Choose a robot vacuum if you want regular cleaning to happen automatically and can keep the floors clear; you’ll still need to maintain the machine and check how well it performs on your floor coverings. A cordless stick vacuum is handy for quick, occasional clean-ups, provided its battery lasts long enough at the setting you use. For a more thorough clean across several surfaces, consider a cylinder vacuum instead, bearing in mind its cable and the space it takes up.
Your choice mainly depends on how much of the cleaning you want to delegate and which surfaces you need to clean.
A robot vacuum can take care of routine vacuuming if you can keep its route clear. Check how the model you’re considering performs on rugs and around skirting boards and in corners; Que Choisir assesses these areas separately.
If you want to grab a cleaner quickly after a small spill, a cordless stick vacuum is suited to occasional cleaning, as Que Choisir describes. If you need a more powerful setting, check the battery life at that setting rather than relying on the maximum runtime advertised.
If rugs, carpets, crevices or upholstery need a more thorough clean, look at the brushes and accessories supplied with a cylinder vacuum. Que Choisir describes this type as particularly suitable for larger areas; you’ll also need to allow space to store it and manoeuvre its cable.
For regular floor care, start with the job that matters most in your home: automating routine cleaning, tackling mess quickly or giving several surfaces a thorough clean.
Consider it: if you want to automate regular vacuuming and can prepare a clear route for it.
Bear in mind: automated cleaning doesn’t remove the need to maintain the dust container, brushes and, depending on the model, the docking station.
Consider it: for short, manual cleaning sessions when easy access and storage matter more to you than automating the cleaning.
Bear in mind: battery life decreases when cleaning requires a more powerful setting.
Consider it: for a more thorough manual clean, particularly across a large area or several floor types.
Bear in mind: it has a cable, takes up more storage space and, on some models, requires replacement bags.
| Priority | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Cut down on manual cleaning | Compare the robot’s performance on your floors, rugs and edges, then check what maintenance the dust container and docking station need. | If I want the floors vacuumed regularly without having to get the machine out myself, the robot needs to be able to move around freely. Around 40% of consumers concerned would put this hands-off convenience first. |
| Clean quickly and store easily | Check the stick vacuum’s battery life at the setting you need and how much storage space it requires. | For a few small messes between regular cleans, I’d rather grab a cordless appliance and put it away straight afterwards. Around 30% of consumers concerned would prioritise this convenience. |
| Clean thoroughly | Check how it performs on your floor coverings and which brushes come with the cylinder vacuum, as well as its weight and reach. | With rugs, crevices or several surfaces to clean, I’m happy to handle a cable so I can give the house a thorough clean in one go. Around 30% of consumers concerned would prioritise this need. |
The maximum runtime is generally measured at the least powerful setting. In its tests, Que Choisir reports an average battery life of around ten minutes at full power. So the advertised runtime may not reflect how you’ll use it on rugs or stubborn dirt.
Compare runtimes at the setting you’ll need and check the battery replacement terms for the model you’re considering.
A docking station can automate some tasks, but it doesn’t guarantee good results on the floor. Que Choisir rates the mopping function as poor for the majority of robot mops included in its test.
If mopping is important to you, check the model’s results on your type of flooring and follow the floor’s care instructions.
Bags and filters are part of the regular upkeep for models that use them. Using an incompatible bag can make it harder to maintain the appliance.
Check the exact reference numbers for compatible bags and filters before choosing a cylinder vacuum.
Parts commitments and update processes apply to specific products. Rowenta limits its advertised 15-year commitment to products carrying the relevant label; Roborock and iRobot publish software instructions that vary by model.
For the model you’re considering, check which parts and consumables are compatible, what support is available and, if it’s a connected robot, the instructions for updating it.
These brands offer product ranges and support options worth exploring as part of your decision; check the features of each individual model.
Rowenta’s ranges include X-Plorer robot vacuums, X-Force and X-Pert stick vacuums, and cylinder vacuums, so you can compare all three types.
Roborock is worth considering if you’re looking for a connected robot vacuum. Its French-language support site includes manuals and troubleshooting guides.
iRobot’s French-language support site provides software information for different Roomba robot ranges, which may be useful if ongoing support for a Wi-Fi model matters to you.
These Joybuy models illustrate the three uses covered: robot vacuums for automated cleaning, a cordless stick vacuum for quick clean-ups and a bagged cylinder vacuum for manual cleaning across several surfaces. Compare each model with your floor coverings and the space you have available.
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Consider this if you’d like a robot to take care of regular cleaning. Check how it performs on your rugs, around edges and in corners, and make sure the version on offer is electrically compatible with your home.
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Worth considering if you want a robot that vacuums and mops. The product description states suction of 16 200 Pa and hot-water cleaning at 75 °C, but these figures alone don’t show how well it will perform on your floors. Check independent test results for the model and follow the care instructions for your floor coverings.
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Its cordless design is suited to quick, manual clean-ups. The product description states 55 kPa, 550 W and up to 55 minutes of use, but doesn’t specify which setting this runtime applies to. Check the battery life at the setting suited to your floors, as well as the battery replacement terms.
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Consider this if you prefer a manual clean across several surfaces and don’t mind storing an appliance with a cable. Check that the supplied brushes suit your floors and note the reference number for compatible bags before choosing this model.
No. Compare battery life at the setting your floors require, as the maximum runtime is generally measured at the lowest power setting. Que Choisir reports an average of around ten minutes at full power in its tests; check the stated runtime for each model and setting.
No. Mopping performance varies between models and depends on the dirt and floor covering. Que Choisir rates it as poor for the majority of robot mops in its test. Check results for your type of flooring and follow the floor manufacturer’s care instructions, especially for wood.
Check the support information and release notes for the exact product range, then look at the connection and installation requirements. According to iRobot, some compatible Wi-Fi robots can update automatically when connected to their network and placed on their Home Base; Roborock also publishes instructions for certain models. This information doesn’t guarantee a particular support period for every robot.