Homes with pets and mixed flooring
If pet hair builds up on tiles, wooden floors and rugs, compare the results on each surface. UFC-Que Choisir points out that robot vacuum performance varies depending on the type of floor.
Who is this approach suited to?
A robot is best suited to frequent cleaning of accessible floors; how much manual cleaning you’ll still need to do depends on the other areas in your home.
Anyone who wants to empty the dust container less often
A station can make this task less frequent when you clean regularly. You’ll also need to allow space for it and check what maintenance and consumables it requires.
Homes with areas that need cleaning by hand
Keep an upright or stick vacuum to hand for stairs, furniture, skirting boards and localised mess. Les Numériques describes robot vacuums as appliances that complement these manual cleaning options.
What should you look for before choosing?
Start with your flooring and the areas that need cleaning, then consider how much time you’re willing to spend on the dust container, brushes and, where applicable, the station.
| What to consider | What to check | Depending on your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Flooring and areas | Compare tests carried out using a comparable method on your hard floors and rugs. Also look at results along walls and in corners: UFC-Que Choisir assesses different floor types separately. | I have wooden floors and rugs: a good result on one surface doesn’t tell me how much the robot will pick up on the other. |
| Pet hair and brushes | Check how easy it is to access the main brush and side brushes to remove pet hair. To compare a rotating brush with direct suction, look for comparable tests on your flooring; an advertised anti-tangle feature alone doesn’t prove how well it performs. | Pet hair easily gets wrapped around the brushes in my home. I want to be able to clean them without difficulty, while also checking how well the robot picks up hair on my floors. |
| Emptying and the station | Check how to empty both the robot’s dust container and the station’s reservoir, as well as what consumables are needed. A station automates the transfer of dust; it doesn’t vacuum the floor or take care of all maintenance. | If frequent cleaning fills the dust container quickly, I’d rather empty it less often, provided I have room for a station. |
| App and product lifespan | Check that the app is compatible with your phone, which features depend on it and the terms for updates. For the exact model, also check the applicable repairability index and find out about spare parts. | I want to schedule cleaning and keep the robot in good working order over time, without assuming a brand’s commitment covers every model. |
| Manual cleaning | Identify stairs, furniture and cluttered areas the robot can’t reach. Then compare an upright or stick vacuum for these tasks; Les Numériques notes that these appliances can complement a robot. | I still need an appliance I can control myself for steps and occasional cleaning jobs. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
-
Judging pet hair pick-up by the Pa rating alone
An advertised figure doesn’t tell you on its own how well a robot will perform on a rug, wooden floor or along a wall. UFC-Que Choisir tests suction on different floor types and kinds of debris.
When comparing two robots, prioritise tests carried out on the flooring you have most of, under similar conditions.
-
Assuming the mopping function replaces a mop
In tests published in December 2024, UFC-Que Choisir found that most of the models assessed performed poorly at both mopping and vacuuming. This finding doesn’t predict the performance of every model.
Check the mopping tests for the model you’re considering, which floor types it’s suitable for and how it handles the mop pads when it moves onto a rug.
-
Confusing an automatic station with maintenance-free cleaning
Emptying the dust container can be automated, but the brushes, filters, reservoirs and mopping components still need regular attention.
Before choosing a station, check how each of these parts is cleaned and which consumables the model uses.
Depending on the station, bags or other consumables may be required.
-
Overlooking the app and spare parts for the exact model
Connected features depend on app compatibility, while spare-part availability needs to be checked for each specific model. In France, ADEME lists robot vacuum cleaners among the appliances covered by the repairability index.
Before buying, check the index shown for the product in question, which spare parts and instructions are available, and the terms for updates.
Which brands should you compare?
These brands can help you identify features to look for in a specific model; they don’t indicate how it will perform on your floors or whether it’s included among the products below.
Roborock
The Qrevo Curv range includes connected robots and a multifunction station.
- Roborock advertises a dual anti-tangle system on selected Qrevo Curv models. Check the exact model if brush maintenance is a priority for you.
- This claim doesn’t prove how well the robot picks up pet hair on your floors. Roborock also states that its app interface may change without notice.
Dreame
In France, the brand offers the L40s Pro Ultra robot mop and vacuum, along with station features.
