas.
Identify where pet hair builds up in your home, then look for detailed results for those surfaces.
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Assuming mopping is suitable for every floor
UFC-Que Choisir’s tests show that mopping results vary and cover tiled floors; they don’t tell you how a robot will perform on wooden floors.
Check the manual to see which floor coverings are suitable, any restrictions on using water and how the robot handles carpets.
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Choosing a station without considering its maintenance
Automatic emptying can mean less hands-on emptying of the robot’s dustbin, but you’ll need to allow space for the station. A washing station also adds parts that need cleaning.
Measure the space available and check the recommended regular maintenance for the model you’re considering.
Depending on the model, you may also need replacement bags, filters or mop pads.
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Forgetting about wear-and-tear parts
The brushes and filters will need to be maintained or replaced according to the model’s instructions. In France, the repairability index for vacuum cleaners can help you assess factors such as how easy the product is to dismantle and whether spare parts are available, according to the Ministry for Ecological Transition.
Check the index if it’s displayed, and find out the part numbers before you order.
Brands to consider, model by model
Roborock
Worth considering if you’re looking for LiDAR navigation or a self-emptying station on a specific model.
- Roborock says the Q7 L5+ features an anti-tangle system and a RockDock Plus station.
- These features of the Q7 L5+ don’t tell you how it will perform on your carpets or what another Roborock model can do. Compare each model separately.
iRobot
Roomba Combo models come with different combinations of brushes, mopping functions and stations.
- For the Roomba Plus 615 Combo, iRobot describes a multi-surface brush with a cutting tool and an anti-tangle side brush.
- These features are specific to the model mentioned. Check what’s included with the model you’re considering and how it performs on your floor coverings.
Dreame
Worth considering for certain robot vacuum mops with a multi-function station.
- Dreame says the L10s Ultra Gen 3 has a multi-function station and lifts its mop pads to avoid carpets.
- An accessory brush must be compatible with the exact model. Mopping performance and how the robot handles carpets should still be compared for each model.
Robots for regular cleaning
Depending on the model, these Joybuy robots have either a self-emptying station or a mopping function to help with regular cleaning in homes with pets. Choose between them based on your floors, the space available and which maintenance tasks you’re happy to keep doing yourself.
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Eureka E20 Plus with station, black
Worth considering if you’d like to empty the dustbin less often during regular cleaning. The product title lists 8 000 Pa suction, an anti-tangle function, 3D obstacle avoidance and a 180-minute battery life. These figures don’t guarantee how well it will pick up dirt from your carpets. Check how much space you’ll need around the station and look for results relevant to your floors.
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Eureka J15 Pro Ultra robot vacuum mop
For anyone looking to add mopping on suitable floors and try a self-cleaning station. The product title lists 16 200 Pa, anti-tangle technology and a claimed 75 °C hot-water clean. Check any restrictions for your floors, as well as the station’s maintenance requirements and replacement parts.
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iRobot Roomba Combo 115 AE, white
An option to consider if you want to combine mopping with automatic emptying during everyday cleaning. The product information describes an AutoEmpty base that uses a bag and carpet detection. Check the mopping modes, compatible bags and vacuuming results on your floors. How often it needs to be emptied will depend in part on what the robot picks up.
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roborock Qrevo S5V with station, white
Worth considering if you’d like to reduce both emptying and some of the work involved in maintaining the mop pads. The product title lists 12 000 Pa, FlexiArm mop pads and a dual anti-tangle system. The product description says the station cleans and dries the pads. Measure the space you have available and check performance on carpets and hard floors separately.
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ECOVACS Deebot T30C OMNI Gen2, black
For homes looking to compare the tasks handled by a washing station with those that still need to be done by hand. The product title lists 25 000 Pa, the ZeroTangle 3.0 anti-tangle system and mop pad washing at 75 °C. The station has tanks that need maintenance, so check the space it requires, the replacement parts and how the robot performs on your floors.
Frequently asked questions
Can a robot vacuum replace manual cleaning in a home with pets?
No. Think of it as a way to keep on top of regular cleaning between deeper cleans. UFC-Que Choisir finds that results vary depending on the floor, so look at performance in the areas you’ll actually need to clean.
Does a self-emptying station mean no maintenance?
No. It can empty the robot’s dustbin into a larger container, but the robot, its brushes and filters still need maintenance, as does the station, depending on the model. Check the manual and compatible replacement parts before choosing.
Can you use the mopping function on wooden floors and near carpets?
Don’t assume so: check the manual to see which floor coverings are suitable and how the model avoids or handles carpets while mopping. The mopping tests cited by UFC-Que Choisir cover tiled floors and don’t show that the results will be the same on wooden floors.
Why check the repairability index?
If it’s displayed for the vacuum cleaner you’re considering, this index can help you assess factors such as how easy the product is to dismantle and whether spare parts are available, according to the Ministry for Ecological Transition. Also check which brushes and filters you’ll need to maintain.
Who should you contact if a robot bought from a retailer in France has a lack of conformity?
Contact the seller and keep your proof of purchase. The French Ministry of the Economy explains that the legal guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a business to a consumer, whether new, second-hand or refurbished.