Buying a robot vacuum: navigation before suction
Pascal numbers sell well, but a robot that gets stuck vacuums nothing. Navigation, height and the dock decide daily life.
Lidar is worth it
Lidar mapping is precise, cleans in lanes instead of chaos and reliably returns to the dock — the biggest quality jump under €400.
Self-empty dock = freedom
Without a self-empty dock you empty by hand every 2–3 days. With one, you forget the robot for weeks — which is the whole point.
Measure the height
Measure the clearance under your sofa and cabinets before buying. One centimeter decides whether that area ever gets cleaned again.
Quick checklist
- Mopping only with pad-lift, or your carpets get wet
- Under 65 dB if it runs in the evening
- Check app lock-in — basics should work without an account
