• Long confined to a niche market, robot vacuum cleaners have never sold as well in France as in 2022.
  • The offer has expanded, stimulating competition and the arrival on the market of more accessible and more efficient devices.
  • The trend today is for robot vacuum cleaners that do more, but will still not be able to completely free us from the chore of cleaning.

Twenty-two, that's spring... and its procession of good resolutions. Among them, cleaning up its interior. In the starting blocks, cordless vacuum cleaners, robot vacuum cleaners and sled vacuum cleaners make you eye. The former are practical, the latter soften the chore of the household and the latter increasingly economical. Want to equip yourself? Through its "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. Easy to use, increasingly connected in order to be programmed, they nevertheless remain complementary devices. Unable to sneak everywhere (such as in hard-to-reach places, between the legs of chairs, under low furniture ...), some can also block by swallowing electrical wires (even if the most advanced models know how to spot this kind of obstacle). Their advantage remains their independence: robots can clean up in your absence!

Our buying tips: Start by selecting a model that vacuums or vacuums and washes at the same time. Or even a model with dump base (more expensive) that will discharge the dust sucked into a collector that you will only empty once a month, approximately. For basic robots, still prefer a device with obstacle detector, the additional investment is worth it. Robots that map their workspace are the most efficient: they only pass once in the same place.

Benefits: Total autonomy and delayed programming are their main asset, especially since robots recharge themselves, on their base, without manipulation. Connected models offer better ergonomics, thanks to their application. And important: cats are usually very fans!

Disadvantages: Robot vacuum cleaners do not go everywhere and the cheapest models move randomly, even if they fail to clean certain areas. With the latter, the household can be longer and sometimes partial. The low capacity of their dust bin is often a handicap in large homes (hence the interest of a model with dump base). Practical if used often, their mop function will quickly reach its limits for less frequent uses. Finally, not all on-board batteries are removable (therefore non-replaceable).

The first prize performance: Dreame Vacuum D9

Dreame's entry-level D9 robot vacuum cleaner 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 play space and avoid obstacles without hitting them.



Also on board, a washing function with a microfiber mop. Admittedly, the latter will hardly overcome very dirty soils, but its regular use makes it possible to cool the soils. Quite effective, easy to maintain, this model offers a good performance / price ratio. 288 euros.

The discreet and zealous connected: S8, from Roborock

All-new, Roborock's S8 connected robot vacuum cleaner is easy to use and easy to live with. He maps his space and knows how to avoid obstacles, including electrical wires with skill. It can vacuum and wash at the same time, or simply vacuum.



During our tests, it took him 56 minutes to get rid of the complete cleaning of three rooms, a cleaned area of 35 m2. Its moderate noise level allows it to be used even when you are present without being inconvenienced. We appreciate the simplicity of maintenance of his mop that just detach and rinse. EUR 699.

The combo that does it all: J7 +, from iRobot

First vacuum cleaner from iRobot (the firm now belongs to Amazon), the Roomba j7 + has taken its time... to innovate. When the device detects a carpet or carpet, its washing module lifts and folds over the top using an articulated arm, thus avoiding any contact with the floor so as not to make it possible to... soil!



By equipping this model with an artificial intelligence camera, 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 better wash them. Perfectible as with all its competitors, the washing function of the J7 + can however be set with three water flows, depending on the level of dirt of the soil to be treated. It is recommended for large surfaces, here duly mapped, its autonomy close to 120 minutes offering it great flexibility of work. 799 euros (999 euros with its base).

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