To keep your floors clean while you get on with other things, start by choosing a robot vacuum to suit your floor surfaces, obstacles and the areas you’ll still need to clean by hand. A vacuum-only model is suited to everyday cleaning; mopping and a self-emptying station are worth considering if you’re happy with the maintenance they still involve. Tests by UFC-Que Choisir show why results on carpets, fibres, edges and corners should be assessed separately.
If you have carpets, wooden floors or tiles, as well as furniture legs or objects on the floor, look at how well the robot navigates and performs on each surface. UFC-Que Choisir’s test protocol assesses different floor types, edges and corners separately.
If this type of dirt builds up on your rugs or carpets, look for an assessment that covers it specifically. UFC-Que Choisir points out that a result for one type of dirt doesn’t necessarily apply to another. You should also consider how easy it is to access the brushes and empty the bin.
If you want to reduce the amount of hands-on maintenance without compromising your privacy, check the parts and consumables, customer support, app and privacy settings for the model you’re considering. The CNIL notes that the data processed by a connected device depends on its features.
Start with the floors and areas you need to cover, then consider how much maintenance you’re still willing to do. If autonomous cleaning isn’t your priority and you want to tackle specific areas yourself, a handheld vacuum may be a better fit. Mopping and a self-emptying station are features to consider next, model by model.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage and floors | Compare results on your main floor surface, along edges and in corners. Check whether the robot can get under furniture and which obstacles you’ll need to move. | I want to run the robot while I’m doing something else without finding the same areas left untouched around the furniture. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise coverage and navigation. |
| Maintenance still required | Find out how often you’ll need to empty and clean the brushes, filters, tanks and, where applicable, mop pads. | If the robot runs frequently, I want to avoid emptying it becoming a repetitive chore, while knowing which parts will still need maintenance. For around 29% of consumers, reducing these tasks would be the main priority. |
| Carpets and fibres | Look for tests covering carpets, pet hair and human hair for the exact model. Check how easy it is to access the brushes. | With carpets and hair to pick up every day, I can’t rely on results from hard floors alone. This would be a priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| App and data | Check app compatibility, features that require an account, release notes and the privacy policy. | I want to schedule cleaning without agreeing to connection or data-processing terms I’m not comfortable with. Around 14% of consumers would put these checks first. |
A robot that moves around by itself may still leave you with more manual cleaning on certain carpets, along walls or in corners. UFC-Que Choisir’s test protocol assesses these surfaces and areas separately.
Match the test results to the floors in your home and the areas that are harder to clean, rather than relying on a general suction claim.
The presence of mop pads doesn’t guarantee a thorough wet clean: UFC-Que Choisir notes that the performance of robot mops can still fall short.
Consider this feature as a way to supplement cleaning hard floors, and check the instructions for cleaning the tanks and mop pads.
Depending on the model, the mopping components may also need replacing.
A self-emptying station can mean less frequent emptying, but the brushes, filters and other components still need maintenance. UFC-Que Choisir points out that a robot’s dust bin needs to be emptied regularly.
Read the instructions for the exact model and check that the parts and consumables you’ll need are available.
Scheduling and mapping may depend on the app and the features available on a particular model. The CNIL also points out that connected devices raise privacy concerns.
Before buying, check the stated compatibility, account requirements, release notes and privacy policy for the model you’re considering.
Roborock has a French-language support portal where you can search for its robot vacuum ranges.
In France, iRobot publishes information about its apps and release notes for certain series.
The X-Plorer range includes robots for which Rowenta publishes French-language pages about accessories and parts.
Dreame offers robot vacuums and publishes manuals; some of its European pages describe the Dreamehome app.
These models are designed to clean your floors autonomously. They include robots with mopping features or a station, so consider how they suit your floor surfaces and the tasks you want to reduce. Their stated specifications don’t replace testing them on the floors and types of dirt found in your home.
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Worth considering if you want to combine vacuuming with wet floor cleaning while you get on with other things. Check how it performs on your floors, what maintenance the station requires and the app terms for this model.
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Consider this if you’re looking for a robot vacuum and mop with a station and are happy to maintain the mopping components. The product name lists 25,000 Pa suction, an OZMO Turbo 2.0 system and mop washing at 75 °C. These specifications alone don’t tell you how well it will perform on your floors. Check the app terms too.
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Worth considering if you want to reduce how often you empty the robot’s bin while still enjoying autonomous cleaning. The product name lists 8,000 Pa suction, a 180-minute battery life and DuoDetect AI navigation. Still, compare its performance on your carpets and fibres, and check the app terms.
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Consider this for combining vacuuming and mopping as part of your regular floor care. The product name lists 12,000 Pa, FlexiArm pads and hot-air drying. Remember that the pads need maintenance, and check its performance on harder-to-clean surfaces as well as the app terms.
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Worth considering if you want to combine vacuuming and mopping in one autonomous clean. The product name lists 8,150 Pa, laser navigation, an anti-tangle side brush and hot-air drying. Check how it performs on your floors and fibres, as well as the station’s maintenance requirements and the app terms.
No. It’s better suited to regular cleaning between your manual cleans. UFC-Que Choisir reports varying results depending on the surfaces and types of dirt. Wet cleaning from robot mops can also fall short. You may still need to clean the harder-to-reach areas of your home by hand.
Move cables, small objects and textiles that could get in the way. If your model has no-go zones, set them up as described in the manual. Mapping and obstacle avoidance don’t guarantee that the robot will recognise every object.
Check the manual, compatibility information and support page for the exact model. For example, iRobot specifies Roomba Home or iRobot Home for different series, so an app listed for a brand won’t necessarily work with all its robots.
Read the privacy policy for the robot and its app, then check the permissions, whether an account is required and which settings are available. The CNIL notes that the data processed by a connected device depends on its features, so make these checks for the model you plan to use.
For a new item bought from a professional seller in France, the French Ministry of the Economy states that you can claim under the legal guarantee of conformity for two years. It covers conformity defects and is separate from an optional commercial warranty. Keep your proof of purchase and contact the seller if a defect appears.