- Dreame’s L40s Pro Ultra product page lists an anti-tangle brush and 19 000 Pa suction power. These are stated specifications for this model.
- These specifications don’t show how it compares with other robots at picking up pet hair. Check the accessories and updates for the model you’re considering.
iRobot
The Roomba range includes robots that combine rubber brushes with an automatic emptying base on some models.
- iRobot’s advertised dual brushes and base are worth looking into if pet hair around the brushes and emptying the dust container are your main concerns.
- Features vary by model, so check the consumables and maintenance options for the one you choose.
Rowenta
The X-Plorer range includes robots with different collection and station features, depending on the model.
- Rowenta provides repair resources and says it keeps technical parts available for 15 years after purchase for almost all its products.
- This commitment alone doesn’t confirm that every part is available for every X-Plorer model. Ask for the part numbers you need for the robot you’re considering.
Robots with stations available on Joybuy
These robots with stations are suited to automating cleaning on accessible floors and some of the emptying process. Compare their stated features with test results on your flooring, and always plan to clean areas they can’t reach yourself.
Image unavailable
ECOVACS DEEBOT T30C OMNI Gen2, black
For regular cleaning of accessible floors, this robot vacuum and mop is listed with an OMNI station and ZeroTangle 3.0 system. Its title states 25 000 Pa, mop washing at 75 °C and TruEdge 2.0 for edges. These specifications alone don’t show how well it picks up pet hair on your floors. Remember to maintain the brushes, reservoirs and mop pads.
Image unavailable
roborock Q7 L5+, black
If frequently emptying the dust container is a hassle, this robot vacuum and mop is listed with an automatic emptying station and a dual anti-tangle system. The title states 8 000 Pa, LiDAR navigation and app control. Compare its performance on your rugs and hard floors; the station doesn’t eliminate the need to clean the brushes.
Image unavailable
Eureka E20 Plus, model 100551779, black
This E20 Plus model is listed with an emptying station, an anti-wrap feature and DuoDetect AI obstacle avoidance. Its title states 8 000 Pa and an advertised runtime of 180 minutes; actual runtime depends on the conditions of use. If your rugs trap a lot of pet hair, look for pick-up tests on a comparable surface and check the station’s maintenance requirements.
Image unavailable
EUREKA E20 Plus, model 100006340104178
For scheduled cleaning on accessible floors, this E20 Plus model is listed with app control, an anti-tangle brush and a collection station. Its title mentions DuoDetect AI and 3D obstacle avoidance. Check the power rating for this specific model with the seller, as the figures in its product information differ. Also check pick-up results on your floors and app compatibility.
Image unavailable
ECOVACS DEEBOT X9 PRO OMNI
This robot vacuum and mop is listed with an OMNI station that combines dust-container emptying, hot-water washing and hot-air drying for the mop pads. Its title also mentions the OZMO Roller and ZeroTangle 3.0 system. These features don’t prove how well it picks up pet hair on every floor; the reservoirs, brushes and filters still need maintenance.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need an emptying station if you have pets?
No. It can be useful if frequent cleaning quickly fills the robot’s dust container, as it transfers dust into a larger reservoir. Weigh up the time saved against the space it takes up, any consumables you may need and the maintenance required for the brushes and station.
How do you compare two robots for rugs, wooden floors and tiles?
Look for tests carried out using a comparable method on each of your floor types. UFC-Que Choisir assesses different types of flooring separately in its test protocol: a single advertised power rating can’t predict how well a robot will pick up dirt from rugs, wooden floors and tiles.
Can a robot completely replace a manual vacuum cleaner?
Not if you also need to clean stairs, furniture or areas the robot can’t reach. Use it to automate cleaning on accessible floors, and keep an upright or stick vacuum for these tasks and targeted cleaning.
What should you check before relying on the robot’s app?
Check that it’s compatible with your phone, which features require the app and the update terms for the model you choose. Interfaces can change: Roborock, for example, states that its app interface may change without notice.
What is the repairability index for in France?
For new vacuum cleaners covered by the scheme, including robots, the repairability index is regulated information that you can check for the exact model, according to ADEME and the French ministry responsible for the environment. It helps you assess how repairable a product is; it doesn’t guarantee cleaning performance or unlimited availability of every part.