Twenty-two, here comes spring… and its procession of good resolutions. Among them, cleaning up the interior. In the starting blocks, cordless stick vacuum cleaners, robot vacuum cleaners and canister vacuum cleaners catch your eye. The first are practical, the second soften the drudgery of the household and the last more and more economical. Want to equip yourself? Through his “Spring Cleaning” series, 20 minutes guides you to the equipment that will give you the most satisfaction according to your needs and your budget.
The bias of autonomy
With more than 500,000 sales in France in 2022 (source: Gifam), robot vacuum cleaners have never been so popular. Simple to use, more and more connected in order to be programmed, they are still complementary devices. Unable to sneak in everywhere (such as in hard-to-reach places, between the legs of chairs, under low furniture, etc.), some can also get stuck by swallowing electrical wires (even if the most advanced models know how to spot this kind obstacle). Their asset remains their independence: the robots can do the housework in your absence!
Our buying tips: Start by selecting a model that vacuums or vacuums and washes at the same time. Even a model with an emptying base (more expensive) which will discharge the vacuumed dust into a collector that you will only empty once a month, approximately. For basic robots, still prefer a device with an obstacle detector, the additional investment is worth it. Robots that map their workspace are the most efficient: they only go through the same place once.
Benefits : Total autonomy and offline programming are their main assets, especially since the robots recharge themselves, on their base, without manipulation. Connected models offer better ergonomics, thanks to their application. And important: cats are generally very fond of it!
Disadvantages: Robot vacuum cleaners do not go everywhere and the cheapest models move randomly, even if it means omitting to clean certain areas. With the latter, cleaning can be longer and sometimes partial. The low capacity of their dust container is often a handicap in large homes (hence the interest of a model with an emptying base). Practical if used often, their mop function will quickly reach its limits for less frequent uses. Finally, all on-board batteries are not removable (therefore not replaceable).
The first performance award: Dreame Vacuum D9
The entry-level robot vacuum mop Dreame’s D9 remains relevant for the maintenance of modest surfaces. Its affordable price does not prevent it from combining functions, such as the presence of a laser rangefinder to map its playing area and avoid obstacles without hitting them.
Also on board, a washing function with a microfiber mop. Admittedly, the latter will have difficulty overcoming very dirty floors, but its regular use makes it possible to refresh the floors. Quite efficient, easy to maintain, this model offers a good price/performance ratio. 288 euros.
The discreet and zealous connected: S8, from Roborock
All new, the connected robot vacuum cleaner Roborock’s S8 turns out to be easy to use and easy to live with. He maps his space and knows how to skilfully avoid obstacles, including electric wires. It can vacuum and wash at the same time, or just vacuum.
During our tests, it took 56 minutes to free itself from the complete cleaning of three rooms, or a cleaned area of 35 m2. Its moderate sound level allows it to be used even when you are present without being inconvenienced. We appreciate the ease of maintenance of its mop that you just have to detach and rinse. 699 euros.
The combo that does it all: J7 +, from iRobot
First vacuum mop from iRobot (the firm is now owned by Amazon), the Roomba j7+ took its time… to innovate. When the device detects a rug or carpet, its washing module rises and folds over the top using an articulated arm, thus avoiding any contact with the ground so as not to… dirty it!
By equipping this model with a camera, artificial intelligence, iRobot allows it to identify up to 80 everyday objects to better circumvent them. The robot also knows how to detect the dirtiest areas to wash them better. Perfect as with all its competitors, the washing function of the J7 + can however be configured with three water flows, depending on the level of dirt on the floor to be treated. It is recommended for large areas, duly mapped here, its autonomy close to 120 minutes offering it great working flexibility. 799 euros (999 euros with its base).