Choose a robot if you want to automate regular cleaning and your home is suitable for it to move around; a cordless stick vacuum for quick clean-ups in specific areas; or a cylinder vacuum if cleaning large areas, rugs and carpets matters more than freedom of movement. UFC-Que Choisir points out that results vary depending on the floor type and model. Compare tests relevant to your flooring, then consider the maintenance tasks and storage requirements of each appliance.
A robot can keep floors clean between more thorough cleans, provided its route suits the layout of your home. A docking station can mean you need to empty the bin less often, but the water tanks, filters and brushes still need looking after. UFC-Que Choisir also notes that vacuuming and mopping results vary by model and floor type.
A cordless stick vacuum is easy to grab for a small area and put away again, without having to deal with a cable. However, check how long it runs for in the mode you need for your floors: the maximum advertised runtime may not reflect a session at high power.
A cylinder vacuum is worth considering if manually cleaning large areas, rugs or carpets matters more to you than being able to grab your vacuum quickly. Compare results on your flooring, then make sure you’re happy with its weight, cable and storage requirements.
Consider it if: automating regular cleaning matters more than cleaning a specific area straight away.
Be prepared to: get the space ready and keep maintaining the appliance; UFC-Que Choisir notes that results vary depending on the floor type.
Consider it if: you want to grab your vacuum quickly and tackle spills or dirt in specific areas.
Be prepared for: recharging and shorter runtime at high power, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Consider it if: cleaning large areas, rugs or carpets is your main reason for buying.
Be prepared to: manage a cable and move and store the appliance, even though UFC-Que Choisir describes this type as suitable for large areas.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Automated cleaning | Check how the robot performs on your floors and whether it can move around the areas you want to clean. | When I need to get the cleaning done while I’m busy with other things, my priority is to automate regular cleaning. Around 31% of consumers would put this automation at the top of their list. |
| Quick clean-ups | For a cordless stick vacuum, compare the runtime in the mode you need and how easy it is to take out and put away. | If I often clean a small area, I want to grab the appliance and get started without unwinding a cable. This convenience would be the main priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Results on different floor types | Look for tests on your flooring and check which brushes come with the model. | When I need to clean large areas or carpets, I prioritise cleaning results over the convenience of a quick clean. Around 25% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Maintenance and lifespan | Check how easy it is to access the bin, filters and brushes, as well as the model’s repairability rating and spare parts. | If I use the appliance often, I want to be able to carry out routine maintenance and arrange repairs without too much difficulty. For around 19% of consumers, this would be the top criterion. |
UFC-Que Choisir says that the maximum runtime is generally quoted for the lowest-power mode and drops significantly at full power.
Compare the runtime in the mode suited to your floors and the area you usually clean.
UFC-Que Choisir reports that mopping results are often inadequate among the robot mops it has tested. Wet cleaning also depends on the type of flooring.
Check results on the relevant floors and follow the care instructions for your flooring.
A docking station can mean you need to empty a robot less often, but the appliance’s other parts still need cleaning. A stick vacuum also needs regular attention to its bin, filter and brush.
Before you buy, check the manual to see which parts need maintenance and how to access them.
Allow time for these tasks and check which bags, filters and other consumables the model uses.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, vacuuming results vary by model and floor type; a single figure cannot tell you how well an appliance will clean your whole home.
Compare tests on your flooring and check which brushes and accessories are actually included.
A brand to consider among the cordless stick vacuums featured by UFC-Que Choisir.
UFC-Que Choisir features the brand in its cordless stick vacuum and robot categories.
A brand in the robot vacuum segment, mentioned by UFC-Que Choisir.
A robot vacuum brand with models that combine vacuuming, mopping and a docking station.
Another robot vacuum brand featured in French guides.
These models illustrate the three types covered: robots for automated cleaning, a cordless stick vacuum for quick clean-ups and a bagged cylinder vacuum for manual cleaning. Compare results on your floors before choosing between models of the same type.
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Worth considering if you want to automate regular cleaning with an OMNI station and a mopping function.
The product details state a suction power of 25 000 Pa and mop pad washing at 75 °C; these figures alone don’t tell you how well it will perform on your floors.
Check which tasks you’ll still need to do with the station and whether mopping is suitable for your flooring.
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Consider it for automated cleaning if the tasks handled by its station are the ones you want to spend less time doing.
The product details state 16 200 Pa and hot water cleaning at 75 °C; compare its performance on your flooring too, rather than relying on these figures alone.
Robot mopping doesn’t mean you can ignore your flooring’s care instructions or the maintenance tasks that remain.
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Its cordless design is handy for quick manual clean-ups, as long as it has enough runtime for your cleaning session.
The product details state 65 kPa and up to 70 minutes of runtime. Check how long it lasts in the mode you need for your floors: the maximum quoted doesn’t apply to every mode.
The bin, filters and brush still need regular maintenance.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a robot to clean regularly and want its base to take care of some of the work.
The product details describe bin emptying, as well as mop pad washing and drying by the base. Check which consumables you’ll need and what maintenance tasks remain.
For wet cleaning, follow the care instructions for your flooring rather than assuming it will replace manual mopping.
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Consider it if you prefer to clean a large area manually and are happy to move a corded cylinder vacuum around.
This model uses a bag; check that compatible bags are available and that it comes with brushes suited to your floors.
Also consider how easy it is to move and how much storage space it needs.
No. Its main purpose is to mean you need to empty the robot’s bin less often. It takes up space and doesn’t remove the need for other maintenance; it’s most useful if having to empty the bin frequently would stop you using the robot regularly.
Don’t assume it can without checking how the model performs on the floor in question. UFC-Que Choisir reports that mopping performance is often inadequate among the robot mops it has tested. Before using one for wet cleaning, also check your flooring manufacturer’s care instructions.
Because the maximum runtime is generally for the lowest-power mode. UFC-Que Choisir reports an average runtime of around ten minutes at full power in its tests, so compare the runtime in the mode you need for your floors and the area you want to clean.
Check the repairability rating for the model sold in France, how easy it is to access the parts that need maintenance and whether spare parts are available. A rating or available part doesn’t guarantee good vacuuming results, so check how well it performs on your floor types separately.