Market guide
Compare cleaning, navigation and docks
Use measured behavior instead of one headline specificationSuction figures, object counts and dock feature lists do not describe the result on a particular floor. Compare the exact machine through repeatable pickup, pathing, intervention and maintenance evidence.
Cleaning
Separate floor, carpet, hair and stain tests
A machine can collect large debris on hard floors while leaving fine particles or pet hair in carpet. Mopping adds pad pressure, water control, edge reach and stain behavior rather than one universal score.
- Evidence
- Prefer repeatable third-party tests with the test surface and settings attached.
- Tradeoff
- Aggressive brushes or water settings may help one surface and create a problem on another.
Navigation
Count interventions, not sensor names
LiDAR, cameras, structured light and bump sensing can all map or avoid within limits. Useful evidence records where the robot became stuck, skipped space or contacted a hazard.
- Firmware
- Keep navigation conclusions dated because updates can change pathing and object behavior.
- Privacy
- Check where maps and images are processed and which functions disappear if cloud features are disabled.
Dock
Price the station as a maintenance machine
Self-emptying, mop washing, drying and water handling add tanks, bags, trays, seals and cleaning paths. Compare what the station does and what the owner must still do.
- Consumables
- Include bags, filters, brushes, pads and approved cleaning solution over the planned ownership period.
- Placement
- Verify power, ventilation, refill and drain access plus the clear approach area.
Evidence used
First-party sources behind this guide
- 01Smart Maps, thresholds and no-mop zonesiRobot · checked August 16, 2026Open source
- 02Smart Map data privacyiRobot · checked August 16, 2026Open source
- 03Current robot vacuum rangeRoborock · checked August 16, 2026Open source
- 04Robot vacuum reviews and test resultsRTINGS · checked August 16, 2026Open source